When I was first asked to blog here, I chose the name “Massage Collage” for my blog because I intended to write about a number of different things pertaining to the massage profession…I didn’t want to limit myself to one subject, and I haven’t. I’ve written about road trips I’ve taken on the way to teach a class, given business and marketing advice, and shared personal experiences from my years in this profession.
If you’ve been a reader for long, you know that I’ve also written quite a few columns about the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. I’ve complained about their interference in state government, exposed what I perceive to be some of their financial excesses, and so forth. Now I would like to say that I am sure not all of you agree with my opinions, and I don’t expect you to; but I’m relatively certain that all of you would agree that I have a right to state my case, as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States in which we live.
In reading back through past blogs, I also see that on a number of occasions, I have invited the officers of the NCB to make a response on this blog, an offer that they’ve never taken me up on.
I have been warned by quite a few people in our profession that the NCB intends to discredit me in some way. I’ve heard everything from “they’re going to sue you” to “they’ll take away your certification.” Earlier this week, I heard from someone who is involved with our state legislature that their lobbyist has actually complained about me to our legislators, in an attempt to shut me up. I’ve even heard some things that are funny, like the tale that my picture is on a dartboard in the NCB office.
In response to that, I would like to say that a) as I said above, freedom of speech is a right in this country, and 2) I have not printed any lies about the NCB.
Yes, I have complained about their holding meetings in Hawaii and other ritzy destinations. Yes, I’ve reported about their interference in state boards, the lawsuits they’ve filed against states who have joined the Federation and are accepting the MBLEx, and their attempts at discrediting that exam. Yes, I’ve complained about what I believe to be their lack of transparency.
I don’t want to be known as a one-subject writer, and to that end, I actually hold back a lot of things that I could write about them. And, I don’t pull this stuff out of thin air, either. I have sources in state boards all over the country, and other sources who are volunteers and staff members, past and present, of the NCB. Like any reporter worth his salt, I protect my sources, unless they give me permission to use their name.
So once again, I will make the offer to the officers of the NCB: Anytime I write something on this blog, or elsewhere, that you take exception to, please feel free to post a response and state your side of the argument. You have that right, and an open invitation.
And if I want to write a column complaining about President Obama, I’m relatively certain he would defend my right to do so.
Peace & Prosperity,
Laura Allen
June 5th, 2009 at 6:32 am
You are brilliant. What a great blog!
June 5th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Great blog. As a Nationally Certified Therapist, I’ve been troubled by some of the actions of the National Certification Board (NCB). Thanks for speaking your opinion, and taking on the NCB when you’ve felt it was necessary. I hope the NCB will take you up on your offer to make a rebuttal on your blog.
June 5th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Thank you for fighting the good fight laura. Free speech is not a luxury. Those who don’t like the message, shouldn’t listen.
June 8th, 2009 at 6:55 am
Thanks, Laura, for yet another insightful article that reminds us all of one of the most fundamental rights and privileges of this country, freedom of speech. I have to wonder if people don’t respond sometimes not so much out of a fear of publicity or stating their opinion out in the open but instead just a state of apathy.
Unlike the people that serve on various boards year after year (as you mentioned in another post) and others who get involved in their industry in a much deeper way than the average bear, I think a great majority of people just don’t care about what is happening around them. It’s not just in our industry, but in our country . Folks are too caught up in things that don’t really matter (American Idol, the latest on Brad and Angelina, Brittany and others, et al) to take the time and mental energy to express themselves in writing (and with eloquence fit for print.) And, to be fair, many are caught up in other stresses and situations like taking care of the kids or family, making enough money to get by or simply keeping their job that there is nothing left at the end of the day for anything else.
From my own viewpoint, I am careful to make criticisms about things that I do not have all the information which is why I have remained silent on the NCBTMB topic. I have had my own “experiences” with them, of course, but do not feel well-versed enough to really offer any commentary about the whole thing except “I hear you.” Wish we could say the same about others…I often read commentaries in my own local paper that were written in a moment of anger or out of complete spite…but are devoid of fact or real understanding about the topic.
So maybe a lack of comments is a good thing in a way. Those that are writing are perhaps the ones that actually “get it” and who have an understanding of the situation that is clear enough to make some sense and perhaps even move the overall discussion further in a positive way or increase awareness about it as I think you do.
Then again, maybe people of just afraid of having their picture on a dart board!