Comments on: COMTA: I’m Out Before I’m In

By: Laura Allen

Laura Allen — Fri, 28 May 2010 12:32:37 +0000

Thanks for the offer, but once I finish my term on the North Carolina Board, which I’m in the last year of, no more boards for me. I’ve realized if I’m on them I can’t write about them, so it’s best for me to keep blogging and not be on any committees, commissions or boards.

By: LL

LL — Wed, 19 May 2010 04:21:25 +0000

Laura,

I think I am going to start a task force for an Advanced Accreditation Commission. If you would like to be co-chair volunteer, you are invited! Keep up the most excellent work amidst the madness. You are a voice for many who are not even aware.

By: Laura Allen

Laura Allen — Sat, 08 May 2010 11:56:08 +0000

Bodhi,

I think Sarah probably hit that on the nail head. You and I are two of those people who won’t blindly follow the crowd. We demand explanations and some people don’t like to have their perceived authority questioned. It’s their loss on both our accounts.

By: sarah swift

sarah swift — Thu, 06 May 2010 23:59:51 +0000

Bohdi, they were just looking for a reason because you hold out the standard that they reject- professionalism. I am sorry that happened to you. Than you for all the work you do communicating information on reaseacrh and out profession on Facebook. And Laura, I am also sorry that you and your voice were not respected by your professional body. Seems like some peopel still need to understand the power of the internet and how unstoppable the communications is. You can’t legislate it to stop, just slap wrists afterwards so you should learn how to roll with it, even use it.

By: Bodhi Haraldsson

Bodhi Haraldsson — Thu, 06 May 2010 17:45:45 +0000

Laura you are not alone in being targeted for voicing your opinion and using the Internet to do so.
Here in BC our regulatory college board (CMTBC) is apparently very sensitive about being photographed while in a board meetings. During a meeting that I attended on April 9th, I took 3 pictures of the meeting and posted them on Facebook (look at my mobile upload photos). Two were of the board in general, taken from my seat in the gallery. The second one was taken while I sat at the board table during a presentation that I took part in. All of these photos were taken in plain view and noticed by most attendees. One week later I get a phone call from a chair of a CMTBC committee (that I sit on) telling me that I have been removed of the committee due to me taking these photos. However this was only a short term (punishment) as I could continue to work on a particular project I was the lead on (just not as a official committee member).
To this date I have not received any official correspondence around this issue asking me to remove the photos or notifying me of the rationale for this decision. I was never consulted as to my purpose for taking these pictures nor was I given any opportunities to defend my reasons for taking them.
The reason that was apparently used to kick me of the committee, was that I committed a gross error in judgment by taking the pictures. And this is based on the fact that no recording is allowed once the board meeting is in session. This was only the second meeting where this rule was in force. Silly me thought it implied that no voice recording was allowed not picture recording.

One has to wonder about the unspoken reasons for such harsh reaction to a minor unintended infraction. Could it be that I have been an outspoken critic? Could it be that this happened because I had been on the record in saying that the board had not followed the rules when it allowed, a school owner that was in direct financial conflict of interest, to stay on one committee for two years?

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 06 May 2010 03:44:56 +0000

If that don’t beat all! It is always shocking for me to hear people in the massage profession acting so unprofessional. Can anyone vote or just the board?

Maybe Comta will be in with NCBTMB!

Maybe we need a new organization??
Julie

By: Angela Palmier

Angela Palmier — Thu, 06 May 2010 01:32:23 +0000

I sincerely hope that an explanation, apology, correction or something of the sort will be issued from COMTA very soon. Given that this industry—dare I say community—stands upon the shoulders of the schools and educators which train our future professionals, I would hate to make the assumption that the exclusive accrediting body for massage therapy would prevent a dedicated volunteer to serve based on voicing her opinion. If there were no stipulations regarding blogging, etc., as a candidate then this situation needs to be resolved with professionalism and haste. And Laura, a piece of unsolicited advice—if you want to “work to harm” an organization, it’s not a good idea to apply to serve as a commissioner! It would create a lot of work for you once you were elected!
This week is National Teacher’s Appreciation Week–the irony of the timing is remarkable.

By: Gloria Coppola

Gloria Coppola — Thu, 06 May 2010 00:37:29 +0000

Wow Laura – so ironic! Sorry to hear they can’t see the value in your opinions, whether one agrees or not.

If it were not for you, many of us would be in the dark as to what is happening in the massage industry.

When I owned a smaller massage school many years ago, I could not afford to become COMTA approved because of the huge costs involved. They are elitist in my opinion. I know being COMTA approved doesn’t mean you are a better school either. Sometimes, the contrary in my opinion.

It is sad that someone like you with so much passion and dedication to the massage industry is not respected by an organization like COMTA. Like CEO of NCB who is wise enough to have said ‘he would never shut you up”…..no one can ever shut you up. lol

Go Laura!

By: Celia Bucci

Celia Bucci — Wed, 05 May 2010 23:06:29 +0000

Laura,
you are an inspiration!