Winter 2017 Newsletter
A Message From One of Our 2018 Assembly of Delegates Representatives
September’s National House of Delegates meeting was the last. The HOD was dissolved and the new ASSEMBLY of Delegates has a different purpose.
In the past, State Delegates were responsible for position statements and research papers, yet the majority of our professional colleagues are unfamiliar with the mechanisms required for research and legal language, thus the National BOD decided these issues are best left to those who know about grant writing and research papers, etc.
The new Assembly of Delegates will be comprised of an equal number of representatives, two per state and the job description includes reporting back on the general culture and climate of the Massage Therapy profession, within each state.
Chapter Delegate is not an entry level position and the volunteer requirements make clear that Delegates should have their finger on the heartbeat of the profession Statewide, representing ALL Massage Therapists/Bodyworkers regardless of affiliation, in addition to AMTA members.
I hope to represent all concerned, fairly.
I stepped down from the Chapter Presidency due to the issue of legislation. Because I have not been in favor of licensure the way it’s been proposed in Vermont thus far, although I can appreciate the need to standardize and to protect the public, as well as we Massage Therapists, I could not uphold a chapter officer position, being true to the AMTA’s mission and my own beliefs.
Another issue which concerns me is the training we receive in massage school; although there are several schools in VT, most are not qualified to move a graduate on to a credentialing system and some which meet the criteria for credentials, don’t meet the criteria to be an AMTA Member School!
We are all passionate about the profession and as Delegate, I hope to bring the “Vermont way” of doing things, in the majority’s best interest, to the floor.
I intend to spend my term as Delegate going around the state and speaking with Massage Therapists/Bodyworkers to get as many points of view as possible.
I welcome your thoughts and feelings. Please email me and forward my contact information to other Massage Therapists/Bodyworkers who would like to share their viewpoints.
Thank you all for trusting in me and electing me as one of your State Delegates. I promise to do the best job I possibly can, representing you!
Lj Stewart
Welcome to our New Board Members And Returning Volunteers!
Rachelle Ackerman, Financial Administrator:
Professional & Educational Qualifications
Rachelle has been a therapist in the Brattleboro area since 1992 and has served as an instructor for the Massage Therapy and Bodywork program at Community College of Vermont. Most recently, she completed her Master of Science in Managing Mission-Driven Organizations from Marlboro College. She also earned her Bachelor’s from Marlboro in Development Economics and a Certificate in NGO Management from the School for International Training.
What is your vision for the Vermont chapter? How do your strengths contribute to this vision?
Throughout her professional career, she has focused on economic development, non-profit management, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. She will apply her skills and passion to the Vermont chapter’s Financial Administrator position to help guide the chapter’s vision through fiscal decision-making.
Heather Chadwick, Chapter Secretary:
Professional & Educational Qualifications
2006-Graduated Amherst School of Massage Therapy
2013-Present Studying CranioSacral Therapy with Don Ash at The CranioSacral Alliance.
2016 Medical Massage Practitioner LMT Success Group
2017 Manual Lymphatic Drainage, LMT Success Group
What is your vision for the Vermont chapter? How do your strengths contribute to this vision?
I’ve been practicing Massage for 11 years, working for Spas, Corporations, and now for myself. I value the knowledge gained from each of these experiences, and I look forward to applying them to my new position. In the years since I graduated, I have noticed a shift in perception of Massage. Now an increasing number of clients are seeking massage in conjunction with their PT, OT and Chiropractic care. There’s a shift taking place and medical professionals, as well as the general public, are recognizing massage for its benefits. I think it’s an exciting time to be a Massage Professional, and studies continue to be published highlighting the benefits of Massage. There are so many CE opportunities out there, and I would love to be a part of bringing them to Vermont through our Chapter. I’d also like to be able to build relationships with medical professionals through the Chapter by showing them what we as a profession have to offer their patients. Membership growth is vital to any organization, and the same goes for our Chapter. I look forward to working with the BOD and other volunteers on growing our volunteer numbers, as well as member numbers. I look at this as an exciting opportunity, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with our dedicated group of volunteers and BOD.
Jennifer Smith Findley, Assembly of Delegates:
Professional & Educational Qualifications
Graduate: Pittsburgh School of Massage Therapy, medical massage program
During the past 5 years, I have served AMTA and our profession on state and national levels, and am just coming off of a two year term on the HODOC, the operations committee for the HOD, now the AOD, so am excited about and familiar with our new national processes.
In the past,my practice has included medical offices, professional athletics, and owning my own business. I am happily employed at the Spa at Stowe Mountain Lodge as a massage therapist and esthetician.
What is your vision for the Vermont chapter? How do your strengths contribute to this vision?
I understand our strengths and some of our challenges that we face as the Vermont Chapter of the AMTA, and as a busy individual massage therapist in our state. As a delegate, my position would be to advocate for you as a member of our chapter. I will meet with other delegates, discussing the issues which are important to our state and move them forward within the AMTA pathways. Really, I want to find out what is important to our members: is it pain management to help with the opioid crisis, or research supporting massage for PTSD, or portability of profession? These are just examples… as a member of AMTA-VT, you will be heard!
Lj Stewart, Assembly of Delegates:
What is your vision for the Vermont chapter? How do your strengths contribute to this vision?
To grow into embracing all our professional colleagues throughout the state, regardless of schooling and modalities of practice. To be the lead organization as the voice of the profession.