The Nevada chapter’s 2012 educational event and Annual General Meeting was held with its trademarked member meeting and continuing education opportunity again this year, but at a new venue for the Convention.

The Tuscany Suites & Casino in Las Vegas turned out to be a very good choice, according to some polled members, when it came to the site, room style, eats, and general feel for the purpose of a meeting and class.  The chapter was very happy to secure the venue in April and have Tuscany host the finer aspects of sleeping, eating (in the several restaurants), and attending in the conference area.

The day’s events started with a welcoming registration process (real easy!) including a Neighborhood seating style, some breakfast goodies and beverages, and some networking or just “howdayado”s around 8:30am, and a little after 9:00am the meeting started.

David Otto began the Annual General Meeting with some announcements and a brief introduction of the chapter President who took to the meeting agenda.  After introducing the game Let’s Play Monopoly! that members had played by email in the weeks approaching the Convention, Billie got into elections for Board of Director offices right away.  There was one Nomination for Chapter President – 1^st Vice-President David Otto proceeded to be elected by the present membership to become the new President.  There were no other nominations for the remaining, available Nevada chapter Board positions.

The membership heard the 2013-2014 Chapter Budget presented by Treasurer Brad Enerson, who called for a vote to approve the proposed Budget.  It was approved.

Sally Hacking, the chapter’s Government Relations Consultant, made a live appearance by way of Skype and briefed the membership on the [recent and future] history of the amta nevada chapter’s activities and their renewed commitment to member information and professional support of massage therapy in Nevada.

During the meeting, Lisa Cooper, Executive Director of the Nevada State Board of Massage Therapists, also spoke to the attendees about the happenings that the NSBMT is involved with and their goals for our profession in Nevada.

In between all these informational goings-on, we all played Let’s Play Monopoly! and gave away some great, sponsored prizes – check the minutes for the names of the members who won the other massage-related products or services from our 2012 Sponsors.  Yu Feng Chen won the Grand Prize provided by Massage Warehouse: a set of office equipment, including: massage table with bag, massage chair with bag, stool, and bolster!

Included in the meeting was the highly-anticipated National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork presentation about the upcoming (January 1, 2013) changes in their certification program – understanding the process of the new Board Certification was the target of the presentation…and how it differs from National Certification.  Philosophies, services, and paperwork were discussed surrounding the new certification process.  Please see the handouts for more information.

Furthermore, Billie Shea and Michelle Viesselman briefly re-introduced the Volunteer Cooperative program that is developing into a member benefit that places specialty-trained massage therapist members in clinical environments which can lead to employment and/or contract work.  Our members, in the future, may have the opportunity to learn medical/clinical modalities that can further their professional goals and help the community of massage clients for which the program is designed.

Recognition is a big part of why we have such a strong Board of Directors – these volunteers are members of the chapter that are dedicated to facilitating the informative and action-oriented goals and achievements in the past year, since the chapter’s last state convention.  Billie Shea was honored by her Board with a Certificate of Appreciation for her dedicated service, not just for the term she was completing, but for all the services, time, and expertise she has provided the chapter over the years in various, effective positions.  The rest of the Board was recognized for their outstanding service.  Kris Kelley was recognized for his volunteer work with beginning, developing, and maintaining the chapter’s Facebook group.

The attendees broke for lunch, and after an intense, packed Annual General Meeting, the break was welcomed!

Soon after lunch in Marilyn’s Café downstairs, the afternoon class attendees came back and more joined to hear the chapters’ own educators Billie Shea, Michelle Viesselman, and Brad Enerson give “Tips & Techniques from the Pros”.  Eight students spent a pleasant afternoon earning 4 CEHs from some experienced & talented instructors…and gave a few tips of their own!  The class was well-grounded in anatomical reference and the tools purveyed were techniques and approaches that can be used by the massage therapists in their practices.  Handout materials were distributed and at the end of the day, there were a lot of smiles.

The General Annual Meeting attendees were polled and agreed: Monday, June 3, 2013, has been heavily suggested as next year’s Convention date…and the venue?  We’re working on the Tuscany Suites & Casino Convention Center again!

We are looking for members who can and would like to spend some time either before the Convention to help plan & organize OR during the Convention to make things go smoothly for everyone.  Please email us if you have an interest – help us get started now!

Stay tuned for more announcements of sponsors, activities, and education opportunities – we look forward to seeing you in 2013!

For complete details of the Annual General Meeting, please review the June 4, 2012, Annual General Meeting Minutes.