2014 House of Delegates – Delegates’ Report
Submitted by Nevada chapter Delegates: Shawna Smallwood and Brent Bornemeier, 9/27/2014
Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO – September 17, 2014: The American Massage Therapy Association’s House of Delegates (HOD) annual Business Meeting started at 1pm with a Welcome from House of Delegates Operating Committee (HODOC) Chair Lisa Curran-Parenteau. Lisa said encouraging words to all Delegates and congratulated everyone on another year of proposed Recommendations and Position Statements.
AMTA National President Nancy Porambo also welcomed Delegates with encouraging words. Then, Lee Stang, the HOD Moderator, welcomed everyone and introduced herself to the Delegates. Lisa also introduced Parliamentarian Rick Greely to the Delegates. The entire HODOC was introduced with standing applause.
The Pledge of Allegiance and Silent Reflection were conducted, respectively by HODOC members Roxanne La’akea Young and Laura Stevenson-Flom.
A memorial was conducted in honor of Dan Barrow by Nancy Porambo. Nancy reflected about the great work Dan has done for AMTA; Dan was the HOD Moderator for many years.
A memorial was conducted to remember Bill Greenberg by Kerry Methot from the Connecticut Chapter. Kerry reflected upon how Bill had encouraged her to become a Delegate and how he would be greatly missed. The Connecticut Chapter also brought Bill’s famous vest to the Convention to honor his memory.
A memorial was conducted to remember Pat Aicher by Lisa Curran-Parenteau. Lisa reflected on how Pat had made an impact in the HOD by taking her job seriously.
The reports from the HODOC Chair were given by Lisa Curran-Parenteau. This report included three submitted Position Statements, and three Recommendations. There were 142 registered Delegates, and 140 Delegates checked into the HOD meeting. Xerlan Deery, Position Statement Review Commission Chair, reported that Position Statements had been reviewed, approved, and were ready for Delegate discussion and voting.
Lee Stang gave a short tutorial on the voting equipment and explained how voting works. The first vote cast was in order to get an accurate count of Delegates. This vote also established the 2/3 total Delegates present, established a quorum, and established the voting points. The voting points showed the actual weighted points, majority of actual weighted points and 2/3 of actual weighted points.
Next, a motion to adopt the HODOC’s proposed Agenda to the HOD was presented. The motion was proposed by a Delegate from South Carolina, and a second was given by a Delegate from Virginia. A vote was cast to adopt the Agenda: For: 140, Against: 0.
The Rules and Procedures were presented by the HODOC and were called to approve. A Delegate from Washington made the motion, and a Delegate from Indiana seconded the motion. A vote to adopt Rules and Procedures was cast: For: 140, Against: 0.
Position Statement 1 was presented: “It is the position of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) that massage therapy can improve health and wellness through its effect on the physical, mental and social well-being of an individual.”
The Position Statement was presented by a Delegate from Utah. The Delegate read the background information, and the rationale. The Moderator asked for comments from the floor. The Moderator moved a motion to call the question into a vote when no one came forth to comment. A vote was cast:
- Total For: 110
- Total Against: 30
Weighted For – 40704, Weighted Against – 3628, 2/3 majority weighted – 3622
Motion to call the question was Passed.
The call to vote to approve Position Statement 1:
- Total For: 115
- Total Against: 20
- Abstained: 5
Weighted For – 42062, Weighted Against – 10208, 2/3 majority weighted – 3622
Position Statement 1: PASSED
The HOD was the ahead of the approved Agenda for the day. A Delegate from the Washington chapter moved to continue the meeting until the scheduled 3pm break time.
A vote was cast: For: 127, Against: 9, Abstained: 4; the meeting carried onto the next position statement.
Position Statement 2 was presented: “It is the position of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) that regulations, in statue and/or rules, should provide options for portability of credentials which meet the required licensing, certification, or registration of massage therapists across the United States.”
The Position Statement was presented by a Delegate from Utah. The Delegate read the background information, and the rationale. The Moderator then asked for comments from the floor.
For Comments:
- This works for a future goal
- Empowers AMTA members to move forward
- Plain simple good idea
- Doesn’t say how we are to be regulated, so this gives AMTA an advantage to send a message to high level officials about what we want.
Against Comments:
- There is no money for the smaller states to get credentials in order to change their regulations.
- How can we make a state change their laws, then the scope of practice, and tests for each state?
- We need to create a set standard first then create this statement.
- This will flush out other therapists because they can’t get the correct credentials. i.e.. other therapists not in AMTA. [fic]
- This needs to be rewritten then sent back to the Delegates.
The allotted 20-minute time for discussion ran out. The Moderator called for a vote on Position Statement 2.
The call to vote to approve Position Statement 2:
- Total For: 80
- Total Against: 60
Weighted For – 30647, Weighted Against – 23685, 2/3 majority weighted – 36222
Position Statement 2: FAILED
Position Statement 3 was presented: “It is the position of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) that massage therapy can assist in the rehabilitation of burn scars.”
The Position Statement was presented by a Delegate from North Carolina. The Delegate read the background information and the rationale. The Moderator then asked for comments from the floor.
For Comments:
- The word “can” is in position statement.
- Could become a catalyst and standard across the country.
- Gives our profession more of a credential.
- Clients need therapists to help recovery with a caring touch
- Has been brought to HOD 3 times, has been rewritten 3 times and now it shows proper references and research.
Against Comments:
- Too broad to be used, unclear distinction for massage, and when to apply massage.
- Not enough research or findings to stand behind.
- AMTA does not have a locator service to back up.
- Be more specific towards burn scars.
- General massage is not good for burn scars, this needs to be specific on how, when, and where to apply massage.
- Based on scientific evidence it doesn’t show enough evidence.
- More research by actual therapists.
The allotted 20-minute time for discussion ran out. The Moderator called for a vote on this Position Statement.
A motion was brought to the floor to extend the discussion time by ten minutes. There was a second to the motion. The delegates voted on extending the discussion: For: 13, Against: 127.
Vote to approve Position Statement 3:
- Total For: 85
- Total Against: 54
Weighted For – 31312, Weighted Against – 22719, 2/3 majority weighted – 36222
Position Statement 3: FAILED
The HOD meeting was called for a break at 3pm. The Colorado Chapter provided snacks for all Delegates during the 20-minute break. All Delegates were allowed to leave the floor and to communicate with other colleagues within the area. Many Delegates exchanged pins and gifts. The Pennsylvania Chapter gave out candy and cards to help raise excitement for next year.
After the break, a roll call was taken of the seated Delegates. The voting machine was not picking up the correct number of Delegates. After roll-calling twice, the Moderator decided to have a manual vote. Each Delegate stood next to their chair and counted themselves. As they counted, they sat down in their chair. The total number of Delegates was 140. The computers seemed to start working; the Moderator welcomed everyone back and called for the first Recommendation.
Recommendation 1 from South Carolina chapter:
Subject: A Recommendation to the American Massage Therapy Association Board of Directors that the AMTA Board remove the financial responsibility of funding Delegates’ attendance in the House of Delegates from the State Chapters’ budget. A Delegate from South Carolina read the Recommendation in its entirety. The Moderator asked if she would like to make a comment on the subject. The Delegate declined to comment until later in the discussion. The Moderator called for comments from the floor.
For Comments:
- Nationals need to be responsible for reimbursements of actual costs for each delegate.
- It’s nice to have National pay so people can get to conventions.
- Chapters can no longer pay for delegates, National should help pay.
- Reflects the hardship each chapter is going through.
Against Comments:
- This will cause management problems- but recommends a waiver for fees for delegates.
- States can manage their own money better than National.
- Doesn’t consider states that are further away in the expense reports.
- Data is not correct- also will alternates be included in the reimbursement?
- This responsibility belongs to each chapter, or the chapter will lose control.
- Just simply put chapter fees back.
The allotted 20-minute time for discussion ran out. The Moderator called for a vote on this Recommendation.
- Total For: 96
- Total Against: 44
Weighted For – 35688, Weighted Against – 18644, 2/3 Majority weighted – 36222, Required majority weighted: 27167
Recommendation 1: PASSED
Recommendation 2 from Washington chapter.
Subject: A Recommendation to the American Massage Therapy Association Board of Directors that the AMTA Board study moving the function of generating and approving Position Statements on the clinical efficacy of massage from the House of Delegates to another group, and that the AMTA Board encourage the House to discuss issues that relate to the actual practice of massage therapy throughout the United States. A Delegate from Washington read the Recommendation in its entirety. The Moderator asked if he would like to make a comment on the subject. The Delegate declined to comment until later in the discussion. The Moderator called for comments from the floor.
For Comments:
- Create more of a peer review to create a better understanding.
- Not everyone is qualified to review position statements.
- Many recommendations failed because people don’t understand the research portion.
- Does not take away responsibility but creates a better understanding.
Against Comments:
- A place for decisions
- Gives decisions to other people will not reflect the member’s feelings.
- Delegates and alternates take their position seriously.
- Delegates should keep responsibility for all position statements.
- This is insulting to delegates.
- The purpose of HOD is to discuss, pass or fail position statements.
The Washington Delegate then commented on this recommendation by saying, “I just created this recommendation in order to get people to discuss this. I don’t even care if it passes; all I wanted was to hear people talk about it”. The Moderator then called for a vote.
- Total For: 14
- Total Against: 126
Weighted For – 8457, Weighted Against – 45875, 2/3 Majority weighted – 36222, Required majority weighted – 27167
Recommendation 2: FAILED
Recommendation 3 from California chapter.
Subject: A Recommendation to the American Massage Therapy Association Board of Directors that the AMTA Board allow each state to determine its own Chapter Fee.
A Delegate from California read the Recommendation in its entirety. The Moderator asked if he would like to make a comment on the subject. The Delegate declined to comment until later in the discussion. The Moderator called for comments from the floor.
For Comments:
- This creates a significant recourse for chapters.
- Chapters have already taken significantly less funding going into the next year.
- States do the main work of AMTA they should have their opinion on fee’s.
- Having a set fee will show uniformity and create competition.
- Each chapter board can decide their own fees.
- More equitable way to fund chapters.
- Helps lobbyist’s funds.
- Have the board reconsider the decision to take away chapter fees.
- Supports outreach programs.
- Nationals need to listen to the members.
Against Comments:
- By dropping the chapter fees it brought back members to the chapter.
- Jeopardizes AMTA’s global view.
- Chapter fees need to be the same across states.
The allotted 20-minute time ran out, the Moderator called for a vote on this Recommendation.
- Total For: 126
- Total Against: 13
Weighted For – 48946, Weighted Against – 4839, 2/3 Majority weighted – 36222, Required majority weighted – 27167
Recommendation 3: PASSED
The Moderator congratulated the HOD for another successful year of voting. She also thanked everyone for the professional participation. She commented that everyone on the HOD is significant and appreciated. The meeting then changed its focus onto the candidates for the new HODOC. Each candidate came up and talked about how they can help on the new HODOC and why they wanted to be elected. The candidates the returned to their seats in order to cast a vote. The vote was in three sections. Each time Delegates voted on one person that they thought was the best fit for the job. A total of seven candidates came forward.
- Richard Testa (CT)
- Christine Eckery (DE)
- Myrleen Harrison (FL)
- Olivia Nagashima (HI)
- Bary Terry (MO)
- Jessica Ferrer (NH)
- Linda Toomey (NY)
The votes were cast to fill three open positions for the HODOC. The three candidates with the most votes where; Myrleen Harrison (FL), Bary Terry (MO), Jessica Ferrer (NH). The HOD erupted with applause for the new members voted into the HODOC.
The Moderator called for any new business to be brought to the floor:
- Recommends that the online forum be open year round for Delegates.
The Delegates then performed an evaluation of the HOD meeting. This was done on the electronic voting machines, and there were a total of 20 questions that the HOD answered to evaluate the meeting.
A motion to close the 2014 HOD meeting was made and a second came after. The motion was met and the Moderator called to close the HOD meeting at 5pm.
To learn what a Position Statement is AND what 2014’s proposed PSes are, visit here: 
Questions for 
If you are interested in taking on a project or leadership position, this meeting will also be a great time to introduce yourself and connect with other member volunteers like you 🙂 If you haven’t attended a meeting or volunteered before, your 
the First 90-days…
Hello Members!
Now, on with this month’s blog…
I was elected to serve as a chapter leader, first as 1st Vice President back in 2010, with the intention of running for another leadership office, but not really the presidency.
Billie Shea (who has served several terms as President, now Immediate Past President) had other plans than my “just” participating in a fully-engaging and wonderfully-satisfying position as a volunteer. She knew that, over my years of service in media outlets, out in the population of the membership and non-members of professionals in the Las Vegas area, being active in my professional goals as well as association goals, I had a little more potential. And I guess I have to say: I thought so, too.
I suspect, from the get-go, Billie was looking for the right person, a willing person, an established professional and personality in the massage therapist community, and I had worked hard to be in that position, but didn’t realize the gravity of my situation until someone told me I should run for President.
When I joined the AMTA & Nevada chapter back in 2001, during my last weeks of school, I really had no idea that the AMTA would be an opportunity that grew me both professionally and personally – was starting with a solid liability insurance policy, as far as I was concerned. I had and have a passion for massage therapy, and that passion to do what was right for me, back in the day; and now, my passion has developed into a purpose to do what is right for the profession in Nevada. I can think of no stronger, prominent, or active group of massage therapy professionals than those who are members of the AMTA – in Nevada and across the U.S.!
I have had, even before I was elected chapter President, more positive & growth experiences in my management skills, massage therapy skills, interpersonal skills, marketing skills, and entrepreneurial drive than I can ever imagine would have happened had it not been for the tried, true, and structured resource of the humans that make up the AMTA. From the National office to the newest Student Member, I count on every person who professes to support and practice massage therapy in its truest form to contribute to the success of the organization. And, as in a recent interview that I participated in for the national promotion of the AMTA, “I am David Otto. I am AMTA.”
And so is every member.
If you believe in supporting massage therapy research, the development of the field and profession, and providing massage therapy clients with the “best massage ever,” you have found a friend, mentor, and inspiration in the AMTA. Times can be turbulent and hard to comprehend, but by keeping the Mission in mind and participating, everyone comes out ahead.
Thank you for trusting me as one of the many talented leaders of the Nevada Chapter that you will come across. I encourage you to get to know one other member this year. By the end of 2012, we are organizing a couple of member events coming up in Southern Nevada and there are several continuing education courses in Northern Nevada where you will likely meet a fellow AMTA member – but if not, recognize the “member” in the professional with whom you are talking.
There will be more updates about things YOU and/or your colleagues find interesting and may want to participate in as an Attendee. If you have any ideas, questions, or comments about your membership or participating in affecting an awesome membership of professionals in Nevada, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Yours in Service,
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