by Mavies Gascon, President, AMTA-NV Chapter
As a member of the AMTA-Nevada Chapter, I decided to stay in for the meeting before the continuing education that I had originally signed up for at the 2015 Annual Nevada Chapter Convention. And during that meeting, David Otto, who was my Professional Development instructor at the Nevada School of Massage Therapy (NSMT), and then, being President of the chapter, nominated me to be a part of the organization.
I donated a lot of volunteering time while I attended NSMT, so I figured I was spending time to help the community, not knowing what I had just agreed upon. And then reality hit, as I placed my right hand over my chest (yes, I was swearing into my position as 2nd Vice-President, 1 year term) – PANIC ATTACK! What have I just gotten
myself into?
I haven’t been Vice-President of an organization since my high school years as a Member of the Student Body Council for various clubs. But as I was sitting in at the Board Meetings held in Kathleen’s beautiful home, conversations became more detailed, business oriented, and sometimes confidential. The majority of the whole year, I listened, observed how business was conducted, and sat retaining information, like a sponge on a wet spill. And last year, I designed the pins that we wore and shared amongst our colleagues at the 2016 AMTA National Convention in Milwaukee.
Going back to June 5, 2016: I thought I was over with the whole volunteering my time to talking with students at NSMT, for the value of having “Visions” and the importance of having liability insurance, with no one else but AMTA. And I thought I was totally done with adding more stress on top of my full time job and not so happening
independent business. David ended his term as President of the chapter. I was next in line and no one else seemed like they wanted to take the responsibility. What do I do?
Do I just neglect the organization that I have spent so much of my valuable time on and compensate my relationships (partner, family, friends, private clients)? Or do I dig a bigger hole and grab the bull by its horns and see how far it’ll abuse me?
I was 36 years old, with only a little over 3 years in being a Licensed Massage Therapist and already a NV Chapter Vice President, for one of the biggest non profit organizations in America. So I stepped up. What’s there to lose? I’m backed up by so many colleagues, not only in Nevada, but Nationally. The support system with the organization is amazing. All anyone has to do is reach out!
It’s now been six months since I’ve pledged into the President position. At first, I was a bit nervous, but with the right guidance, I know the next two years will be memorable. We have already made strides to communicate better with the Northern Nevada members by honoring them with a mini convention (meet & greet with a CE class). And as the holidays pass, more meetings throughout the state are being planned and so are mixers with local retail establishments, member volunteer events, and of course, opportunities for continuing education classes to name a few.
So going back to the thought of the “hole,” I’m diggin’ it! And I’ll continue to dig larger, deeper holes, to fill them with knowledge and memories. And when the day comes, the road will have been patched with success to empower future massage therapists. It doesn’t matter how nervous or uncertain you are, creating change can overcome those fears!
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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