RIAMTA Agenda Board Meeting February 4, 2007
1. Approval of Agenda 2. Approval of Minutes 3/06 and Fall meeting 3. Info about motions and standing rules 4. Discussion about Web advertising for newsletter advertisers 5. Budget Review 6. NERC: questions and update 7. CVOP Volunteer: one person paid for by national. Important that they go and bring back information to share Chapter Volunteer Orientation Program (CVOP)July 12-15, 2007 Hilton Garden Inn Evanston, IL 8. Comment about conference calls. 9. Review of positions open for voting and appointment 10. Next meetings: Board Retreat, Sunday, April 29, 2007, 9 AM – 4 PM Board Meeting, Sunday, September 16, 12:30 – 2 PM General Chapter Meeting, Sunday, September 16, 2007, 2 – 5 PM RIAMTA Agenda General Members Meeting February 4, 20071. Welcome and introductions 2. What Your Board is Doing for You a. Sports: Upcoming Events b. Government Relations: Update c. Education: Update d. Video Library: Update and Procedure for borrowing e. Members: Update f. Crisis Massage Therapy (CMT): Update g. Newsletter: Next deadline for submission is April 15th, folding is ___ h. Treasurer: vote on budget 3. New England Conference March 22-25, 2007—Update and who is going a. Sign up volunteers for Hospitality and Registration b. Perry Plouffe Scholarship winner this year is Tracy Hall 4. Election: Kelly’s resignation a. President for one year completion of Kelly’s term b. 1st VP c. 3rd VP d. Treasurer e. Delegates for AMTA Nat'l Convention September 17-20, 2008 in Phoenix, Arizona
5. Membership Needs and Concerns 6. Raffle 7. Next Meeting General Chapter Meeting, Sunday, September 16, 2007, 2 – 5 PM 8. Biz Card Exchange and food break 9. Education
Minutes of Board MeetingStarted at 12:40 P.M.
Attendance: Kelly LoGiudice, Deb Luhrs, Kenji Omori, , Wayne Cotnoir, Carl Stearns, Cate Chapin, Paula Kochanek, Celeste MacPhee, Regina Cobb, Frank Rapone, Jay O’Connor, Yolande Riendeau, Pat Bachus, Jane Allard, Lou Ann Botsford
Welcome, Opening of the meeting. [NOTE: Jane Allard is acting Secretary until Yolande Riendeau joins the Board meeting today.]
1. Approval of Agenda MOTION: to approve the 2/4/07 Board Meeting agenda; by Deb, second by Carl. Vote unanimous. MOTION: to approve the 2/4/07 General Membership Meeting agenda; by Carl, second by Kenji. Vote unanimous.
2. Approval of Minutes for 3/06 and 9/06 meetings MOTION: to approve the 3/12/06 Board and General Membership/Election Meeting Minutes, with changes noted by Secretary, motioned by Wayne, second by Carl. Vote unanimous.
Kelly recommends that the 9/17/06 Board and General Minutes be changed and completed (using input from the Board/Yahoo group) and then approved by on-line vote this coming week.
3. Information about Motions and Standing Rules Kelly defines the Board, and our rules of making motions and voting. It is a “standing rule” that Board and Chapter Committee members make motions and vote. After a discussion a motion was made as follows: MOTION: To formalize that RIAMTA Board Members and Committee Chairs and other appointed positions be allowed to make motions and vote in a Board capacity; by Kelly, second by Carl. Discussion follows: Kelly states that the President of the Chapter does appoint the Committee Chairs and ‘other appointed positions’ and that these are people invested in the good of the Chapter. Jane adds that, in the past we have not had large numbers of people to include in motions and votes in a Board capacity. It is a good trend. Deb adds that time, opinions and effort are valuable to the Board. Communication is kept open and transparent to the population of the General Membership. Kenji clarification needed: are Newsletter Editor and Web Master considered a Committee Chair?. Newsletter Editor is a paid position. Kelly answers that she was the Editor as a VP in the past. Celeste, Newsletter Editor, says it is a toss-up, that she would not mind not having a vote, and she would also appreciate the right to vote. Her perspective is from one who deals with the advertisers directly and can report trends from that vantage point.
Kelly calls the vote. Vote (by just the Executive Board members) 5 in favor, 2 abstain. Wayne qualifies his abstaining by stating that decisions by the Board are, by this motion, being made by OTHER THAN the Board members who the General Membership has voted in.
4. Discussion about Web advertising for newsletter advertisers One of our newsletter advertisers requested that we also put his ad on the Chapter website. Celeste had emailed him that we would post it on the website for 3 months. There was discussion about wisdom of this since they are paying for an ad in the newsletter. The Board wishes that the website have a list of advertisers but not links to their website. Carl says that the listing will say “see our advertisers.” The member may cut and paste the advertiser’s listed website address themselves.
5. Budget Review Prior to review, Kelly reports that the upcoming Board Retreat in April, 2007 will be at URI’s Alton Jones Campus and that the fee is approximately $1064.
Point of order/ clarification from Jane: Is the Budget published in the Minutes, which are posted on our website? Answered by Carl, no, the numbers are not public (on the website). RIAMTA members may view the Budget at the General Members Meeting today or by request. In addition a review of the Budget and the vote to approve the Budget will be taken at the General Members Meeting today.
Carl presents the budget. Discussion of line items:
MT Foundation is an annual contribution for each RI member (448). The Foundation has had a successful campaign via $1 per member; it truly benefits the profession to have research and statistics.
Newsletter: budget increase this year is due to extra postage and an extra page added to the Newsletter. Next newsletter deadline is April 15, next mailing day Monday, April 23rd at Celeste’s home.
Continuing Ed: we really didn’t do any class offerings in 2006 since NERC was coming. The offer of $20 off for first 50 RI members registered for 2007 NERC worked! 45 RI’ers enrolled as of 2/4/07.
We have income and debits in a good balance.
MOTION to approve the 2007 Budget by Kenji, second by Regina. Vote: unanimous.
6. N.E. Regional Conference (NERC): questions and update Kelly: circulates a Volunteer and Hospitality Volunteer schedule for everyone to fill in. Jane offers that the on-line Registration asked if the attendee would be willing to volunteer, and requests that those people be contacted prior to the March Conference so that they may be a part of the Volunteer team. It is important to welcome and include these new, interested AMTA members because we need them for the future of our Chapter and NERC. Jay: 23 people who registered checked off that they will also volunteer at the conference. Kelly: has general volunteer list from last meeting will take more names at the general meeting that follows this board meeting.
Jay: reports that a major overhaul of NERC happened this year. He has great appreciation for the changes that have occurred. The NERC Board is intelligent, with-it, and working as a unit again. We have reinvented this Conference. This is our (RI’s) year to shine and things are really really looking good. Thanks are expressed to Carl for his Registration work, to Jay for his focus and determination, Cate for her effort. We have a new professional event planner who is generating an increase in Exhibitors, we have on line Registration and a person to manage that component.
Jay: 215 full conference registrations, 25 Education only, 5 are students. Being able to charge the Registration fee on line has eased the process for many and there are also links for Rideshare and Roomshare. For chair massage Regina is working to bring students to perform the massages but issues still need to be clarified. 40% of classes are booked. NERC Committee is working well together. This year, each N.E. chapter put in $2000 seed money to revive the 2007 NERC, and this is likely the only time this will be necessary. There are some loose strings, but six weeks before the Conference we are in good shape!
Kelly reminded Board members that any actions assigned to them in the March and September meetings as noted in the minutes are still their responsibility and several of the actions not completed. Requested Board members check the minutes and complete their actions.
7. Chapter Volunteer Orientation Program (CVOP). Kelly: CVOP will be held July 12-15, 2007 Hilton Garden Inn Evanston, IL. Kelly states that CVOP offers attendees skills, contacts, support and knowledge, all of which helped her as a Board member. We need to send someone this year who is credible, who can be a liaison, coming back to our group and communicating what he/she has gained from CVOP.
Expenses are paid for one attendee, Kelly asks for a willing attendee. One volunteer’s expenses will be paid for by National. Discussion evolves to the idea of sending another person, paid for by our Chapter, as it is beneficial for two to attend, to support each other. Pat relates that her Delegate experience was made understandable and less stressful due to accompaniment of a fellow RIAMTA member. Frank asks what the cost is to send someone? Kelly says that information ca be found by emailing (mtyle@amtamassage.org ).
Kenji volunteers to go to CVOP this year, and Paula volunteers as well.
ACTION: Kenji will email Mark at National (mtyle@amtamassage.org) for cost to send another volunteer. After Kenji reports on the cost, the Board will decide via our yahoo group if we will cover another volunteer.
8. Comment about conference calls. Having introduced Conference calls during her Presidency, Kelly asks “Do they work?” The retractors have been: participation, as we have had more people present at a Board meeting on Sundays in person; we cannot cover a lot of items on a conference call; and Board members are not face to face on Conference Calls. It is a topic requiring further review, to determine efficacy.
9. Review of positions open for voting and appointment Due to Kelly’s moving to Philadelphia area in the next few months, she is stepping down from the office of President. We need to elect a President to fill out the second year of Kelly’s term.
Positions open are: President (1 yr), 1st VP, 3rd VP, and Treasurer (these 3 are for 2 years). It was noted that the Treasurer position is not filled on a calendar year but on the fiscal year, that is from March 1st to end of February.
Yolande asks what the roles of 1st VP., 2nd VP, and 3rdVP are. Kelly and Deb explain that they are “to assist” the President, that the main responsibility is Membership, and that depending on the elected candidate’s interest he/she is involved in a specific Committee.
Wayne asks for a definition of the Treasurer’s position. Carl responds that he will tutor the newly-elected Treasurer, that without NERC responsibilities, it is not a great deal of work. Carl noted that the Treasurer’s term is not filled on a calendar year basis but on the fiscal year, that is from March 1st to end of February.
Dorry Renquist, one of our associate members, is willing to run for an office. Kenji noted that only professional members are eligible to fill Board positions.
Lou Ann Botsford is appointed Sports Co-Chair. Pat Bachus and Alda Medeiros are appointed Education Co-Chairs.
10. Next meetings: Board Retreat, Sunday, April 29, 2007, 9 AM – 4 PM Board Meeting, Sunday, September 16, 12:30 – 2 PM General Chapter Meeting, Sunday, September 16, 2007, 2 – 5 PM
11. Adjournment MOTION: to adjourn, by Carl, second by Regina. Vote unanimous. Meeting ends at 2:12 P.M.
Minutes of General Member’s Meeting 02/04/07Meeting started at 2:15 P.M. Members Present: 33 10. Welcome, introductions and new person introduction exercise 11. Individual “What Your Board IS Doing for You” Reports a. Sports: Frank announces Special Olympics RI is Sat., June 2, 2007 at URI. Contact Frank if you feel the need for a refresher or training. Events are listed in the Newsletter and Members are encouraged to sign up today on the sheet being distributed. Welcome: Lou
Ann Botsford is introduced as the Sports Committee Co-Chair. She states that she met Frank at the MS 150; it was a positive sports massage event experience and she enjoys participating. b. Government Relations: Wayne reports that 2006 was a very active year. He gave update on City of Providence's situation in fighting prostitution. The city wanted anti-prostitution legislation and couldn't get any enacted so last year they looked to massage therapy
regulations to make the definition of massage therapy part of anti-prostitution bill. The City has not taken into consideration what that Bill would do to our profession. RIAMTA representatives met with representatives of the state and local police and City officials to explain our members' concerns. Since Chapter members also had called their
Legislators, the City backed off from the Bill. Chapter Gov't Relations committee believes that the City of Providence will put forth another Bill in 2007. Since any legislation must go to a hearing, Chapter is looking for massage therapists to speak at the hearing and Wayne encouraged members to sign up. Chris Adamo asked why the City will re-introduce the Bill. Wayne reported that it's because the City not only has a prostitution problem but a human trafficking problem. He added that the City has never charged a legitimate licensed massage therapist with prostitution.
The next Govt Relations meeting is Monday, February 19th at 12 noon. c. Education: Pat Bachus introduced Alda Medeiros as the new Education Co-Chair. Pat stated that the Chapter did not have as much continuing education in 2006 as they usually do, but that was because part of the continuing education budget went to provide seed money for the N.E. Regional Conference. Pat mentioned that in today's educational program Anne Marie Omweg would provide an introduction to the world of traditional Chinese medicine and Taoist Qi Gong.
d. Video Library: Paula reported that instructional massage videos are available for rent today. Each DVD is loaned for 30 days and comes with a return address label and a copy of the rental policy. The Chapter also accepts donations of DVD.
e. Membership: Kenji states that 21 members (excluding the Board) are present today. Four people present today are attending their first Chapter meeting. Of our Chapter’s 448 members, 30 joined the AMTA in 2006. Our Chapter includes 39 associate members and 31 students.
f. Crisis Massage Team (CMT): Regina reports that 30 MTs are currently on the Crisis Massage Team (CMT). The CMT is part of the RI Crisis Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team that is part of Homeland Security. Requirements for acceptance to the team are current certification in First Aid and CPR. Jane: Crisis is defined as a need, not just a terror incident or horror.
The CMT responded to a health crisis on February 3rd where three school districts closed schools in response to meningitis. Over four days the CMT provided crisis massage to 100 first responders including hotline staff. Present were Ann Balboni manager of the CISM Team and Dr. Gifford, Director of the RI Board of Health.
25 students are needed to run another Crisis Massage class and there are at least 18 MTs signed up. Plans are underway to hold a workshop on a Sunday in April. There is a sign up sheet for the training.
g. Newsletter: Celeste - Cited Lori Ann's great article in the current newsletter. Submissions are needed for the next newsletter. Deadline for submissions is April 15th. Volunteers are also needed for folding.. Folding is on April 23rd at Celeste's (and volunteers are treated to Celeste's homemade muffins).
h. Treasurer: Carl reported that balance in checking account is $5,723.60 and balance in savings is $42,562.36.. Chapter is trying to stay on budget and maintain the balance in the savings account to have money for “what ifs” for example the possibility of hiring a lawyer for the Government Relations committee. Carl handed out a sheet listing the line items in the budget including the $ per member campaign for the Massage Therapy Foundation which does research and provides information for the medical profession. Carl: NERC lost money in the last conferences and we had to give seed money to keep the conference going in 2007.
MOTION: to approve the budget for 2007. Jane motioned, seconded by Chris, vote unanimous.
12. New England Conference March 22-25, 2007 a. Kelly - asked show of hands for who is attending. Reminded members that no packet "Call to Conference" will be mailed this year, but brochure with Conference at a Glance is available here. On a light note, Bill Downing, an experienced balloon deliverer, will be wearing a RI Red (rooster) costume. Volunteers are needed to sign up. b. Kelly calls forth Carl and Cate and acknowledges gratitude to the team for resurrecting the Conference for all of our benefit! c. Jay reiterates his great confidence in the year’s efforts culminating in a successful NERC experience. Numbers listed. Asked for show of hands for volunteers and 10 people responded. A member asked why NERC had lost money in recent years. Jay responded that in 24 years conference has had peaks and valleys, and many valleys. In the last few years attendance was down and it was difficult to bring in exhibitors.
This year people on the Committee did great job assessing the conference and they rededicated themselves to it. There is a new conference coordinator and two-thirds of registrants now pay by credit card. 250 people have signed up including one-day attendees. Most of the educational sessions are sold out. NERC has more CEUs than the National Convention and full registration includes meals. Band "Steve Smith and the Nakeds" is good and includes one of our own members Frank Rapone on keyboards. Online registration also has online roommate and ride sharing pages. Jay asks for volunteers for Hospitality and Registration
d. Perry Plouffe Scholarship winner this year is Tracey Hall.
13. Elections: Kelly’s Resignation See Table 1 Election Results on next page
Delegates have written responsibilities and must inform the Membership of Recommendations to HOD at our RIAMTA Sept. Membership meeting.
14. Membership Needs and Concerns a. A member, Rose, asked advice about copyright material and when she may use it if she is lecturing. There is AMTA info that is permitted for use in a public lecture, logo included, and that can be accessed via the National AMTA website.
b. Chris Adamo asked if MTs have to be Nationally Certified to renew their RI License.
c. Kenji thanks new members for attending.
MOTION to close the meeting: Yolande, second by Wayne. Vote unanimous.
15. Raffle 16. Next Meeting General Chapter Meeting, Sunday, September 16, 2007, 2 – 5 PM 17. Biz Card Exchange and food break 18. Education with Anne Marie Omweg
Respectfully submitted by Yolande Riendeau, Secretary.
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