August has been a big month for our Michigan chapter volunteers!   The month started off with members providing 3 days of chair massage to workers and volunteers at “ School Pride”, a new NBC Reality show similar to Extreme Home Makeover. The Detroit episode, one of seven in the series, is scheduled to air in October. A product of the Detroit Public School system myself, this was not only exciting but also very emotional for me.

Over 2,600 members of the community, students, alumni and businesses volunteered to help rebuild the Communication and Media Academy, a Detroit Public school which was on the cut list. A special thanks to our members Anne Marie DeSantis, Venette Highsmith, Veronica Malek, Todd Scott,  Julie Wineman.  Also thank you to two non-members  Andrea Ollivierra and Marlene Verlich  for their help.

As you will notice in one photo, a volunteer found a baby bunny, and AMTA member Julie Wineman called a local animal shelter for it!

Volunteer Todd Scott said “The school pride was the most amazing thing I have ever done! I felt needed and loved and I have never been on a live set before so I was so amazed at all the real life things that happened while giving chair massages. To all concerned, thank you for the time I spent with you all”

 This is what a member-driven organization can do, volunteers inform with enthusiasm and personal attention, and make contacts that will lead to new members who are excited to be a part of AMTA. We are proud of our new members, and proud of our dedicated volunteers. We look forward to meeting the graduates and the night class at a later date. Thank you everyone, and check out the great pictures!

We are blessed with abundance in our state, in garden abundance, heat or cold, and now even in volunteer opportunities. Many of you have been checking your ‘in boxes’ and have noticed the many appeals to donate your time and talent. In part, this may be due to the fact that schools are not sending students out into the community as part of their student experience. As a result, professional organizations are awash (or drowning) in requests. I am continually amazed at how much time and how much talent our membership gives away to their communities. We massage fund-raisers, school renovators, athletes, and family groups. We show up tirelessly in heat, wind, rain and sometimes snow.

If you have recently taken part in one of these events, send us your photo’s! Send us a quick article about your experience! Fill out the form below and nominate someone who has done something noteworthy! We want to bring these heartwarming deeds to light, and share the praise of our members. Let’s focus on something good, on what’s right with Michigan, what’s right with AMTA, what’s great about the vocation we share.

And if you are planning an event that needs some extra hands, consider letting us help you spread the word. We all get by with a little help from our friends, so extend a helping hand, and give the thumbs up in recognition of what members accomplish. We look forward to hearing from you!

Deb Zager

Nomination for chapter recognition

Your name                                                                     your AMTA number

Name of Nominee                                                                                

 Their AMTA member number

Nominated for:

include if applicable the event,

action nominated for,

date,

impact on members/chapter

Submit to AMTA/MI board member, or chapter office

1207 Packard St, Ann Arbor MI 48108

Transfer in

Laurel Humiston -PA

New Members Professional

Andrey Aleynikov

Robin Andreozzi

Denise Bechard

Yuuki Berger

Shujuan Erskine

Natasha Estes

Claudia Garrett

Yuan Li

Shin Liu

Carrie Lomax

Cynthia McLaughlin

Joanne Peruzzi

Kristine Rubin-Bennett

Xiu Juan Tan

Sheila Tennant

Marlene Vierheilig

Yanjiin Hong

Jeannette Hunt

Kelly Jewell

Susan Takash

Stacy Vanpatten

New Members Student

Melissa Bauman

Stephanie Chan

Raechel Garcia

Ania Kuras

Laurie Kuzma

Michael Lavigne

Erica Ramsey

John Rostine II

Kendra Torrey

Jessica Venier

Eric Alter

Judith Gilchrist

Genna Moon

Shawn Robinson

Proposed Goals FY11/12 Future Directions

MISSION:

To serve AMTA members while advancing the art, science and practice of massage therapy.

Proposed Core Values:

• We are a diverse and nurturing community working with integrity, honesty and dignity.
• We are a nonprofit member-driven organization of ethical professionals.
• We embrace excellence in education, service, and leadership.
• We endorse professional standards and support fair regulation of massage therapy.
• We believe that massage benefits all.

Proposed Vision Statement:

As the most trusted professionals in massage therapy, American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) members are integral to health care and wellness

AMTA’s vision is a future where:

• AMTA members are devoted to professionalism and excellence in massage therapy practice.

• Quality research is the foundation for evidence-informed massage therapy education and practice.

• AMTA supports its members in expanding their knowledge through quality education.

• AMTA embodies the spirit of community in support of its members.

• AMTA promotes its members as the highest quality professionals in massage therapy.

• Massage therapy is easily accessible.

• Massage therapy is a vital component of health care and wellness.

Proposed FY11/12 Strategic Plan Goals

Proposed Member Experience Goals

Goal:  AMTA members receive and potential members discover the rewards of AMTA membership.

Objective:  To increase members’ and potential members’ awareness of the value of AMTA membership.

PROPOSED PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCY

Goal:  Support high standards in massage therapy education.

Objective:  Expand massage therapy education that elevates our members’ professional competency.

ADVOCACY AND INFLUENCE

Goal:  The health care and wellness industry accepts the value of massage therapy

Objective:  Increase understanding of the benefits of massage therapy through education of the health care and wellness industry.

PROPOSED IMAGE AND AWARENESS

Goal:  Consumers prefer massage therapy from AMTA members.

Objective:  Increase consumer preference for massage therapy provided by an AMTA member.

PROPOSED INDUSTRY RELATIONSHIPS

Goal:  AMTA is a respected leader within the health care and wellness industry.

Objective:  Increase collaboration between AMTA, its members and the other health care and wellness industry leaders.

PROPOSED RESEARCH GOALS

Goal:  AMTA members are aware of the importance of scientific research to the massage therapy industry.

Objective:  Increase the opportunities to access massage therapy scientific research through AMTA vehicles.

PROPOSED GOVERNMENT RELATIONS GOALS

Goal:  AMTA works for effective licensing to ensure massage therapists’ right to practice and to protect the public.

Objective:  To establish portability of practice throughout the United States and its territories.

PROPOSED COMMUNITY GOALS

Goal: AMTA members experience a sense of community.

Objective:  Increase opportunities for members to feel connected to AMTA nationally and locally.

Note:  AMTA’s Future Directions was first developed in May 2003; submitted to the membership and other stakeholders in a call for comment in summer 2003; revised and approved by the AMTA Board in October 2003.  This edition of the strategic plan was developed with input from chapter leaders and the membership in June 2010.

Annamarie is a graduate of the School of Orthopedic Massage and BodyWork in Ann Arbor, and is nationally certified. She is the owner of ‘Soul 2 Sole’ private practice, and is a workshop instructor and educator on natural products and essential oils.

Additionally, Annamarie works at Beaumont Hospital, in their massage program. She brings a wealth of experience from both her corporate background and her clinical and teaching skills that we will all benefit from.

Annamarie will hold the position of Secretary until our April 2011 elections, when she can choose to run to fill the final year of that two-year term. Thank you and welcome, Annamarie DeSantis!