Our Chief Delegate needs input regarding these recommendations that will be voted on at the National Convention.  If you have opinions in favor or against any of these recommendations please contact:

 Stacey Ryan:   Ryanrascals_4@msn.com  1-701-250-4862

House of Delegate Recommendations

                    # 1 - Recommendation to the 2008 House of Delegates

                Regarding Agendas be Distributed to Chapter Representatives

Submitted by AMTA Indiana Chapter

Whereas, Chapters of the American Massage Therapy Association, strive to be in step with national changes and align Chapters’ standing rules, strategic plan, policies, Chapter Board of Directors action and Chapter activities with the Association for the betterment of the member experience, and

Whereas, Chapters correspond to the core values and operation of the Association, and

Whereas, with increased efficiency of the National Board of Directors at their meetings and less discussion taking place on agenda items during these meeting and more being done before meetings through email among the board members and select committee/workgroups, whether it be a face to face meeting or conference call board meeting, and

Whereas, attending National board meetings can be an opportunity to learn from our National Leaders as they work at their tasks, emulate their conduct and promote a mentoring experience to future national leaders, and

Whereas, Chapters have no opportunity to participate in these meetings, finding it difficult to follow what agenda items are regarding, or understand the actions of the National Board of Directors, and

Whereas, there is no guaranteed time or opportunity on the agenda for chapter representatives  to address the assembled National Board of Directors in regards to Chapter concerns or issues during meetings to which they have been invited to attend at the expense of their Chapter, and

Whereas, the American Massage Therapy Association, being a membership driven organization of ethical professionals, with Chapters volunteers being the link to members, developing a feeling of loyalty and support to and for the Association, and

Whereas, Chapters send representatives to Board meetings, acting as ambassadors for thousands of members, and

Whereas, Chapter volunteers are required to sign a Statement of Commitment to the Code of Conduct as a volunteer for the American Massage Therapy Association, and agree to abide by the AMTA Chapter Volunteer’s Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics, and Standards of Practice and pledging to be faithful and honest to the association, and

Therefore, be it resolved, that the House of Delegates recommends to the National Board of Directors that the delegated Chapter representatives will be provided a summary of agenda items and be granted an opportunity to openly address concerns and issues, in the discussion process, in whatever way the National Board of Directors deem reasonable, at every open meeting of the National Board of Directors.

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Approved by unanimous vote at the AMTA Indiana Chapter Business meeting November 11, 2007.

Authors: Barbara Lis (lis886@att.net/219.696.0672), Dorinda Springer and Barbara Studebaker.

Submitted to the HODOC: February 29, 2008

                        # 2 - Recommendation to the 2008 House of Delegates

                     Regarding Term of Office for Delegates

                    Submitted by AMTA Indiana Chapter

Whereas, in 2006, the National Board of Directors voted to change the numbers of years a Delegate can serve the Chapter to be no more than two (2) consecutive elected years, and

Whereas, the function and voice of a Delegate is unique among Professional Massage Therapy Organizations, and

Whereas, most members have no experience in serving as a Delegate, and

Whereas, the purpose of the Chapter Delegate is to represent the Chapter members and related activities, inform the Chapter of timelines, and facilitate the Chapter’s influence in the House of Delegates, and

Whereas, Delegates work to develop relationships with Chapter members, fellow Chapter Delegates, as well as Delegates from other Chapters and the House of Delegates Operations Committee, while carrying out there duties, and

Whereas, the responsibilities of a Delegate are to communicate at the Chapter Annual Meeting and through other means available, and initiate member involvement in discussion of matters that may or will come before the House of Delegates, and

Whereas, Delegates will maintain a working knowledge of materials provided prior to the House of Delegates, and

Whereas, Delegates will prepare and review all necessary materials prior to meetings, and

Whereas, Delegates will attend and participate in the House of Delegates Orientation, Meeting and cast informed votes, and

Whereas, Delegates will report the actions of the House of Delegates to the Chapter membership, and

Whereas, newer Delegates consider their first few times attending House of Delegate Meeting a time of learning and are less proactive in the process, and

Whereas, the Indiana Chapter anticipates this change in the number of consecutive terms a member is allowed to serve as a Delegate will greatly reduce the productivity, effectiveness and voice of the House of Delegates because of the lack of experienced Delegates present, and

Whereas, the Chapter membership should be allowed to elect a member qualified to be a Delegates and not be limited to who can serve additional terms and trust the elective process to eliminate those that are not meeting their purpose and responsibilities to the Chapter, and

Whereas, Chapters want their Delegate to be inspired and empowered to serve the membership with their own personal resource, which might include prior Delegate knowledge and experience.  

Therefore, be it resolved, that the House of Delegates recommends to the National Board of Directors, that the language “term of office shall not exceed two (2) consecutive elected years” be dropped and not limit the time a member can serve their Chapter as a Delegate in the House of Delegates.

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Approved by a vote of the Indiana Chapter Board of Directors, February 27, 2008.

Authors: Barbara Lis (lis886@att.net/219-696-0672), Dorinda Springer and Barbara Studebaker.

Submitted to the HODOC: February 29, 2008

# 3 - Bylaw Amendment Recommendation to the
2008 House of Delegates Regarding Delegate’s Term

Submitted by the Connecticut Chapter

Whereas:   

·        While limiting a delegate to serve no more than two consecutive elected terms in the HOD might encourage someone to run for the delegate position in some chapters, it does not mean that it will serve every chapter and

·        Delegates are elected by the chapter’s professional members to serve for the year, so the chapter members have the means to create change, if they desire, and

·        The process of being an effective delegate may take some individuals repeated attendance to fully assimilate and understand in order to participate in an effective manner and

·        Fostering experience and leadership qualities are important to any organization and

·        Seasoned delegates (having served more than two consecutive years) offer experienced guidance, direction, sense of stability, within their chapter and with other chapters and

·        First time delegates to the House of Delegates often rely on “seasoned” delegates for guidance and support and

·        The present term limitations, stating that a chapter’s delegate may serve no more than two consecutive years in the House of Delegates, may serve as a hardship such as the inability to offer eligible or interested nominees.

Therefore, be it resolved that the House of Delegates recommends to the National Board of Directors to modify the present House of Delegates requirement to allow each chapter to determine whether or not to put a limitation on the number of years a delegate can serve in the House of Delegates, as stated in the suggested Bylaws change.

Section 3. House of Delegates

B. Composition

a.  The delegate shall serve a term of office from January 1 through December 31 of the year of the HOD meeting in which he is a representative.

b. The delegate shall serve no more than two consecutive elected terms. The term of a delegate shall be determined by each chapter and clearly stated in the chapter’s standing rules.

c. A vacancy in the position of delegate may be established through resignation, disqualification, disablement, or death prior to the regular end of term of office.

d. The alternate receiving the most votes in the election of delegates shall fill a vacancy in the position of delegate.

Submitted by Maureen Stott (AMTAemail@aol.com)

Authorized by unanimous vote of the AMTA CT Chapter Board of Directors via conference call on January 29, 2008.

# 5 - Bylaw Recommendation - Membership

Submitted by Illinois Chapter

Author:  Jane Neumann, Illinois Chapter

Subject:  Modify Professional Membership Requirements Pertaining to Licensure

Whereas:

• With the substantial support and backing of AMTA and its chapters and volunteers, 39 states and the District of Columbia have statewide regulation of massage therapy (as of March 3, 2008).  We celebrate with great pride each new state to join that field.  AMTA funds are provided to chapters via Law and Legislation Assistance Program grants to help organize efforts to draft bills and move those bills to passage.  Yet the AMTA bylaws section on membership requirements is silent about having a state-issued professional license (or certificate or registration).  The current membership requirement is inherently contradictory to AMTA’s Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, Core Values, Future Vision and Strategic Goals.
• Whereas, in April 2005 the AMTA Board of Directors adopted a Strategic Goal to “proactively pursue licensure in every state.”
• Whereas, the fifth principle in the AMTA Code of Ethics states that “Massage therapists shall…conduct all business and professional activities within their scope of practice, the law of the land, and project a professional image.”
• Whereas, the AMTA Standards of Practice, under provision #7 (Legal Practice) requires that “members practice or collaborate with all others practicing professional massage/bodywork in a manner that is in compliance with national, state or local municipal law(s) pertaining to the practice of professional massage/bodywork.”
• Whereas, one of AMTA’s Core Values is “We … support fair regulation of massage therapy.”
• Whereas, AMTA’s 10- to 30-Year Vivid Descriptions include the following statement: “All states will have regulation and scope of practice; there is licensure in all 50 states and portability of the credential across state lines.”
• Whereas, another Vivid Description says, “Being an AMTA member reflects the highest standard of ethical behavior and the public sees the value and benefit of AMTA. Members are seen as trusted professionals at the forefront of a changing and complex world. Membership in the AMTA is seen as critical to employers and clients as an indicator of commitment to values.”
• Whereas, elsewhere on the AMTA website, the public face of the AMTA, the Vivid Description of the Envisioned Future says, “AMTA is instrumental in … assisting all states with regulation and scope of practice, with an emphasis on portability across state lines.”
• Whereas, the newly revised renewal forms for Professional Active membership and the application form for initial membership requires the applicant or renewing member to attest that they are in compliance with state and local laws regulating massage, however, no evidence of compliance (such as a license number which the association could verify) is requested.
• Whereas, by asking for such attestation with no corresponding requirement in AMTA bylaws, the association is creating a vulnerability.
• Whereas, the forms for new and renewing members asks the applicant to attest they will abide by the AMTA Code of Ethics.
• Whereas, chapters comparing a list of massage therapists regulated in their state (if such regulation is mandatory in that state) with AMTA chapter membership rolls for purposes of planning member recruitment actions may encounter evidence that some members are not licensed, which, if acted upon, would have the effect of losing members.
• Whereas, those chapters discovering such problems may be ethically bound to initiate AMTA disciplinary procedures through the national association, and if not all chapters in regulated states act consistently, there may be a perception of inequity.
• Whereas, in this computer age such verifications of regulatory compliance are more feasible than in the past.
• Whereas, Healthcare Providers Service Organization, the AMTA’s liability insurance administrator, will not honor a claim against its policy by an AMTA member who is not in compliance with state or local regulations.
• Whereas, the current membership structure includes sufficient categories for other than Professional Active status to allow someone to be a member if they do not need to be regulated because they are not actively practicing massage.
• Whereas, this bylaw change will not require any member to obtain a license or other form of regulatory credential in a state or municipality in which it is optional.

Therefore:  Be it resolved that the House of Delegates recommends to the National Board of Directors that the AMTA bylaws be changed at Article III, Section 2(A)(1) pertaining to Professional Active membership, to add the following new requirement:   For any jurisdiction in which the member practices massage, the member must hold a valid license, registration or certification issued by that state, territory, District of Columbia or municipal government, if such credential is required to practice massage in that jurisdiction.

Guiding Principles:  Association staff will change membership application and renewal procedures and forms to implement this change.

Proposed Bylaw:  See Attached

Contact Information: Jane Neumann, @ neumann.jane08@gmail.com

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. General Eligibility

AMTA may grant membership to any individual or entity who:

A.        Meets the qualifications set forth for each classification of membership in AMTA;

B.         Shares interest in and supports the purposes of AMTA;

C.         Abides by these Bylaws, AMTA’s Code of Ethics, and other policies, rules and

            regulations that AMTA may adopt;

D.        Meets additional criteria for each category of membership that the National Board of

            Directors may establish.

Section 2. Membership Classifications and Qualifications

Membership in the Association shall be divided as follows:

Professional, Student, School, Supporting, and Honorary. An individual or legal entity may hold

only one (1) classification of membership.

A.        Professional Classification

1.         Professional Active

a.  Must graduate from any supervised 500 in-class hour minimum entry-level program, or must pass an exam recognized by AMTA as identified

in AMTA policy or must have an AMTA-accepted state license, certification, or registration.

b.  For any jurisdiction in which the member practices massage, the member must hold a valid license, registration or certification issued by that state, territory, District of Columbia, or municipal government, if such credential is required by law to practice massage in that jurisdiction.

b.c.  In order to remain qualified for Professional Active membership, a

member must complete continuing education in accordance with AMTA

Policy.

2. Professional Inactive

a.  Must have been a Professional Active member and be temporarily not

practicing massage therapy.

3. Professional Retired

a. Must have been a Professional Active member and be retired from the

massage profession by choice or disability.

B.         Student Classification

1.         Must be enrolled as a student in any 500 supervised in-class hour minimum

            entry-level program in the United States, its territories, or Canada.

2.         May hold membership in this classification for no more than two (2) years.

3.         Must not have previously held AMTA Professional Active, Inactive or Retired

            membership.

C.         School Classification

1.         Must be school administering an entry level massage therapy program consisting

            of a minimum of 500 supervised in-class hours and operating legally within its

            jurisdiction.

D. Supporting Classification

1.         Must be an individual or a legal entity, not practicing massage but wishing to

            support and advance the profession of massage therapy through AMTA in

            accordance with the AMTA core purpose and goals.

E. Honorary Classification

1.         Honorary membership is a special honor bestowed upon a person who has

            contributed exemplary service and/or knowledge that has benefited massage.

# 6- Recommendation Regarding Policy Change – PACS

Submitted by the California Chapter

Author:   California Chapter Delegates: Mark Dixon (Delegate Coordinator), Jim Stern, Dorothy Swartzberg, Lucy Wojskowicz and Melissa Colburn 

Subject:   Policy revision to allow Political Action Committees (PAC’s) by professional management services, subject to AMTA review and overseen by AMTA Chapters where needed and desired, in order to support appropriate legislative action.

Whereas:

• For profit companies such as ABMP have amply demonstrated their ability to donate thousands of dollars to individual lawmakers in hopes of influencing their decisions affecting our right to practice;
• Gaining legislative support requires professional skills in presenting the appropriate case for legislators, and in many states most professional associations and non-profits have PAC’s established and controlled by Boards of Directors;
• There are professional companies available, which for reasonable fees, create and manage PAC’s in full compliance with all state and federal laws and regulations;
• Donations received by lawmakers from independent PAC’s will not be identified with the AMTA, but will allow individual AMTA Chapters the same access to legislators available to other groups of individuals with common interests;
• There is no anticipated financial impact to AMTA.

Therefore:

• We, the members of the California Delegation, move that a revision of AMTA policy be adopted allowing management of  PAC’s, subject to AMTA review, by professional management services and overseen by individual AMTA Chapters.

Guiding Principle:

• AMTA Chapters may most effectively meet the Mission Statement Goal #3

“To advocate that massage provided to the public meets high public standards”

by influencing legislators through the use of PAC’s.

The AMTA Policy Manual, under Government Relations, Sec. 1. G. reads:

G. Political Action Committees

AMTA and its Chapters should not create or be affiliated in any way with political action committees (PAC). Federal laws significantly restrict political contributions from 501(c)(6) tax exempt organizations to political candidates. Also each state determines its own rules for PAC creation, contributions, financial disclosure and tax reporting making campaign finance laws that exist at the state level difficult to monitor. These complexities could put the Association at risk if it were involved in or affiliated with PACs.

The AMTA-CA Chapter Delegation proposes the following change in AMTA policy:

Subject to AMTA review, the AMTA and its Chapters may create political action committees (PAC) provided they are operated by professional management services overseen by AMTA Chapters.

            Contact Information: Mark W. Dixon, 714 965-0104, AboutYou88@verizon.net

Last Updated 5/23/2008