The Virginia Chapter takes great pride in giving the 2007 Chapter Meritorious award to Linda Rhett, for her long and outstanding service to the Chapter. Starting out on the board of the Piedmont Unit of the Chapter, she went on to serve as President of the unit from 2000-2004. We admire the dedication and sense of responsibility she brought to the position-planning unit meetings of interest to the members and always going the extra mile- organizing Massage Awareness Week events for the unit based on member’s interests in supporting the community, and maintaining an active sports team which gave of their time to community fundraising and other events.

Linda’s knowledge, skill and enthusiasm in organizing her unit board meetings over the years drew other members to volunteer and participate in AMTA activities and to keep the Piedmont Unit’s energy up- one of our most consistently active units in Virginia. Her fellow members speak glowingly of her grace, compassion and equanimity for everyone she meets, and cite these qualities and her many leadership skills as the magnets that drew them to volunteer for AMTA activities and to stay involved. Linda’s winning personal touch has extended to all the AMTA issues she has handled over the years, and she has been a keystone in creating a vibrant AMTA community here.

We also very much appreciate her active giving on the Chapter Board of Directors-consistently present for meetings and other events, she has volunteered for many chapterwide events over the years. Pitching in for many annual Chapter Meetings, she served actively on these committees and organized the vendor sections which added richness to the meetings and educational presentations. Her participation on the Chapter Energizer Committee helped give birth to many ideas which have benefited the richness and functionality of the units and the Chapter. Her creativity and thoughtfulness have greatly added to the success of our AMTA community.

In addition, she has served the Chapter as Delegate to the AMTA House of Delegates many times over the years- in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005 and 2006. Her reports for the newletter were informative and interesting- a real benefit to our members.

Last but not least by any means, she has taken her Past President duties seriously, always there in person, by phone and email, to guide new leaders in their positions and to lend a helping hand. Many of her fellow volunteers have spoken of her important and generous commitment to fostering new AMTA leaders.

We salute Linda’s outstanding contributions and her warm heart!