News & Events Archives

Certified Massage Therapists providing facials, wraps, and other skin therapies may need to get an Esthetician license to continue those treatments in their practices. CMTs will have until June 30, 2008 to apply for a license as an esthetician using the grandfather provision. This allows you to get the license without having to comply with the education and training laws governing estheticians. Read the document below written by the Virginia AMTA lobbyist Becky Bowers-Lanier and decide if you need to pursue the esthetician licensing. Applications for licensure may be found at http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/dporweb/bnc_form.cfm.

Esthetician License document by the Virginia AMTA lobbyist Becky Bowers-Lanier

The Virginia Chapter Board voted this year not to change the fee charged to become a Chapter Member.  This fee is paid with your AMTA membership fee each year. The fee will continue to be $20. The Board is able to vote on this issue during each even year and therefore will not vote on it again until 2010.

Volunteers are needed to provide chair massage for our Virginia Senators, Delegates and their staff. Each year AMTA uses this opportunity to educate our state leaders on the benefits of massage by providing chair massage during the very stressful time when our General Assembly is in session. This is a most appreciative group of people and what an exciting way to meet some of the movers and shakers of our state legislation.

If you are interested in volunteering for this event please contact the Richmond Unit President, Wil Johnson at 804-230-7272 or healr@verizon.net.

Legislative Day
Date: Wednesday, February 13
Time: 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Location:
General Assembly Building
5 West Conference Room

Volunteers will need to arrive by 9:00 AM the day of the event.
Directions, parking instructions and AMTA T-shirts will be provided.

Along with the finest Virginia weather and a beautiful hotel set in peaceful and impeccably kept grounds, the Chapter’s Annual Conference, Healing Connections, provided a most rewarding and rejuvenating weekend. Delicious food being in more than ample supply, kept attendees satiated. Many new friends were made, old friendships rekindled, and the relaxed setting provided a very pleasant weekend of enjoyment and learning from two very able and respected presenters.

David Kent, LMT, known especially for his dissection work, presented a lively class on “Headaches- Types, Triggers and Treatments”. Students appreciated his visual, auditory and kinesthetic teaching styles and energetic presentation, and practical instruction gained from his thriving medical massage oriented practice.

Harold Packman, LMT, a most vibrant and exciting octogenarian, lectured on “Medical Massage for Parkinson’s and Stroke:Geriatric Massage and Ice Therapy”. Content aside, Harold offers 40 years of experience in the field, a warm, loving heart and deep understanding of the aging process. Most importantly, his openness to new ideas and new ways of doing things is inspirational. Learning from him is more about learning how to learn than learning new facts.

Rounding out this event, at the Saturday evening dinner dance, a very talented band, Savannah, with brilliant wind players, kept people on their toes (or feet) for every number. Thanks to all who participated and those who helped plan this successful Chapter event.

We’d love to get your feedback! What did and didn’t work for you? If you didn’t attend, why not? Your suggestions for next year? Share your thoughts here!

See more Healing Connections 2007 photos here!

A long, leisurely buffet lunch provided a relaxed setting for our Annual Chapter Meeting. A great chance to socialize while we conducted Chapter business.

Congratulations to the following new officers elected at the meeting, who will serve two years terms, beginning January 1, 2008.

Beverly Adams – (Lynchburg) – Chapter 1st Vice President
Diana Simonton – (Alexandria) – Chapter 3rd Vice President
Mary Janick-Smith – (Lynchburg) – Chapter Secretary

Cynthia Parsons – (Leesburg) – No. Virginia Unit Secretary
Karen Binney – (Charlottesville) – Piedmont Unit Vice President
Cathy Veazey – (Troy) – Piedmont Unit Secretary
Aisha Oxendine – (Richmond) – Richmond Unit Vice President
Polly Vaughan – (Richmond) – Richmond Unit Secretary
Beverly Adams – (Lynchburg) – Shining Star Unit Vice President
Bea Wilcher – (Salem) – Shining Star Unit Secretary
Rob Lotrecchiano – (Virginia Beach) – Tidewater Unit Vice President
Rose Winters – (Poquoson) – Tidewater Unit Secretary

The following members were elected to serve as Virginia Delegates for a one year term, beginning January 1, 2008.

Linda MacDonald – (Alexandria)
Linda Rhett – (Charlottesville)
Pamela Reid-Nielson – (Onancock)
Rich Rieger – (Alexandria)
Franciska Pocanic – (Charlottesville)

Many thanks to these dedicated volunteers who received awards this year!

Linda Rhett – Virginia Chapter Meritorious Award
Judy Harris – Certificate of Appreciation
Lucia Kaestner – Distinguished Service Award
Nancy Steller – Distinguished Service Award
Lourene Bender – Outstanding Service Award
Darlene Leon – Outstanding Service Award
Cynthia Parsons – Outstanding Newsletter Editor Award
Diana Simonton – President’s Award

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!

AMTA VA Chapter’s Healing Connections Fall Conference is coming October 20-21, 2007.

You’re invited to a full weekend featuring two dynamic educators in our field, each presenting a two day, 12 CEU workshop.

David Kent, LMT, NCTMB, presents Headaches Types, Triggers & Treatments (click here for course details). David’s web site: www.kenthealth.com

Harold Packman, LMT, NCTMB, presents Medical Massage for Parkinsons and Stroke; Geriatric Massage and Ice Therapy.

Take your pick – come and stay as an overnight guest or be a “day attendee”.

Chapter Annual Meeting and buffet lunch, Saturday night dinner dance with live band SAVANNAH- all at the beautiful and spacious Founder’s Inn & Spa in Virginia Beach.

Get all the details here and register here!

There are five recommendations this year that the House of Delegates of the American Massage Therapy Association will be debating and voting on at the Annual Convention, Thursday, September 27, 2007. You, as an AMTA member, are encouraged to let us know how you want your delegates to vote – for or against each of the five recommendations.

Click here for more details

We are now taking names of professional members to be delegates at the 2008 House of Delegates. The election of our five delegates and two alternates takes place at Healing Connections, Virginia Chapter’s Fall Conference, Virginia Beach, October 20-21. The HOD convenes at the National Convention in Phoenix, Arizona, September 17-20, 2008.

Volunteers and inquiries should contact Cynthia Parsons: cynthiaparsons@juno.com or call 703-777-8540.

We all mourn the devastating tragedy on the Blacksburg Campus.

Our Virginia chapter is organizing a team of volunteer massage therapists to help. Since we are considered second responders for the Emergency Response Team we need to wait a few days to be contacted.

Those of you who have not had the response training will get a crash course down there once we have a location to go to. Normally you will be there 2 to 3 days, so pack enough clothes and items to last. You must bring 2 forms of picture ID.

If you would like to participate, please contact me ASAP with your name, email address preferrably or telephone # and possible days you can get there. As soon as we have the details you will be contacted. Many thanks for your kind concern and help.

We still need some therapists for Tuesday, May 8 thru Thursday, May 10.

Judy Harris
Va chapter Administrator
judyamta@verizon.net