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Report on August Meeting Hello AMTA Members. I wanted to express

my excitement about our quarterly meeting in De-catur this August. We have a lot of members vol-unteering to help get our Alabama Chapter to be more involved with each other and with our meet-ings. I left that weekend more excited about our future than I have in a long time. The response from our membership luncheon was overwhelm-ing. Our Chapter's board is looking forward to working with so many different people who are looking in same direction that we are. If everyone that volunteered for committee chairs and liaisons and committee positions in general continue to stay involved with what is going on in our state, we will be ahead of the game. I would like to encourage all of you personally, please try to attend quarterly meet-

ings and annual conventions. If you don't need the hours of CEU's, come for the Mem-ber Meetings. We always feed you at no charge and you will be able to stay on top of upcoming events. It also helps keep you excited about being involved. We know you may not be able to come to all meetings. But, attending a few times a year is a great source of networking. Hope to see everyone again

very soon.

Thank you, LaDonna Ward 1st Vice-President AL. Chapter - AMTA ldward12@yahoo.com 256-962-0149

Your Vote Counts!

Be among the professional members that shape our association. Vote for our national leaders. Find out what their vision and goals are for the future of AMTA and the massage profession. Link up with candidates at the bottom of each bio information page found on the AMTA official election website.

Your vote counts! Cast your vote by December 1.

Please contact Gail Friedman at 877-905-2700

x168 or gfriedman@amtamassage.org if you have

questions.

Alabama Board of Massage Ther-apy

610 McDonough Street Montgomery, Alabama 36104

AMTA National Office 500 Davis Street, 9th Floor

Evanston, IL 60201 847-864-0123 Fax 847-864-1178

Alabama Kneads Fall 2011

Chapter Board Members

—————— President Joe Bright 256-338-3062 brtflds@centurytel.net

First Vice President

LaDonna Ward 256-962-0149 ldward12@yahoo.com

Second Vice President

Jeff Spears 205-328-9995 greatmassage@bham.rr.com

Third Vice President

Greg Howie 205-746-7454 g36@aol.com

Secretary

Roxanne Castille 205-914-6260 castille@massageitworks.net

Treasurer

Ron Joganic 205-655-2193 joganics@msn.com

BOD at Large Place 1

Liz Mawhinney 205-540-2438 theinnerbliss@aol.com

BOD at Large Place 2

Leisa Stewart 205-253-7826 leisastewart@yahoo.com

AMERICAN MASSAGE THERAPY ASSOCIATION

Alabama Kneads American Massage Therapy Association

Alabama Chapter

This newsletter is published quarterly by the Alabama Chapter of the AMTA. A non-profit professional organization of licensed massage therapists and students preparing for licensure.

Alabama Kneads welcomes contributions from our readers. Information for publication must be submitted on disk or email. Copyright material must be accompanied with a release from its holder. Please mail contributions to:

Alabama Kneads AMTA AL-Chapter PO Box 55207

Birmingham, Alabama 35255 205-328-9995

Website: WWW.AMTA-ALCHAPTER.ORG Email: greatmassage@bham.rr.com

Advertising Rates Per Issue

All advertisements must be prepaid. All adver-tisements must be on disk in standard format (word, jpg or tif), or emailed to the above ad-dress. Please make check payable to AMTA-AL Chapter.

Submission Deadlines 5/21, 8/21, 11/21, 2/21

The Alabama Chapter reserves the right to edit materials for clarification and where appropriate for space, accept or reject materials and as-sumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, corrections or modification in publication. The opinions contained in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the staff or of this publication, AMTA or the AL Chapter.

Business Card

2 x 3 1/2 $25

1/4 Page 3 1/2 x 4 1/2 $40

1/2 Page 4 1/2 x 7 1/2 $55

Full Page 7 1/2 x 10 $75

Classified

25 words or less Free to AMTA members

Education Allison Kirk 205-527-6071 allisonkirk@gmail.com

Government Relations Ron Joganic 205-655-2193 joganics@msn.com

History Cynthia Taylor 205-821-0911 taylorbrm2@aol.com

Newsletter Jeff Spears 205-328-9995 greatmassage@bham.rr.com

Public Relations Jennifer Pyles 205-401-3996 jennilee4u2c@yahoo.com

MERT Coordinator / North Social Liaison Liz Mawhinney 205-540-2438 theinnerbliss@aol.com

Central Social Liaison Jeff Spears 205-328-9995 greatmassage@bham.rr.com

Southeast Social Liaison Anna Rickabaugh 334-750-6522 annasrickabaugh@yahoo.com

Southwest Social Liaison Pamela Mercado jubugandaj@yahoo.com

Membership Michelle Burns 334-590-9180 michelle.burns39@yahoo.com

AMTA—Alabama Chapter Committee Chairs & Social Liaisons

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Mark your calendar for November 12 – 13, 2011.

Your AMTA - AL Chapter presents (in collaboration with Pilates on Highland):

BodyReading 101 for Movement and Manual Therapists 14 CEs for NCBTMB November 12th: 11:30 AM to 7:30 PM (one hour break) November 13th: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (one hour break) Where: Pilates on Highland, 2827 Highland Ave. South, Birmingham al 35205 Instructor: Carrie Gaynor BS#, R#, KMI, BCSI

Cost: $250.00 for AMTA Members

$300.00 for non-Members ($325.00 after October 1st)

Call Pilates on Highland (205-323-5961) to reserve your seat. In order to get the special rate offered

to us, identify yourself as an AMTA member and give the receptionist your member number. Body Reading - is an innovative method of analyzing posture. Of particular interest to all styles of practi-

tioner who deal with postural realignment (Massage Therapist, Pilates teacher, Yoga teacher), the workshop presents holistic strategies for resolving strain patterns and finding the "structural keys" to create longer lasting effective work. The more you can see, the more efficient your work will become.

Through this 2-day intensive training you can:

• Learn how to develop and practice a simple but effective vocabulary for describing skeletal relation-

ships - tilts, shifts, and rotations in the spine, shoulders, pelvis and legs

• Learn to assess specific activities of daily life such as breathing, reaching, sitting, running, lifting, lying,

standing, and shifting weight from one leg to the other

• See where holding is limiting the movements of the pelvis, rib cage, spine and shoulders

• Develop coherent single or multi session strategies based on what you see and feel

Come out of this course never to be bored in airports again, and ready to make sense of complex pos-

tures and movement patterns.

Carrie Gaynor teaches Anatomy Trains and KMI courses using a unique teaching philosophy learned dur-ing her nursing education at the University of Rochester (1993), her KMI clinical practice (2003), Kinesis fac-ulty appointment (2006), and research interests into her teaching. Carrie, who additionally co-directs Absolute Yoga & Wellness, integrates movement into the classroom, linking form and function, inspired by nearly two decades of Yoga practice, teaching and therapeutics. Note: In order for the class to make, we need 12 registered by Oct 1, 2011.

There will be a business meeting of the AMTA-AL Chapter Saturday morning, Nov. 12 at Silvertron Café at 8:30. Breakfast will be served. This meeting will occur even if the class is cancelled due to insufficient attendance. The address is 3813 Clairmont Av, Birmingham, AL 35222.

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MERT

Hurricanes and tornadoes can definitely cause major dam-age across the country. As we all know the April tornados tore through Alabama causing death and destruction. Relief teams were sent in from all across the US to help Alabamians. Our Alabama AMTA MERT (Massage Emergency Response Team) led by Joe Bright and currently by Liz Mawhinney is the highly qualified, professionally trained group that offers chair massage to the relief workers who are putting in 24 hour days. These folks really appreciate our hands-on approach to stress manage-ment. They are dealing with highly traumatized people who have lost dear ones and some cases all of their belongings in-cluding their homes. By becoming a certified MERT member you can assist at Red Cross Disaster Command Centers, Na-tional Guard Centers, police and fire fighters command post, etc. Officially, we are called into action by the Red Cross and the Governor’s office. We are a coordinated team with identification badges and may be allowed in restricted areas. Training for the Team includes a 6 hour ceu class.

Notes From a First Time Festie-Goer

By Sharon L. Bryant – August 10, 2011

I suppose we all have to have a first time. My first massage conference experience was at World Massage

Festival on the campus of beautiful Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC. I had been invited to help work the booth demonstrating Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy with Ruthie Hardee (CO) and Julie Marciniak (NC) and it was, to say the least, educational. I arrived excited and wide-eyed and boy did I get an eye full. There were vendors hocking everything from

CEUs to aromatherapy oils to Indian flutes. Somehow, I just didn’t expect the Indian flutes. Chakra stones, yes, massage cream, definitely, psychic readers, okay, but Indian flutes gave me pause. Since I was working in a booth, I didn’t get the opportunity to take in any of the CEUs offered at the festi-

val, but the schedule was extensive. Classes started Friday and went through Sunday offering everything from Lomi Lomi to Aquatic Massage Techniques to Demystifying Fibromyalgia. If you needed CEUs, this was the place to get them and fast. The spirit of the festival was alive and well with most attendees staying in the dorms on campus. I realized

that I didn’t know anyone’s name, but the culture was friendly and open in a way I’ve only ever experienced before at the Olympics. At night there was always something going on whether it was enjoying a beverage with one of your dorm

mates or attending Opening Ceremonies or watching a Tina Turner impersonator ‘Rolling On the River’. Sat-urday night featured the 2011 World Massage Festival Hall of Fame ceremony. Inductees included Leon Chai-tow, Judith Aston, and Joseph Heller along with twenty others involved in significant contributions to the mas-sage and bodywork community. Overall it was a successful festival experience. Learning to work a booth, doing more massage in two days

than I thought was physically possible, and finally figuring out why the Indian flutes really do belong at festi-val. Next year World Massage Festival is in Las Vegas, NV. And you know what they say about Vegas, right? Sharon Bryant is a certified Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapist. She provides AOBT at Harvest Moon Mas-

sage Therapy & Reflexology in Decatur, Alabama. She can be found online at www.harvestmoonmassage.com or on Facebook.

Rainsville Red Cross Command Center

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There’s a new place online for massage therapists and CEU providers to gather and share information about CEU opportunities. It’s a group on Facebook called Massage CEU Central. As a therapist, I am continually frustrated when I

see a continuing education opportunity that I want to take only to find out it’s only being offered hundreds of miles away. My vision for Massage CEU Central is a forum where therapists and providers can communi-cate as well as a place for therapists with common CEU interests to meet and organize bringing CEUs closer to their area. There is no fee to join Massage CEU Central, but

you will need a Facebook account (which is also free) and you’ll have to request to join. It is a moderated forum where I hope all involved will feel welcome, valued, and excited about sharing information whether it be CEU opportunities, reviews of CEU classes you’ve taken, or classes you would like to take. If you know someone who offers CEUs for massage, please encourage them to join as well. There are currently several CEU providers posting at Massage CEU Cen-tral and I’m working to find more.

The best way to find Massage CEU Central is to simply log in to Facebook and search for the words, “Massage CEU Central.” If that doesn’t get you there, contact me directly.

*Massage CEU Central is moderated by Sharon L.

Bryant of Harvest Moon Massage Therapy & Reflex-

ology. www.harvestmoonmassage.com or 256 603-

4596

Photos from the August AMTA

Meeting

Birmingham School of Massage

November Discount!!

for Massage Therapists

Pay ONLY $20 for an Hour Massage from Student Massage Clinic (Saturdays Only)

Call for Appointment

205-414-1477

Massage CEU Central

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AMTA-AL Chapter Board of Directors Quarterly Meeting Minutes

August 5, 2011

Call to order LaDonna Ward called to order the quarterly meeting for AMTA-AL Chapter at 7:43 p.m. on August 5, 2011 in Decatur, AL Holiday Inn. The following persons were present:

LaDonna Ward - 1st Vice President Jeff Spears - 2d Vice President Gregg Howie - 3rd Vice President Ron Joganic - Treasurer Roxanne Castille - Secretary Liz Mawhinney - BOD 1 Leisa Stewart - BOD 2 Cynthia Taylor - Historian and Education Committee Member

Approval of minutes from last meeting

Roxanne Castille, Secretary - the minutes were read from the last meeting. The minutes were approved as read. Chair Reports

Treasurer report was read by Ron Joganic, Treasurer. Reported the following:

Total Expenses - $8,272.52 Total Deposits - $13, 582.66 rec’d from membership dues/

registration Net Income - $5,310.14 Ending Balance - $22,703.64 Ron reported that $315 was spent on credit card accounts but were

now cancelled and no further expenses will be incurred. The proposed budget for 2011 – 2012 is $29,339.00. Ron proposed his limit of $500 be increased and begin the use of

bank transactions instead of checks. To audit these transactions the President and VP would review bank statements. Proposal rejected but not in entirety – Board recommended to start using bank transactions however transactions would be approved first by either the President or VP. Ron’s limit would remain at $500 until researching National regula-tions and policies stated on this matter. *Recommendation was called to a vote by LaDonna Ward, Jeff Spears 2nd and all were in favor.

Question – Do committee chair persons get reimbursed for total trip (room, per diem, and mileage) if summoned to meeting by President? Discussion was conducted. Jeff Spears motioned that yes, if committee

chair persons were summoned to meetings their expenses would be

paid, Ron Joganic – 2d all were in favor. Historian Chair – Confirmation that Cynthia Taylor was appointed

by President. Government Relations Chair – Ron Joganic – State July 2011

meeting was cancelled. Next meeting scheduled for August 12th. Ron also spoke about a few of the changes in HB 310 dated March

2011. First mentioned – non-citizens, without green cards, illegal immi-grants could be Massage therapist in AL. Second – state wants to in-crease number of hours needed for qualification, and fees could go up to $300 in 8 years. The vote is to be next year. Bill was read in Mar 2011. HB 310 may be found on line.

Question – Liz Mawhinney - will we ask to modify? Yes. Membership Chair - Michelle Burns– Ron stated he rec’d email

from Michelle stating she has family issues. LaDonna commented that another person be appointed to the membership chair position if Mi-chelle needs help at this time. Suggestion to bring in new member - Ap-proach students at schools as they are reaching graduation and tell them about the benefits of AMTA.

Call massage schools and find the AMTA member to sell AMTA at that school.

MERT Chair – Liz Mawhinney – Visited the Red Cross in Cull-man and group in Rainsville – she will send the report to board mem-bers. She was learning the ropes as what to do – chair massage was rec-ommended since space/privacy not likely at the Command (CMD) Cen-

ters. Liz stated that chairs are vital at CMD Centers. Discussion concerning massage chairs began – It was brought up

that Joe would get chairs and place at 3 centers to be active as soon as possible. Liz Mawhinney stated David Freid – offered chairs for ½ & 40% off (demo chairs) amounts not available. Ron suggested folks w/chairs lend out to those volunteers. Greg suggested that if you want to be part of MERT you can get the discounted price off a chair. LaDonna suggests that since everyone has a table do massages like sports mas-sage.

Greg and Leisa recommended we get our own tent (canvas cover). LaDonna motions we buy 2 each 10x10 canvas covers with AMTA-AL banner. Ron stated MERT has money in budget or we could use miscel-laneous funds. Liz seconded the motion and all were in favor. Motion passed. Liz will purchase and be reimbursed. LaDonna suggests she speak with Stephanie at school for the business school uses for covers.

Liz also informed board therapists do need to be certified to be with MERT. Liz talked about having MERT class at annual meeting .

#ewsletter Chair – Jeff Spears – He needs information for next newsletter by the 21st of August. Jeff also wants to send all newsletters out by email and only mail to those without email. Response from mem-bers with email proven to be positive.

Public Relations – Somer Battles– Not present. LaDonna recom-mends replacing Somer since there is no activity from this position. Need to find volunteer. Ron states we need to get massage awareness in the papers more than once a year.

Website – Jeff Spears – Immediately Leisa volunteered to take over the website. Liz recommended we started listing CEU’s classes from all sources possible on the website. It was suggested we contact vendors for dates and when we hear of CEU’s send information to Leisa. List our class “bigger” on website and the other sources class in smaller print.

Social Liaison Chair – North – Joe Bright (NP), Central – Jeff Spears, Southwest- Vacant, Southeast - Vacant

#ew Business

MERT massage chair authorization – Board decided “not to pur-chase chairs”. See discussion above.

House of Delegates Report – LaDonna and Ron will attend national in Oregon.

CVOP Report - CVOP- Jeff Spears – Teaches how to be a better volunteer. Jeff will send out the information. CVOP (?) explained what it is and stated to pay attention to “legal” section.

Newsletter Progress Report – Jeff Spears – 420 current members – this will be moved under Membership chair from here out.

Meetings – Nov 12-13, 2011 in Birmingham – Pilates on Highland class being

offered. Members pay - $250.00 Non-Members - $325.00. We need 12 students by 1 Oct 11 we now have 3 students signed up. Cindy will dis-tribute handouts during membership meeting tomorrow. Board meeting will be held Friday 12 Nov with a membership breakfast at 8:30 a.m. tentatively scheduled for Silvertron Cafe.

February 3-4, 2012 – Montgomery. April 26-29, 2012 – Orange Beach Adjournment- LaDonna Ward motioned Jeff Spears seconded all

were in favor - adjourned the meeting at 10:04 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Roxanne J. Castille- Secretary

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AL-AMTA Membership Meeting Minutes August 6, 2011

Call to order LaDonna Ward, 1st Vice President – On August 6, 2011 at 12:21 p.m. the AL-AMTA Membership meeting was called to order in Decatur AL. Board Members Present LaDonna Ward – 1st VP Jeff Spears - 2nd VP Greg Howie - 3rd VP Ron Jonganic - Treasurer Roxanne Castille – Secretary Liz Mawhinney - BOD 1 Leisa Stewart - BOD 2

New business LaDonna opened the meeting with introduction of all

the board member and chair persons. What we do and what’s expected. She also spoke about the roles of the different chair

positions. LaDonna let it be known what positions were vacant and asked for volunteers. She talked about the Edu-cation chair – Allison Kirk (NP) and Cindy (P) to let either of them know what classes the members would like to have at future meeting. LaDonna gave the dates and location for future meet-

ings and the number of CEU’s offered. Jeff Spears – told the membership about advertise-

ments and welcomed articles for the newsletter. He also announced that Leisa Stewart would be helping with news-letter and doing the website. Public Relations – LaDonna announced it was vacant

and needed volunteer. Website – Leisa Stewart announced that it would now

be updated. MERT – Liz Mawhinney – spoke on what MERT was

about and that we needed volunteers. She informed the membership that therapist had to be certified to be part of MERT to have authority to enter restricted areas. She is planning to have a class for MERT at the Annual meeting in April 2012. Social Liaison – LaDonna gave more information

about these position and how we had 2 vacant positions – one for Southwest the other Southeast AL. Denise Boyd & Jennifer Pyles volunteered. LaDonna continued by explain-ing that the Membership Chair would notify the Social Li-aison of the new member in his or her area and try to meet with the person to welcome them. The Social Liaison would also go into school and other potential areas to bring in new members. LaDonna then recapped the Board meeting from the

night before. She called on Ron for the treasures report. The question was asked how could the Chapter continue to have free CEU’s? We cannot; however will if possible con-tinue to have discounted CEUs. Another question was asked, “How does the money get spent and is there monies

for marketing?” Reply from Ron, “most goes towards ex-penses, newsletters, board member expenses. Jeff spoke about CVOP. Question: Do you have to be a massage therapist for a

certain number of years before you can be a board mem-ber? There are certain requirements for certain positions. Someone spoke up that if you refer someone for

AMTA National you will receive $50. It was suggested that free CEU’s be given to boost membership. Leisa recom-mended free CEU’s for new members @ Annual Meeting LaDonna spoke about the perks of being a Board mem-

ber. She went on to tell about “Delegates.” How many delegates to number of members. Jeff discussed the newsletter. He asked that members

check email for newsletter and let him know from there whether they would like to keep receiving newsletters email. Question came up about CEU’s in Mobile. Jeff stated that CEU’s that we were aware of would be included in the newsletter. Members could send him CEU’s that they receive notice about to be included. What about members who’s addresses change does Jeff get them? He receives updates quarterly from National AMTA. At this time Cindy told members of CEU’s coming up

at the next meeting in Birmingham - Pilates on Highland - Body Reading 101. LaDonna announced that Jeff had won the Meritorious

Award. David Finlayson asked if we could get Social Network-

ing? David then volunteered to get Facebook page going for the chapter. Then Sharon Bryant spoke up that she had Massage CEU Central and volunteered to assist David with the networking. David and Sharon will communicate with Leisa about the website. Adjournment

LaDonna Ward, 1st VP – recapped board & member-ship meeting and when our upcoming meetings are and where.

Quarterly Meetings - November 11, 12, 13 in Bir-mingham Meetings usually 1st weekend of the month – Feb-

ruary 3, 4, and 5 in Montgomery And the Annual Meeting is the last weekend of

April in Orange Beach. And of course August meeting 1st weekend.

Meeting was adjourned at 1:22 pm. Minutes submitted by: Roxanne J. Castille, Secretary.

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Alabama Kneads

PO Box 55207

Birmingham, Alabama 35255

FALL MEETING November 12, 2011, 8:30am See bottom Page 3 for details

WINTER MEETING February 4, 2011, Montgomery Details in next newsletter

ANNUAL CONVENTION April 27-30, 2011, Orange Beach Details in next newsletter

Upcoming Meetings:

Welcome New Volunteers

David Finlayson – Social Networking Sharon Bryant – Assist with Social Networking Jennifer Pyles – Public Relations Anna Rickabaugh – Social Liaison Southeast Cynthia Taylor – History

More Photos from the Last Meeting

(What Are They Doing?)