Reaching Out It is truly an exciting and inspiring time to be a part of NCBTMB. These are some of the ways we are reaching out to make a difference. From meeting with massage school owners and students at Board receptions to presenting to professionals at conferences across the country, we are actively making meaningful new connections every day. We’re working to help you make connections, too. Whether it’s with prospective employers via our online Career Center or with clients on your professional new website, we are serious about making your work more rewarding ... and more profitable. As always, I ask that you share your questions, suggestions and ideas with us, so that NCBTMB can continue to better serve you, our industry and the public at large. Donna Feeley MPH, BSN, RN, NCTMB Chair, NCBTMB Call for Candidates: NCBTMB Election NCBTMB annually elects members of its Board of Directors by a vote of certificants in good standing. This year there are two four-year positions open, to begin at the annual meeting in 2009. Applicants must be credentialed for a minimum of three years, have at least five years of experience and meet the requirements established in the organization’s policies. Click here to learn more – and download an application, due July 1, 2008. From HI to MA: NCBTMB Leaders Cover the Country In the past month, NCBTMB leaders have traveled the nation to participate in American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) Conferences and help practitioners understand the importance of national certification and recertification. NCBTMB Chair Donna Feeley and Government Relations Chair Pua Gillespie were keynote presenters at the Hawaii AMTA Conference. They discussed NCBTMB, its initiatives, national certification and the benefits to practitioners, consumers and the profession. They also met with attendees, answering their questions and providing additional information. At the same time, Chair-elect Neal Delaporta traveled to the New England Regional Conference (NERC) in Massachusetts, while CEO Christopher Laxton participated in and spoke at the California AMTA Conference with Director Alexa Zaledonis. NCBTMB Hosts Regional Reception in the Big Easy NCBTMB’s Board of Directors hosted a reception during its fourth quarter meeting in New Orleans to connect with the NCBTMB community. The event offered the Board, volunteers and staff the opportunity to get to know some of the dedicated individuals who are helping shape the future of the massage and bodywork industry, and present the direction of the organization. More than 80 massage school students, educators and administrators – as well as practitioners and Approved Providers – attended the reception. JTA Call for Comments NCBTMB’s job task analysis has been completed, the task force has reviewed the results and presented content outlines, and the Board of Directors is calling for comments from interested parties – like you. Click here to provide input before the recommendations are officially adopted and used to create future forms of the exams. The call for comments closes July 21, 2008. NCBTMB Promotes National Certification – and Certificants – to Spas As part of its 2008 marketing, advertising and public relations campaign, NCBTMB has begun targeting the rapidly growing spa industry, which continues to need more and more massage therapists. Ads promoting national certification and the practitioners that carry the credential have appeared in American Spa, Day Spa, Spa Addicts and more. In addition, NCBTMB attended and made presentations at Day Spa Expo and Spa & Resort Expo & Conference. Click here to see NCBTMB’s full-page spa ad. In Your Own Words: NCBTMB Approved Provider "Being part of the NCBTMB is like being part of a family that increases your support and gives great feedback. A key tool that we all need in our lives, especially when growing a business. I've gone through a host of positions, from a private practice LMT to spa management to providing retreats and precision training – always looking for evolution. Now a big inspiration in my retreats is being able to offer NCBTMB CEU's and the high standards that come with them. There is a sense of camaraderie in the NCBTMB and an understanding from people on the team who have been in the field and have been therapists. It has increased connections and opportunities, and I look forward to continuing to be part of this family." Liz Galloway is the founder, principal trainer and mentor at Spa College International, as well as a spa image consultant and CEO of Lotus Effects. To learn about her workshops and retreats, visit www.spacollegeinternational.com or www.spaimageconsultant.com. FYI: NCBTMB Releases New Candidate Handbook Need to transfer passing scores to a state regulatory agency? Have questions about NCBTMB exams? Click here to download the latest version of the National Certification Examination Candidate Handbook – or call 1-888-802-6600 to order a hard copy. NOTE: Any materials submitted to NCBTMB now must reflect the contents of the new handbook (version 08.1). A Great Way to Learn: NCBTMB's New Distance Education Blog Find out what educators, peers and NCBTMB staff have to say about distance education – and share your comments, too. Click here and be one of the first to experience NCBTMB’s new Dist Ed Blog. What’s Your Story? We’d love to include your story in one of NCBTMB’s newsletters. An inspirational experience, a motivational mentor, an essential resource ... or any other information you think might benefit certificants and schools. Please send details to jwagley@ncbtmb.org and include your name, phone number and email address. Want more info? Call 1-800-296-0664 or visit www.ncbtmb.org. © 2008 NCBTMB TouchPoints. Published by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, Inc. (NCBTMB). All rights reserved. May not be reproduced in whole or part without written permission. Ascribed quotation permitted. WE WANT YOUR OPINION Recertification helps practitioners build on their expertise through continuing education and hands-on experience ... and NCBTMB wants to know why recertification is important to you and your career. If you don’t plan to recertify, we want to hear your thoughts on that, too. Click here to take NCBTMB’s 3-minute recertification survey. NCBTMB Needs You – Volunteer! NCBTMB is looking for volunteers to serve on the: School Outreach Advisory Program, Portfolio Review Subcommittee, Eligibility Committee, Leadership Development Committee and the Government Relations Committee. These positions provide the opportunity to network with other industry professionals – and help shape the future of NCBTMB. Click here to learn more. Get a Job! Whether you’re starting your massage career or looking for a new challenge, NCBTMB’s online Career Center is the perfect place to begin. You can search for – and apply to – jobs, post your resume and more. Best of all, it’s free for job seekers. Click here to start connecting with job opportunities now. Got Questions? TouchPoints is interested in receiving questions you have about building your business, marketing your services or other issues pertaining to the field of massage therapy and bodywork. Please e-mail your question to jwagley@ncbtmb.org, and you just might see the answer in an upcoming issue of TouchPoints – or on NCBTMB’s website. Enter NCBTMB’s Why I’m Certified Contest Click here and tell us why you’re nationally certified – you just might win this great “de-stress yourself” t-shirt! Read All About It Distance Education Click here to read NCBTMB’s response to Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP) President Les Sweeney’s recent article, Distance Education in Massage. Body of Knowledge The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) has hosted a number of meetings to explore the possibility of bringing leadership organizations together to form a Body of Knowledge (BOK) for the profession. The goal is to develop a deeper, shared understanding of the profession, including how it’s changing and how it needs to keep changing in response to the marketplace. Click here to read an executive summary. Look for Us! NCBTMB will be a participant at the events below. If you’re in the area, please stop by the booth and introduce yourself. June 2-5 American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) Mount Washington Resort Brenton Woods, New Hampshire July 2-6 Florida State Massage Therapy Association (FSMTA) Boca Raton Resort Boca Raton, Florida July 25-27 AMTA Indiana Chapter Convention Radisson Hotel Merrillville, Indiana