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Sitting on Your Hands?

This weekend while I was teaching ethics to a class of 23 people, I asked how many present have read the Practice Act. As usual, the answer was TWO. I wonder how people think they can comply with the law if they don't know what it is. I wonder if they know they can have input whenever the act is opened, as it occasionally is. I wonder if they know they can attend massage board meetings; that holds true everywhere, not just in my state; a public board is obligated to have open meetings and to offer a time period for public comment. If they don't know, it isn't because I haven't attempted to personally spread the word--I do it all the time.

There is a lot going on in our profession right now. This week, the AMTA is holding their annual convention. I'll be heading to Orlando tomorrow to participate. Since representatives from the National Certification Board, the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, the Massage Therapy Research Foundation, and many others will be on hand, it's an opportunity to meet those people in person and give them a little feedback.

Last week of the first draft of the Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge project was released, along with the solicitation for comments. We've also heard the recent announcement about the formation of the Alliance for Massage Therapy, the new organization led by Rick Rosen; the hiring of Angela Palmier and Christopher Alvarado as new Industry Relations Specialists for the NCB; the NCB's announcement of morphing into a membership/insurance organization, and their recent announcement about a general advanced certification, which based on the comments on this blog, not too many people seem excited about. Those comments have been forwarded to the leadership of the NCB. We've got the MBLEx gaining ground and more states joining the Federation. We've got more states forming boards and enacting legislation than ever before. We've got more regulation of massage therapy than any other time before.

There are so many current issues that affect our profession. And as a massage therapist, that means they directly affect you. Have you voiced your opinion? Contacted the NCB? Attended a meeting or written a letter to your state board? Been in touch with your legislators? Written a letter to the editor of your trade publications? Weighed in on this or the thousands of other blogs and discussion groups that exist on the Internet? Do you belong to a professional association, and do you let them know what you think, or do you just automatically pay your dues and maintain the status quo?

I am not going to sit on my hands while things go on that have the potential to affect me and my colleagues. I've used this blog plenty of times to complain about something, and to give the occasional pat on the back, but that's not the only action I take. When legislation comes up that affects the practice of massage in my state, I contact my legislators, and I send out announcements to every therapist on my email list. As a current member of the board in my state, I am obligated to be at meetings, but the fact is I attended quite a few before I was appointed, and plan to continue that when my term is over, so I can voice my opinion. I have written the leadership of AMTA on numerous occasions. I haven't single-handedly managed to change anything, but I always get a response, and it's good to know they're listening. I haven't just written about the NCB; I've also written directly to them.

Maybe people just don't realize that they have the right to speak up. If that's the case, I'm telling you now, you have the right. If something that affects us and our profession is on the horizon, why don't you take a few minutes to voice your opinion? Write a letter. Make a phone call. Send a fax or an email. Post an answer to this blog or someone else's, or write one of your own. Get involved. Don't sit on your hands.

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Comment by Angela Palmier on September 28, 2009 at 10:11am: Thanks for posting this Laura. It is so important to use our voices---without them, the organizations that act on behalf of our profession will do so without hearing from us in this industry. Chris and I have had some incredible conversations this past week at the AMTA National Convention and we can assure you, the voices were heard. Thanks so much for those of you who spoke with us. With all that is going on in our profession now, it is more important than ever to ask the questions. There is quite a bit of confusion out there, and the only way to clear it up is to just simply ask!
Angie

Comment by Julie Onofrio on September 25, 2009 at 7:13pm: I try to speak out but never really know who or what to say to who? I just went to my first WA State Board meeting after 20 years of being a MT. I actually thought I would be going into an auditorium type of venue to hold public members and I was shocked to see 4 other people there - all from 2 different massage schools.

I get caught up in what to do and think that it is hopeless/useless to say anything because they are going to do what they want to do anyways.

Thanks for the inspiration.

Julie

Comment by Darcy Neibaur on September 24, 2009 at 11:37pm: I was involved in the AMTA for the first year of my licensure but did not renew because of people, and situations. Maybe I was wrong for dropping out and need to get back involved with them.

Comment by Darcy Neibaur on September 24, 2009 at 11:18pm: I received in the mail just this week a survey from The Florida Legislative Board. I filled it out as honestly as I knew how and mailed it back. One thing I have learned is, if they did not want to know, they would not ask. I am only in this profession a short 2 years. I have seen too much and leaned all the wrong things right off the bat. Maybe that is a good thing, as has been told by others to me, who have been in this profession many many more years then me and has seen it all. I have worked very hard to learn from those situations and change what I can. I seek out people I know I can trust to bounce things off of. I question everything even in this profession and have been called on the carpet for asking too many questions and saying too much. There are too Many PEOPLE PLEASERS in this profession who for whatever reason do not want to make waves. Well, I can tell you I have made big waves and will continue to do so.

Comment by Laura Allen on September 22, 2009 at 6:49pm: Hey, maybe people will listen if you hum! Seriously, there are petitions sent around from time to time...and I can vouch for the fact that myself, Felicia Brown, Gloria Coppola and others here in NC send around letters and legislator contact information whenever something is going on in our own state. You shouldn't clam up on the legal issues--don't be afraid to voice your opinion. Just say it like you'd say it in person. It's all about your opinion, and it's not like it's going to be graded by anyone:) You don't have to write an essay; just state your position!

Comment by Marissa on September 22, 2009 at 7:10am: The "Force" is strong with this one. Sorry, a couple of paragraphs ago I was waiting for a rousing rendition of the Star Wars theme song to beak out! ;) I am on this site at least 2 times per day and have absolutly NO problem voicing my opinions and starting discussions. When someone asks me about massage and this beautiful industry, I tell them all I know and research the rest to inform them later. However, when it comes to LEGAL issues, I clam up! Personally, I would love to take a bite out of a lot of the "proposals" that float around, but the right words, judiciously, will not flow. Are there available letters, petitions, etc. that can be sent instead? What would you suggest for those that are like me? Those who really don't want to sit on their hands, are usually waving them around like they're swatting at a fly, but are worried that they may start humming the theme song to Star Wars?!?!?!