There are many email scams that target massage therapists. Unfortunately, some of these use the name AMTA to appear more legitimate and others actually use AMTA's Find a Massage Therapist® national locator service to email individual members.

The opening session highlighted the accomplishments of the year:

* President Nancy Porambo emphasized the AMTA's focus on massage as healthcare demonstrated by AMTA forging alliances with allied health professions

* Jerrilyn Cambron, President of the Massage Therapy Foundation (MTF) announced the joint funding of a research review of the massage therapy literature between AMTA and MTF, conducted by the Samueli Institute, a large research center known for studies on CAM and the military

* Bill Brown, AMTA Executive Director, shared news of AMTA's growth: a 10% increase in AMTA membership overall, with a 20% rise in member schools, and 3000 lapsed members who returned to AMTA

* AMTA announced a partnership with the American Red Cross, making it easier for Chapters to provide massage therapy at emergency and non-emergency events

Dr Mehmet Oz, the keynote speaker, was greeted with a standing ovation. He delivered a fact-rich presentation detailing the many benefits of massage for different health conditions, and shared his own experience of employing massage therapists in his cardiac hospital. He emphasized our shared goal: to improve the health of America. He "only" saves lives, but hearts need a reason to keep beating- massage therapists provide the important stuff: we lift people up, make life-affirming connections, and provide deep relaxation and relief from pain. He ended with some advice on forging partnerships with physicians: come in with a solution, not a problem, and doctors will remember you.

The award ceremony was bitter sweet, with two awards going to members that passed away this year.

* Distinguished Service - Bill Greenberg
* President's Award - Dan Barrow

AMTA-WA received the 5-Hands Award, the highest recognition of excellence for Chapter operations, Annie LaCroix was acknowledged on stage for her AMTA-WA Meritorious Award, and Marybeth Berney received her 25-year pin.

The following two and a half days were packed with workshops, networking, shopping and eating. There were 32 different classes to choose from, including business classes on taxes and malpractice, hands-on classes on treating fibromyalgia and alleviating piriformis syndrome, and a panel on what the research tells us about pain. The exhibit hall held 76 vendors with the latest tools in treatment and education. Networking events included a luncheon for newcomers, a reception for teachers and a hopping dinner/dance for everyone.

Save the date: Next year's convention will be in Pittsburgh, PA, August 19-22, 2015.

Teri Mayo, LMP, AMTA-WA 3rd Vice President

Teri Mayo

We had a packed room at the 2014 AMTA-WA annual meeting in March. A great turn out. Some therapists came for the CE's, some for the networking. Most came to vote for state leadership. Up until 2015, WA chapter leadership has been voted in at that meeting. This coming year we have an exciting opportunity to increase access to the vote because our elections will be online. With 4500 members, it feels appropriate that a larger percentage of folks can easily access this opportunity. Will you participate?

Your chapter leaders, myself included, are a diverse group. And we make great effort to represent all of our members. We are proud to have a leader from eastern WA, two clinic owners, several that bill insurance, some that do not. We have two solo practitioners in our ranks and a massage school owner. I feel lucky to work with this group of people. Who sits on the executive board for the next two years as 1st and 3rd Vice Presidents and as Treasurer is up to you in 2015, but only if you vote. Please participate and be heard. And after you vote, don't be shy. Talk to your leaders. We are your liaisons with the national association and we are your representatives at the state level. I know that I can speak for all of us when I say that we want to hear from you.

Were you at the annual meeting in March? If you were, you might remember that I had those who voted in the 2013 National AMTA Elections stand up. It was a pretty good percentage of the room and there were 201 in attendance. Not a surprise since those that might have been motivated to show up to vote for state leadership would be inclined to track the national elections as well. But it still wasn't everyone in the room and that is something I would love to see change.

In November of 2013 at the time of elections, there were 53,838 eligible voters. Only 1,431 voted. That is a 2.66% vote rate. You can imagine my frustration and heartache when I see folks complaining in online chat rooms about the direction that "National is taking us." How can members complain if they can't be bothered to take the 10 minutes to read the bios and vote?

As I said in March, there is a rumor that Washington and Oregon carried the 2013 national election. It is so exciting that we have a national board member in Glyn Desmond from Washington. It is also exciting that John Combe from Oregon was also elected. Perhaps the fact that we had three northwest candidates on the ballot increased our turnout. But that has to not matter. We have to get more involved. It isn't about where the candidates are from, it matters what they stand for.

Most national candidates have Facebook pages and will answer questions directly posed to them. You can also access email addresses on the national AMTA election website page if that is more your style. If you want to hear where they stand on a specific issue, pose a question. And then decide.

Massage is at a cross roads. We are at a very critical time in our profession's history, especially in Washington. We have much to lose, depending on who sits at that table and represents us and speaks on our behalf. We also have much to gain depending on who sits at that table and represents us and speaks on our behalf.
My focus here is to get you to vote. It isn't about how to vote. I get that what matters to me is possibly different than what matters to you or to your office mate. Vote for what matters to you in the national election this fall (voting begins November 1st) and for your state leaders in March. Please take the time to read the bios and vote. And then bug every AMTA member you know to do the same. This is your chance to be heard and to have representation that speaks to your values. Ten minutes isn't a lot of time but the impact can be huge.

Be among the professional members that shape our association. Vote for our national leaders. AMTA is the premier professional organization and needs top leadership to be a strong voice and guide us to the future. Your vote is needed to ensure that AMTA remains on top and continues to be well represented.

Get to know the candidates. Read each of their biographical sketches. You can find candidate's bio and social media links by visiting the AMTA official election website. Don't be shy, ask them questions or read what someone else has asked. Find out what their vision and goals are for the future of AMTA and the massage profession.

This year candidates have been given the opportunity to create a candidate video clip that has allowed them to introduce themselves to the membership in a more personal way. It too may be accessed from the election website.

Your voice counts in this organization. Make a decision to support one of our core values, 'to be a membership driven organization' and vote. That is what 'member driven' means.

November 1-5: A link to the online ballot will be sent via electronic mail to all eligible voting members.
December 1: Completed ballots are due.
January 1: Results will be announced no later than January 1 on the AMTA website.
March 1: New officers assume office.

Please contact Colleen Leeders if you have any questions: 847-905-1650.