From the Chair
Garnet Adair, NCTMB

With 2005 in full swing, NCBTMB directors and staff are working diligently to fill the three vacancies that currently exist on the NCBTMB board of directors. NCBTMB is committed to maintaining high standards of quality and ethics in the field of therapeutic massage and bodywork. Based on this commitment, a new election process has been instituted for 2005 and beyond.
     Applicants who applied for the board’s open seats prior to the election revisions will be reviewed under the new nominations process. Board members elected in the upcoming election will assume their positions in June 2005 to accommodate the extension of, and changes in the nominations process.
     NCBTMB has instituted this new election process with its key stakeholders in mind – Nationally Certified practitioners, and you – massage schools that are working every day to provide our industry with comprehensively trained therapists.
     Open seats include two directors of therapeutic massage and bodywork and one public member/director. All will work to facilitate movement towards the goals outlined in the NCBTMB strategic plan.
     We will continue to keep you informed of what’s happening at NCBTMB and providing you with the tools needed to ensure a bright future for your students. Whether it is changes to the nominations process, or the institution of new board members, NCBTMB’s key purpose and strategic direction remain the same.
     As the profession of therapeutic massage and bodywork continues to grows, so does the importance of ensuring that sound processes are in place to elect leaders of our profession. You can continue to count on NCBTMB to do just that, and we will continue to count on schools to educate massage therapists that will provide high-quality services, furthering the credibility of ethical therapeutic massage and bodywork.

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Enhancing School Outreach
NCBTMB Develops New Framework to Stay in Touch With Schools

In the last issue of InfoLine, NCBTMB reported plans for taking a more focused approach to its continual effort to reach out to massage educators. The organization recently developed a new framework for school outreach that is based around the development of a School Advisory Group.
     The School Advisory Group will work with the NCBTMB Board of Directors to develop strategies that will enhance communication between the organization, school administrators and students. The group will be used as a resource not only by the Board of Directors, but also by the NCBTMB committees – helping them keep their fingers on the pulse of the concerns and challenges facing massage school students and administrators.
     Comprising the group will be a chair and four members, which will be representative of various geographical areas and school settings. The members will all have a minimum of three years experience in curriculum development in massage therapy and/or bodywork. It is not required that they be Nationally Certified.
     The Group will focus on strategic initiatives outlined by the Board of Directors and will kick off its work at NCBTMB headquarters in early summer, with an orientation that will outline their roles and responsibilities.
     “We are very excited to adapt a new approach to school outreach,” said NCBTMB Chair Garnet Adair, NCTMB. “NCBTMB stays committed to building new and strengthening existing relationships with schools, and this commitment will definitely be enhanced through the School Advisory Group.”
     Check out the ‘Calling All Volunteers!’ side bar for information on how to become a member of the School Advisory Group. Group Members will be finalized by May 31, 2005.

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Calling All Volunteers!

NCBTMB is looking for a few good men or women to comprise the newly developed School Advisory Group.

To apply for a position within the School Advisory Group, visit NCBTMB’s Web site to fill out an application form, and mail it to the following address:

NCBTMB – School Advisory Group Application
8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300
Mclean, VA 22102

You may also e-mail your completed application to mbridges@ncbtmb.com.

The group will be finalized May 31, 2005, so act fast to work with NCBTMB in its outreach to massage schools!

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Legislative Bulletin: South Dakota Adopts National Certification for Massage Regulation
Governor M. Michael Rounds signs licensure law, effective July 1, 2005.

South Dakota is the latest of 35 jurisdictions to utilize the National Certification Exam (NCE) as a qualification requirement for massage therapy licensure.

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Meet the NCBTMB Staff

(L-R): Kim I. Murray, NCBTMB Continuing Education Manager, and Sonia Landeverde, NCBTMB Application Coordinator.

Q: What brought you to NCBTMB and how long have you worked for the organization?

Kim Murray: I came to NCBTMB last August to assist with the review and analysis of customer service, development of policies and procedures and provide direct telephone support to candidates applying for the National Certification Exam (NCE). In mid-October, I transitioned to the role of continuing education (CE) manager.

Sonia Landeverde: I was interested in working for NCBTMB because of its emphasis on providing high-quality customer service.
 

Q: What is your role at NCBTMB?

KM: As continuing education manager, I handle all activities related to the Approved Provider Program.

SL: As application coordinator, I work very hard to ensure that all online applications are processed in a timely manner.
 

Q: What do you find most rewarding about your job?

KM: I enjoy working with continuing education providers, answering their questions and helping them navigate the application process as efficiently as possible.

SL: I find it rewarding when candidates express their gratitude once I answer all of their questions regarding National Certification.
 

Q: Describe a typical work day at NCBTMB.

KM: Multitasking is the foundation of my duties. Additionally, priorities shift on a regular basis due to the increased volume of applications and questions resulting from more providers wanting to offer valuable and relevant continuing education to certificants.
    As primary staff contact for the Approved Provider Program, my day consists of many activities, including speaking with and e-mailing providers and massage schools, reviewing incoming applications for compliance, serving as liaison to and writing application decision letters on behalf of the CE/Recertification Committee, updating the database with new expiration dates and course modalities for approved providers on the NCBTMB Web site, reviewing and approving newly added courses and instructors and generating database reports to print and disseminate provider certificates.

SL: Each day at NCBTMB presents new challenges. I stay busy from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., every day!
 

Q: What is your favorite quote or saying that relates to your job or colleagues?

KM: "Each day presents new challenges, opportunities and delights. Each of us must find our own way to experience the day to the fullest." Author unknown.

Q: What has been your greatest professional or personal achievement?

KM: Professionally, a great achievement was in managing the multiple, diverse and complex time-driven requirements of the survey process for managed care organizations at my last employer of almost 10 years, the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
    Personally, I receive immense satisfaction in caring for companion animals (specifically domestic ferrets) and watching them thrive. This fulfills my desire to connect with nature – something greater than myself – and allows me the privilege to be a benevolent caretaker of a living being.

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NCBTMB
8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300
McLean, VA 22102
703-610-9015 … 703-610-9005
1-800-296-0664 (totally automated line)
e-mail: info@ncbtmb.com