Setting the Record Straight:
Report from the Board to NCBTMB Stakeholders

August 21, 2007

Dear NCBTMB Stakeholder:

For the last two months, a number of unproductive and caustic communications has appeared within the massage and bodywork community from five former Board members asserting that the current NCBTMB is in leadership crisis. These actions have surpassed acceptable realms of reasonable opinion and have disparaged the individuals named, the Board, the organization and the stakeholder community.

In the interest of preserving organizational integrity and transparency, we are responding openly and honestly with facts as a means to set the record straight and end the destructive allegations that serve only to create chaos and distraction – the antithesis of what the massage and bodywork community aspires to be. It may come as no surprise that the first six months of 2007 have not been easy ones, as our Board of Directors has attempted to move the organization forward in the face of the adversity caused by a previous administration that left the NCBTMB bitterly divided and riddled with angst and mistrust.

2006: Threshold of a Breakdown

Entering 2007, the new NCBTMB leadership had scarcely taken their seats at the boardroom table when it became clear that they had inherited a working environment that was dangerously unfit to conduct the business of the organization and on the threshold of a breakdown. Among the most glaring problems were:

• an unprecedented 1/3 of the organization’s volunteer force had resigned
  
• a lawsuit with the former Executive Director had been initiated
  
• poor oversight during the transition from the former management company to a stand-alone organization had threatened procedures and service at all levels
  
• various breaches of bylaws, ethics, polices and procedures had occurred which denigrated the reputation, culture and morale of the organization
  
• recertification notices had not gone out to the certification body for part of 2005 and 2006
  
• twenty individuals from two leading committees had unresolved complaints filed against the previous Chair
  
• media coverage and internet blogs were extremely unfavorable toward NCBTMB; and
  
• two Board members had been unilaterally removed from their positions, and a third member had been unsuccessfully targeted for removal

As the current Board worked to mend broken fences and repair damaged relationships, they discovered that the level of mismanagement had resulted in a complete unraveling of internal office policies, procedures and organization. Service levels were embarrassingly inadequate, database records and internal filing systems were woefully incomplete, and even crucial documents, such as Board minutes, were non-existent. Clearly, a crisis was at hand.

2007: Leadership and Empowerment

Yet, in the midst of adversity comes empowerment. The current Board, staff and volunteer groups persevered, dedicated to moving positive agendas forward while simultaneously working to right the wrongs of the past. Strategies initiated in January of 2007 by Chair Donna Feeley that are designed to improve governance, transparency and communication, began to take effect. By instituting leadership training for volunteers, initiating a restating of bylaws and renewing the emphasis on ethical practices by the organization at large, new life was breathed into a formerly ailing NCBTMB. New agendas took shape including the search for a new CEO and marketing firm, outreach to the CAM community, and more open communications with the media and other stakeholders. With a new brand identity, an energized NCBTMB continues to regain its sense of purpose and vision.
Amidst the efforts by the Board to get NCBTMB back on course, a group of volunteers with multiple concerns regarding the previous administration went public with their request for an independent review of the actions of the 2006 past Board Chair.

The Independent Governance Panel Review

Pursuant to the volunteer request, the 2007 Board approved the review. Shortly thereafter, a full, thorough and unbiased investigation was initiated by an independent panel of three experts specializing in governance and law. The panel was comprised of two respected association management professionals and one attorney, all with 25+ years working with trade associations, professional societies and certification bodies. Selected by impartial third party resources, none of the professionals came bearing any former connections to NCBTMB’s Board of Directors. The reputations of the individuals are impeccable.
While the Panel Review was ongoing, it was imperative that the work of the Board continue unabated. Chair Feeley attempted to conduct the business of the organization through normal meetings of the Board and its Executive Committee and new CEO, but several recalcitrant Board members made this virtually impossible. With nothing to offer other than negativity and resistance, this clique created chaos for the entire Board, ultimately necessitating the inclusion of a professional parliamentarian in all meetings in order to ensure adherence to proper rules of order.

During the period immediately prior and after the Panel was engaged in its investigation, three of these Board members unceremoniously resigned from the Board. Rather than express their differences of opinion in appropriate ways, they opted to make exits intent more on drawing attention to themselves rather than seeking ways to help heal the organization they claimed to embrace.

Conclusion of the Panel’s Report

The results of the Independent Governance Panel were presented to the Board on April 29. Among many findings were those recommending that the Board rescind the action of the 2006 Chair and review the expulsion of the Directors. Ultimately, the Board overturned the action and re-instated Neal Delaporta and Monica Reno to their previous positions on the Board. The Report also found that a number of improvements needed to be made in areas of governance, policies and procedures, which the current Board has attempted to implement.

A full iteration of the findings of the Independent Governance Panel Report is beyond the scope of this document, but it is sufficient to say that it reveals numerous transgressions of the past Chair that were in violation of NCBTMB bylaws, policies and procedures. These unfair and one-sided actions caused harm not only to the core of this organization but to the reputation of numerous innocent people as well. In our commitment to transparency and open governance, we are making the Independent Governance Panel Report available in its entirety to the public for your edification. We request that you review these findings, and judge the true motivations of these individuals for yourself.

The document is titled Independent Governance Panel Report and can be read by clicking the link.

Contemptuous and False Allegations

The embittered group of ex-Board members has worked hard to broadcast duplicitous remarks and misinformation designed to disparage the good works of the NCBTMB. Going back to the beginning of 2007, the group has defamed the NCBTMB and its current Board and attempted to derail our attempts to repair the damages that they themselves caused. The false allegations they have spread regarding members of this Board, our staff and volunteers are an affront to the very essence of the organization and a slap in the face of the more than 90,000 certificants who believe and trust in the credential of NCBTMB and what it represents.

Through it all, the 2007 Board of Directors has attempted to take the high road, focusing on improving performance, supporting our profession and growing our organization instead of engaging in a tit-for-tat response that will only perpetuate the acrimony. However, the most recent smear campaign of these former Board members in demanding the resignations of the current leadership team and the reinstallation of those who resigned has created an untenable environment for NCBTMB. We believe that their efforts are not motivated by a support of NCBTMB and its mission, but rather, an attempt to deflect criticism away from the harm caused to organization under their stewardship.

Consequently, we will soon be posting a second document on the website. It will address a number of accusations put forth by the same group that was circulated to certificants, schools and other stakeholders. Again, we ask that you judge the facts for yourself after you have had a chance to review that document.

You can be assured that NCBTMB fully embraces and welcomes free expression of opinion. However, we take exception to malicious statements made by those whose purpose seems to be undermining and impugning the good work of dozens of volunteers, staff and Board members. We will not stand by and watch a misguided few portray themselves as martyrs and protectors of the public good, knowing those very same people caused irreparable harm to the organization. Moreover, some of these very same people resigned from the Board rather than serving the public trust and attempting to rectify the harm that they created.

In the interest of protecting the organization, NCBTMB requested that its legal counsel Galland Kharasch, Greenberg, Fellman & Swirsky (GKGFS), review the Panel Report. The Panel recommended certain corrective steps be taken in order to enhance NCBTMB’s operations and procedures. These corrective steps have been reviewed and approved by GKGFS.

In addition, GKGFS is investigating possible legal actions against certain former Board members in connection with their harassment of NCBTMB, its directors, officers and staff, as well as their harmful and disparaging statements to the public. These communications are causing damage to the organization and adversely affecting its stakeholders.

The current leadership team has consistently followed NCBTMB bylaws, policies and procedures in our discussions and actions. Our goals for the organization are well publicized, and our management methods inclusive and transparent. We continue to work tirelessly to make service and excellence first-rate in all areas, and will not rest in our commitment to protecting the viability, credibility and sanctity of the organization. Our desire is to insist that the unfounded and malicious communications cease, so that the important work of the organization can resume for the good of all involved. In the interim, we are making exciting progress with steps to enhancing customer service, outreach to schools, communications, government relations, and our new database initiative.

We appreciate your support and encourage your feedback and questions as we move forward.

Respectfully,
The NCBTMB Board of Directors