NCBTMB Takes the
Pulse of Practitioners
To make sure NCBTMB programming continues to keep pace with
Nationally Certified practitioners, the organization recently
completed an extensive survey of practitioner needs and attitudes
about certification.
In September, NCBTMB conducted a survey
of nearly 800 massage and bodywork professionals. Participants
in the survey were selected randomly from three categories
– those who were currently NCBTMB certified, those who
had let their certification lapse and those who were soon
approaching their renewal period. NCBTMB’s research
was conducted in partnership with FGI Research of Chapel Hill,
North Carolina. FGI, a working unit of Yankelovich Research,
has a national reputation for quality research.
FGI contacted therapists by phone
and most of those contacted eagerly participated in the 20-minute
phone survey. NCBTMB thanks all who participated for their
feedback and insight.
To help NCBTMB better understand how certificants feel about
National Certification and their practice, a large number
of motivational and attitudinal questions were included in
the survey.
Here’s what
you told us:
-
More than 89 percent of those surveyed
believe that NCBTMB certification increases credibility
and more than 80 percent indicated that NCBTMB certification
added value to their practice;
-
Ninety percent indicated that NCBTMB certification
reinforced the professional nature of their practice and
81 percent felt that it added value to the field by standardization;
-
A majority of practitioners feel that certification
helped them get a job in the field and helped them charge
higher rates for services;
-
More than half of certificants were not
required by their state or employer to get NCBTMB certification
but became certified anyway;
-
Not surprisingly, most view massage therapy
and bodywork as a very rewarding line of work, however,
most were mixed on whether it is financially rewarding;
-
Burnout and the physical demand of the profession
were two of the leading concerns for practitioners.
In addition to the attitudinal areas of
the survey, NCBTMB also gathered demographic information about
practitioners and the nature of their practices.
See how you compare
to your peers:
-
The average therapist works 16 hours per
week with full-time therapists working 24 hours a week and
part-time therapists working 10 hours per week;
-
Practitioners work in a variety of environments
including: in their home (42%), within a spa/gym setting
(29%), in office space for private practice (24%) and within
a medical office (19%);
-
A large majority (81%) of practitioners
were employed full-time in another field prior to entering
the massage and bodywork profession;
-
Most practitioners are women (83%) and
the median age is 40. Median household income is just under
$50,000 with one-third of that coming from the massage therapy/bodywork
practice.
NCBTMB continues to review the information
and plans to use it to improve communications with certificants
and to develop additional programming and services. Stay tuned
to future issues of Connection for more updates on
the research and how it will be applied by NCBTMB.
FROMTHECHAIR
 By
Garnet Adair, NCTMB
NCBTMB is listening.
From surveys of certificants and schools, meeting with related
massage and bodywork organizations, to monitoring the state
and municipal regulation of massage and bodywork, NCBTMB is
listening to our stakeholders to keep our fingers on the pulse
of the industry and to anticipate trends and address needs.
When the NCBTMB board of directors met this
fall to update the organization’s strategic plan (read
about the updates), we reflected on the information
that NCBTMB has gathered through listening.
This process, which resulted in a new strategic
plan with goals and objectives that will take us into 2008,
reconfirms NCBTMB’s vision and focus. As an organization,
NCBTMB strives to be far-sighted, anticipating trends and certificant
needs. In doing so, NCBTMB is listening earnestly to our many
stakeholders.
In our quest to discover your needs as Nationally
Certified practitioners, NCBTMB recently conducted a survey
of certificants (see related cover story). You told us that
you value the credential – nearly 90 percent of practitioners
surveyed view the credential as a tool in increasing their credibility.
As a result of listening and looking for trends:
-
NCBTMB is progressing in the development
of new certification options for practitioners, including
a credential for advanced practice in massage therapy, the
National Certification in Therapeutic Massage-Advanced (NCTM-A).
-
NCBTMB developed a new recertification program,
designed with ten options to choose from that add more flexibility
for practitioners. This issue’s Certificant’s
Corner column outlines two of the ten options available
through the program (all the options are outlined in the
January 2003 Requirements for Recertification handbook,
available online). Connection will continue to
feature the various options of the program through this
year and into 2004
-
NCBTMB is retooling Connection
to better meet your needs. Read about the upcoming changes
in NCB News on this page.
With all these changes, our
commitment to National Certification and our stakeholders remains
the same. NCBTMB continues in its core purpose, to foster high
standards for therapeutic massage and bodywork professionals
and to cultivate public acceptance of the value of these standards
and the professionals who uphold them.
(back to NCB Connection
Contents)
BUILDINGYOURBUSINESS
Marketing
Massage 101: Laying the Foundation
 If
you run your own massage or bodywork practice, chances are you
are interested in building your business and growing your client
base.
But where should you start?
Have a
plan.
Marketing is a process, not an event! Successful marketing is
built around ongoing strategies and tactics that work together
to build your brand and grow your business. Many businesses
only consider marketing when business is slow or when there
are extra dollars to spend. However, marketing is most successful
when a steady stream of consistent messages is flowing to your
target audience.
Consider the objectives of your marketing
– what you hope to accomplish. Link your goals to specific
measurable outcomes and time frames that will allow you to track
progress and achievement. Think about the strengths and weaknesses
of your business, as well as the opportunities and threats posed
by external factors. Who are your marketing efforts attempting
to reach? Identify your prospective client and consider what
tactics will reach them best.
When developing a plan, think about the “marketing
mix,” the four P’s of marketing: product, price,
promotion and place.
Product
Your product is obviously your services as a practitioner of
massage or bodywork. With National Certification, you’ve
already taken steps to ensure the quality of your product. National
Certification is a competitive advantage for your business,
so be sure to highlight your certification in all the marketing
that
you do.
Price
Consider the price you charge for your services – it should
not be an arbitrary number. What is your pricing strategy? Is
it competitive? Does it reflect your level of experience and
training?
Promotion
Promotion is all about getting the word out. Use all the tools
in your marketing toolbox. Building your business is about more
than just advertising. When developing your marketing plan,
don’t forget the power of media relations/publicity, promotions
and marketing collateral. This is the area where you get to
think outside the box – be creative!
Place
How does your customer access your product? Do you practice
in your home, in an office, at a spa, or at your client’s
home or office? The way you practice will affect the way you
market your services and the audience to which you market. For
example, a therapist who provides seated massages to office
workers would approach marketing from a different perspective
than a bodyworker employed at a spa.
As you think about your plan and the marketing
mix, don’t forget your audience! Some tactics are more
effective than others depending on the traits of your target
audiences. Make sure that you are using the right tactics to
reach the appropriate audience and sending consistent, non-conflicting
messages.
Look to
Resources for Help
NCBTMB has put together tips and suggestions to help Nationally
Certified practitioners establish successful practices in the
brochure, First Steps Into Marketing Your Business.
The brochure, sent to every new certificant with the certification
packet, outlines 50 simple tactics to promote a practitioner’s
business and contains logo sheets to use in business cards and
other printed collateral, advertising shells, a sample press
release and tips for advertising in the yellow pages or other
directories.
To request a copy of the brochure, email info@ncbtmb.com.
Marketing by the
Numbers
Survey Says… NCBTMB asked practitioners
to share a few of the tactics they employ to attract clients
and here’s the top three they identified:
- Business cards – An overwhelming 93
percent of the practitioners surveyed said that they
used business cards to market their practice. Of those,
24 percent cited business cards as their most helpful
marketing method.
- Volunteered/Donated Services – Nearly
three-quarters of therapists surveyed (73 percent) donated
or volunteered their massage or bodywork services as
an investment in potential future business.
- Flyers – Half of the therapists surveyed
use flyers to promote their practice.
Additional tactics identified included
discount promotions for special events, yellow page listings,
Web site listings, newspaper advertising, radio, brochures
or newsletters, mailings, television and personal practice
Web sites.
The practitioners surveyed said that
they most often acquired clients by referrals from other
clients, friends, relatives, medical practitioners, spas
and gyms – harnessing the power of word of mouth,
otherwise known as viral marketing. |
(back to NCB Connection
Contents)
CERTIFICANTSCORNER
Understanding
the Options: The Facts about Recertification
 When
are you due to recertify? Through December 31, 2006, Nationally
Certified practitioners are able to choose between NCBTMB’s
new recertification program launched in January 2003 and the
former program (detailed within the Requirements for Recertification
handbook dated June 2002).
The new recertification program consists of
10 learning opportunities that can be done in combination or
separately to earn the required 48 recertification credits.
The selections are diverse, ranging from obtaining a college
degree to serving in a national or state leadership position.
This approach to recertification gives Nationally Certified
practitioners the freedom to construct a program tailored to
their specific lifestyle and learning preferences. Six hours
of ethics must also be completed, and these can either be integrated
into the options selected or achieved separately. In addition
to the required recertification credits, practitioners must
complete 200 hours of hands-on practice over the course of the
four year period of certification.
The January 2003 Requirements
for Recertification handbook contains the complete information
on all 10 options and is available
on the NCBTMB Web site.
Starting with this issue through 2004, each
issue of Connection will review two of the 10 options
within the new recertification program. With so many more choices
now available, NCBTMB wants to make sure that all Nationally
Certified practitioners understand their options when it’s
time to start thinking about recertification. The focus for
this issue includes Option 1, Continuing Professional Development,
and Option 2, Certifications Outside of NCBTMB.
Option
1 - Continuing Professional Development
Option 1 gives practitioners the opportunity to use course hours
spent learning from a NCBTMB Approved Provider towards recertification.
Click here for a listing of NCBTMB’s newest Approved Providers
or for a full
listing of Approved Providers, visit the NCBTMB Web site.
If you are interested in applying Option 1
toward your recertification credits, here are a few of the steps
that need to be taken:
Option
2 – Certifications Outside of the NCTMB
Option 2 may interest practitioners who have achieved other
certifications for recognized practice in hands-on massage therapy
and bodywork (for example, certifications in specific modalities
or specializations). During the four-year recertification cycle,
you can receive credit for the hours you spend earning the additional
certification.
The following guidelines must be followed
to earn recertification credits from this option:
-
Only certifications considered as a recognized
practice in hands-on massage therapy and bodywork receive
credit.
-
-
Certification courses must be taught by
instructors who have earned the credential being awarded
and who also possess at least two years of practical experience
in the area being certified.
-
As part of the certification program, you
must take a formal assessment that evaluates knowledge and
skills.
-
Along with the recertification application,
you must also submit a brochure or catalog providing detailed
information about the certification.
(back to NCB Connection
Contents)
NCBNEWS
Connection
Gets Reconnected: Newsletter Renovation in Progress
Change is in the air and it isn’t just the
seasons – Connection is getting a new look with
new content. With the coming of the new year, NCBTMB Nationally
Certified practitioners can expect the coming of a new newsletter.
In addition to the regular features on NCBTMB
news, strategic plan, events and approved provider listings,
NCBTMB will be including news and information that certificants
can use in their daily practice in the upcoming and future issues
of Connection.
New columns will analyze trends in the field,
provide tips for building your business, profile Nationally
Certified practitioners and keep practitioners up to speed on
regulatory issues. New content will be enhanced with a revamped
design and paper.
| Do you have something
to share with your peers and colleagues? We want to hear
from Nationally Certified practitioners who have a story
to tell, questions related to business issues or suggestions
and tips. Contact us at newsletter@ncbtmb.com
with ideas, suggestions or questions. |
(back to NCB Connection
Contents)
Watch
for the Ballot
Take
part in electing directors committed to National Certification
 Participating
in the 2004 board of directors election is the best way
to ensure that NCBTMB’s board serves as a voice
for you as a Nationally Certified practitioner!
This year there are three seats available
on the board of directors, each for a three-year term.
Ballots will be mailed on March 1 to
Nationally Certified practitioners in good standing with
NCBTMB as of January 15, 2004. The deadline to return
ballots is April 1.
Make sure to watch for your ballot and
the platform statements of the candidates.
|
(back to NCB Connection
Contents)
NEWLYAPPROVEDPROVIDERS
The following continuing education providers are
the most recent to become NCBTMB Approved Providers. A complete
list of NCBTMB Approved Providers can be found online at www.ncbtmb.com.
Remember to ask any continuing education provider for their
NCBTMB provider number when pursuing continuing education toward
recertification.
Julia Young Hayes
8080 St Jude Circle N
Mobile, AL 36695
251-634-3244
jhayes20@comcast.net
Patrick Moore
40232 N Courage Way
Anthem, AZ 85086
623-551-1135
elenchuspublishing@cox.net
www.meltingmuscles.com
Malanie Hamilton
Alive & Well Inst
100 Shaw Dr
San Anselmo, CA 94960
415-258-0402
www.alivewell.com
Sarah Webb
Rosen Method: Berkeley Center
825 Bancroft Way
The Berkley Center
Berkeley, CA 94710
510-845-6606
David Palmer
TouchPro Institute
584 Castro St Suite 555
San Franscico, CA 94114
800-999-5026
dpalmer@touchpro.com
www.touchpro.com
Tucker W. Sharp
47 Hearthstone
Irvine, CA 92606
949-857-6059
balanceme@aol.com
www.balanceme.com
Deane Juhan
105 E Strawberry Dr
Mill Valley, CA 94941
415-383-1452
deanejuhan@comcast.net
Luann Overmyer
1830 San Pedro St
Berkeley, CA 94707
510-527-6869
nadalu@earthlink.net
East-West Institute
of Hand Therapy
10301 E Garvey Ave Suite 204
El Monte, CA 91733
626-452-9593
Inst for Natural
Resources (INR)
PO Box 272027
Concord, CA 94527
925-609-2820
info@inrseminars.com
www.inrseminars.com
Laura M. Brown
Earth Spirit Massage
3169 Mt Tami Dr
San Diego, CA 92111-4632
858-560-6755
lsbro1@mindspring.com
Eve Wilson
Reiki for Everyone
31867 Verona Circle
Beverly Hills, CA 48025
248-647-3241
HDP_alchemy@comcast.com
Liz Koch
PO Box 1226
Felton, CA 95018
831-335-1851
Mabel, ABA, EA
Katz
21821 Burbank Blvd Suite 152
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
818-999-4753
makangel@aol.com
Rosen Method Bodywork
Carolina Center
1212 Spruce St
Berkeley, CA 94709
510-525-3805
odilat@mindspring.com
Todd Durkin
Todd Durkin Enterprises
10006 Scripps Ranch Blvd
Suite C-7
San Diego, CA 92131
858-271-1171
durkin@fitnessrequest10.com
www.todddurkin.com
W. Randy Snyder
PO Box 6296
Oceanside, CA 92052
619-517-2557
williamsn@ashn.com
Donna C. Cerio
2750 Orchard St Suite 1
Soquel, CA 95073
831/475-5472
CO Center For Healing
Touch, Inc.
12477 W Cedar Dr
Lakewood, CO 80228
303-989-0581
www.healingtouch.net
Kathy M Duncan
5821 County Rd 331
Silt, CO 81652
970-618-2885
mail@kathymduncan.com
www.kathymduncan.com
Shogo Mochizuki
Japanese Massage & Bodywork
4264 Redwood Pl
Boulder, CO 80301-1638
303-443-3434
shogom@attbi.com
Acquired Touch,
Inc
2814 15th Ave
Longmont, CO 80503
303-678-0367
Barry Gordon
CT Healing Institute
14 Village Ln
Wallingford, CT 06492
203-269-1300
aoa1@msn.com
Rob Eppes
Wellness Management Systems
PO Box 7596
Wilmington, DE 19803
302-765-2387
r.eppes@verizon.net
Wayne Dawson
Florida College of Nat. Health/Sarasota Campus
1751 Mound St Suite G100
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-966-7117
info@fcnh.com
www.fcnh.com
Mark Sterghos
Florida College of Natural Health
2001 W Sample Rd Suite 100
Pompano Beach, FL 33064
954-975-6400
info@fcnh.com
www.fcnh.com
St John Seminars
6565 Park Blvd
Pinellas Park, FL 33781
727-397-5525*100
info@stjohnnmtseminars.com
www.stjohnseminars.com
Musculoskeletal
Rehab, Inc.
(LMT Success Group)
4070 Cactus Ln
Mt Dora, FL 32757
352-385-0052
info@lmtsuccessgroup.com
www.lmtsuccessgroup.com
Bramham Institute
1014 N Olive Ave
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
561-802-3855
info@bramhamspa.com
www.bramhamspa.com
Joachim Zuther
Acad of Lymphatic Studies
11632 High St Suite A
Sebastian, FL 32958
772-589-3355
Academy@acols.com
www.acols.com
Dale G. Alexander
3410 Eagle Ave
Key West, FL 33040
305-296-7339
tropical@aol.com
Florida College
of Nat. Health
Miami Campus
7925 NW 12th St Suite 201
Miami, FL 33126
305-597-9599
info@fcnh.com
www.fcnh.com
Steve Richards
Florida College of Nat. Health/Orlando Campus
887 E Altamonte Dr
Altamonte Spring, FL 32701
800-393-7337
info@fcnh.com
www.fcnh.com
Reda Abdel-Fattah
1050 NW 15th St Suite 211A
Boca Raton, FL 33486
561-391-5331
RAbdelfattah@pol.net
Michael Mcgillicuddy
USA Pro Sports
450 N Lakemont Ave Suite A
Winter Park, FL 32792-3152
407-673-6776
spiritmcg@aol.com
Vedic Conservatory
36 Salina Ave Suite 2
Delray Beach, FL 33483
561-330-3658
vedamystic@aol.com
www.vedicconservatory.com
Mark J Bigelow,
LMT
1006 Landing Blvd
West Palm Beach, FL 33413
561-434-2944
bigelowseminars@aol.com
Thomas Anstett,
ND, LMT
1151 SW 30th St Suite C
Palm City, FL 34990
772-220-8800
mmyo@inetw.net
Katie Haley
CosmicFlower Aromatherapy
1519 E Hillcrest St
Orlando, FL 32803
407-760-8214
cosmicflower@angelfire.com
Scott Kingsbury
1030 Pine Tree Dr Suite 6
Indian Harbour Beach, FL 32937
321-693-3879
magichandscott@yahoo.com
Minakshi
62900 Overseas Hwy Suite 9
Marathon, FL 33050
305-743-2624
minakshi@bellsouth.net
www.minakshiwatsu.com
Maria P. Seidman
Quiet Woman
2751-D Tamimiami Trail
Port Charlotte, FL 33952
941-624-4240
rjs@nut-n-but.net
www.thequietwoman.org
Alice Belusko
Doctor of Success Seminars
7081 SW 19th St
Plantation, FL 33317
954-316-3037
aliceslomi@comcast.net
Ohashiatsu Chicago
825 Chicago Ave
Evanston, IL 60202
847-864-1130
ohachicago@aol.com
Donna Hamson Cooney
807 South Mitchell St
Bloomington, IN 47401
812-332-4090
Cooney.bloomington.in.us
Mike Uriarte
MyoKinesthetic System
10339 Mastin
Overland Park, KS 66212
913-541-1910
myokin@yahoo.com
Kimberli Ridgeway
1423 Elizabeth St
West Monroe, LA 71291
318-396-9234
kridgeway@jam.rr.com
John DeMahy, RN
3322 Esplanade Ave
New Orleans, LA 70119
504-488-7555
jdemahy@cox.net
Betty Caravallo
37 Maple St
Danvers, MA 01923
978-750-4899
bettycaravallo@aol.com
Baltimore School
of Massage
6401 Dogwood Rd 2nd Floor
Baltimore, MD 21207
410-944-8855
www.bsom.com
Theodora Welsh
1700 Manor Rd
Baltimore, MD 21222
410-238-4613
Int’l Thai
Therapists Assoc
3600 S 60th Ave
Shelby, MI 49455
231-861-6829
itta@megsinet
www.thaimassage.com
Gregory D. Flynn
4964 Battenkill
Galesburg, MI 49053
269-665-4990
dianeticnow@hotmail.com
Connie Lee Eiland
3645 Chatsworth
Detroit, MI 48224
313-343-8808
clshebear@aol.com
Patricia Searing
6129 Holmes St
Kansas City, MO 64110
816-561-4466*137
psearing@mindspring.com
Kay Van Alstyne
Reiki Master Teachers
10 Fawn Meadows Dr
Eureka, MO 63025
636-938-6181
reiki4useonu@aol.com
Forsyth Technical
Comm. Coll.
Corporate and Cont. Educ.
2100 Silas Creek Pkwy
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
336-760-0371
www.forsyth.tec.nc.us
Joel Tull
3005 Pisgah Ct
Greensboro, NC 27455
336-545-1935
joeltull@aol.com
Winifred Crumrine
Body Knowledge, Inc.
1229 Moultrie Ct
Raleigh, NC 27615
919-846-3829
jackorfred@aol.com
Adele St. Pierre
5221 Largo Cto Unit 201
Wilmington, NC 28409
910-792-1890
dreamteacher4u@aol.com
Adawehi Institute
PO Box 1549
Columbus, NC 28722
828-894-0124
bldc@yahoo.com
Janet Blevins
117 Vance Crescent Ext
Asheville, NC 28806
gypsywolf05@aol.com
North Eastern Institute
of Whole Health, Inc.
22 Bridge St
Manchester, NH 03101-1619
603-623-5018
admissons@neiwh.com
www.neiwh.com
Georganne Verigan
49 Nighthawk Hollow Dr
Gilmanton Iron Works, NH 03837
603-267-1796
grv@worldpath.net
Robert F Adams
525 Fairfield Dr
Manchester, NH 03104
603-669-7157
rfadams@aol.com
Health Choices
Holistic Massage School
170 Township Line Rd
Hillsborough, NJ 08502
908-359-3995
www.health-choices.com
Advanced Training
Seminars
5 Juniper Ave
Somerdale, NJ 08083
609-627-9520
Mitchell_Hackerman@hotmail.com
Wellness Workers
Inc Holistic
PO Box 163
Health Education & Services
Gibbsboro, NJ 08026
856-435-3427
yourwell@aol.com
www.wellnessworkers.org
Ayurvedic Institute
11311 Menaul Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87112
505-291-9698
smasocco@ayurveda.com
www.ayurveda.com
Northern NM Community
College
921 Pasco de Onate
Espanola, NM 87532
505-747-2100
ramonag@nnm.cc.nm.us
www.nnm.cc.nm.us
Inst for Integrative
Healthcare Studies
PO Box 423
Bullville, NY 10915-0423
800-364-5722
info@natural-wellness.com
www.homestudyinstitute.com
Patricia O’Reilly
50 Barnum Ave Suite 310
Port Jefferson Station, NY 11777
631-928-0556
ptapat@aol.com
Michael Alicia
Body Break Company Inc
259 Seventh Ave Suite 4
New York, NY 10001
212-229-1529
http://members.aol.com/bodybreaks
Hands-On Seminars
32-70 31st St
Astoria, NY 11106
888-767-5003
handsonseminars@longisland.com
www.handsonseminars.com
Susan B. Vazal
Bodyworks Holistic Center Inc
487 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
518-580-8988
sue@reikiroom.org
www.reikiroom.org
Theresa Cloud Eagle
Nelson
5399 Teakwood Ct
Columbus, OH 43229
614-895-1614
theresa@theresacloudeagle.com
Richard Finn
Pittsburgh School of Pain Management
1312 E Carson St
Pittsburg, PA 15203
412-481-2553
www.painschool.com
Lancaster School
of Massage
317 North Queen St
Lancaster, PA 17603
717-293-9698
lsmassage@redrose.net
www.lancasterschoolofmassage.com
Nancy E. Schmitt
Aviana Body Products and Body Work
11 Almond Dr
Hershey, PA 17033
717-533-5991
nels27@aol.com
www.esbspa.com
Sherri Dickson
2722-A Wilmot Ave
Columbia, SC 29205
803-256-6242
sfdcew@aol.com
Wanda H Williams
2829 Timmons Ln Suite 151
Houston, TX 77027
713-552-0257
Shanti Dechen
Aroma Apothecary
8516 Devine St
Austin, TX 78748
512-282-6099
aromaapothecary@austin.rr.com
www.aromaapothecary.com
Samuel Strauss
Loving Touch Center Int’l
PO Box 171
School of Traditional Reiki
Callway, VA 24067
reikiltc@sitestar.net
www.reiki-LTC.org
Sari Spieler
Northwest Coalition of Massage Educators
17600 Sylvester Rd SW
Seattle, WA 98166
206-675-1740*7
Patricia A. Donohue
18 Morgan Ave
Titusville, NJ 08560
609-737-8971
CMTia@msn.com
(back to NCB Connection
Contents)
STRATEGICPLANUPDATE
Strategic
Plan Charts the Course for Future
During NCBTMB’s September board meeting,
the board of directors reviewed and approved a new strategic
plan for the organization. The plan was designed to offer foresight
about the profession; be sensitive to certificant views; and
align with NCBTMB’s capacity, strategic position and ethical
implications.
The strategic plan preamble highlights these
issues: “As the profession of therapeutic massage
and bodywork grows and matures, especially as it continues to
move into the public mainstream areas of healthcare and services
that promote wellness and a fulfilling lifestyle, it is challenged
to create a coherent sense of identity among practitioners and
in the public eye.
To explore and resolve the issues presented
by the challenge, NCBTMB is committed to identifying, developing,
refining and promulgating unified definitions, standards and
other common elements of the profession.
Recognizing the interdependence of the components
of the profession, NCBTMB will do so in a collaborative manner.
To preserve the diverse expression of these common elements,
NCBTMB will maintain a balance of clarity and flexibility in
its work.”
NCBTMB’s strategic plan was developed
with input from certificants, other related professional organizations,
employers and regulators who were tapped to help identify NCBTMB’s
role in the overall massage and bodywork profession. This input,
along with the detailed discussions and evaluation by the NCBTMB
Strategic Planning Task Force, defined five core goals for NCBTMB.
The goals are as follows:
-
Scope of the profession – NCBTMB
is a leader in developing and promulgating the common elements
of the profession while supporting the diverse expression
of those elements.
-
Value of the credential – NCBTMB’s
credentials are recognized and valued by all stakeholders.
-
Consistent National Regulatory Standard
– NCBTMB’s entry-level credentials are accepted
for regulation of massage therapy and bodywork in all states.
-
Brand – NCBTMB is recognized as THE
credentialing body in the massage therapy and bodywork profession.
-
Scope of NCBTMB – In addition to
credentialing, NCBTMB’s programs address the needs
of the profession that are congruent with the purposes of
NCBTMB.
NCBTMB’s new strategic plan
builds on its first plan created in 2000. The Strategic Planning
Task Force began its discussions with a detailed inventory of
where the organization was relative to its previous plan and
was pleased to see that most of the goals outlined in that plan
had been accomplished or were well underway.
Members of the Strategic Planning Task Force who
worked on the development of the draft plan include:
Elliot Greene, Task Force Chair
Garnet Adair, NCBTMB Chair
Sandy Anderson, NCBTMB Examination Committee
Chair
Judy Dean, NCBTMB Chair-elect
Shelly Loewen, NCBTMB Leadership Development
Committee Vice-Chair
Judith McDaniel, PhD, NCBTMB Ethics and Standards
Committee Chair
Ray Moriyasu, NCBTMB Bylaws Committee Chair
Sally Hacking, NCBTMB Government Relations Consultant
Susan Scoboria, NCBTMB School Outreach Coordinator
Moving
Forward
With the approved strategic plan in hand, the board is now working
to further develop and prioritize the objectives. Committee
chairs and staff are working to create action plans based on
these goals. These committee plans will comprise NCBTMB’s
action agenda.
“The strategic plan is the big picture
of NCBTMB,” said Garnet Adair, NCTMB, NCBTMB chair. “The
plan provides the framework for the organization for several
years so that the work can continue in a consistent and cohesive
direction. We are pleased with the outcome of this process and
eager to roll-up our sleeves and implement the initiatives within
the plan.”
Editors Note: Future
issues of Connection will provide updates on NCBTMB’s
action and progress in meeting the objectives of the plan.
CALENDAROFEVENTS
Editor's Note:
This list of events is provided for informational purposes
only. For specific information about participation in the
events listed above, please contact the host organization.
| EVENT |
DATE |
LOCATION |
| National
Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA) Annual Meeting |
Nov. 19-22,
2003 |
Orlando,
Florida |
National
League of Cities (NLC) Congress of Cities
|
Dec. 11-13,
2003 |
Nashville,
Tennessee |
Council of Schools
Annual Meeting
|
Jan. 20-24, 2004 |
New Orleans, LA |
NCBTMB Board of Directors
Meeting
|
Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2004
|
San Diego, CA |
Federation of Association
Regulatory Boards (FARB) Forum 2004
|
Feb. 6-8, 2004 |
Amelia Island, FL
|
Spa & Resort Expo
& Conference/Medical Spa Expo & Conference
|
Feb. 15-16, 2004 |
Los Angeles, CA |
(back to NCB Connection
Contents)
NCBTMB
8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300
McLean, VA 22102
703-610-9015 … 703-610-9005
1-800-296-0664 (totally automated line)
e-mail: snicolais@ncbtmb.com
|
