Volunteer Center
Opportunities on the Chapter Board
The chapter board is comprised of the following positions:
- President
- Immediate Past President
- 1st Vice President
- 2nd Vice President
- 3rd Vice President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Unit Presidents
Board members are elected annually at the fall Chapter meeting held during the Healing Connections Conference. Each position has a two-year term. The board holds meetings bi-monthly either in person or by teleconference.
For more information on the job descriptions of each board member, click here.
Opportunities as a Unit Officer
The Chapter Unit is comprised of the unit members and the following officers:
- President
- Vice President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
Unit officers are elected annually at the fall Chapter meeting held during the Healing Connections Conference. Each position has a two-year term. Unit officers meet regularly either in person or by teleconference. Units may hold meetings for all their members quarterly or monthly. For more information of the job descriptions of each unit officer, click here.
Responsibilities of a Delegate
The AMTA House of Delegates (HOD) is comprised of delegates from each Chapter. Each chapter is allowed 2 delegates, plus one additional delegate for each 100 Chapter members. The Virginia Chapter has 5 delegates and 5 alternates. These delegates collect proposed changes to AMTA bylaws from their Chapter to be submitted to the AMTA Board of Directors. They also propose AMTA Position Statements that would reflect the position of AMTA on important massage therapy issues. If approved by the HOD they become the public position of AMTA. Delegates hold their position for a term of one year.
Here are some of the responsibilities of a Delegate:
- Delegates forward to the HOD Operating Committee any recommendations or Policy Statements from Virginia to be considered at the HOD meeting.
- Delegates receive information from the Committee about the meeting, including the proposed recommendations and policy statements to be considered at the meeting.
- Delegates discuss these proposals prior to the Convention with AMTA members to get a variety of viewpoints, but cast their vote based on their own analysis.
- Delegates attend the HOD Orientation meeting on Wednesday night and the HOD meeting on Thursday at the National Convention, and can both debate and vote on any HOD business.
The Virginia Chapter provides partial financial support for the Delegates to attend the Convention in the form of reimbursement for some expenses. In return, the Delegate performs all the above mentioned duties and gives a written report about the Convention to the Chapter newsletter, Virginia In Touch, and gives a talk about their National Convention experience at a unit meeting. Delegates arrange to publicize the recommendations and policy statements through the Chapter website and newsletter.
For more information about Chapter Delegate job description and reimbursement policy, click on this document.
For more information about the AMTA House of Delegates, go to: http://www.amtamassage.org/member/house_delegates.html
You will need your membership ID and Password to access this page.
Chapter Committee Member
The Chapter has committees to organize projects, programs and services. Any Chapter member can be a member of a committee. Below is a list of the current VA Chapter committees along with the chairperson name and contact information.
- Nominations Committee – gathers and qualifies nominations for Chapter Board, Unit Officers and Delegates.
Chairperson: Cynthia Parsons
703-777-8540 or cynthiaparsons@juno.com - Awards Committee – gather nominations for National and Chapter awards.
Members: Pam Reid-Nielson
757-787-2654 or nielsenpm@verizon.net
Cynthia Parsons
703-777-8540 or cynthiaparsons@juno.com - Healing Connections Committee – plans and implements annual VA Chapter conference.
Chairperson: Franciska Pocanic
434-981-1115 or fran.pocanic@gmail.com - Leadership Training Committee – plans and implements annual leadership training weekend retreat at Sevenoaks Pathworks Center in Madison, VA.
Chairperson: Beverly Adams
434 528-9676 or bgadams_1@juno.com - Website Committee – determines VA AMTA website content & design.
Chairperson: Polly Vaughan
804-357-2117 or polly@essentialmassagellc.com
Please contact the committee chairperson if you are interested in serving on that committee.
Chapter Annual Events
- Legislative Day – February 13, 2008
Volunteer to provide chair massages to our Virginia State Congress members. Contact our Richmond Unit President, Wil Johnson (804-230-7272 or healr@verizon.net) for more information. - Leadership Training Weekend Retreat – June 20-22, 2008
Volunteer on the Leadership Training committee and attend the annual VA AMTA Leadership Training weekend retreat. Volunteers will help plan the retreat and may assist attendees with room assignments, meal times and event logistics. Volunteers will also attend all retreat events. Contact our Leadership Training Committee Chairperson, Beverly Adams (434 528-9676 or bgadams_1@juno.com) for more information. - Virginia Municipal League – October 19-21, 2008
Volunteer to provide chair massage at the annual VML conference in Norfolk. Contact our Chapter President, Lucia Kaesnter (434-960-2698 or amtavapres@aol.com) for more information. - Healing Connections – October 2008
Volunteers will be needed to help with registration, class sign-in/out, workshops and much more. Lunch will be provided. Contact the Healing Connections chairperson, Franciska Pocanic (434-981-1115 or fran.pocanic@gmail.com) for more information. - Massage Awareness Week – October 19-25, 2008
Work with your local unit to promote Massage Awareness Week in your area. See your Unit President for more information.
Chapter Awards
Awards and 2007 Winners:
- Chapter Meritorious ~ Linda B. Rhett
- President’s Award ~ Diana Simonton
- Outstanding Service ~ Lourene Bender
- Outstanding Service ~ Darlene Leon
- Certificate of Appreciation ~ Judy Harris
- Distinguished Service ~ Lucia Kaestner
- Distinguished Service ~ Nancy Steller
- Outstanding Newsletter Editor ~ Cynthia Parsons
- Fundraising Project of the Year ~ No Recipient
- Government Relations Activist ~ No Recipient
- Humanitarian ~ No Recipient
- Massage Emergency Response Team ~ No Recipient
- Outstanding Sports Massage Achiever ~ No Recipient
- Outstanding Volunteer Group ~ No Recipient
- Outstanding Volunteer Group Chair ~ No Recipient
- Retiring Officer/Board Member Recognition ~ No Recipient
Previous Chapter Meritorious Award Winners:
This award is given for diligent volunteerism done in an altruistic manner.
- 2007 ~ Linda B. Rhett
- 2006 ~ Richard P. Rieger
- 2005 ~ Donald L. Pilch
- 2004 ~ Cynthia Parsons
- 2003 ~ Lorraine Hancock
- 2002 ~ Shirley Kirkwood
- 2001 ~ Diana Simonton
- 2000 ~ Ann C. Fowlkes
- 1999 ~ Joseph A. Lupino
- 1998 ~ Brenda L. Griffith
- 1997 ~ Martha Brown Menard
- 1996 ~ Denise M. Logsdon
- 1995 ~ Brenda L. Griffith
- 1994 ~ Joseph Lupino
- 1993 ~ Gail Bell
- 1992 ~ Marlene Hundley
- 1991 ~ William R. Oldham
- 1990 ~ Antoinette E. Meenach
Previous Chapter President’s Award Winners:
This award is given for contributing to the massage therapy profession in an outstanding manner and diligent volunteerism done in an altruistic manner. The recipient is selected by the Chapter President.
2007 ~ Diana Simonton
Nominations:
To nominate a person for a Chapter award, contact the Awards Committee Chairperson, Pam Reid-Nielson at 757-787-2654 or nielsenpm@verizon.net. Nomination for 2008 Chapter awards must be submitted by June 7th, 2008.
National Awards:
For a list of National Award Recipients and Special Recognitions, visit http://www.amtamassage.org/about/specialawards.html.
Back to top
