Spring 2020 AMTA IOWA Chapter Newsletter

Spring 2020 AMTA IOWA Chapter Newsletter

#iloveamtaiowa #amtaiowa

Subject: How bout this

Hello Fellow AMTA IOWA Members

I hope this finds you all safe and healthy. Let me start off by saying Thank You, to each of you for your patience and understanding during this COVID-19 pandemic. As you can imagine there has been an abundance of questions and uncertainty about this within our industry. I want to assure our members that your AMTA-IA Chapter board is doing everything we can to keep our members informed and up to date with the most current accurate information.

Although both the AMTA national and AMTA-IA Chapter are working diligently to respond to all questions regarding COVID-19, please understand that we have been initiated with an enormous amount of questions. Our main focus is to make sure the information we put on our website is correct and verifiable, as to not add panic to this situation.

Financial and Health Concern are at the forefront of most LMT’s right now, so here is what we know:

Financial

•For information about unemployment benefits and eligibility please go to iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov they will be able to assist you with filing a claim or what to do if you are a sole proprietor dealing with COVID-19 hardships

Health Concern

•We continue to look to the CDC and IDPH for guidelines as to what to do to deal with COVID 19

•Govenor Kim Reynolds did mandate that all massage therapists performing massage should cease as of Sunday March 22, 2020

Gov Reynolds also suspended the requirements for licensure renewal at this time

Despite the suspention of requirements for license renewal, many instructors are providing free or discounted classes to help our fellow colleagues out. We are encouraging everyone to take full advantage of this opportunity to help maintain your skill set. You will be able to find a list of these classes and webinars on either the AMTA national website or in our newletter coming out next week.

The AMTA national office also has a web design builder on their website to help anyone who might be looking to start their own website. Please take advantage of this time by customizing your own website if you choose.

I know these are trying times for us all but, we will get through this, and hopefully come out stronger.

Please stay safe and we look forward to hopefully seeing you all at our state fall convention in Cedar Falls in September 26 and 27th, with presenter James Mally.

Robert Campbell LMT
AMTA-IA Chapter President

Hello everyone. I hope you are all staying healthy during these trying times. Please know I am truly thinking of you all. I would like to say a huge thank you for being to very patient when the hard decision had to be made to cancel our Spring Convention. From all my years serving on this board we have NEVER had anything like this. Please remember we are still working to process all refunds and I thank you for again for your patience.

So on a better note! I have the dates for our AMTA-IA Fall Convention. We will be on Cedar Falls on Septeber 26-27 2020 at the Holiday Inn and Suites and Bien Venu event center. We will host Dr James Mally. I am very excited to have James back as he always has wonderful information.

In the Spring of 2021 we will travel to Altoona, IA to Prairie Meadows. Those dates will be March 20-21, 2021. Speaker TBA.

Again thank you for all your support it sure has been a trying few weeks! Hang in there and PLEASE watch our Facebook page for any and all updates that we receive.

Thank you

Holly Rasmusson

As a member of the Iowa AMTA Board, I want to thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this global pandemic. I have been working to create templates and timelines for our board so we can act more swiftly and efficiently in the future. Here’s what’s new behind the scenes on our board.

I suggested the board create a Crisis Communication Plan for AMTA Iowa Chapter and drafted a simple first step of having our President be the contact person for the press and public during times of crisis such as the global COVID-19 pandemic, informing board members and chairs to follow this procedure. Following situational crisis communication theory, AMTA Iowa Chapter responses will follow Deal Posture Crisis Communication Strategy (Horn and Neff, Public Relations from Theory to Practice, Pearson Education) which means showing high concern for victim and responsibility acceptance.

I continue to update the AMTA Iowa Chapter Timeline. After collecting promotional materials and evidence from AMTA National, I created a tabletop display and handouts for legislators, and a talking points handout for LMT participants for Lobby Day in February, and also spoke to many at the Capitol during that event. I continue to communicate with our Secretary, Government Relations Chair and CSMT Chair to continue to develop PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) charts to document our procedures and responsibilities for AMTA Iowa Chapter events.

I hope that Spring finds you well! I have been sending out a weekly Government Relations News email. If you have not been receiving them, please make sure that you have your personal email address registered with AMTA National. I hope that the information in the emails has been helpful to you. Please do always let me know if you have any questions or any feedback! Enjoy the nicer weather!

With Care,
Rachel Brown
Government Relations
AMTA IA

AMTA IOWA CHAPTER  (   March 2020 Board Meeting  )
Board Meeting
Conference Call
March 21, 2020

1. Call to Order:
President Robert Campbell called the meeting to order at 10:00am. A conference call was
scheduled in place of the Spring board meeting this year due to the Coronavirus
COVID19- Pandemic. The AMTA IA Spring Convention was cancelled March 16, 2020.
Robert welcomed everyone and thanked them all for being on the call. Robert asked if
there were any additions or corrections to the agenda.With no additions or corrections to
the agenda it was approved. Then we went on with the meeting.
2. Present:
President- Robert Campbell, Board Member 1/Convention Coordinator Chair- Holly

Rasmusson, Financial Administrator- Pam Burnikel, Board Member 2/Education Chair-
Karen Sindelar, Secretary- Jeanna Tellin, Membership Chair- Soraya Wagner, Awards

Chair- Cynthia Haack, Digital Media Chair/Delegate- Alex Collins, Advisory/Orientation
Chair- Ken Swenson.
3. Absent:
Government Relations Chair- Rachel Brown, Convention Events Chair- Robin Markus and
CSMT Chair- Bill McArtor.
4. Approval of Minutes:
Secretary Jeanna Tellin submitted the minutes from the January 25, 2020 Iowa Chapter
Board Meeting for approval. President Robert Campbell asked the chapter board if there
were any additions or corrections to the minutes. Karen Sindelar MADE-A-MOTION to
approve the minutes. Pam Burnikel SECONDED- MOTION- CARRIED.
5. Reports of Officers:
5A. President – Robert Campbell:
Robert gave everyone an incredible “THANK YOU!” for all their hard work under these
trying times we are all facing right now. He said he is glad to have each of us on the
board and for all we have done since we started. Robert knows our members are looking
to us and the AMTA as one of the sources that will provide some direction and with all of
us doing what we can,we will get through this.
5B. Board Member 2 – Karen Sindelar:
Karen suggested the board create a Crisis Communication Plan for AMTA Iowa Chapter
and drafted a simple first step of having our President be the contact person for the press

and public during times of crisis such as the global COVID-19 pandemic, informing
board members and chairs to follow this procedure. She continues to update the AMTA
Iowa Chapter Timeline. After collecting promotional materials and evidence from
AMTA National, Karen created a tabletop display and handouts for legislators, and a
talking points handout for LMT participants for Lobby Day in February, and also spoke
to many at the Capitol during that event. Karen continues to communicate with our
Secretary, Government Relations Chair and CSMT Chair to continue to develop PERT
(Program Evaluation and Review Technique) charts to document our procedures and
responsibilities for AMTA Iowa Chapter events.
5C. Financial Administrator – Pam Burnikel:
Pam reported the balance as of January 31,2020 is $52,318.00.
6. Reports of Committee Chairs:
6A. Government Relations Chair – Rachel Brown:
Rachel reported she has been sending out a weekly Government Relations News email to
all AMTA IA members. She has been including the legislative update, bill tracking, and
legislative forums from our lobbyist as well as other important information such as the
link to the Iowa Board of Massage Therapy quarterly board meeting agendas and
minutes, the link to apply to sit on the Iowa Board of Massage Therapy, the info about
the GR table and the GR forum that we will hold at Spring Convention, and a re-cap of
our Lobby Day at the Capitol.
Rachel reached out to AMTA National and had them load our approved AMTA IA logos
onto the HUB. We will work to make sure that we are only using those approved logos.
Rachel held our 3rd

annual Lobby Day at the Iowa State Capitol on 2/4/20. We had 17
LMTs volunteers. We gave chair massages to 34 people. 10 of those people were
legislators. We had several other people including legislators and their staff stop by our
table. We handed out a lot of educational flyers. It was a very successful event. Rachel
held a post-event lunch at Scenic Route Bakery. 2 of the volunteer LMTs joined her for
lunch. Rachel is gathering feedback from the event from the volunteer LMTs. Rachel is
discussing a few changes for next year’s lobby day with our lobbyist.
Our lobbyist created a great economical impact flyer. It was a wonderful handout for
lobby day. Rachel has a digital copy of the document and we can use it for other events
this year.
Robert and Rachel discussed with the lobbyist about getting a proclamation for a massage
therapy day or week or month in Iowa. Rachel will begin working on this.
Rachel asked the board and chair members if it would be okay for her to have a
Government Relations Table and to hold a Government Relations Forum at the spring
convention. Board and chair members were in favor of both of these things. Rachel
began planning for both of these things.

Rachel asked Zachary Flick to attend a lunch and program put on by the Human
Trafficking Coalition of Iowa at the Capitol. He attended and was able to connect with
several individuals from the Coalition. We are trying to form a relationship with and
work together with the Coalition.
Zachary Flick attended the Iowa Board of Massage Therapy quarterly board meeting.
He will be providing notes from the meeting to Rachel.
6B. Convention Coordinator Chair – Holly Rasmusson;
Holly reported future Convention dates:
Fall Convention September 26-27, 2020- Holiday Inn Cedar Falls, Waterloo Event
Center. The Presenter – James Mally.
Spring Convention March 20-21, 2021- Prairie Meadows Altoona, Iowa. The Presenter
– TBA
6C. Membership Chair – Soraya Wagner:
Soraya reported she;
Reminded our members to apply for the Judy Robuck Scholarship.
Sent out the quarterly welcome letters with all of the new member names.
Our updated numbers as of 3-9-2020
Prof active 784
Prof inactive 6
Student 122
Graduate 88
Retired 2
Total 1002
6D. Digital Media Chair – Alex Collins:
Alex reported;
WEBSITE ADDRESS IS AMTA Iowa chapter – #amtaiowa #iloveamtaiowa
The current numbers as of January 24th, 2020 at 8:00am
Facebook 772 like / 794 following us
Twitter 51 following us
Instagram followers 197 and 133 following us
6E. Awards Chair – Cynthia Haack:
Cindy reported she has been busy working on awards for Spring Convention and
researching different items for member giveaways for our 70th

Anniversary for AMTA –

Iowa Chapter at the fall convention.
Awards being given:
Veteran’s Day Appreciation – Sandra Black, Pam Burnikel, Cindy Haack, Kathy Lutz,
Bill McArtor and Sheila Rosengarten.

Beacon of Light – Wes Pranschke
Outstanding Government Relations Activist Award – Rachel Brown
Cindy is working with Chuck on giveaway items for our 70th

Anniversary: nail files, key

chains, pig pins, phone pop-up holders, cups that would have a 70th

Anniversary date for
AMTA – Iowa Chapter and logo, and so forth. She is also going to check in with a couple
other companies to see what they may have to offer. To be discussed at our next board
meeting.
6F. Education Chair – Karen Sindelar:
As the Education Chair, Karen seeks out an educational book, public relations material or
opportunity for our convention participants. This spring she collected a donation from
Melinda Hastings BCTMB, NCBTMB Approved Provider #1180, Inspired Therapists
Seminars, for the spring convention that included a FREE online class entitled “High
Level Customer Service” for all convention attendees. Karen is currently working with
her to see if we can still gift something to those who registered for spring convention.
7. Discussion Items:
7A. LLEAD Grant- Robert Campbell:
Robert and the board discussed the need and importance for our lobbyist. Robert made a
motion to continue using Advocacy Strategies at this time.
Jeanna Tellin MADE- A- MOTION to approve maintaining our current lobbyist. Pam
Burnikal SECONDED-MOTION-CARRIED.
7B. COVID- 19 Updates – Robert Campbell:
Robert and the board discussed the COVID-19 virus. This being a fluid issue amongst
humans. It is changing around the world rapidly. Everyone is encouraged to follow the
CDC guidelines and the Iowa department of public health.
7C. Crisis Communication Plan – Karen Sindelar:
Karen discussed with everyone our AMTA Iowa Chapter president will be the
spokesperson to the press and the public during a crisis. All chair and board members will
refer questions about the crisis from the press and the public to our AMTA Iowa Chapter
president.
Following situational crisis communication theory, AMTA Iowa Chapter responses will
follow Deal Posture Crisis Communication Strategy (Horn and Neff, Public Relations
from Theory to Practice, Pearson Education) which means showing high concern for
victim and responsibility acceptance.
1. Ingratiation
2. Concern
3. Compensation
4. Regret
5. Apology

7D. 25 yr Memberships/Awards – Soraya Wager:
Soraya discussed Cindy was so nice to have our 25 year member awards printed, She will
get them from her when she is able to see her next.
Soraya reports what we touched base on concerning our 25 year members. In the past
they have received $1,000 to go towards national conventions. In Jan, 2020 we briefly
discussed that with our extreme limited funds for the chapter we don’t think that is any
longer an option. We stated that we would discuss it at the meeting in March. She had
brought up the idea that we can gift them a spring or fall convention registration of their
choice at no cost to them. Where that is no longer a $1,000 towards the national, we are
still able to offer them the money waived for our state education at little cost to us.
8. Adjournment:
Pam Burnikel MADE-A-MOTION to adjourn the meeting. Karen Sindelar
SECONDED-MOTION-CARRIED.The meeting was adjourned at 11:10am.

Respectfully submitted,
Jeanna R. Tellin
Jeanna R.Tellin,
Secretary

On behalf of the American Massage Therapy Association’s Chapter, We would like to welcome you as a NEW member this quarter. Congratulations on choosing to join a select group of professionals who have access to the massage industries most current and comprehensive resources, designed to keep you on the cutting edge.

You are part of AMTA’s unique network of thriving chapters. Your Iowa chapter offers various opportunities for you to connect on a local level with other massage therapist, and we contribute financially on your behalf to legislative efforts on the national level. We would love for you to join us on Lobby day at the capitol if you are able, ask Rachel Brown for more details or visit out web page. As a chapter, we hope to be able to bring in the kind of continuing education classes that you will be excited to add toy your practice.

Please consider joining us at our spring and fall state wide conventions.
Please remember that you can check out our website for the AMTA Iowa Chapter at
ia.wp.amtamassage.org for any information, and event updates as well as our contact information. You can also email any questions at amtaiowa@gmail.com

Please find us on:  Facebook AMTA Iowa Chapter

Instagram – amtaiowa

You can also contact the AMTA National Member Service Desk directly toll free at –
1-877-905-2700 with any questions about your membership and benefits. They are also available on
the web. www.amtamassage.org and info@amtamassage.org
We all look forward to meeting you in person so please try to attend all of our events year round in
different locations throughout the state. As a NEW member, the AMTA Iowa Chapter would like to give
both a welcome gift and a $50.00 credit towards your registration for the Iowa Chapter convention
spring or fall, to all of the new member names listed below. Please send me a direct email if you would
like to receive either one or both of the AMTA Iowa Chapter gifts. You may receive either or both within
a year of the date on this newsletter. We hope to see you soon!

Dale Carroll  Jordan Freet Nicole Vukonich Corey Thompson Jessica Dickens Samantha A. May
Kelda Ramsey Cassidy Phillips Dashae Lee Courteney Miller Andrea Hall Sharon Stevens Donna Tea
Mackenzie Anderson Colin Priest Shanea Janes Daniel Barksdale Carol L. Miller Susan Caccavale
Jake Lilly Yuzury Tinajero Alyssa Hills Kimberly Tarver Carissa Downs Tami Roberts Jessica Styron
Linnsey Sires Tori Carter Julie Sassaman Dalton Nalley Heather Hackett Jacueline Elguea Linda Eis
Vicki Roe Amanda Collins Madison Nichols Merry Stover Rosemarie Loudenback Ashlyn Mustard
Ashley Kayser Madilyn Vaske Ashley Kohlmeyer Tim Doyle Maddy Hansel

Education Chair Report

As the Education Chair, I seek out an educational book, public relations material or opportunity for our convention participants. This spring I collected a donation from Melinda Hastings BCTMB, NCBTMB Approved Provider #1180, Inspired Therapists Seminars, for the spring convention that included a FREE online class entitled “High Level Customer Service” for all convention attendees. We will save this offer for the fall convention. Hope to see you in Cedar Falls on September 26-27 with Dr. James Mally.

Free On-ine Educational Resources for LMTs

We’re all in this together. Let’s keep honing our skills. This is not a complete list. More are becoming available all the time. Please share any you find with your fellow LMTs on social media.

AMTA National Website
Self-Care for Massage Therapists, Body Mechanics 3 CE credits

Self-Care for Massage Therapists: Injury Prevention 2 CE credits

Self-Education for an Ethical Practice 2 CE credits

Carlson College of Massage Therapy

Unlock the Mystery: Understanding the Iowa Massage therapy Law 3 CE credits

Friday March 27 (9:00 – noon)

http://www.carlsoncollege.com/cont.-education.html

Professional Development (no CEs)

Dr Mally’s Massage Library (weekly massage video on fb)

Clinical Pain Science Education Videos

https://www.sandiegopainsummit.com

Free unlimited access until April 15, 2020
Use coupon code: PAINEDUCATION

The Science of Well-being offered by Yale University

www.coursera.org

You tube videos on various massage subjects

Complementary Mentoring Sessions (30 minute mentoring call – extremely limited)

Melinda Hastings, LMT, MTI, BCTMB, NCBTMB Approved Provider

—
Karen Sindelar MA, LMT, R-DMT, HTSM-CP, CCA
American Massage Therapy Association, Iowa Chapter
Board Member & Education Chair

ATTENTION:

STUDENTS AND NEW GRADUATES…

JUDY ROBUCK GIFT

THIS GIFT WILL BE AWARDED ANNUALY FOR PARTICIPATION AT THE SPRINGCONVENTION (MARCH). THIS GIFT WILL COVER THE COST OF REGISTRATION. ALL OTHER COSTS WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARTICIPANT. APPLICANTS MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE AMTA IOWA CHAPTER IN GOOD STANDING AND HAVE GRADUATED FROM AN AMTA SCHOOL MEMBER, LOCATED IN THE STATE OF IOWA, WITHIN ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF SPRING CONVENTION OR BE A CURRENT STUDENT AT AN AMTA SCHOOL MEMBER PROGRAM.

APPLICANTS WILL BE QUALIFIED THROUGH MEMBERSHIP REPORTS RECEIVED FROM THE AMTA NATIONAL OFFICE. THIS QUALIFICATION WILL INCLUDE CURRENT, ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP WITH THE AMTA IOWA CHAPTER (AT THE TIME OF APPLYING FOR THE GIFT AND
AT THE TIME OF CONVENTION) AS WELL AS VERIFICATION THAT THE APPLICANT ATTENDED OR IS CURRENTLY ATTENDING A SCHOOL WHICH IS AN AMTA SCHOOL MEMBER LOCATED WITHIN THE STATE OF IOWA. ADDITIONALLY, APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO SHOW PROOF OFGRADUATION, INCLUDING THEIR NAME AND DATE OF GRADUATION, IN THE FORM OF A COPY OF THEIR DIPLOMA. IF THE APPLICANT IS A CURRENT STUDENT, A LETTER FROM THE SCHOOL’S ADMINISTRATION MUST BE INCLUDED TO VERIFY THEIR CURRENT STATUS AS A STUDENT.

THE JUDY ROBUCK GIFT WILL BE AWARDED BASED UPON A WRITTEN REQUEST (NOT TO EXCEED 500 WORDS) OUTLINING WHY THE APPLICANT SHOULD BE CHOSEN. SPECIAL CONSIDERATION MAY BE GIVEN TO APPLICANTS OUTLING FINACIAL NEEDS. THE BOARD MEMBERS WHICH WILL DETERMINE THE AWARD CONSIST OF THE CHAPTER PRESIDENT, MEMBERSHIP CHAIR AND EDUCATION CHAIR. APPLICANTS WILL SEND THEIR ENTRY FOR THE JUDY ROCK GIFT TO THE AMTA IOWA CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP CHAIR. ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE MEMBERSHIP CHAIR NO LATER THAN 45 DAYS PRIOR TO THE SPRING CONVENTION DATE. THE MEMBERSHIP CHAIR WILL THEN SHARE THE ENTRIES WITH THE CHAPTER PRESIDENT AND EDUCATION CHAIR AND A DECISION WILL BE MADE NO LATER THAN 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE CONVENTION DATE. THE MEMBERSHIP CHAIR WILL NOTIFY THE RECIPIANT AND THE OTHER APPLICANTS OF THEIR STATUS REGARDING THE GIFT. SHOULD THERE BE NO APPLICANTS FOR THIS AWARD IN A GIVEN YEAR THEN THERE WILL BE NO JUDY ROBUCK GIFT GIVEN THAT YEAR. THE GIFT WILL THEN RESUME THE FOLLOWING YEAR (SPRING CONVENTION) AS OUTLINED ABOVE.

Greetings to Everyone!
Spring has sprung, unfortunately so has the COVID-19 Virus! In lieu of the pandemic that is going on, just remember, “This too shall pass.”
Even though this has affected our AMTA Iowa Chapter Spring convention, we can still do our part by following our state protocols. I know this has been hard on all of us but we can still reach out to those in need (keeping our 6 foot distance, of course). It’s also a time to reflect, get projects done while we’re
home and take time for some rest and relaxation.

I have lots of awards to be given out at our AMTA Iowa Chapter Fall convention. I hope you will all come to see all the exciting things we have planned for YOU at our Fall Convention. Please take care and STAY HEALTHY!!!!

Respectfully Submitted,
Cindy Haack
AMTA Iowa Chapter Awards Chair

FUTURE EVENTS TIMES & DATES:

LOCAL:

WHO: Dr James Mally

WHEN: September 26-27, 2020

WHERE:
Holiday Inn & Suites Cedar Falls-Waterloo Event Ctr
7400 Hudson Rd
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319)260-2600

CEU: 12 for Main event

add 2 More CEU available for pre-convention education
complimentary to ALL attendees Friday night 9/25/20 I will teaching this two hour ” Paperless Business Cards:Options for the future”

SPRING: 2021

WHO: TBA

WHEN: March 20 & 21 2021

WHERE: Prairie Meadows Altoona, IA

AMTA NATIONAL CONVENTION SCHEDULE:

2020 AUGUST 27-29 PHOENIX, AZ

2021 AUGUST 26-28 TAMPA, FL

2022 AUGUST 22-27 CLEVELAND, OH