2008 Chapter Meritorious Award Recipients

Chapter

Recipient
Alabama No Recipient
Alaska No Recipient
Arizona Kellye Webber
Arkansas Jeff Kelly
California Melissa Martinie Colburn
Colorado Maureen A. Moon
Connecticut Laura Stevenson-Flom, Shirley A. Cooper
DC Angelique Champena Bella
Delaware No Recipient
Florida Eileen T. Newsome
Georgia Lee David Holtman
Hawaii Stephanie Pualani Gillespie
Idaho Brenda G. Foster
Illinois Allison L. Ishman
Indiana LuAnn Williams
Iowa Brianne Goetzinger
Kansas Susan Cunningham
Kentucky Julie Ellen Harper
Louisiana Patricia R. Copeland
Maine Susan Lynn Walker
Maryland No Recipient
Massachusetts Allissa A. Haines
Michigan Debra A. Zager
Minnesota Kenneth S. Youngberg
Mississippi No Recipient
Missouri Kirk Nelson
Montana Ruth Marion
Nebraska Tina D. Sorensen
Nevada No Recipient
New Hampshire Doreen N. Rossi
New Jersey Bruce A. Spicer
New Mexico Kami Lynn Anderson
New York Amy Cutter
North Carolina Sara Toogood
North Dakota Carol L. Miranowski
Ohio Terri Stigers
Oklahoma Erik Dalton
Oregon Brenda L. Walton
Pennsylvania Janet R. Dreher, Nancy Marie Porambo
Rhode Island Lori-Ann Gallant-Heilborn
South Carolina Debra B. Gallup
South Dakota Kay M. Johnston
Tennessee Mary K. Roberson
Texas Gregory Donald Schroen
Utah Roger Olbrot
Vermont Lindsay M. Crossman
Virginia Betty Siegner Mooney
Washington Ashley T. Benem
West Virginia Kim H. Bingaman
Wisconsin Lynn Marie Kutz
Wyoming No Recipient
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2008 AMTA Chapter Meritorious Award Recipient Descriptions

Chapter Recipients
Arizona Kellye Webber
Kellye is the Chair of probably one of the busiest and most visible committees in the Arizona Chapter, the Education Committee. She spends countless hours contacting presenters, negotiating their contracts and needs for Chapter workshops, handling the registrations of all participants, and running the workshops themselves. She assures that all goes smoothly so that workshop participants will have the best experience possible. When one workshop ends, the Education Committee is already working on the next, so there is rarely a time when Kellye is not working for the Chapter. Kellye is also responsible for the yearly budget for the education committee, predicting expenses in the coming year for workshop presenters, their assistants, hotel reservations, travel, and all the other logistics. In addition to these responsibilities, once every two years Kellye is responsible for the application and monumental paperwork involved in renewal of AMTA-AZ Chapter as an Approved Provider with NCBTMB.

Kellye is a sole proprietor of a thriving full time business in addition to her volunteer work for AMTA. She maintains a great sense of humor while tackling every duty involved with the Education Committee in a very professional manner. Kellye Webber is a great attribute to the Arizona Chapter.

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Arkansas Jeff Kelly
Jeff has given much time and effort toward rebuilding the Arkansas Chapter. He went above and beyond to reach current members and recruit new ones. During his time as Chapter President, Jeff was able to completely bring Arkansas back into compliance. All of this was done at a time when he faced his own personal struggles, but yet he continually went the extra step. Arkansas thanks him for all he has done.

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California Melissa Martinie Colburn
When thinking of the Chapter Meritorious award, Melissa Colburn embodies what AMTA is all about. She moved to California after completing a rigorous training program in another state where state licensing was a well established fact of practice. After arriving to California this person found out how difficult it can be to be licensed and to practice legally in this state. After experiencing the obstacle course it took to get licensed Melissa decided to become proactive in helping making it easier for others in her situation. It became apparent that involvement with a true professional organization would be the way to work toward demanding that massage therapists be appropriately trained and to provide standardization for practicing from community to community. After joining AMTA and discovering there was no active Unit in the area, the first step was to get a Unit up and running. Once an active Unit was in place it was time to set about work on the legislative process. Being of the nature to put forth effort of at least 100%, she soon became a part of the AMTA legislative team. In the last 3-1/2 years of involvement she has become a vital part of the team working for state regulation of our profession. With her leadership she successfully set up successful NMTAW events on the capitol steps in Sacramento where therapists could demonstrate and educate the public about Massage therapy. Due to her unfailing enthusiasm and dedication for the work of massage and promotion of promotion of the AMTA we are proud to nominate Melissa Colburn for this award.

Melissa Colburn is the type of AMTA member that gives 110 percent to every project she takes on. Not only has she been our Co-GR chair, she also manages to present an outstanding NMTAW event on the steps of the State Capitol every year but she has been a unit president and has played a vital role in keeping the Greater Sacramento Area unit active. She is also someone I can count on for support and a level head. She is also one heck of a yoga teacher and helps to get our chapter up and moving at our chapter events - despite our grumbling. I am proud and honored to count Melissa as a true friend and to nominate her for this award.

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Colorado Maureen A. Moon
 

She has served at the National level and is currently CO Chapters Event Sports Massage Team Director. She has been a volunteer for many years serving many positions for the CO Chapter. I am not sure of what specific positions, but she has been in some role since I became an AMTA member many years ago.

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Connecticut Shirley A. Cooper, LMT
Shirley Cooper epitomizes the AMTA Volunteer. She has been involved in our Chapter for 24 years. She has been an Ambassador for both the massage profession and the AMTA since the beginning of her career. She has continually stepped up and volunteered at both the Chapter and National levels with enthusiasm, dedication and has served as an inspiration and mentor to many.

Shirley Cooper’s has a long history, 24 years, of the highest level of commitment and dedication to the AMTA, our Chapter and to our Chapter’s members and she hasn’t let up. Whether it’s her involvement on the Chapter Board of Directors; volunteering at Community Service, Sport Team, NMTAW events or serving on various committees, Shirley always seems to be there to contribute, encourage and mentor. She has held numerous administrative positions within the CT Chapter which include, Chapter President. She has stepped up to the plate at national as well. Shirley is well recognized and appreciated within our Chapter as well as nationally for her dedication and experience as well as her inspiration, encouragement and support of member involvement. Shirley is very deserving of this recognition and more.

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Connecticut Laura Stevenson-Flom
Laura has served as the CT Sports Massage Team Director for the past 3 years. She has worked tirelessly to develop the infrastructure to make this very active award winning team run smoothly and efficiently.

Laura Stevenson-Flom deserves this award for what she has achieved over a very short period of time. As the leader of our Sports Massage Team she has lead us to record numbers of event days, massages completed and therapists participating. Laura encourages, she mentors, and she leads. She has led our team to a National Sports Massage Team award and to two Sports Massage Achiever awards. Our sports massage team has thrived under Laura’s direction. Tremendously important for our team is how she has engaged the student population to participate in our events. This has provided an excellent method of recruitment for our chapter as more than 95% of those that participate with our sports team as students join the AMTA upon graduation.

Promoting therapeutic massage and the AMTA through our chapter sports massage team is what she does best.

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DC Angelique Champena Bella Angelique has given exemplary service not only to our Chapters' members as President, but also to all Massage Therapists in Washington, DC, by serving on the DC Massage Therapy Board.

Angelique is a fantastic business woman with impeccable ethics. She is dedicated to the field of Massage Therapy. She displays excellent leadership skills, always enthusiastic and vivacious. Angelique is a successful small business owner. She is punctual and thorough, and sees tasks through to their completion.

We have all benefited from her hard work and dedication.

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Florida Eileen T. Newsome
Eileen Newsome, came to me a little over 3 years ago at the Annual Meeting. She asked be if she could help the chapter. What a gift. The chapter’s focus that year was setting up Units for the Florida Chapter throughout the state. Eileen contacted me by email address and the work began.

Eileen is committed to members as well as her Board of Directors. She understood the Board’s direction and goals, bringing AMTA to local areas for networking and continuing education. Eileen took on the responsibilities as a regional area representative in her quest to develop Units for the chapter. Eileen’s organized easy to follow guidelines in setting up Units so any member who wanted their area to have a Unit could easily do so. She would also educate the Unit Chairs on the By-laws to follow for Units as they became more comfortable in their charge.

Eileen would visit areas interested setting up Units taking her all over the Florida area. (Note the size of Florida - the distance between the west coast to the east coast is about 3 hours alone) She eventually needed help and suggested be add addition Regional Representatives, one south in the Miami area and the other in the northwest area in Pensacola to assist the developments of Units.

Eileen had a protocol in preparing for the local meeting and was happy to share it with her new regional representatives. She would first contact a member and encourage them to volunteer into become Unit Chairs for their area. Then she would arrange educational programs for the meetings as well. Eileen spoke at each meeting she set up about the benefits of being an AMTA member. Eileen would also assist in the election of Unit Chairs, Vice Chair and Secretary at the meeting and carry forth to the Board of Directors the minutes and Unit personal so the Board could vote to establish the Unit. Eileen grew out of this position as the Units grew, Education now stated to fill her plate. I asked Eileen if she would help set up a Speakers’ Bureau for the chapter. Eileen took this additional task on with a smile and a sweet sigh s u r e… Our Chapter now has a Speakers’ Bureau to utilize for presenter for our Units as well as our major educational seminars. Eileen and her committee have created an education survey for the Board to HEAR the members. This has made a major change in our decision making for the following year on budget and locations in the future. Eileen’s due diligent and her organizational mannerism have given new insight to the Board as well as great appreciation for her continuous work for the members. This is why I am putting her name is as our Florida Meritorious winner for 2009.

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Georgia Lee David Holtman
Lee has shown over and over his outstanding leadership and devotion to the Georgia Chapter. He always wants the best for the chapter and is willing to go the extra mile it takes to make our chapter shine.

He has been a mainstay of the Georgia Chapter Board for the past two years, and our Chapter has benefited greatly from his involvement. When Lee was elected Chapter Treasurer, the Georgia Chapter had been on probation for delinquent financial reporting. Lee worked
diligently and with great determination to bring our financial records up to the
standard required by National. Within the first sixty days of his term, he completed the required LLAP reports that were delinquent and brought the overdue lobbyist payments up to date. He established a treasurer report
format that was both user friendly and understandable.

Lee insisted upon an efficient reimbursement process that kept all volunteers compensated promptly for their incurred expenses. This was particularly important for the volunteer therapists who worked in the Massage Room during the convention. Every volunteer was mailed a check within two weeks following the end of the convention. Lee arranged for a temporary credit card machine to better serve the Chapter at the convention. Credit card sales of promotional items were responsible for approximately $13,000 of our income. Lee devoted numerous hours during the 2006 AMTA convention to help set up and oversee the hospitality desk operation and money transactions. During the convention,
he volunteered ten hours each day to help the Hospitality Chair keep things
going smoothly. He properly handled and accounted for more than $80,000 in funds transactions in support of the AMTA convention and worked three to four
hours daily for seven days following the convention, reconciling all the transactions and sending out the necessary payments.

As a Chapter Officer, Lee negotiated a settlement with our previous lobbyist
company after they closed their Atlanta office, saving the Chapter $1,250 for
that month. He then worked with the Chapter President and the GR chair to write a new lobbyist contract that lowered our lobbyist fee by $12,000. In the process, in order to better our negotiating position, he researched other potential lobbyists who submitted competing proposals. Lee agreed to act as temporary Web Site chair for several months. During that time he established a contracted web administrator and helped locate a Web Site chairperson to fill the position.
When the Board decided to switch our Chapter newsletter production from a
volunteer-performed task to a volunteer-managed task, Lee researched the costs and procedures, and presented a viable cost proposal to the President. This effort allows us to send a timely and upgraded newsletter product to our members. Lee frequently served as an advisor to the Chapter President.

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Hawaii Stephanie Pualani Gillespie
Stephani, "Pua" as she is affectionately called, has been very active and instrumental in working toward the chapter's goals. She was diligent and consistent in participating in the chapter administration and planning of member's events.

She lives on the island of Hawaii and makes the effort and time to come to Oahu to attend the State Massage Board meetings and has maintained a positive energy and enthusiasm at chapter meetings and events for the chapter. She is also willing to contribute ideas and is easy to work with.

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Idaho Brenda G. Foster
Brenda stepped into the position of president without any service experience in the AMTA. We needed a president, and she stepped up to the plate. She attended both local and national trainings to learn how to fulfill her responsibilities, and grew into her position like a true professional. During her two terms as president, she spent countless hours working with the National Certification Board filling out and completing requirements for the NCB Approved Provider Application. This was not an easy task for her, with her lack of history on the chapter board. But she was diligent and persistent until the task was complete. AMTA-Idaho is now an NCB Approved Provider, and we are very proud of that status. It will greatly help our members, as our population is geographically challenged, and many members find it very difficult to travel outside the state for CE's.

Brenda is friendly and social, a quick learner, detailed-oriented, compassionate, caring, dedicated, and persistent. She accepts new challenges without question, researches the options for fulfilling those challenges, and then pursues the path to completion. In spite of a severe physical injury during her terms as president, she never failed to fulfill her assignments. She has grown into a great example of professionalism.

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Illinois Allison L. Ishman
Allison has served the IL Chapter with distinction and continues to contribute to the massage therapy profession in Illinois. She shows outstanding leadership and commitment to the profession.

Allison has demonstrated leadership as a chapter officer in the past, and was in the forefront of efforts that led to the IL Massage Licensing Act in 2002. She is active in education, developing new approaches to massage and teaching continuing education courses. She exemplifies the passion, commitment and professionalism that every massage therapist should strive for.

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Indiana LuAnn Williams
LuAnn is a hard working dedicated volunteer

She is always promoting massage and educating the public about massage whether it is anyone who walks into her office or the Governor of Indiana. She never lets an opportunity go with giving a bit of information. LuAnn has been in the Indiana Chapter for about 20 years and she had been a trailblazer for our profession. She has seen the massage profession grow along with the chapter and has paved the way for many massage therapists in ways we may never know. She is a great resource person and is well respected in the area she works in. If you ever have a question, LuAnn can help. It is with this information and countless other things that she be considered for the Meritorious Award.

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Iowa Brianne Goetzinger, LMT
The recipient was selected for her contagious positive enthusiasm that she continually displays in performing her excellent work in serving our chapter members as our First Vice President/Convention Coordinator and previously as our Education Chair. She is always willing to not only complete her own duties and responsibilities in a professional, competent and timely manner, but to participate and assist others at conventions, meetings, special events and all chapter activities. Even becoming a first time mom to a beautiful baby girl during her chapter volunteer experience did not deter her commitment to her work, but rather seemed to enhance her dedication and added a precious new unofficial member to our chapter family.

Our recipient is sincere, fair, intelligent, team oriented, creative, diligent, informative, prepared and professional in all that she does for our chapter and has the uncanny ability to make volunteer work fun for all those around her. The Iowa Chapter is very fortunate to have her as an active volunteer member and we have selected Brianne Goetzinger as our very deserving Chapter Meritorious Award Winner. Thank you Brianne for all that you have done and continue to do for our chapter, association and profession.

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Kansas Susan Cunningham
Susan has been the Kansas Chapter Treasurer for 3 terms and for the last term she has been both the Treasurer and the Secretary. As the President of the Kansas Chapter I would not have been able to do it without her, and the ever present help of her husband Mel. She is the most conscientious person I have ever known. She is stepping down from all board positions and the Kansas Chapter will certainly miss her.

Susan is humble, unassuming and has a wonderful gentle soul.
We all love her!

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Kentucky Julie Ellen Harper
Julie Harper has worked hard for our chapter. She has volunteered everywhere; this is just a partial list: Registrar for two conferences; Program committee for three educational meetings; as Treasurer, she worked to bring the Kentucky Chapter finances into compliance with the National AMTA requirements; Assisted with website editing; Chaired the 2008 Awards Committee; Government Relations committee member; Louisville Unit chair; 2008 Delegate. Julie goes above and beyond what is asked of her and if she does not know the answer she will work tirelessly until she has the correct one.

Julie has a big heart for her clients as well as for the AMTA. She will do all she can to help where she can.

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Louisiana Patricia R. Copeland
Pat has always been available to help.

Pat has always been there to help in our Chapter and in the massage profession. It does not matter to her if it is done with out recognition. She is great with giving advise when asked. She years of wisdom and experience has kept us focused on what is important. It has been our privilege to know her and work with her.

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Maine Susan Lynn Walker
Susan Walker has been a member of the AMTA for 12 years and a dedicated a member of the sports massage team. She took over as the sports chairperson in the fall of 2005 and has done an outstanding job organizing our team.

Susan Walker was honored two years ago for attending the most number of events for several years running. While chairperson she has attended 13 out of 14 events on the calendar, missing only one event as it was held on the same day as another event in a different location. She started yearly meetings with the team in the winter allowing members to give feedback on events held to improve upon the up coming year.

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Massachusetts Allissa A. Haines
Allissa is energetic, motivated, generous, a wonderful/sincere team worker on our Education Committee. She's brought top quality education workshops providing continuing ed for our members. She's the chapter's representative on the NERC committee on which she has shared new ideas and given new life to the committee and Conference.

Allissa is a true AMTA Ambassador, selfless and caring, "wicked funny" and professional. She has an eye for the written word, picking up on details, spelling, grammar and gives the feedback from the heart ~ the best editor the Mass Chapter has! She's persistent and when she takes on a task it is done to perfection. She adds balance to the Chapter. On top of all this, she is a phenomenal massage therapist!

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Michigan Debra A. Zager
Deb Zager has been instrumental in the development of a school visitation program that has lead to an increase in massage student membership in our state. For the last year and a half, Deb has been the leader of an AMTA National pilot program for the state of Michigan. She has brought great enthusiasm and motivation to her office as Second Vice President and Membership Chair for the past three years.

Deb's drive and enthusiasm makes her highly successful as a spokeswoman for the AMTA.

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Minnesota Kenneth S. Youngberg
Ken has been an active member of the MN chapter for a number of years. He is currently the immediate past president. Ken has always been willing to help out in with the board, and has served as newsletter editor and secretary. As well as volunteering his time to do chair massage with the Red Cross for a number of years.

Leadership, patience, caring, trustworthy.

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Missouri Kirk Nelson
As President, Kirk did a great job of pulling our board and chapter back together and unifying us into a much more cohesive group.

This year’s nominee for the AMTA Missouri Chapter Meritorious Award has been a massage therapist and member of the AMTA since 1998. In 1999, he joined the Missouri Chapter Board of Directors as the State Director for the Missouri Sports Massage Team, and held that position through 2006. In 2001, he was awarded the AMTA MO Chapter Sports Massage Achiever Award, and in 2003, the MO Sports Massage Team was awarded the National Outstanding Sports Massage Team Award, for the second time in 5 years.

In 2002, this recipient was elected 1st Vice-President of the AMTA MO Chapter, and from 2002-2004, he chaired the Law and Legislation Committee, overseeing massage therapy legislative activities for the state, and acting as liaison between the MO Chapter board of directors and our lobbyist.
Since 2000, he has been a National Trainer for the Massage Emergency Response Team, and from 2000-2004, was a National Committee Member for MERT. For his efforts at the Pentagon following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he was awarded the Disaster Service Award from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

In 2001, he joined the faculty at Johnson County Community College, and in 2005, became a state licensed mentor for the state of Missouri. In 2006, he became a nationally certified provider of continuing education...

Elected President of the AMTA MO Chapter in 2006, he has strengthened and unified the board of directors and the chapter, and at last year’s National Convention, he received on behalf of our Chapter the Chapter Growth Award, for our chapter’s increase in membership by 12.34%!

It is with great honor that we present the 2008 MO Chapter Meritorious Award to Kirk Nelson.

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Montana Ruth Marion
As a school owner, Ruth has been a great asset to Montana's massage therapy community. She's an advocate for the profession; has helped out with public education events, government relations, newsletter, board education and has often donated space from her school to host meetings and classes. We are very proud to award Ruth as our Chapter Meritorious Recipient.

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Nebraska Tina D. Sorensen
Tina has worked with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for the last 3 years. She runs marathons, triathlons etc to raise money for the organization. In the last 3 years she has raised over $20,000 for them. In addition she does volunteer work for the Lincoln Marathon, the NE Humane Society and others. Tina has over 120 hours of Gross Anatomy and Dissection-More dissection hours than Medical students are required to go through. She teaches Kinesiology, Hydro and Exercise Training for the Omaha School of Massage and has shaped the intellect of 100's of Nebraska's massage therapist.

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New Hampshire Doreen N. Rossi
At our AMTA-NH chapter annual awards meeting on May 3, 2008, the NH Meritorious Award was presented to Doreen Rossi, our AMTA-NH President. Through Doreen’s leadership, our chapter continues to represent our Chapter’s mission of “Promoting Massage Therapy Through Education & Professionalism.”

In the past year she has gone above and beyond her role as president to attend to the “nitty gritty” organizational details of propelling our chapter forward. Of note, Doreen worked with AMTA National to determine the process by which our chapter could collaborate with National to implement a new program for chapter membership growth. This resulted in a plan to offer a one- time discount coupon to students for initial AMTA membership, while lightening the economic burden that new students experience. Coupons are distributed via visits by the membership committee to all the NH schools of massage. It is currently in operation until February 09, after which time it will be evaluated for possible continuance and expansion to other chapters.

Doreen has been a practicing massage therapist since 1991, and has been a consistent chapter volunteer since joining AMTA as a student member in 1990. After joining our volunteer newsletter staff in 2001, she served as newsletter editor, 3rd VP, 1st VP; and is now in her third year as our Chapter President, in addition to being a wife, and a mom of 2 young sons.

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New Jersey Bruce A. Spicer
 

Bruce is being given this award for his total devotion to the development of our Sports Massage Team. Bruce has served previously as VP and agreed to again this May to run for that position. His patience, kindness and hard work for the Team and our Chapter have won him many friends.

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New Mexico Kami Lynn Anderson
Her willingness to volunteer year after year seems almost endless. She has stepped in to fulfill a task left uncompleted by others on more than one occasion, doing a great job without complaining, even bringing extra enthusiasm and excitement to the team. Her participation in our chapter's annual public relations effort (& significant fund raiser) - providing on site stress relief at the Renaissance Arts Faire in Las Cruces and her help with our Nurturing the Nurturer educational retreats has proven invaluable.

Kami's unselfishness, her teamwork, and her inspiring leadership are her hallmarks. She is always more concerned about ensuring that other participants receive their due recognition than she is about her own. Her inventiveness and ideas for providing incentives for members to become more involved is contagious; the fact that she is involved is often the reason that others become involved. Kami is a bright star in our little universe here in New Mexico.

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New York Amy Cutter
AMTA – NY member Amy Cutter and her husband Bill Bubenicek (a retired State Police Captain) have worked countless hours researching the law for a way to end the misuse of the term “massage” in our communities. On October 15, 2007, massage therapists from Orange and Ulster Counties gathered to meet with Amy to discuss the importance of adopting an ordinance that will have a direct impact on our massage community. This ordinance could be the tool we need to crack down on unlicensed massage practitioners and illegal practices. In NY, you must have a license to touch others. It is a class E felony to perform massage without a license. However, at the state level, a felony can lead to a trial with a grand jury, so often these cases are dropped after a simple slap on the hand. Amy and Bill discovered that we could use the same “Nuisance Abatement Law” that was used to clean up 42nd street in Manhattan, to weed out illegal practitioners. If this law were presented to each municipality in the state, it would move the responsibility to prosecute to the local towns. This law would make the proprietor of the establishment where illegal activity is occurring responsible, and after a warning, the business is shut down. The property owner would not able to receive rent, and would be motivated to oust the illegal person and check credentials in the future. There is much work to be done in this arena and we are committed to finding a way to diminish the misrepresentation of our profession.

On behalf of AMTA-NY, a big thanks goes to Amy and Bill for all their efforts. 3 Massage Therapy Educators Meet by Amy Cutter Four years ago, Matthew Kenny from Columbia Green Community College had an idea to connect massage schools across the state to review what was going on in the field. The New York State Massage Therapy Educators group was born, and continues to meet twice a year. There are currently 22 schools in the group. Two delegates from each school evaluate new regulations and discuss how to handle educational matters. They also review best practices and problem solve with each other to help hone their skills as educators. The group has covered topics including entry-level knowledge, how to grieve a test question, illegal practice issues, test blueprints, clock hours, and supervision issues for students. This is a great group of people who are articulate and passionate about their positions. Some participants are school owners, some are adjunct instructors.

Amy is tenacious and has single handedly gone after unlicensed practitioners in NY.

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North Carolina Sara Toogood
Sara has served in many different roles in the NC chapter since moving here a few years ago. In every role she has held, she has given tirelessly of herself to help promote the profession of massage and the AMTA. Her passion and love for all people is very evident. It is her endearing nature that leads so many people to love her and appreciate the true merits of who she is and give her the praise she so richly deserves.

To be meritorious requires one to go far beyond the norm-even when it causes sacrifice on their part. Sara has done this on so many occasions that this spirit of giving has become her norm. Her loving compassion is matched only by her tireless efforts. Her concern for others truly comes from her heart and has been felt by many. She is a real friend and one of the best ambassadors that AMTA could ever hope to have.

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North Dakota Carol L. Miranowski
Carol is always there to lend a hand. She has served on a our state board as well as numerous committees. She is always full of new and fresh ideas. Carol helps where ever she is needed and never complains-she always does it with a smile and a great sense of humor.

Carol has a wonderful sense of humor. She is witty and such a joy to work with and be around. She is such a positive person. People want to be around her because she is so positive. All in all, Carol is a great asset to our association.

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Ohio Terri Stigers
As the Massage Emergency Response Team (MERT) director, Terri has continued to develop a strong team of volunteers to respond to emergencies. Her volunteer spirit is outstanding, and she is willing to help where ever needed. She is a member of the Sports Massage Team and also volunteered long hours with the National Convention Committee.

Terri's organizational skills are exceptional. She has been able to keep the MERT team and Chapter Board of Directors aware of relevant activities and non-activities important to the organization. Terri also has taken the initiative to identify and suggest areas of change to improve our program. She has won the Ohio Sports Achiever Award for her dedication to the Sports Massage Team in 2007. With her active lifestyle of family, work and massage, Terri continuously volunteers to the benefit of the AMTA-Ohio Chapter.

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Oklahoma Erik Dalton
Erik has been a member of the AMTA Oklahoma Chapter for several years. He will help out the chapter at a moment's notice, and always is there to bounce ideas off, and is an active contributor when education is involved. The Oklahoma Chapter salutes Erik Dalton for his spirit, support and devotion to the AMTA.

Erik is a great person. He does know how to have fun, but when it comes down to it, he is devoted - not only to our chapter, but also to the field of massage therapy.

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Oregon Brenda L. Walton
She has given 10 years of her 18 years of licensure to volunteer her time to the Oregon chapter, AMTA.


She is diligent in what she does and has always given her all in her duties as treasurer, never asking for anything in return.

Major projects: National convention in Oregon

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Pennsylvania Janet R. Dreher
Jan Dreher has served or serving in the following volunteer positions: a) Membership Committee Co-Chair 2007 to present, b) Southwestern Unit Secretary - 2004-2007 c) Chapter Awards Chair 2004-2006. Jan has a passion, dedication, very active and very involved with AMTA organization for quite sometime. She continues to hold various positions in the organization. She understands the goals of the organization which includes the working awareness, procedures and operation. She attends officers training for self improvement and for members’ benefit. She is very conscientious in all her volunteer jobs. She makes sure she performs and complete the task assigned. She has a strong educational background supporting her exceptional leadership qualities.

Jan has many qualities of a leader, but integrity, vision and action stand out to be most important. First, with regards to her integrity, she is honest, with compassion, and trustworthy which is the very foundation for building a positive and committed relationship between leaders and those whom she serves. Second she has a clear and inspiring vision which clearly indicates she understand her role she takes to make it happen and third she is able to formulate a plan to carry the vision she has in her mind. She is not afraid to tackle challenging jobs.

In doing so she still manages to be charismatic and available to members, willing to pay attention to their questions and concerns, and effectively communicates her ideas to the them. Recently, I have asked her to describe her most recent experience as a membership co chairman of the chapter and she indicated with honesty: “As Membership Co-Chair, I have been visiting local massage schools to speak with their massage therapy students about the AMTA and the benefits available to them as members of our organization. This is a great position of leadership which has certainly helped with my public speaking skills. It is an exciting position in that my efforts are helping our organization become better known among our new peers and will help us grow.”

As a Membership co chairman for our state, last year, 2007, she visited seven (7) schools and was able to convert 15 students to join AMTA ! This is showing her dedication, commitment and compassion for the organization.

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Pennsylvania Nancy Marie Porambo
Nancy is a dedicated, hard working and conscientious volunteer. Pennsylvania currently has no licensing requirement and she is working very, very hard to get the state licensed She spends countless number of days, hours, sleepless nights, and putting herself last in working on this huge project, and it is immeasurable. Her unselfish goals, one of which is licensing, will benefit of all the AMTA members in the state of Pennsylvania and will raise the bar of the massage therapy profession in this state, it is time and necessary to have licensing in this state.

While working to re activate the licensing effort in the state, which has been inactive for 15 years, Nancy was able to bridge the gap between the AMTA massage organization with other professions and organizations such as, the Physical therapist Association, Chiropractic Association, Nurses Association, American Medical Association, Acupuncturist Association, etc. and other body workers’ association in the field of massage. After countless oppositions and challenging meetings with these associations to reintroduce the bill, a final meeting of the mind has been reached , on both sides, regarding the terms and conditions of the massage therapy bill, a tremendous progress. The bill will be introduced in both houses and the passage of it will contribute significantly to the massage therapy profession. As she works in this endeavor, it created awareness to the public, the medical community and other professions in this state.

Nancy has been working tremendously very hard to have licensing re introduce in the state. For fifteen years no one has ever succeeded in reintroducing or revisiting the licensing effort in PA. There were overwhelming oppositions to PA massage therapy bill from other professions and associations including other body workers association. One major and big challenge/hurdle was from the Physical Therapist Association since the start. Through her countless effort, dedication, creativeness and persistence, finally there were agreements reached from both sides and currently the bill will be introduced in both houses. The biggest hurdle, the PT Association, has agreed and came to agreement with terms and conditions of the bill and signed an agreement of no future opposition to the bill.

Nancy Porambo’s boldness in this job is an asset in reaching the stage where we are right now with regards to licensing. She is not afraid to face any opposition and quickly consults experienced and high authorities in this field and very receptive and very quick to ideas that will solve the problems. She is also very creative and always includes group effort in planning and reaching the goal. She is very persistent to finish the job from start to finish (her term will end in July, 2008) Truly, Nancy has a great passion in making the state licensed and well deserved recognition is needed.

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Rhode Island Lori-Ann Gallant-Heilborn
Lori-Ann Gallant Heilborn's has performed massage therapy on physically fit athletes at the Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece and the Olympic training facility in Chula Vista, CA, but her heart belongs to those who are truly wounded--her passion is performing massage for the wounded warriors at the Marine Corp Base, Camp LeJuen, NC, Second Division--her son's duty station as well.

Lori-Ann was awarded the Chapter Meritorious Award for her courage and willingness to serve. Here's her story--While awaiting permission to do complimentary massages for the wives of the active duty marines, Lori-Ann was asked if she would be willing to massage the marines injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. “Yes,” she responded, without hesitation. She had no idea what to expect—some of the injuries were extremely difficult to witness—not what we are accustomed to seeing in a customary massage session! She found solace and guidance from the gunny in charge of the wounded warriors’ barracks as well as the medical officer in charge. She says “This was the most profound work I have provided in my massage career.”

Along with a co-worker, she was able to provide forty-eight 30-minute massage sessions. Most of these men had never received massage and were a little cautious. They spoke about how they were wounded and the resulting wounds. Some wounds were too painful to touch, but by the end of the sessions, the wounded reported less pain in the affected areas. Through the vehicle of massage therapy, there is a horizon of pain relief that is not available through any other modality. When they were told that Lori-Ann and the team came from Rhode Island, they were amazed that a group of people would sacrifice their time and energy in such an unselfish manner without any expectations. They had no way of knowing how grateful the therapists were to be able to help them. They had no idea how much of an impact these wounded warriors made on the lives of the therapists! Lori-Ann promised to return as soon as and as often as possible. With massage therapy, she will continue to willingly render the gift that has been bestowed on her—the gift of healing touch!

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South Carolina Debra B. Gallup
She has worked as the SC delegate to National and has helped write and present two recommendations for the House of Delegates. She is a team builder that helps with all of the board members. She also helps train and direct her fellow delegates for the chapter in the protocol for the National delegation. At present Debra is reaching out as our Public Relations to the massage profession and well as the community for the SC chapter. This is her project and we look forward to great thing transpiring under her direction!
Countless gift certificates over the past 7 yrs. to silent auctions that were to benefit abused, neglected and under privileged children; such organizations include The Dickerson Center for Abused Children, SC Voices for Children, The Women's Junior Leagues for the Hannah House and for the local elementary school in order to raise funds for playground equipment. Annually she gives gift certificates to another charity event hosted by one of the local credit unions that benefits our local veterans. For the past 5 years she had participated in the West Metro Chamber of Commerce's annual fund raiser through chair massage donations at the golf tournament in order to help raise funds for the scholarships they give to 3 local high school students each year and the list goes on. She is very involved in her Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Rotary Club of West-Cayce Board of Directors, National Assoc. of Women Business Owners, "FUNraisers" for Dickerson Center for Abused Children. She, has you can tell, has a very big giving heart! Quietly she impacts the lives of others.

Debra has served as SC delegate from 2005 thru 2007. She has held 3rd V Pres. position from 2007 to present. She was the SC secretary 2002 to 2007.Prior to this she held the position of historian/photographer. Receiving honors with the SC board in 2004 as outstanding board member, 2005 received the President's award, and in 2008 the SC Meritorious award. She never quits giving nor serving the board!

Debra has served on committee's in her city in the West Metro Chamber of Commerce Bd. of Directors 2005 to present, Rotary Club of Cayce-West Bd. of Directors from 2007 to present, National Assoc. of Women Business owners 2007 to present, And "FUNdraisers" for the Dickerson Center for Abused Children 2003 to present!

Debra has helped write and present two recommendations for the House Of Delegates for AMTA. She gives gift certificates and helps with fund raising for numerous charities in her area. She is a team builder. She believes in her fellow chapter members and aids them in all aspects to help create a board that works together. She does all this and has a child and husband she cares for. She has a passion and a heart for AMTA. She has also shared her knowledge of learning the art of massage with students over the years. One of her co-workers nominated Debra for this award by saying "Debra is All-Heart". She has a very quiet nature but makes a big impact on our state chapter and has served us well as delegate to National AMTA over the years. Proudly we give her this honor!

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South Dakota Kay M. Johnston
Certainly, this Next Award encompasses many of the Merits and Characteristics of each of the preceding Awards. Over the past 18 years of her membership in SD Chapter, this quiet, gentle, caring, helpful, encouraging, ever smiling member has served with honor and accomplishment in a variety of positions:
~ 2nd& 3rd Vice President
~ Awards Chair
~ Delegate to HOD
~ CVOP (Chapter Volunteer Orientation Program) Representative
~ Chapter Legislative Activities
~ and a member who inspired and encouraged fellow therapists to become involved in Chapter activities.

Locally, she is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and frequently presents lectures , on the benefits of Massage, to civil groups and a Local Women’s Business Organization. Currently she is enjoying her delightful position of Grandmother. Joining her grand -children in their activities and exposing them to the benefits and rewards of Massage. She is constantly updating her education, seeking new techniques and information to offer her clients. Although she is unable to be with us today, to accept in person, this Meritorious Award, please join me in acknowledging the contributions to SD Chapter and local community of Rapid City area, the 2008 Meritorious Award Winner,
Kay Johnston.

Kay has put together numerous presentations about massage therapy and the benefits and she has presented them to nursing homes as well as other groups. Kay organized many sports massage events, two in Florida with the Tampa General Hospital in 1989 and 1990, and then some in Rapid City at Fun Runs. Kay is a very organized leader and puts much thought/research into projects and issues before she acts on them. You couldn't find a more friendly and compassionate massage therapist than Kay.

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Tennessee Mary K. Roberson
Mary has gone above and beyond her duties as treasurer. She spent this last year training the person on our financial committee to take over and it made it a smooth transition this weekend. She is always available to all board members for questions and hand holding when it is needed. Mary kept a tight rain on our money and made many wise choices financially for our chapter.

Mary is one of the most ethical people I have ever met. She is honest, hard working, calm, serene, safety, strength and compassion all rolled into one.

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Texas Gregory Donald Schroen
Greg continuously demonstrates his diversified skills, leadership, and drive. He is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done or assist in getting any task finished with follow through to see it is completed in a satisfactory manor. Greg has held many positions within AMTA TX chapter, teaches a tax class for the self-employed, and is involved within his community. Within his many talents his financial wisdom has benefited the TX Chapter with earning returns on the reserve funds investments, and in 2007 having a break-even convention after losses in prior years. Greg supported the person who followed him as treasurer with training and presence. Greg supported the board retreats to be productive, educational, team building, and fun. Greg has now become a volunteer at the national level on the Finance Committee.

Greg's diversified skills include finance, computer, E-Zine, phone tree messaging, web page, newsletter, leadership and more. With these diversified skills he keeps the TX Chapter abreast of activities, events and other happenings within AMTA National family, other state chapters and the TX Chapter. Greg brought to the annual board retreat additional training by utilizing a paid facilitator for two consecutive years. He is always looking for ways to improve the TX Chapter, increase savings, and training for the members of the chapter board, committees and members. Greg takes pride in all the accomplishments of the TX Chapter as a unit and in the individuals who participate.

Greg participated in bringing forth the newly passed 500-hour LMT legislation in TX. He has arranged for the AMTA Ambassador training for the TX Chapter convention in May of 2008. Greg redesigned and updated the chapter web site, increasing traffic and membership awareness. The chapter adopted new chapter job descriptions so more positions have a job description for the first time. The Chapter Finance Committee following the new national Finance Committee guidelines created a Chapter Financial Policy. The revamped full-color newsletter is going to AMTA members, NCTMB members, and MTI's with a lower cost. The return on investments was significant during Greg's term from 2003 through 2007. Greg helped to coordinate AMTA TX Chapter members to connect with those in attendance of the Lauterstein-Conway open house/job fair. I believe his financial knowledge will greatly contribute to the national finance committee.

Greg mows his elderly neighbors yard, and has for a number of years. He actively coordinates and leads bible study groups. He has served on his church board. Greg provides reduced fee tax returns processing for low-income individuals. He is a volunteer board member, and the treasurer for the Municipal Utility District. He also volunteers with other non-profit organizations.

Greg was selected because he is an active, dedicated, diversified, flexible volunteer of the AMTA TX Chapter. This award will acknowledge his dedication, diverse skills, and his diligence to get the job done, regardless of the task at hand. Greg has nearly a thousand hours of training and teaches a tax class for massage therapists. He has been a member of TX AMTA, NCTMB and licensed in TX for 14 years. He has received the TX Chapter Meritorious Award in 2005, President's Service Award 1996-1998, and the "Extra Mile" Award 1992-1993 for service as a Austin Unit Treasurer. Greg has held TX Chapter positions of President, Treasurer, Web Master, Phone Tree, Newsletter Editor, and Co- Newsletter Editor. Greg's most recent accomplishment was assisting in getting the 500-hour legislation passed in Texas. His involvement in chapter training, web site design, chapter financial policy and investments, and the ever changing newsletter is as dedicated and diversified as all the skills he brings to each area of contribution to the Texas chapter.

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Utah Roger Olbrot
 

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Vermont Lindsay M. Crossman
Lindsay has been working in this chapter for many years, as president, pr person, and as the New England Conference committee chair for our state. This year she headed the New England Regional Conference committee and brought it up to be the best conference ever.

Lindsay is willing to step forward to help out when she can. She has volunteered at her local hospital for their health fair. She has been Vermont's member on the New England Regional Conference Committee for over 15 years. This year she headed the committee and brought the number of massage therapists attending to over 500. Lindsay is always willing to help out our chapter in anyway she can.

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Virginia Betty Siegner Mooney
Betty was the first massage therapist in the Charlottesville, Virginia area almost 40 years ago. She has paved the way for all that followed! She is still an active member of AMTA and service on a committee with the Piedmont Unit.

Betty, her husband and a small group of area residence have taken on the city board and WON for the preservation of our reservoirs and water ways. What a long, wonderful battle it has been and continues to be.

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Washington Ashley T. Benem
We are proud to announce Ashley Benem as the Meritorious Award recipient of the Washington Chapter of the AMTA for 2008.

Ashley is a contributing member to the Washington Chapter. She is newly elected to our State Executive board as 2nd Vice President. She is so deserving and long over due to receive this award. Continuously, she supplies benefits for all of us in the massage profession and beyond. Developing the AMTA-WA MERT program and sharing with the extensive manual with other chapters. Always sharing time to teach and mentor with her expertise. Her background as an Emergency Medical Technician and experience in the emergency are invaluable. With her boundless energy, she creates beneficial impact that ripples through the massage community. She has been under appreciated for the behind the scenes guidance and support she thoroughly thoughtfully gives.

As you can see we hold her in very high regard and appreciate her many talents. She is a supportive leader, passionate about our profession, a champion of ethics, and an incomparable resource. Ashley continues to inspire me and many others.

Reasons: Endless hours devoted to creating a universal MERT manual. Teacher and mentor for new responders and creating ongoing leadership in our Chapter.

Special qualities: EMT experience past and current give her an invaluable perspective on needs and protocol. Ashley is an amazing teacher with energy to share.

Major projects: MERT Chair for nearly 4 years. creating and expanding the program. Setting up outreach events to the service community, including many fire departments, NW Airlift, Fire Chiefs Convention for 3 years.

Altruistic activities: Shares knowledge and expertise freely. We are so fortunate that she has chose to continue to be a valuable volunteer. She has just been elected to the 2nd VP position and we have intentions she will be one of the WA attendees to CVOP.

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West Virgina Kim H. Bingaman
Dedicated years of service to our Chapter in many capacities.

Kim Bingaman became West Virginia's President in a difficult time for our Chapter. Kim took over the Presidency in 2000 and remained until 2006. In the years of her leadership, our Chapter saw an increase in membership, she was successful in recruiting new board members, and we made a come back! What a HUGE accomplishment! Kim served in other Board positions since 1998 namely; Secretary/Treasurer, Treasurer, Membership Chair, Alternate Delegate and currently serves as our newsletter editor which she took over in 1998. As you can see, she has given generously of her time to AMTA and fostering our Chapter. Kim is a teacher at the Mountain State School of Massage, where she obtained her training, graduating in 1997. She has continued her educational quest since graduation logging many hours of CEU's. Kim is also a talented artist who weaves, paints, makes pottery and gorgeous jewelry! For her unending generosity of time and talent to our Chapter, we salute her as our 2008 meritorious award recipient. We appreciate you Kim!

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Wisconsin Lynn Marie Kutz
Lynn is always at the chapter meetings and willing to help out with whatever needs to be done at the meetings. She is always providing door prizes paid for by herself for the members. She is always helping the presenters to feel welcome at the seminars. Lynn is an awesome advocate for the massage industry and educating the public about what they need to know. Lynn is an excellent example of what a massage should be.

Lynn is always thinking of new ideas for massage in general. She works with an imprinting place and is always coming with a new gadget to promote massage to the seminars.

Lynn made a recommendation to the House of Delegates regarding doing a study of how AMTA members could get their CE requirement cycle in sync with the NCE renewal cycle. It resulted in what we have today, which is that you can use your NCTMB active status for AMTA renewal.

Altruistic activities: Lynn is always helping the less fortunate. She has helped with numerous charities, volunteering her time and massage abilities. I know the fox cities marathon was one of her favorites, or any cancer fund raiser. She has also given massages to the fire department and police department.

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