CAMBS Newsletter August 2003

CAMBS
California Alliance of Massage and Bodywork Schools	October 2002

State Licensing

The May, 2002, CAMBS meeting was held in Rocklin, California. The host was Dr. James Mally of the Healing Arts Institute in Roseville, California.

The issue of state licensing for massage therapists drew 48 members and non-members to the meeting. Guest speakers included Beverly May, who will head the effort, initiated by the AMTA-CA, to seek state licensing for California massage therapists, Les Sweeney of the ABMP, and Ellie Zellmer of the BPPVE.

Beverly May discussed the background of the effort in California to obtain state licensing, and her concern to involve as many therapists in the legislative process as possible.

Les Sweeney pointed out that in all states with state licensing, except one, the impetus for state licensing originated with state chapters of AMTA. He also said that ABMP is neither for nor against state licensing; viewing that as a decision that rests with the therapists themselves. However, if there is a move toward state licensing in California, ABMP will want to be involved to represent the interests of their members in California.

Ellie Zellmer, who is an education specialist with the Bureau for Postsecondary and Private Vocational Education, discussed how state licensing would affect the Bureau's oversight of massage schools. She also discussed STRF and answered questions from the audience.

Ellie Zellmer encouraged the group to think of improving the profession from the inside, so to speak, rather than creating new laws. She encouraged CAMBS to continue with its research into basic educational standards for entry-level massage therapists.

November Meeting

The November 9, 2002 CAMBS meeting will be sponsored by the Touch Therapy Institute in Santa Monica. Maria Grove is the Director and the meeting will be held at the school annex, not the main office.

From the south (LAX) take Sepulveda north into Lincoln. Take Lincoln to Washington. Turn east on Washington to Bundy. Turn left on Bundy to Airport. Turn left on Airport. From the north, take 405 south to 10 west. Take 10 west to Bundy. Exit Bundy south to Airport. Turn right on Airport. The annex is in the first building on the right. Hotel reservations can be made at the Best Western in Santa Monica for the corporate rate of $89.00 per night. The hotel is located at 1920 Santa Monica Blvd. And the telephone number is (310)829-9100.

Agenda

The guest speaker is Jim Kellas, who is a past president of the California Municipal Business Tax Association (CMBTA). His connections and experience with that organization will enable him to provide information about city licensing to those attending.

The CMBTA is an organization made up of about 300 cities in California, and a few business "associate" members. Its function is to share information between members, provide training to members, and to participate in legislative matters affecting business licensing. This organization also deals with utility billing, permit fees, city collections, and other services our members normally provide. The organization is about 30 years old and has been very effective in training and legislative efforts. "I would like to turn my presentation into a two way street. I would like to answer your questions, but also gather information from your members that I can take back to the CMBTA."

This is an opportunity to find out more about how cities create business licensing and what their concerns are. Networking with CMBTA would be important for massage schools whether state licensing becomes a reality, or if there is an effort to create a uniform licensing code in California cities.

November 9, 2002 CAMBS Agenda
10:00 Welcome
Ramona Moody, Presiding
10:30 Jim Kellas, Title, Agency
· Impact of State Licensure on City Governments
· Dynamics of City Regulation
· Potential benefits of standardized definitions of massage therapy
· Question and answer
12:30 Lunch
2:00 Review Survey Results
3:00 Proposed Curriculum Outline
4:00 CAMBS Business
Financial Report
Other
5:00 Close

How to Register

CAMBS Members: To register send a check in the amount of $50.00 per school, regardless of the number of owners/administrators who will attend, to:
CAMBS, att: Birgit Ball-Eisner
27820 Dorris Drive
Carmel CA 93923.
Include a list of those who will attend, and their job titles. The meeting is open to school owners and managers.

Non-Members: The fee for the meeting is $50.00 per person attending. To register contact Birgit Ball-Eisner at the address above. Include a list of those who will attend, and their job titles. The meeting is open only to school owners and administrators.

Treasurer: Birgit Ball-Eisner — Monterey Institute of Touch
(831) 624-1006, mit@redshift.com

Secretary: Ramona Moody French — Somatherapy, Inc.
(760) 323-5806, ramona@somatherapy.com

Send letters to the editor to Ramona Moody French at the email address above. Send other correspondence to Teresa Nead at the email address above.