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CAMBS |
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California Alliance of Massage and Bodywork Schools |
September 2003 |
On August 12, 2003, a coalition of various members of the massage community representing AMTA, ABMP, CAMBS and other schools met in Oakland to create a list of proposed changes to AB 1388. The coalition included Teresa Nead (CAMBS), Bob Benson and Les Sweeney (ABMP), Beverly May and Chris Voltarel (AMTA), Lisa Nichols and Cynthia Ribeiro (school directors) and Tom Whitmore (massage therapist.)
The full text of the proposal can be found in the library section on the CAMBS website www.camassageschools.org. It is very commendable that representatives of different sectors of the massage profession were able to meet together and agree on a list of changes to be made to AB 1388, and especially important since these ideas represent the reality of the massage profession in California, rather than a rubber-stamp approval of arbitrary standardization of the profession.
he request to redraft AB 1388 has been submitted to Christine Kehoe's office, but there is no guaranteed outcome. It is still possible for AB 1388 as it now stands to be voted on early next year and become effective January 2005. It is also possible that AB 1388 could be defeated or substantially delayed. According to ABMP any of the following might take place:
Although CAMBS has taken the position of opposing AB 1388, Teresa Nead participated in the coalition to represent the concerns of massage school owners and directors, and their students and graduates.
Until the changes proposed by the coalition are accepted by Christine Kehoe and this is demonstrated by a change in the proposed regulation posted on the Assembly web site, CAMBS will continue to oppose AB 1388.
We believe there are actually two questions to consider. The first question concerns necessity: is massage licensing really necessary in California? There is no proof that this is so. The second question then is what would make a satisfactory law that would meet the needs of the State, the profession and the public? The coalition has gone a long way toward attempting to understand and meet those needs.
If you believe that licensing is necessary or inevitable, write to Christine Kehoe urging her to adopt the changes recommended by the coalition. Let her know you will oppose the bill until she makes these changes.
Write a letter to the Governor of California expressing your stand on AB 1388.
Write to every member of the Assembly Business and Professions Committee urging them to vote no on AB 1388 unless it is substantially changed The addresses for committee members can be found on the CAMBS website, www.camassageschools.org.
Make an appointment with your own representative to discuss the bill. Find the address of your local assembly representative at www.assembly.ca.gov, click on the link "Find your representative."
Plan on another round of letter writing in November and December, as the bill will come before the Assembly Business and Professions Committee again in January and there may be a different governor.
Implement SB 577 in your practice and in your classrooms. Teach students in your business and ethics classes how to implement SB 577 in their practices. For more information on SB 577 and sample forms, visit http://www.californiahealthfreedom.org.
Create public interest by sending copies of the students' and therapists' letters to local newspapers and television news programs. Be sure to include information about how this bill would affect local therapists, employers, and clients. Include your own contact information so that local news media can contact you for a quote or further information.
Join CAMBS today!! Call Birgit Ball-Eisner for membership information: 831-626-6916.
Post the CAMBS website address on your bulletin boards so your students and staff can stay current on AB 1388 and other issues.
Like many other states, the Ohio legislature is looking for ways to increase revenue. The state budget recently enacted in Ohio requires massage therapists to collect sales tax on their services as of August 1, 2003.
Commentators on the budget deficit in California have also suggested a tax on services as a means to increase revenue for the state. Although neither the governor nor the legislature has yet acted on the idea, massage therapists should be aware of the possibility and ready to respond if the legislature proposes a sales tax on services.
If such a requirement is enacted in California it would mean than anyone who offers services to the public, such as beauty salons, massage therapists, contractors and so on, would have to obtain resale permits, and would be required to collect sales tax and submit it to the state at least on a quarterly basis.
The long process of revising Student Tuition Recovery Funds is nearly over. According to a Bureau representative in the STRF department, it is hoped that the final version of STRF regulations will be complete in mid-September.
Once the revised regulations are finished, they will be published on the Bureau web site, http://www.bppve.ca.gov. At that time the Bureau will send schools forms to be used to pay STRF collected from students in 2002 and the first two quarters of 2003.
The Bureau representative also said that in the first letter to schools assessing STRF payments, each school will receive an accounting of amounts paid for the special assessment several years ago. Schools can use this amount as a credit toward STRF assessments.
Our new website is up and running. Visit the CAMBS website at http://www.camassageschools.org/ and send us your comments. The webmaster is Keith Eric Grant (keg@ramblemuse.com) and he is adding content on a daily basis.
Member schools have links directly to their own websites so that visitors to the site can find information immediately about massage training programs. Non-members can be listed by joining CAMBS. The cost is low - only $100.00 per year. Current members who are not yet listed should contact us with their web information.
The site also includes past newsletters, the mission statement and goals of CAMBS and a special members only section where members can share information about curriculum, management, legislation and other concerns. There are links to important web sites for massage therapists and updated information on bills such as AB 1388.
The next CAMBS meeting will be held at the Desert Resorts School of Somatherapy in Palm Springs, California on November 7 and 8, 2003. The most important issue before the meeting will be AB 1388, as it is due to be presented to the Assembly Business and Professions Committee in January, 2004. Members will review whatever changes Assembly Member Kehoe might make between now and then, and decide on CAMBS's position. We will also develop a plan of action for the B&P committee meeting in January.
The second item on the agenda will be a discussion of the CAMBS bylaws. Those attending the meeting will receive a copy of proposed bylaws and have an opportunity to participate in the process of shaping the future growth of the organization.
For a history of CAMBS visit our new website at www.camassageschools.org. CAMBS has been very active in law and legislation issues since its inception in 1997 and has also helped to represent CAMBS member school with the BPPVE. CAMBS also provides a means for massage school owners and directors to network for mutual support and success. The new bylaws will help to shape the direction that CAMBS will take in the future, so this is a very important meeting.
To register for the CAMBS meeting in November, mail a payment of $50.00 per
school (member schools only) or $50.00 per person (non-member schools) to CAMBS
treasurer, Birgit Ball-Eisner at:
Monterey Institute of Touch
27820 Dorris Drive
Carmel, CA 93923.
The meeting is open to massage school owners and directors only. Please tell Birgit how many will be attending, along with their names and titles.
The meeting will be held at Desert Resorts School of Somatherapy, 2100 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Building C, Palm Springs, CA 92262. On Friday the meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will end approximately at 5:00 p.m. On Saturday the meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. and end at 1:00 p.m. approximately.
There are many more hotels within a five mile radius of the school. You can find more hotels and information about Palm Springs by logging on to the Palm Springs website at www.palmsprings.com. For information about airports, directions, or other local information contact Somatherapy, Inc. at 800-270-1175
CAMBS Board of Directors
Director: Teresa Reynolds Nead — The Body Institute
(916) 791-1951, teresa@bodyinstitute.com
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.
Annual dues: $100.00
Meeting fees:
Send dues and meeting registration to the Treasurer, Birgit Ball Eisner at:
Monterey Institute of Touch
27820 Dorris Drive
Carmel, CA 93923