(2) The new national GR structure is still finding its way. At the least, it

means that like some other massage based organizations, paid staff will do
some of the administrative work. Volunteers appointed by elected officers
implement policies.

Response: That is not what I read. I quote, "Operational committees are
flexible working groups that benefit from the unique knowledge and expertise
of
volunteers, while freeing them from administrative and day to day
responsibilities. Volunteers provide advice, insight and professional
perspective while
staff develops, implements and maintains ongoing programs."



You read the plan - implementation is still finding its way


The committee is now firmly esconsed in Illinois and you are a volunteer
(with a $1500 stipend unless you have been given an increase) in CA. The GR
ops
committee will be answering to the national board.



I get $90/month for many hours of work

(3) In CA, everything done by the AMTA chapter is done by a committee,
directed by Board policy, accountable to the members - member-driven -
except
sending out occasional mass e-mails by our state administrator.

Response: Who, besides you, is on the committee? The Amta-CA needs to abide
by the Amta-Natl board policies. Unless you somehow break out with the Cmta
which is your aka, you are in service to the Amta-Natl.



Numerous people, members and non-members work on the legislative activities.
My Co-Chair Melissa Colburn, and a new to CA member, Amanda Whitehead, do
most of the work. AMTA policy is to pursue state licensing of 500 hours. CA
is pursuing 250/500 hour title act. We haven't been kicked out yet.

(4) Of course, all this is controlled by the evil Ogre brother of Shrek.

Response: If I am not mistaken, this is the first time you have alluded to
someone else being in control thus validating the suspicions of many folk.
It's
not a bad beginning for you to start letting us know who really is in
control
(at least in CA).
It certainly is not the folk at the Amta-Ca.

Are you or John part of the new GR ops board or are they as the above
implies, folk outside the trade that really need you and your experience to
enable
them to forge a path? A GR-ops board does put distance between you and the
Amta-BOD... Chains of command are like that.



It is an ops committee, with paid staff. I am still officially on it - John
Fred I'm not sure about. He has some issues with the association -can you
believe it!

It is pretty evil for the Amta, against all the resistance and pleas for
compromise to have gone to the government in so many states imposing
unnecessary
regulations on those who would touch for income. The analogy of Shreks evil
brother fits, especially when one considers the innocence and niavete of
many
that get into this line of work.



Beyond you & Carl, there has been very little pleas and resistance in CA -
mostly increasing expressions of support. Why do you think ABMP is fully
involved? And only a couple of schools do not support the bill - either
because they want more hours or less. Meanwhile, cities and counties are
passing new ordinances all over on their own, and none of them are pretty.







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