Broward Chapter President,
Barbye Greenberg

FROM YOUR PRESIDENT

It seems to me that this year has zoomed by, and here we are almost at the end of it. This brings to mind a golden opportunity for the sharp minded Therapist. This is the perfect time of year to start suggesting to your customers that they buy GIFT CERTIFICATES for Christmas presents. They are great gifts for teachers, business associates, relatives and maybe even bosses? (If you have a good one) It also saves them time and shopping in those awful malls with the crowds and all. This allows them to shop in the comfort of their home. If you don’t have certificates made up yet, get on your horse and make them up now.

Another way to push massage, is by going to businesses and asking if they would like to give a gift of massage for their employees. You never know what could happen if you try, but if you don’t try then you might be losing out on a golden opportunity. Not only may they take you up on it but they may like it so much that they might hire you on a regular basis. Opportunities are out there, just seek them out.

This September, I went to the Quarterly Meeting in Naples. Beautiful place, if you have never been there, maybe make it for a weekend, you won’t be sorry. Some of the things that were discussed were of interest to all and I want to share them with you.

One of the important items discussed was about keeping your CEU certificates when you get them.  Several CEU providers have not been sending in the CEU information on line in a timely manor. If you keep your Certificate then you will always have proof that you went to the class. It is kind of like insurance to cover you, just in case. Do what I do, I went out and bought a loose leaf book and some plastic sleeves. Every time I get a certificate I put it into the sleeve and save it. Each book has the year written on it, so I can go back to the year I want without any problems.

The new system they are going to be using to renew your license is by computer only. This will be saving them a lot of paperwork, hiring more people to work it, etc. Your ID number for renewal purposes will be found on the old license. If you do not have a computer you can call them and they will email you the information you need to renew. All licenses must be renewed no later then August 31, 2009.

If anyone is interested in getting some Bio-Freeze or Bon-Vital samples to give out, then just call them and they are more then happy to ship you some. They make great little gifts to give to customers. People always like getting something for nothing.

I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone and happy and healthy holiday season.

Barbye Greenberg,

President,

Broward Chapter

President Message, August, 2008

July went by very quickly. If you didn’t join us at the Convention, then you really missed a great time. One thing I can say about Massage Therapist, they love to party. There was lots of dancing, laughing, fun and the learning new ideas. It was nice to see old friends, as well as making new ones. One of the things I really like about the convention we’re all the different and interesting classes. Some were classes I never heard of. That is the fun part, learning. We watched the fireworks on the roof of the parking lot. It was an amazing view. “Nice to see you there Shelly”.

Our next meeting will be, as usual, on the first Tuesday of August. the 5th.. This August meeting will be exciting and exceptional. Our favorite State President, Maureen Gilbert, will be joining us at this meeting specifically to meet all of you and to answer any questions you might have about the FSMTA.. I would like to encourage everyone to join us and bring your list of questions. Also traveling from upstate is Ron Frers, our Legislator Chair for the state. There are some very important legislations coming up and we all need to be informed and we need everyone’s support.  PLEASE BE AT THE NEXT MEETING. There will be a speaker giving 2 CEU’s after meeting Maureen and Ron. 

BARBYE

President Message, April, 2008

Welcome to our spring edition of our newsletter. Many important things have happened in the last few weeks. I am hoping to inform you of them.

Coming in July (the July 4th weekend) will be the FSMTA Convention. It will be held at the Boca Raton Tennis and Racquet Club. It’s a beautiful place and it is local. The next one will be back up in Orlando, so I suggest that if you have never been to one or haven't been to one in a long time, now would be the time to go. The classes are great and they give you a taste of some types of massage that you may not have ever seen before. There is also a vender fair, where you can buy all kinds of equipment for massage, or shirts or the latest massage creams and oils. At the very least, come to the vendor fair, where there are lots of free samples and people who are very knowledgeable about all types of merchandise. If you are looking for a new table or massage chair, this would be the place to go for one. The prices are usually discounted. Brochures and further information should be coming out very shortly. Make your reservations soon, as it fills up quickly.

We are still looking for new people to join us on the Board. New people means new ideas, and we are always open to that. We would also like to get students to join the board as a liaison between the school and the Broward Chapter. Also, we are thinking of starting a Limited Scholarship program. This would enable students to buy books, etc. to help them in their quest of becoming a Massage Therapist. When we get the logistics worked out we will inform everyone about it.. We would like to encourage everyone to participate in this newsletter by writing articles to be published. Anything pertaining to massage, or perhaps a new massage technique they have learned. 

We are also thinking of allowing a few minutes before the meetings begin so that anyone can also demonstrate their technique. To do that, please get in touch with any board member, they will relay it to the other members, and subject to the board’s approval they will set up something for you.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the April meeting. If you have never seen a demonstration of Cranial Sacral, I think you will find this of interest. Please join us, see you there.





President Message, January, 2008

I have been a massage therapist since 1996.  My schooling was at Florida College of Natural Health and I have been a member of FSMTA since I was in school in 1995. 

Some of the positions I have held with FSMTA are:

Public Relations Chair
Holiday Party Chair
Broward Chapter polo shirt design and selling team
Massage Fair Chair
Assistant Sports Chair
Events Chair
Red Ribbon Ride Manager
AVP Manager and director
Phone Chair
Sign in Crew
1st Vice President
2nd Vice President

Wow, when I look over this list I guess it surprises me.  I have done so much and enjoyed it all.  As some of you might know, I have been a Reiki Master for the last 20 yrs.  I use Reiki in many circumstances, but the most interesting is when I work and use it at the Vet's office.  The animals love it and can sense the energy.  When the Doctor has a particularly difficult surgery she will usually call me to do Reiki on the animal and finds that it promotes healing more quickly.  The best reward for doing Reiki on the animals is when they lean upwards and give you a big old kiss.  That is the best payment I could get. 

I would like to mention a particular person that has been important in my life.  His name is Craig Philhower.  No this is not kissing up.  Craig and I have known each other from school on and he has always been there for me, guiding me and just being a great friend.  I hope that he will continue to help guide me as friends so often do.

As many of you know, during the day I am a mail lady.  I came across an incident a while ago that has given birth to a brain storm of mine.  One of my customers, who was elderly, was passed out on the floor when I was delivering her mail.  She wasn't breathing and I did CPR and resuscitated her.  Because of this, I feel that it is important to have everyone take a CPR class.  Do you know what to do if one of your customers had a heart attack on the table while you were working on her?  The certification class is good for 2 years and I feel that it is really important.  What do you think?  Please let me know.

My future outlook for the Broward Chapter is exciting.  I am looking forward to working with my board and hoping, with Joe's help, to further develop our web site.  A new newsletter is going to be in the works.  I would love to get some new and fresh idea's from our chapter members. Maybe there is someone out there that has been thinking about a new idea that we can implement. I would love to hear about it.  The more we put our heads together as a group the better.

This year we have some very exciting CEU Speakers coming up.  Check the web site for that information.  Least we forget that the 2008 FSMTA Convention is coming up in July and it is going to be in our own backyard.  It is going to be held at the Boca Racquet and Tennis Club.  Its a beautiful place.  If you would love to join us we would love to see you there.  If you find that you can't make it over night then you can come just for the days.  Its that close.  Don't forget the great merchandise fair.

There are some changes being made in the massage business that effects us all.

There is a Cosmetology bill that is being edit for senate approval

Insurance billing and CEU expanding qualifications.  Also, FSMTA's responsibilities to its corporate sponsors.

I would like to introduce you to our 2008 Board members:

Barbye Greenberg - President
Thaim Bowe  - 1st Vice President
Paul Briggs - 2nd Vice President
Mark Ferrara - Secretary
Diane Wagner - Treasure
Bob Poulin - Ethics & Bylaws
Al Durso - Sports
Janet Wiseman - Office Manager

Also, a reminder.  I know how much everyone enjoys the snacks we bring to you, but we no longer have someone to do this for us.  So I am looking for  someone to help us out with that. 

FINALLY, I want to thank our past president CRAIG PHILHOWER for the thankless hours, late nights and endless meetings he has gone to for our chapter. 

Hoping to see you at the next meeting.

 
Barbye Greenberg,

President