AMTA-Vermont Chapter Summer 2023

AMTA-Vermont Summer 2023 Newsletter

Refreshing Updates

Things are Heating Up!

With the changing of seasons comes changes for our chapter. Meet our new FA, hear stories from our community, and learn important updates from our board in this month's newsletter.

Welcome FA, Chrissy Houghton!

Christina Houghton, Certified Massage Therapist and Reiki II grew up in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Having attended Lyndon State College for Sports Medicine and Business Administration Christina has had a successful career in Finance & Accounting. In 2017 Christina graduated from Plymouth State University with a Master in Business Administration. A few years later Christina attended Wellness Massage Center & Institute for Certification in Massage Therapy and Reiki, as well as NASM Certified Personal Trainer. Christina has made a career of helping others. Christina enjoys meeting clients whom have been living in pain or decreased function and helping clients become pain free and fully functioning in their daily lives. Christina uses many healing modalities such as Massage (Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports, Hot Stone, Thai, Shiatsu), Foot Reflexology, and Reiki to help her client’s bodies create a balanced healing environment. Blending modalities becomes an integral part of individual care you can expect when working with Christina. When given the right environment the body can do amazing things to heal itself both physically and energetically. Christina loves using her attention to detail and analytical skills to solve problems and think outside of the box for creative ways to assist the body in healing. She applys these same skill to an organization’s financials. The body and the books tell a story. They will tell you what the issues are if you open to seeing and responding. Christina loves making things better, seeing improvement, and watching people and organizations thrive.

AMTA Volunteer Leadership Conference

The VLC in Illinois was such a special opportunity to meet AMTA volunteers from across the nation. We we able to share, learn, and plan with other states representatives and the energy in the room of so many passionate massage therapists was contagious. It helped us get clear on how we can support and serve our community back home while expanding what is possible for our future. We are looking forwarding to sharing the updates coming from Nationals and are excited about some coming upgrades to the overall volunteer experience.

-Melissa Bartley Board Member & Communications

One Big Step for our Community!

Many of you have reached out with concerns about the changes regulations for our profession in our state, we are so happy to announce that progress is being made and that this is only just the begining. Read Deb's, President's Message below for the full details..

We are still looking for volunteers to help support this cause and other departments within our chapter.

Interested in getting involved? Reach out to President, Deb Shearer amta.vt.pres@gmail.com

President's Message

Summer has finally arrived which means it is time to think about the AMTA National convention. This year it is in Phoenix Arizona. It is amazing to have so many massage therapists in one place, a great way to connect with therapists all over the country while taking advantage of all the different CE’s available. If any Vermont AMTA members are attending, please let us know, so we can plan a meet up.

On a note closer to home, for those of you who are renewing your Vermont massage registration and have been gob smacked by the $240 biennial renewal fee, it is not a clerical error as I had once imagined. Unfortunately, the fee is set in statute. In Vermont there is not a distinction between registration and licensure when it comes the fees involved. The AMTA National office now is aware of this and they are providing the Vermont Chapter with a lobbyist to make a case to the legislators in Montpelier to either negotiating a lesser fee for registration or move towards licensure. Please reach out if you have any feedback on registration, fees or licensure. AMTA National supports state licensure and is committed to promoting a professional standard in the massage therapy profession. As Vermont is one of a very few states that doesn’t yet have licensure at the state level, I would like to hear each and every one of your thoughts. Hit us up—we are here to support our members.

Be kind to yourself-always!

Sincerely,

Deb Shearer

AMTA-VT President

amta.vt.pres@gmail.com

COOL CEs for a COOL MT

Our lovely Secretary, Laura Morley, recently received continuing education on an Alaskan cruise through LMT Success Group.

"It was an amazing experience! Our conference room was at the back of the ship with great views. My instructor was knowledgeable, warm, and fun. My excursions allowed me to see amazing wildlife and landscapes. This was a great return to in-person education after so many years away."

-Laura

Rescheduled Outdoor Meet Up @ Clarendon Gorge!!

Wednesday July 12, 2023 11am

In our Fall Member Survey you asked for more Outdoor Meet Up opportunities so let's start here in Shrewsbury, VT. Hiking, swimming, chatting, and more. We'll meet near the suspension bridge and find a spot near the water to make home base. Show up whenever you can throughout the day and remember to bring water and snacks or a lunch to enjoy.

Let us know if you are interested in joining or have any questions by

reaching out on the Facebook Event page or at amta.vt.communications@gmail.com

Summer 2023 Member Highlights

Learn more about our VT community

Kayla Soule - Souleful Practices

Souleful Practices is a small business run out of a homestead, we raise chickens, children and vibrations with brightly colored decor and personalities. Soule is a licensed massage therapist from CT, she moved to Vermont almost 3 years ago-being called to the green mountains shortly after finding sobriety. Soule has been practicing massage for almost 7 of her 25 years on this earth, a career path she was called to since childhood! She studied massage at Ridley Lowell in Danbury Connecticut and continued her education with a completion of the esthetics program, Reiki levels 1+2, prenatal massage, herbalism via home study guides/mentorship, and cupping massage. Soule is set to complete her Reiki Master Holy Fire certification this summer, and is also a certified Yoga Teacher. Passionate about communal bonds and meaningful connections, Soule is inspired to relate to her clients in a way that allows a deep sense of trust and understanding-a resonance that cannot be captured through just an intake form.

In the future, she hopes to offer Ecstatic Dances, Couples Massage Workshops, and Integrative Day Retreats so clients may experience holistically what she has to offer, and what healing she can receive as well by being in the presence of someone healing themselves. Reciprocity.

Souleful Practices Studio is operated out of The Coop-a home of creators and gardeners alike, find us on HipCamp in Mount Holly VT as The Coop! Exclusive camper wellness offers for those who book stays with us, such as private yoga sessions!

Find her on

instagram: @souleful_practices

facebook: Souleful Practices

website: www.soulefulpractices.com

Want to recommend someone for a member highlight? Email amta.vt.boardmember2@gmail.com

A Warm Welcome to our New Members

who joined us this Spring!

Devin Richard

Angela Wright

Holly Ely

Katelyn Raymond

Genevieve Lodal-Guild

Anna K. Allen

Jessica Lantos

Angela Bailey

Save The Dates!

Virtual Board Meetings

Wednesday July 19th 2023 3pm

All Are Welcome to our Board Meetings! We want your input! Find the Link to our Virtual Meeting HERE & on our FACEBOOK

Meet & Greets -

Swim & Hike @ Clarendon Gorge July 12th 11am

Questions? Call Us: 802 552-1200

Thank you, Amy Holibaugh.

This month we say see you later and thank you to Amy Holibaugh who has been serving as one of our states delegates. Amy has announced taking step back from this position to focus on personal life needs. We send her off with lots of love and hopes of ease and healing.

If you are interested in learning more or becoming part of our leadership team please reach out to get more information on available positions.

Current Chapter Leadership Volunteers

President

Secretary

Financial Administrator

Board Member 1

Board Member 2

Delegate 1

Delegate 2

Communications

Deb Shearer

Laura Morley