Dear AMTA-WI Members,

I am proud to take on the role of Chapter President for the American Massage Therapy Association - Wisconsin Chapter. With over 2,000 AMTA-WI members in our growing field, we have an incredible opportunity to shape the future of Massage Therapy in our state. We also need to protect our profession with members who are educated, trained and licensed. Some Wisconsin lawmakers prefer less government and therefore less licensed professionals.

My theme for this next year is Enrich the Profession Through Participation. Our profession has undergone many changes and endured many challenges since 1955 when the Wisconsin AMTA Chapter was founded. Throughout it all, the commitment and engagement of our members has been the most important part of our organization. The first step to commitment and engagement is timely, accurate and reliable communication.    

As part of the American Massage Therapy Association we provide the strongest benefits in the field.  The most cost effective and efficient way for us to let you know about these benefits is through our eblasts and newsletters. Help me and this year's board learn what will better engage you. You can help by taking this short survey. After you complete the survey, you will be entered into a drawing for $50 towards your next AMTA-WI Chapter Sponsored CEUs! CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY

I also hope I can count on you to help fill one of the short-term or long-term volunteer positions. Many hands make a light load! Please consider stepping up to participate! Many volunteer positions went unfilled for over a year. Our advocacy presence has been so weak, lawmakers didn't feel a need to help us when they said they never heard from their constituent massage therapists. What will happen if next year's lawmakers propose to eliminate our licensing again?

Participation by members is key to being able to achieve our diverse Association goals and be successful in the legislature. A handful of active Association members cannot carry the weight for the full membership. Besides, being involved is fun, educational and a great way to network. If you are ready to get started right away, click here to let me know we can count on you! You can also indicate your areas of volunteer interest in the survey. Talk your colleagues into volunteering for a committee or specific activity. Collectively, we must work together to protect and promote our industry.

I look forward to the coming year and the great opportunities we have to work together.

Enriching the Profession Together,

Jeffrey Montoya
AMTA-WI Chapter President

Jeffrey is the Team Leader of the Massage Therapy Departments at the Aveda Institute Madison and the Institute of Beauty and Wellness in Milwaukee.  He is an approved provider of continuing and advanced education. In addition to his teaching, he is currently a student, pursuing a doctorate in health professions education at Logan University. Follow him on Instagram or Facebook @MontoyaSensei