Can We Talk?

“Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in election once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote everyday about the kind of community you want to live or work in.” ~ Author Unknown ~

Can we talk??

I do believe that every year our Chapter conference gets better and better. We have one event planner and the rest is ALL done by Board members, Committee members, & Volunteers who in reality are just members.

CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE on a job well done!!

Let me just say that being a Board member of AMTA IL, our constant goal is “What can we do for the Members and how will this decision effect the Members” simply because it’s all about the members. Please consider taking an active part in your Chapter, ask yourself what capacity you might be able to fulfill.

Many of you may not realize the number of volunteers it takes to fulfill the duties that makes our chapter go.

There are 7 Board members that also take on the responsibility of the committee jobs. When certain positions do not get filled then a Board member must take it on and yes…. sometimes we even drop the ball. Truth is we’re all busy but which do you think is better, 1 member for 5 committees or 5 members on 1 committee?

Now I’m not a mathematician but I am tired and I/We need you. Find a committee that fits you and commit even if it’s for 1 year. We have over 3,500 members, lets see what we can do for the rest of 2016 and all of 2017. If it doesn’t work out for you then at least you tried.

Maybe you have a gift of writing and would like to be on the communications committee. You could write a couple of articles a year about what’s going on with massage therapy in your area of the state. It doesn’t have to be time consuming if there’s more that just 1 person on a committee.

As the Awards Committee, we need you to be on the look out for people doing amazing things through out the year and let’s recognize them at our awards ceremony in 2017.

As the Membership Committee, we will be having our annual Mid & Southern AMTA IL COOK OUT in July. All you need you to do is show up and bring your families. If you want to help…even better.

As the Finance Committee, I love that for the last 2 years we’ve been able to cut the registrations fees by $100 per person.

As your Treasurer, we were pleased announce at our Annual Meeting that we are offering $200 off the first 200 people who sign up for the 2016 National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

…..and yes I am a Board member with 3 committees

Other Committees such as Outreach, Education, Government Relations, and Communications could all benefit from the input of our members. Your voice counts and your opinion matters!! Please check out the AMTA-IL website at www.il.amtamassage.org, email us at Illinois@amtamassage.org, or call 847-430- 0203 and let us know what area you are interested in and we will be more than happy to help you get fitted into a committee that interest you.

Lastly, I would add that what Sam I Am said of “Green Eggs and Ham” is equally true of the blessings and enjoyment you will derive from AMTA –IL committee positions, “Try them, try them, and you may! Try them and you may, I say”

~Vicki Gothard

AMTA IL Treasurer