Julie Goodwin– representing CE

LDC Statement: The AFMTE Educator of the Year in 2016, Julie has had a distinguished career in massage therapy education in both proprietary school and community college settings. The author of two acclaimed textbooks and the developer of an anatomy and pathology mobile website, Julie is clearly committed to advancing the profession for students and practitioners. The LDC is recommending Julie for a board position, in part because of her contributions to massage therapy, but also because she has work and organization backgrounds that demonstrate executive skills and financial functions leadership. Her blend of temperament, critical thinking, communication skills and organizational experience will bring valuable capacity to the Alliance Board.

Message from Julie:

As a longtime massage school instructor and Approved CE Provider, I am invested in quality bodywork education at all levels. I see the Alliance as the leader in identifying the components of excellence in massage education, and in creating standards for curricula and instructors that can ensure that our industry provides the highest care for the public and the richest professional experience for practitioners. As an active member of the past and current Educational Congress Planning Committees, I continue to be in awe of the commitment and professionalism at all levels of AFMTE’s administrative and membership structure, and am honored to be considered for an AFMTE Board position. I look forward to the challenge of embodying the high standards set by those who have and continue to contribute, and I believe that my strong background in education and administration can be useful as we move forward as an organization.

Sandy Mason – representing Faculty

LDC Statement:  Sandy Mason has served on the Board as Treasurer since 2017, and has been an active Alliance committee member for many years. Her involvement with core programmatic priorities such as teacher education standards and the certification process made Sandy a natural choice to move into a leadership role on the Board. A faculty member at a community college and a continuing education provider, Sandy wears many hats gracefully. Her broad skill set and her collegial, collaborative approach make Sandy a versatile and valued member of the Board. The LDC appreciates Sandy not just for her functional capabilities, but also for her work ethic and desire to take on challenges. Sandy was appointed last year to fill a vacated Board position and is now being nominated by the LDC for a new full term.

Message from Sandy:

As a founding member of AFMTE, I jumped right into our organization because I saw its potential to strengthen and improve massage therapy through elevating education. I have had an integral role in developing teacher standards, first on the NTTCDC, and currently in the CPC. This work is a passion of mine. I came to the Board as a seasoned educator with experience in entry-level and Associate Degree massage education in both proprietary schools and community college, and as an Approved CE Provider. With my strengths in communication, diplomacy and teamwork, I hope to continue to advocate for the Alliance with other organizations, as well as to strengthen the discourse among the AFMTE membership body and its leaders. I hope as educators we are all set to promote unity in the profession and to continue learning together as we establish standards for our schools and teachers.

Stan Dawson – representing At Large

LDC Statement:  AFMTE President Stan Dawson was part of the original group that brought the Alliance into being and, except for one year, he has been a member of the Board since its inception. Stan has been involved with almost every committee at one time or another and has an unrivalled understanding of our organization’s structure, mandates and history. The LDC recommends Stan for reelection because his leadership is hands-on, supportive, inclusive and effective. He works proactively to take the Alliance to higher levels of organizational efficacy, always challenging the status quo and creating a culture that promotes advancement and improvements.

Message from Stan:

As a part of the original group that founded the Alliance, I helped shape the vision that continues to guide our efforts toward higher standards for massage education.  As a practitioner for over 40 years and a teacher in massage programs since 1980, I have seen the evolution of massage and bodywork. I am passionate about the need for our educators to be trained in educational principles in addition to being content experts. I enjoy working with my colleagues on the Board and the committees in our all-volunteer organization.  They are a dedicated group. There is a level of unity and a desire for collaboration in our profession right now that offers a unique opportunity for transformative change.  I want to continue to serve the Alliance to be a part of that change and to manifest its vision of a certified teacher in every massage and bodywork classroom.

Dawn Hogue – represents School

LDC Statement:  Dawn Hogue was appointed to the Board in April to take over Lisa Helbig’s seat, Lisa having stepped down for personal reasons. Dawn is the Director of the Cayce/Reilly School of Massage, and is also the acting Executive Director of COMTA. She has been involved with the NCBTMB as well, serving on the Ethics and Standards committee for eight years. She volunteered with the Alliance for several years as the highly effective chair of the National Teacher Training Curriculum Development Committee. Dawn’s distinguished service with so many of the profession’s key stakeholders gives her the understanding and connections to serve the Alliance as an effective bridge across the profession. The LDC recommends that the Alliance membership ratify Dawn’s appointment.

Message from Dawn:

I feel a strong resonance with the word “alliance” and its meaning of an agreement between people/organizations/nations for cooperation and a merging of efforts and interests. That meaning is central to my desire to serve as a member of the Board of Directors as well as its inherent connection to the vision, mission and intentions of the organization. As a massage therapist for over 20 years and educator for over 15, I have great passion and love for the profession and for elevating the standards of education and practice by which excellence is measured and demonstrated. I am thrilled at the opportunity to join as an advocate for the massage therapy and bodywork education community and promote curriculum and administrative standards for schools. I hope to bring my experience, insights, inspirations and aspirations to fortify our membership and to strengthen alliances that will enable the forward movement of our goals, initiatives and influence in health care education.  Thank you for this opportunity and for your support.

Beverley Giroud – representing School

LDC Statement:  Bev is Director of Education for the Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy, a COMTA director since 2012, and former chair of NCBTMB’s Exam Development Committee. She is an engineer with years of experience in project planning and management, administration and finances, and is also the author of Ethics and Professionalism for Massage Therapists and Bodyworkers. Bev was elected to the Alliance Board in 2016. She has been serving as Secretary (and is therefore on the Executive Committee) and as Board Liaison to the Strategic Planning Committee.  The LDC recommends that Bev be reelected for a second term. Her full range of experience gives her a depth of understanding that supports the “big picture” effectiveness of the Alliance.

Message from Bev:

I began my career in massage therapy 20 years ago. The experience has been an ever-inspiring and rewarding adventure. I am fortunate to learn from and volunteer alongside gifted and devoted professionals. These experiences enable me to nurture my love of teaching and education, and to express my passion for our industry.  My first term as a board member for the AFMTE has been a great learning experience, especially being involved in the strategic planning process. I would like to continue my service to the Alliance to assist in future endeavors and growth as well as continue working to bolster our profession and strengthen our credibility through education. I would be honored to serve another term on the Board.

Leadership Development Committee Candidates

Two LDC members are applying to serve a two-year term:

Statement from Joe Lubow:  It has been an honor to serve on the LDC from its creation as the Nominating Committee at the Alliance’s first conference in Park City. As our mandate has expanded, we have made major strides in helping to build an organization. Processes have been put in place, committees have been staffed, and slates of carefully-chosen Board members have been acclaimed by the membership. I feel my years of experience in the classroom, as a school director, bodyworker and committee member/chair in other organizations give me the skills to contribute to the LDC, and through it to the massage education profession. The LDC is an exceptional collaborative group and I would like to continue the work we have started towards creating a sustainable organization that will serve as the voice, advocate, and resource for massage educators for the long term.

Statement from Debra Curties:  I find helping match talented people to the Alliance’s evolving Board and committee needs challenging and fun. Of necessity the LDC’s job includes helping identify and evaluate those organizational needs before addressing them, which is a keen interest of mine. It also involves interacting with inspirationally hardworking, dedicated Board members and committee chairs. As a school owner and instructor, I feel a great satisfaction in being a part of the advancement of massage therapy education through this important organization. The LDC has developed our rapport and work style over many hours of dialogue and group decision-making. We enjoy working together, are very productive, and it is a pleasure to serve as the committee’s chair. I ask for your support for another term.