The ABMP School Issues Forum -- What Is It?
In 1996, a school owner stopped by the ABMP offices for a visit and posed a
few questions to the staff. She needed guidance on a few issues, but found
there was no one she knew in the massage education community that could provide
the support she needed.
This action was the catalyst for the ABMP School Issues Forum -- a program designed
specifically for owners and directors of training schools providing them with an
opportunity to network, educate, and talk shop with their peers over issues they
determine.
What participants do not find at this meeting -- presentations on particular massage
techniques, room for participants to just sit and quietly listen, internal politics.
Instead, participants find a forum for the exchange of ideas about the business of
operating successful massage training schools.
Each conference participant is both “student” and “teacher.” Many participants have a
role in leading, facilitating or serving as a panelist on at least one topic. The
operative words are sharing and exchanging ideas. Because participants are from all
around the country, an environment exists in which sharing feels comfortable in a way
that would be much more difficult in a local forum with owners of programs with whom
you compete for students. While topic sessions are thoughtfully organized, the
environment is decidedly informal.
The next ABMP School Issues Forum will be held in Santa Fe, New Mexico, March 25-27, 2009.
For more information, please contact Kathy Laskye (800-458-2267 ext. 649, or kathy@abmp.com).
Report from the 12th Annual ABMP School Issues Forum
April 2008
Fifty-five participants from across the country took part in ABMP’s 12th annual School Issues Forum. Held in Boulder, Colorado, at the St. Julien Hotel & Spa, the event provided an opportunity for school owners, administrators, instructors, and massage professionals to share ideas, best practices, opinions, and innovations. Nestled at the foot of the Flatirons Mountains, the environment of the St. Julien boasts sunshine, views of the stunning Colorado landscape, and access to the lively nightlife of Boulder.
At the School Issues Forum attendees are encouraged to participate fully by sharing perspectives during panel discussions and interactive scenarios. This year, attendees explored a number of different topics including:
- Compare and Contrast: You Vs. Other Massage Schools. This session discussed the criteria by which a school can judge itself as thriving or struggling and looked at standards a school can use to compare itself to other schools and identify strengths and weaknesses.
- Successful Orientation. Panel members discussed ways to create a great beginning for new students and prepare them for the challenges of massage school while promoting bonding with classmates, teachers, and staff.
- Classroom Liability. “Claims do happen,” noted ABMP President Les Sweeney, who shared some real-life examples of massage school claims to highlight ways to manage risk on a massage campus.
- Managing Instructors. This attendee panel shared ideas for evaluating and coaching instructors to help them reach their full potential as educators.
- Diversity in Massage. Attendees discussed why the field of massage is not as diverse as it might be, and explored ways to reach out to new prospective student populations to build greater campus diversity.
- The Student Clinic: Balancing Business with Learning. In this session the panel looked at the reasons why some student clinics provide wonderful learning opportunities for students while others offer little in the way of developmental education. Attendees shared ideas for how schools can balance the financial benefit or necessity of a successful clinic against student needs.
- Teaching Massage: The rapid growth of the massage school industry has led to a marked shortage of well-seasoned massage instructors. Massage textbook publisher Lippincott Williams & Wilkins has teamed up with ABMP to create a new resource for schools and massage program instructors. Anne Williams, ABMP’s Education Program Director introduced attendees to the textbook launching in August (2008) called Teaching Massage: Fundamental Principles in Adult Education for Massage Program Instructors. The project brings together an extraordinary group of 17 respected teachers. Many of these educators--like Mary Ann Foster, Mary Kathleen Rose, Rick Rosen, Carey Smith, Diana Thompson, and Ruth Werner, who were present at the forum-- shared stories about their chapters and educational experiences.
While attendees always enjoy the chance to communicate their thoughts about massage school issues, they also enjoy the great food and opportunity to build new connections and friendships. On Thursday night, ABMP hosted a reception and dinner. Breaks this year were sponsored by Massage Envy and Elements Therapeutic Massage and featured a yogurt, fruit, and granola parfait to die for. On Friday night, attendees enjoyed the happy hour sponsored by Books of Discovery (publisher of Trail Guide to the Body by Andrew Biel) at Bacaro’s Venetian Taverna, where they delighted in grilled artichokes with basil aioli, and spinach and ricotta dumplings. One Forum attendee said, “I consider the Forum ‘spirit food,’” while another noted, “I always come for the food.”
Whether you want great ideas, to network with great people, or to enjoy great food in a great location, the Forum delivers a healthy serving of inspiration. To partake in the 2009 ABMP School Issues Forum held in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at the La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa on March 25-27, contact Kathy Laskye via email (Kathy@abmp.com) or phone (800-458-2267, ext. 649).
Interactive Dialogue Inspires Administrators
Eleventh Annual School Issues Forum
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The eleventh annual ABMP School Issues Forum was held in Boston on October 18-20, 2007. The forum promotes an environment where attendees offer insights, experience, and knowledge. The goal: interactive dialogue. A moderator prepares questions for panelists, then allows participants to drive each session. School owners and administrators participated in sessions including “Building Resilience and Persistence in Massage Students,” “Operating an Ethical Program,” and “The Leadership Role at Your School.” Details of a forum session on using the arts in massage classrooms are provided in
The ABMP School Connection (Volume 5, Number 4).
Dawnette Cabalona of the Steiner Education Group of schools moderated a discussion on generating leads. Should a school work every lead, no matter the quality? Some said yes, others no. Objectors noted the staff time required for follow-up and the importance of focusing on leads likely to enroll. Lead generation ideas included online marketing, school open house events, high school career fairs, graduate referral programs, and activities that increase the school’s community profile. One participant highlighted that “school personnel are the school’s best ambassadors.” Finally, participants discussed methods to track leads and whether to track how many leads convert to applications, enrolled students, or program graduates.
ABMP President Les Sweeney reported on trends impacting schools and the massage profession, based on data from ABMP surveys. One finding notes that 52 massage schools have closed over the past two years; a total of approximately 1,596 massage programs currently operate nationally.
Debra Persinger, executive director of the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) shared results from the FSMTB Career Patterns Survey. The survey (not yet published) looked at the loyalty and satisfaction professionals have toward their field. Another survey, the FSMTB’s Job Task Analysis, provides the most comprehensive insight to date into the activities performed by massage professionals; it is available for review at www.fsmtb.org.
Persinger also discussed the FSMTB’s Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx), launched on October 1. As of press time, nine states have adopted the $195 test, and it is under consideration for adoption in others.
Diana Thompson, president of the Massage Therapy Foundation (MTF; www.massagetherapyfoundation.org), moderated a session of research literacy in massage schools, featuring panelists Andrew Biel and Cliff Korn. Fresh from the Fascia Research Congress, held October 4–5 in Boston, Thompson shared research that may change thinking about the body in the massage profession. She provided an overview of research literacy and shared the Massage Therapy Foundation’s mission to advance “the knowledge and practice of massage by supporting scientific research, education, and community service.” Discussion focused on how to improve the quality of curricula with evidence-based materials.
Participants were also treated to a bit of fun: the Boston Duck Tour, sponsored by Natural Healers and ABMP. Participants boarded a renovated World War II amphibious landing vehicle for a tour through Boston’s streets and a dynamic splash into the Charles River.
On the final day of the forum, ABMP Chairman Bob Benson presented $20,000 in honor of ABMP’s 20th anniversary, with $10,000 checks going to both the FSMTB and the MTF to support their efforts.
Select Presentations (from 2006 Forum)
Ilene Block presented on The Metamorphosis of Massage and Massage Training (2006), examining the training and end-user trends and what
they mean to the profession. (Please note: The file is a large PDF and may
take a few minutes to download.)
Lorena Haynes presented on Technology in the Classroom (2005). Several attendees asked for copies
of her power point presentation and her list of recommended technology websites.
