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Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals:
Advancing professionalism through practice support,
ethical standards, legislative advocacy, and public education.

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 Boulder, Colorado, April 24-26, 2008.

For more information, please contact Kathy Laskye (800-458-2267 ext. 649, or kathy@abmp.com).





Interactive Dialogue Inspires Administrators
Eleventh Annual School Issues Forum

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)

The Metamorphosis of Massage and Massage Training
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.