2018 First Meeting of the Assembly of Delegates
This year’s National Convention, for us, a new way of doing business in the Assembly of Delegates with 100 Delegates Present, 51 Majority of Delegates and 67 members needed to pass a 2/3 majority vote in the house, it was an exciting way to start our convention. No more electronic voting and less formal Bob’s Rules instead of Roberts Rules to run our meeting. Yet there were still some formalities that remained on the floor.
Our small group discussion was a great way for all of us to exchange ideas, opinions and views in a safe environment, it was also a great way to get to know each other a little better, meeting LMTS from all over the country. None of the states sat together which was a good way to force us to meet new people. If you have ever considered running for a position as AOD, the networking resources alone is totally worth it. Personally, I enjoyed the new set up because it allowed us to ask questions to specific topics that were being brought up on the floor.
Two Position Statements were proposed for review: 
1. It is the position of the American Massage Therapy Association that massage therapy may help reduce pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee.
2. It is the position of the American Massage Therapy Association that massage therapy may be beneficial for pediatric populations within the hospital setting.
Both were voted majority to have the Position Statements forwarded for further review and work, however, the Pediatric PS is recommended for first review as the AOD felt that there was a greater urgency in this topic over the other.
One thing that is greatly different is the job of the AOD representatives from each state. In previous years, the HOD was pretty much a short seasonal “job”, however with the introduction and the development of the “AMTA HUB” now allows volunteers to communicate with one another year-round using the Forum, additional topics were introduced for further discussion and review. These topics have come up in the HOD in the past, however, for one reason or anot
her, they have not passed the HOD’s scrutiny enough to become Position Statements. The two topics that are somewhat recurring are: 1. Workplace safety and misconduct. 2. Human trafficking in the massage therapy profession
Look for upcoming information on these topics and please feel free to chime in with your thoughts and opinions. Your delegates this year will be looking for feedback that they can then pass onto the committees that are reviewing these ongoing topics.
I wanted to extend my sincerest gratitude to all of you for allowing me to represent you at this year’s
Assembly of Delegates at this year’s AMTA National Convention in Washington, D.C.
~Roxanne Young