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New Blood at the NCBTMB
The NCBTMB (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork) has announced that Angela Palmier and Christopher Alvarado are joining the NCBTMB as Industry Relations Specialists. In my opinion, that's the first positive action they have taken in a while, and I hope it is a sign of better days to come for the NCB.
Both Palmier and Alvarado have long involvements with the massage profession and with AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association). Both have served as presidents of the Illinois Chapter. According to the press release, their mission will be to strengthen relationships within the industry, including peer groups, educators, and regulatory agencies.
Christopher Alvarado states, In my new role at NCBTMB, I hope to be a unifying force in the field.” I sincerely hope that is the truth.
AMTA, ABMP (Association Bodywork & Massage Professionals), and the FSMTB (Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards), while acknowledging that national certification is a cornerstone of the profession, have all expressed the hope that the NCBTMB would recognize the place of the MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination) as the path to initial licensure, and get on with the task of offering advanced certifications.
In the past few years, the NCBTMB has been more well-known for their poor service to stakeholders, their interference in state governance, their negative campaigns against the Federation and the MBLEx, and their internal personnel problems than they have for being a presumed valued part of our profession.
Palmier and Alvarado are both intelligent and dedicated, and I feel very safe in saying they have the best of intentions. As Industry Relations Specialists, I hope that they will convince the powers that be at the NCB that suing state boards is not the way to foster friendly relations. Such actions don't endear you to the boards or the licensees, for that matter. Referring to ABMP as "just an insurance company" is not the way to foster friendly relations. Putting out a press release saying that AMTA's decision to endorse the MBLEx was based on passion instead of the result of careful consideration is not the way to foster friendly relations.
Palmier says in the press release that "The old NCB is missing in action, and the NCB of the present and the future is alive and well!" I hope that proves to be true. One thing is certain, Christopher and Angela have a huge task in front of them to try to undo some of the damage that has been done. I wish them well, and will be reporting on their progress.
Both Palmier and Alvarado have long involvements with the massage profession and with AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association). Both have served as presidents of the Illinois Chapter. According to the press release, their mission will be to strengthen relationships within the industry, including peer groups, educators, and regulatory agencies.
Christopher Alvarado states, In my new role at NCBTMB, I hope to be a unifying force in the field.” I sincerely hope that is the truth.
AMTA, ABMP (Association Bodywork & Massage Professionals), and the FSMTB (Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards), while acknowledging that national certification is a cornerstone of the profession, have all expressed the hope that the NCBTMB would recognize the place of the MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination) as the path to initial licensure, and get on with the task of offering advanced certifications.
In the past few years, the NCBTMB has been more well-known for their poor service to stakeholders, their interference in state governance, their negative campaigns against the Federation and the MBLEx, and their internal personnel problems than they have for being a presumed valued part of our profession.
Palmier and Alvarado are both intelligent and dedicated, and I feel very safe in saying they have the best of intentions. As Industry Relations Specialists, I hope that they will convince the powers that be at the NCB that suing state boards is not the way to foster friendly relations. Such actions don't endear you to the boards or the licensees, for that matter. Referring to ABMP as "just an insurance company" is not the way to foster friendly relations. Putting out a press release saying that AMTA's decision to endorse the MBLEx was based on passion instead of the result of careful consideration is not the way to foster friendly relations.
Palmier says in the press release that "The old NCB is missing in action, and the NCB of the present and the future is alive and well!" I hope that proves to be true. One thing is certain, Christopher and Angela have a huge task in front of them to try to undo some of the damage that has been done. I wish them well, and will be reporting on their progress.
Views: 31
Comment
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Comment by Angela Palmier on September 17, 2009 at 8:45pm
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I'm sorry Ariana, I just read your post. Chris Alvarado's email address is calvarado@ncbtmb.org and mine is apalmier@ncbtmb.org. Also, can you let me know who and how you contacted NCB regarding our information? I want to ensure that everyone knows our information.
Thanks!
Angie
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Hi everyone----I've posted to Erik's blog this afternoon, but I wanted to make sure that everyone knew the latest.
Around 2pm CST today, I contacted the appropriate people at NCB about the comments in the "Home Study Conundrum" blog.
Around 4:30CST TODAY I checked my "inbox" and.......... as a result of hearing your comments..........
The NCBTMB Executive Committee called a special meeting this afternoon to discuss the concerns regarding Distance Education and the impact current NCB policy is having on providers and practitioners alike. NCB Chair-Elect Alexa Zaledonis offered the following "We at NCB recognize that the landscape for education delivery is changing and is very exciting. We want to ensure that the NCB policies are in line with that changing landscape. We will review the current DE policy with regard to this issue and will provide a response within 30 days from today."
The NCB is truly taking this seriously and I must applaud this action.
On a personal note.........."Woo-Hoo!"
Angie
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Sorry it's been so long since I've posted or reviewed this blog. It's been a crazy week---and Chris and I are also preparing for our class we are teaching on Friday at the AMTA National Convention. So you all know, we will be at the convention Sunday the 20th-Sunday the 27th and would be more than happy to talk to any of you that have specific questions.
Thanks so much for your help---and in advance for your insights!
Angie
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Hi Ariana,
Here are the email address for Chris and I:
Christopher Alvarado= calvarado@ncbtmb.org
Angela Palmier = apalmier@ncbtmb.org
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Comment by Laura Allen on September 7, 2009 at 4:15pm
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I think it is VERY IMPORTANT for anyone who has had a lack of service from the NCB to contact them. Christopher and Angela are being touted as "Industry Relations Specialists", which to me, speaks more to the schools and organizations than to the individual, although I could be wrong about that. If I had a problem with the NCB, I would be more inclined to complain directly to Paul Lindamood and/or Neal Delaporta. I have personally heard Neal Delaporta say that he personally answers the email that comes to info@ncbtmb.org Whether that is the truth or not, I have no idea, because I certainly know a lot of people who have been ignored. It has to get better if they want to change people's impression of them.
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Comment by Mirra Greenway on September 6, 2009 at 3:35pm
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I am inspired to imagine the possibilities of the NCB when it is true to needs of its certificants. I have watched my students' needs fall behind marketing campaigns for many years. Basic communications by phone & email re: the application process went unanswered for one entire quarter while they developed of a box of posters and a DVD to convince them they should apply when it was a requirement in our state. Yet, the certification process still holds meaning for us as a profession; I remember when it was all we had in the yellow pages that separated us from the non-professionals. When only a few states had regulation of any kind, it was a standard we were proud to proclaim. Now, I'm not sure what it means. With my next personal re-cert coming up at the end of the year, I am watching and hoping for some clear signs of a new board mission, that favors its current certificants over potential interests.
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That has not been listed on the website yet.
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Comment by Ariana Vincent, LMT, MTI, BCTMB on September 5, 2009 at 11:46pm
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What is the contact information for Angela Palmier and Christopher Alvarado, NCBTMB Industry Relations Specialists? I contacted NCB and inquired, but not a peep.
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Comment by Mike Hinkle on September 5, 2009 at 12:32pm
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only if they will listen to them...
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Comment by Erik Dalton on September 5, 2009 at 10:31am
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Yes, I was hoping someone from NCB would have responded to the home-study blog posts by me and Art Riggs, Tom Myers, Whitney Lowe and others...but not a peep. NCB's lack of communication with its membership has plagued them from the beginning but I'm cautiously optimistic the tide may turn with the hiring of fine people such as Palmier and Alvarado.
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