Boards & Committees

NBCAAM Board of Directors Contact List

Co-Chairs

Amy Snow  –  Tallgrass Acupressure Institute – Larkspur,CO
Susan King  –  Companion Chi – Cary, NC

Co-Vice Chairs

Larry Coon, Dean   –   Hocking College – Nelsonville, OH
Tina Romine  –  Hocking College - Nelsonville, OH

Secretary

Lisa Malone – EquiShen – Denton, TX

Treasurer

Sharon Romines – Sacred Breath Massage – Duvall, WA

Members at Large

Lola Michelin – Northwest School of Animal Massage – Fall City, WA
Lisa Ruthig – Bancroft School of Massage Therarpy and Lively Dog – Thompson, CT
Kim Bauer – Animal Ease Therapies – Parkdale, OR

 

Active NBCAAM Committees

Continuing Education

Chairperson/POC:  TBD
Members:  Jean Pierre Hourdebaigt, Lola Michelin, Patricia Whalen-Shaw, Denise Theobald
Scope and Purpose:  The aim and scope of the Continuing Education Committee is to help ensure, through research, review, documentation and approval, that high quality educational courses are offered to NBCAAM members. The Committee will create continuing education requirements for NBCAAM members. These activities will ensure the ongoing enhancement of NBCAAM member education and skills in the practice of animal acupressure and massage.

 

Ethics

Chairperson/POC:  Lola Michelin
Members:  Carol McCoy
Scope and Purpose:  The Ethics Committee will be responsible for developing the code of ethics for adoption by the Association as well as a recommended code of ethics for nationally certified practitioners. In addition, the Ethics Committee will receive and reply to complaints or concerns regarding ethical considerations of the Association membership. The Committee will serve as mediator in ethical disputes within the membership and rule on situations involving unethical behavior. Lastly, the Ethics Committee will be involved in public education regarding ethics withing the animal massage and acupressure industry.

 

Examination Question Review and Improvement & Study Guides

Chairperson/POC:  TBD
Members:  Sharon Romines, Casie Bazay, Kimberly Hellems, Anita Read, Karen Shaw, Kathi Soukup, Leeann Garnas, Denise Theobald, Lisa Ruthig, Susan King
Scope and Purpose:  The aim and scope of the Questions Committee is to ensure that current and relevant massage questions are presented to the prospective testee as well as provide up-to-date study guides for each of the exams. After referring to the study guide, the testee will be well aware of the expectations of the NBCAAM exam. Thus the consumer will be assured that upon the successful completion of the test the certified therapist will reflect the knowledge of appropriate subject matter and integrity of NBCAAM.

 

Legislative

Chairperson/POC:  Casie Bazay
Members:  Lola Michelin (BOD Liaison), Denise Theobald
Scope and Purpose:  The scope and purpose of the Legislative committee is to spread awareness and educate individuals of the current state laws regarding animal Acupressure and Massage as well as support NBCAAM members and others who are seeking legislative changes regarding animal acupressure and massage laws in their state. The legislative committee will serve to unite resources within the veterinary community, animal interest groups, small business advocacy groups, etc., with the goals of providing support for legislative changes that foster animal well-being through Acupressure and Massage as well as insuring the right of qualified individuals to perform their professional services and earn a living.

 

Marketing/PR & Liaison for Schools

Chairperson/POC:  Tania Costa
Members:  Amy Snow (BOD Liaison), Pam Holt, Dr. Kim Bloomer, Dr. Jeannie Thomason, JoAnne Meyer Herrera, Lola Michelin, Nedra Abramson, Jennifer Chapin, Lorraine Serhienko
Scope and Purpose:  The Marketing Committee is charged with developing a Marketing Plan that addresses advancement of the NBCAAM mission of setting professional standards of practice and ethics for massage and acupressure practitioners. This will entail communicating to the massage and acupressure practitioners, other complementary therapy healthcare providers, the veterinary community, and the community at-large. This committee will endeavor to explore as many means as possible of communicating with and educating these target groups to enhance the awareness of the animal massage and acupressure disciplines and the efforts of NBCAAM to fulfill its mission. In addition, the committee will be responsible for disseminating and clarifying information regarding the NBCAAM exams to schools directly or indirectly related to animal acupressure and animal massage. The committee will field questions from schools or educational programs regarding the mission of the Association and the administration of exams and will bring concerns back to the NBCAAM board for consideration. Future plans will include outreach to schools to establish relationships between educators and NBCAAM as well as appearances at speaking engagements, trade shows or events that offer opportunities to establish contacts with educators. Members of the committee will collect information to create a database of educators and educational programs and will be responsible for providing updated information regarding NBCAAM policies and procedures to those contacts who are members of the association.

 

Member Relations

Chairperson/POC:  Lisa Ruthig
Members:  Dennie Semore, Gail Court
Scope and Purpose:  TBD

 

Future NBCAAM Committees

Fund Raising

Chairperson/POC:  TBD
Members:  TBD
Scope and Purpose:  TBD

 

Other NBCAAM Roles

Hocking College Liason

POC:  Nancy Zidonis
Scope and Purpose:  The Hocking College Liaison is responsible for maintaining a smooth flow of information and dialogue between Hocking College Staff and the NBCAAM Board in the following areas: Web CT operation (examination delivery system), examination updates, administration of the examination, and payment processing. The Liaison is also responsible for other related duties that may become necessary as NBCAAM grows. The Liaison will confer with the appropriate Hocking College Staff as required in carrying out these duties.

 

Technology and Website Coordinator

POC:  Susan King
Scope and Purpose:  The Technology and Website Committee is responsible for maintaining and updating the NBCAAM website, and reviewing, recommending and implementing any technologies the Board deems necessary to help fulfill its mission.

 

Volunteer Coordinator

POC:  Pam Holt with Susan King as BOD Liaison
Scope and Purpose:  The Volunteer Committee will be responsible for volunteer intake, placement and outreach. The Committee will act as liaison between volunteers and committee chairs as well as the Board of Directors to determine where volunteer help is needed and to assign volunteers accordingly. The Committee will establish outreach connections, in conjunction with the Board of Directors, with organizations of like interest in order to build a coalition to further the goals of NBCAAM.