Pennsylvania Chapter History
1953 – The PA Chapter held its charter meeting April 19,
1953 at the Elks Club in Pottsville. The charter members were: Blandford
Jones; Stewart Miller; Thomas Fink; Kenneth May; Joseph Massai and Arnold
Kranch. As of June 28, 2004, Tom Fink is the only surviving charter member.
At this meeting the following officers were elected: President- Stewart
E. Miller; Vice- Pres. Wilson L. Lutte; Sec’y-Treas – Blandford
Jones. Kenneth May, Thomas Fink and Joseph Massai made up the board of
directors. At this time the association was called American Association
of Masseurs & Masseuses (AAMM).
1954 – Chapter received its AAMM charter. Chapter Education Committee, Chapter Membership Committeee, and Chapter Public Relation Committee were formed.
1956 – In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at the National Convention
held in August, the PA Chapter was selected as host state for the 12th
National Convention to be held in Pottsville, PA in August 1957.
1957 – Hosted the 12th National Convention was held in Pottsville,
Pa August 6-9. It was the first convention to be attended by over 100
delegates. It was also the first time the media (TV, Radio, Newspapers)
were present.
Another milestone was the increase in dues to $24.00 a year. In the meantime,
it was suggested that we promote a buck-a-month club by all state chapters
until the National convention in 1958. Blandford Jones was elected as National Eastern Director
1958 – At the 13th National Convention in Indianapolis,
the name was changed to American Massage & Therapy Association. Arnold Kranch was elected as National Eastern Director. Thomas R. Fink was appointed as National Editorial Chair.
1959 – In February 1959, the PA Chapter held its first all
day clinic at the Shrine Club in Allentown. There were guests from NY,
MD and NJ in attendance. Blanford Jones elected as National Eastern Director.
1960 – At the 15th National Convention in Chicago, PA Chapter
President Thomas Fink was elected 3rd Vice-President on the National Board.
1961 – In March and April, the chapter held two meetings
at the home of Thomas Fink in Hellertown to promote membership. Thomas Fink was elected as National 3rd Vice-President and Public Relation Chair.
1962 – The chapter meeting was held January 25th at the
home of Blandford Jones in Pottsville. There were 26 members in attendance.
On October 14, the fourth annual clinic was held in Philadelphia with
30 members and guests attending. Thomas R. Fink was elected as National 2nd Vice-President and Public Relation Chair. Chapter Legislation Committee was formed..
1963 – PA Chapter was successful in their efforts to have
a city ordinance in Philadelphia. Thomas R. Fink was elected as National 2nd Vice-President and Public Relation Chair. Mary B. Campbell was elected as National EasternDirector.
1964 - Mary B. Campbell was elected as National Eastern Director and Yearbook Editor. Thomas Fink elected as National 2nd Vice-President and Public Relation Chair.
1965 – In August at the 20th National Convention in Detroit,
Thomas R. Fink had in his capacity as 2nd Vice-President, also served as Public
Relations Chairman, presented to the National board a pamphlet he had
written “Procedures of Public Relations” and it was accepted.
Its’ goal was to aid both chapters and individuals in preparing
releases for the media. At the National Election, Tom Fink was elected
National President. Edgar Hellinger was elected as National Eastern Director. Mary B. Campbell was appointed as Yearbook Editor.
1966 - Thomas R. Fink was re-elected as National President. Edgar Hellinger re-elected National Eastern Director. Mary Campbell re-appointed Yearbook Editor.
1967 – Thomas R. Fink re-elected as National President. Mary Campbell re-appointed as Yearbook Editor. Hosted 22nd National Annual Convention was held in Philadelphia, Pa.
It was voted that all state office categories must conform to the national
office guidelines i.e. Pres, 1st VP, 2nd VP; 3rd VP; secretary; treasurer. Chapter By Laws Committee was formed.
1970 - State Convention & Conference was held in Pittsburgh, Pa.
1971 - State Convention & Conference was held in Lancaster, Pa.
1973 - Edgar Hellenger received National Meritorious Award. Marvin Herb received State Meritorious Award. First Newsletter was introduced in the state level.
1975 – During Milton Shapp’s term as governor,
the PA Chapter submitted the Massage Licensing Bill and was taken to the House and Senate with little opposition but was vetoed by the Governor as unconstitutional.
1976, 1977, 1978 – Thomas R. Fink was elected as National
President.
1976 - Hosted 31st National Annual Convention was held in Philadelphia, Pa. Thomas R. Fink received State Meritorious Award.
1978 - Juel James Reilly received National Meritorious Award.
1979-1985 - Thomas R. Fink was appointed as National Consultant and Public Relations Chair.
1981- Thomas R. Fink received National Distinguished Service Award
1982 – The PA School of Muscle Therapy was licensed by the
state of Pennsylvania to become the First Licensed School of Massage.
1984 - Chapter Sport Massage Committee was formed.
1986 - Thomas R. Fink was Co-Chair National Sport Massage.
1987 - Jean Neiswinter was elected as Eastern District Representative.
1988 – The Western Unit was the first unit in the state
to be formed. The 1st officers were: Unit Chair - Bob Jantsch; Unit Vice-Chair
– Gina Mercurio; Unit Secretary/Treasurer – Sharon Parisi.
1990 - Phone tree was introduced at the state level.
1991 - Chapter Finance Committee was formed.
1992 - Hosted 49th National Annual Convention was held in Philadelphia, Pa. James Perkins received National Meritorious Award.
1993 - Chapter Grievance and Government Relation Committees were formed. 40th anniversary of Pa. Chapter.
1994 - Pa. Chapter initiated the first volunteer contact at the Pittsburgh, Pa. Ronald McDonald House by providing Chair Massage.
1995 - In March, 1995, Pa. Chapter invited to and participated in Liberty Dental Conference in Philadelphia, Pa. providing Chair Massage. In June,1995, Pa Chapter for the 4th consecutive year volunteered our efforts by providing Chair Massage for the "Staying Healthy Together" Program in the Center City Philadelphia. This event was sponsored by Pa Senator Allyson Schwartz. This year 102 people received massages. In July, 1995 Pa Chapter "Retreat to Relaxation" at Muncy Terraces in Muncy, Pa. In November, 1995, Pa Chapter invited to and participated in Three River's Dental Society Conference in Pittsburgh, Pa. providing Chair Massage.
Three succesful fundraising events in this year, Wholistic Expo at Jim Thorpe, Allentown Fair and Adelphia Cable.
1996 - Cheryl L. Siniakin received National Meritorious Award.
1999 - Community College of Allegheny County, Allegheny Campus, Pittsburgh, Pa., an AMTA Council of Schools member, became the first Community College in Pa. to offer an academic degree, Associate in Science in Massage Therapy.
1998- Barbara Mikos (deceased) received Government Relations Activist Award (National Award)
2000- Joy Gottus received PA Meritorious Award.
- Cheryl Siniakin received Outstanding Committee Award (National Award)
2001 - The Philadelphia Unit of Pa Chapter was formed.
2002 – The Central Unit of Pa.Chapter was formed.
2003 – The North East Unit of the Pa.Chapter was formed. Joy Gottus received PA Meritorious Award.
2004 – HB 2078 was amended to have our own regulating board
rather than represented by Nursing Board. Public hearing was scheduled
in July, 2004. State Licensure Committee
heard expert witnesses at the
public hearing in Philadelphia, Pa. on July 28, 2004.
- Retta Flagg received PA Meritorious Award, National Outstanding Committee Chair (Implementation of Postion Statement Process), National Outstanding Committee Member (Membership Restructuring)
2005- Fe Tubio received PA Meritorious Award.
- October, 2005 First Legislative Rally ever held in the history of Pa. Rally held at Harrisburg, Pa.
2007-Nancy Porambo received PA Meritorious Award
- October, 2007 Second Legislative Rally- Harrisburg, Pa.
2008
May, 2008 HB 2499 Massage Therapy Bill was introduced.
June 2, 2008 Public Hearing HB 2499 Massage Therapy Bill was held.
June 11, 2008 HB 2499 Massage Therapy Bill was passed through the House of Professional Licensure Committee
June 24, 2008 HB 2499 Massage Therapy Bill was passed today through the House of Representative.
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