Fall 2009 issue
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
Deborah Benkovitz, LSW, MSW, MT-BC
I hope you are enjoying the fall weather and beautiful trees with their changing colors! I certainly enjoyed the drive from Pittsburgh to Scranton for our Executive Board meeting the last weekend in September. We are off to a great start as a new board because we have so many experienced members as well as new people with great energy. Many thanks to Sr. Miriam Pfeifer, who so generously arranged our board meeting in Scranton for the thirtieth year!
Our region is full of good news. Treasurer Elaine Abbott reports that we are financially stable, and the future looks hopeful. The conference planners, including Nina Galerstein, Mike Viega, Melissa King, and Pittsburgh local hosts Jessica Mull and Bob Miller, are planning a fabulous conference with all sorts of fun, unusual and interesting activities as well as wonderful sessions. You will also be happy to know that conference registration costs are slightly lower than last year! We hope to see everyone in Pittsburgh in March of 2010!
The New Jersey State Task Force, chaired by Kathy Murphy, remains very active, working tirelessly with the New Jersey legislature to create licensing opportunities for New Jersey music therapists. Donna Polen continues her work as chair of the New York State Task Force, keeping membership informed, attending state meetings and continually monitoring and advocating for the best outcomes for New York music therapists. Val Ushock continues to chair the Pennsylvania State Task Force, monitoring the legislative changes and advocating for PA music therapists as well.
The new MARAMTS board is getting organized under the supervision of Student Affairs Liaison Sue Hadley. Due to some last minute changes in the MARAMTS board, Michelle Bonaventura is getting acquainted with her new role as President as is Bridget Skipper, who will serve as the Student Representative to the MAR board. Welcome and thank you for your service.
Public Relations is thriving under the new leadership of Meghan Hinman, who has great ideas and is looking for a few good members to join her on the PR committee. We are thankful for the historical perspective of Carol Shultis, our Historian, who reminds us of past events when we are contemplating the future. Sr. Donna Marie Beck, our Archivist, ensures that we are documenting and recording important information for future reference. Gene Ann Behrens, Vice President of Membership, has worked with unbelievable energy, phoning past members, surveying people for their opinions, and figuring how to keep membership costs low. Carol Ann Blank stays on top of Government Relations topics, communicating with state organizations and task forces, and working with the national office to ensure that legislation is being followed and needs are addressed. Matthew Phillips, our new newsletter editor, has done an incredible job transitioning into his new role as is evidenced by the quality of this newsletter. Gretchen Chardos Benner was remarkable in her new role as Secretary at her first board meeting. I would also like to welcome Brigette Sutton as the MAR’s first Regional Registration Chair. Kristen Brennan, past Secretary and current President-Elect, and Brian Abrams, Past President, have been extremely helpful to me as I have assumed the role of President. Last but certainly not least, Parliamentarian Barbara Maclean has provided much needed guidance and direction to me and to the Executive Board. I personally thank every single member of the board for their dedication to the MAR and the AMTA. They are an amazing, creative group of people with whom I am honored to work. Please read their individual reports for more detailed information
In addition to attending the MAR board meeting, I had occasion to visit the national office in Washington in September. I was enlightened and impressed by the AMTA staff and how much they do for us every day. It seems that everyone who works in the national office wears at least two hats, if not more, and they never stop looking out for our best interest. I hope that you will have the opportunity to visit the national office personally in order to see for yourself how much they do for us, the members of the Mid-Atlantic Region.
I look forward to seeing you in San Diego in November and in Pittsburgh next March.
Enjoy the rest of this beautiful autumn!
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