SUMMER 2009 issue
MEMBERSHIP REPORT
Gene Ann Behrens, PhD, MT-BC
We are only as strong as our members – become involved!
Based on the first quarter report dated 4/8/09, we have 742 members in our region. This total is a 2.75% decrease, or about 20 people less from this same time last year. A review of the numbers associated with the membership types indicates that the greatest percent decrease was with the student membership numbers. More specifically, there was a 2.58% decrease in professional members, an 11.97% decrease in student membership, and a 5.33% decrease in graduate student membership. Increasing student membership and identifying their needs will become a focus for this next year.
Recently I completed a callathon among those music therapists who had dropped their MAR and AMTA membership during the last three years. I made about 300 calls and want to thank those who assisted with the other calls, Ruthlee Adler, Matt Phillips, Kathy Murphy, and Carol Ann Blank; their help was invaluable. Our focus involved asking the music therapists about their needs and concerns within the region and nationally. Of the 516 people who were called, contact was made with 97 people and messages about the MAR and AMTA benefits were left with 163 people. Data were collected on the majority of the people with whom contact was made; a report of the feedback and numbers related to the calls will be given to the board and has been sent to the chairs of the national membership committee. The MAR board has begun to discuss ways to address one of the interests expressed by some music therapists, that is, they are interested in more local opportunities to obtain CMTE credits.
I also have continued to send out new professional membership packets, welcome to the region membership packets, and connect new professional members with mentors. For the first time at our last regional conference, we recognized 23 new professional members with certificates during the opening ceremonies. We also approved one additional member to receive assistance through the Membership Support Fund.
The focus of the national membership committee continues to be on increasing membership. Besides completing the previously described callathon within our region, members of the committee completed two other tasks. The student representative created a flier concerning membership and distributed it to students at all schools, and one of the co-chairs of the committee completed a survey of what members and non-members view as needs and concerns.
I continue to encourage all of you to get involved in some way within our region – it will take all of us to make a difference.
- Volunteers – The form for volunteering is on the MAR website and should be sent to our past president, Brian Abrams.
- Students – As you finish your internship, please complete and email the new professional membership form that can be found on the MAR website; you will receive a $75 discount coupon for the next MAR conference as well as a packet of materials.
- All members – Let me know when music therapists move into our region or if one of our members needs additional support from the region.
I want to thank all of you for your support of my role as Vice President of Membership for another term. I look forward to serving the needs of music therapists in the Mid-Atlantic Region.