Winter 2009 issue
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Brian Abrams, Ph.D., MT-BC, LPC, LCAT, FAMI
Greetings, MAR Members!
I am deeply encouraged that our profession has remained so active and vibrant even in the midst of such challenging times. While some of us have most certainly experienced the effects of the economic downturn first-hand, music therapy services have remained widely available to our regional public, new services have become available, and the field has continued to advance.
The MAR Conference Council has continued its hard work on completing the plans for our next regional conference, to be held from March 24-28, 2009, at the Omni Richmond Hotel in Richmond, Virginia. We are grateful for their ongoing efforts. We also thank the newly-formed Conference Planning Committee for its diligent research designed to help ensure success in the MAR’s future conference endeavors. Work on the 2010 MAR Conference is well underway, beginning with the identification of willing local hosts and suitable conference sites.
The MAR and Executive Board met November 20-21, 2008 at the AMTA national conference in St. Louis, MO. Please refer to the reports of our Board officers in this issue for details of the Board's work in specific areas. During the meeting, the Board was honored by a visit from Lucy and Tom Ott (benefactors of the Arthur Flagler Fultz Research Fund, David’s Fund, and other programs supporting the field of music therapy both regionally and nationally). The Otts were in attendance at the AMTA conference, and took some time to sit in on our meeting—we thank them for their magnanimity.
As always, I ask that you continue reading important updates from our active Task Forces on Occupational Regulations. You may visit the MAR website, for the MAR Constitution and Bylaws, a list of our regional leadership, regional conference information, job announcements, and other pertinent information. Again, I encourage you to sign up for the MAR Listserv (if you haven’t done so already), as it is one of the most effective venues for communication among our members on time-sensitive issues and other matters of interest.
As I have mentioned frequently, it is of great importance that we both retain current members, while continuing to expand our overall membership. Regional membership provides us with a voice within our National Association (through the number of Assembly Delegates we are allotted), as well as within the regional public. Membership is also the primary determinant of our ability to access the vital resources we need to serve both our regional members and the public. I would therefore like to reiterate (one more time as President!) my appeal for all current members to encourage other music therapy professionals and students who are not currently AMTA members, to join and/or renew membership with AMTA (and hence with MAR). As always, benefits specific to regional membership include reduced regional conference rates, access to free copies of educational and public relations materials, use of the regional display for presentations, and regional funding for research and other special projects. Again, the Membership Support Fund remains available to provide financial assistance to MAR members in paying their AMTA dues. Applications may be requested from Dr. Gene Ann Behrens (behrenga@etown.edu) or obtained from our website.
As you are aware, I will be completing my term as MAR President in March, 2009. As such, this will be my final report to you as President in Tuning in to Rx Music. I have sincerely enjoyed reporting the many productive, progressive dimensions of our work within this exceptionally vibrant and diverse region. Our membership has demonstrated strength, integrity, and determination time and again, in the interest of promoting our profession. We have responded resiliently to the many, rapidly shifting challenges and circumstances surrounding our work of providing quality music therapy services within our region, while educating our public and one another about the music therapy field. Moreover, MAR members have demonstrated unconditional support for fellow members through whatever crises, traumas, and other personal losses they have encountered. Ours is a community and culture of responsiveness, care, and collaboration. I am genuinely encouraged by what I have witnessed and experienced, both as a member and as an officer of the Board.
I am grateful for the honor and privilege of serving the Mid-Atlantic Region, and I am moved by the trust you have placed in me in my role as President. I am thankful to my fellow Board members for their ongoing wisdom, guidance, and unwavering commitment to working together in the service of our members. I look forward to my ongoing service with the Board in the capacity of Immediate Past-President.
A wonderful winter and a joyful and healthful 2009 to all!