FINAL
NER General Business Meeting
Jacksonville, Florida
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Heather Wagner called the meeting to order at 8:10 am.
Heather asked everyone to introduce themselves. The meeting was attended by 33 New England regional members.
1. Minutes to Approve-The minutes from the last General Business Meeting held on April 5, 2013 in Newport, Rhode Island, were reviewed. A motion was made to accept the minutes as written by Jean Nemeth and seconded by Carylbeth Thomas. The motion passed.
2. Treasurer's Report- Adrienne Flight was unable to attend the conference, but sent a report to be shared:
Bank Account Balances as of 11/20/13:
NER checking: $6,634.33
NER savings: $12,543.84
NERAMTAS checking: $3,152.56
PayPal: $0.00
Audit:
The external audit was completed. The accounting firm said that our financials are
in great shape. A couple of things they pointed out were:
*First, our closing balances at the end of the 2011-2012 fiscal year were
significantly lower than they were the last time they audited NER. They suggested
addressing this, and Adrienne told them that we had already done so (primarily
through conference fees and expenses) and that our 2012-2013 fiscal year closing
balances were back up where they had been before that year.
*Second, they suggested having them complete an external audit annually. Because
we’ve continued our annual internal audit and due to the high cost of completing
the external audit, Adrienne doesn’t think this is something that we need to do.
The annual internal audit of the 2012-2013 financial documents was completed in
November 2013. Thanks, EveMontague and Caryl Beth Thomas! Also, AMTA
suggested having a non-Board member participate in our annual internal audit.
This year, Adrienne posted a request to the NER Facebook page to try to get an NER
non-Board member as a volunteer, but no one came forward. Heather let those in
attendance know that, as an Executive Board, we support this and would be
recruiting a student or other NER member to participate as a non-Executive Board
member to assist in future internal audits.
Form 990:
We submitted our Form 990. It came out very well. Many thanks go to Christine
Routhier, who completed the student financials J
Linda Bosse made a motion to accept the minutes as submitted by the Treasurer.
The motion was seconded by Jean Nemeth. The Treasurer’s report was accepted
as submitted.
3. Conference 2014- Alden Rockwell-Murphy reported that the conference will be at
the Water's Edge in Westbrook, CT., April 3-5, 2014. The Board appreciates Julie
Andring’s recommendation for the keynote speaker, bringing the theme of
medicine and music to the opening of the conference. She and Meg Capen have
received many CMTE and concurrent session proposals in response to the Call for
Papers. There will be an institute offered this year by Lisa Kynvi and Lori
Kubicek on Clinical Supervision. The Call for Papers will be extended to 12/15/13.
Conference registration information will begin around Feb/March 2014.
4. AMTA News- Heather discussed some issues addressed by the AMTA Board:
*Membership-Since 1999, while Professional Membership has decreased by 25%, student membership has increased by 42%. The Professional Membership figures are concerning. Heather and Annette Whitehead-Pleaux spoke to this asking for everyone to please encourage other Music Therapists to join/re-join AMTA and discuss the benefits of membership.
*Scholarships/Grants- Heather reminded everyone to keep in mind the enormous
amount of money set aside for members to apply for for scholarships. It is
specifically earmarked for scholarships and does not get used by AMTA for
expenses, if unused for scholarships. Everyone was reminded to apply for these
and/or nominate others for the scholarships, another benefit of membership.
Heather will let the membership know through e-mails when scholarships are
available with deadlines posted.
*MLE (Master's Level Entry)- It is still being addressed by the committee. The
Board of Directors will receive recommendations as they are formulated.
*2014 National Conference- Next year’s annual AMTA conference will be Nov. 4-8
at the Galt House, in Louisville, Kentucky.
5. State Task Force- Jennifer Sokira reported that there will be an advocacy training
just after the first of the year. Eve Montague’s sub-committee will meet soon, too. The Rhode Island bills will be re-introduced next year to the legislature- Yeah!!!!!!!
6. Music Therapy Month- Heather announced that the regional Presidents have been discussing how to institute a Music Therapy month beginning 2014 in February, occurring just before regional conferences. A formal proclamation would cost a lot of money, so it is being asked of regions to make it an ‘informal’ event. Ideas were generated at the NER Executive Board meeting and Heather invited others to suggest other ways of promoting Music Therapy Month in February.
7. Archives Needs- We reviewed the Archive Video made by Annette Whitehead-Pleaux. (very cute). Please consider making a donation to the Archive Project.
8. Committee Reports-
**Reimbursement Committee (Julie Andring)- Julie is asking for those who are
involved with reimbursement to please contact her. The following are the
highlights from the committee meeting: Regional conference presentations were
well received and the committee plans to provide sessions at the 2014 conferences;
Music Therapy is now recognized within Colorado’s Workers’ Compensation TBI
Guidelines and in Texas’ Youth Empowerment Waiver in the Houston area;
Wisconsin members have been actively working to maintain music therapy state
funding coverage for individuals diagnosed with autism; Efforts have increased
recognition of the quality of music therapy research, but more advocacy is needed
from constituents to insure coverage continues; ICD-10 will be implemented in
October 2014. AMTA National Office staff is exploring resources to assist members
with the transition; AMTA National Office staff is developing language for members
to utilize as state exchange programs are implemented in 2014, to advocate for
coverage of music therapy services; AMTA continues communication efforts with
the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, seeking revisions to the Minimum
Data Set (MDS) manual that will clarify music therapy documentation in Skilled
Nursing Facilities; Goals for 2014: a) Outreach to Case Managers Society of America
(CMSA) to provide music therapy information during CMSA state or regional
Meetings; b) Development of one page support documents that include diagnosis
specific research outcomes and citations to assist with reimbursement efforts;
c) Encourage members to utilize resources on AMTA website; encourage non-
members to join AMTA to receive access to reimbursement documents; and support
professional ethics within discussions and sharing of reimbursement information
when using social media.
** Affiliate Relations (Eve Montague covered the meeting for Shanna Clark)- The
Affiliate Relations Committee (ARC) builds connections with other professional
organizations and shares info regarding those organizations with the
membership. The ARC is holding a competition between regions to see who
can get the most presentations at non-Music Therapy conferences. The
winning region will receive a shout out at the AMTA business meeting next
conference. The deadline for the competition is next conference (November
5th, 2014). There would need to be a minimum of 20 presentations per
region.Winners are determined by the ratio of presentations to number of
members in that region.
**Academic Internship Approval Committee (Eve Montague) AIAC Committee-
There have been several recent legal decisions and regulations that may have an
effect on National Roster Internship Programs. These include state authorization
agreements and unpaid internships. AMTA is aware of both of these topics and is
examining how they may affect National Roster Internship Programs. Any additional
questions or comments may be directed to Mary Jane Landaker, AIAC chair. Her
contact information is available on the AMTA website; Remember to send in all
internship paperwork – the Annual Report, acceptance letters, and site evaluations
to the AIAC representative (Eve);The Competency Task Force presented their work
to the Assembly of Delegates during this conference. Pay attention to changes in the
AMTA Professional Competencies. This will affect competency-based clinical
training; You do NOT want to miss next year’s CMTE! That’s all we’re going to say
about that!
** Gov’t Relations (Jennifer Sokira)- There are 40 active state Task Forces working
with AMTA and CBMT on the state recognition operational plan. Three additional
states are ready to start task force work in the next few months. In 2014,
legislation is anticipated to continue in Iowa and Minnesota, with possible bills
introduced in Indiana Ohio, Missouri, Rhode Island and Utah. Following many years
of advocacy and collaborative work with other rehab. therapy organizations, AMTA
was recently offered seats on thee JCAHO Committees, including Hospital,
Behavioral Health and Home Care. Music Therapists will now be able to actively
participate in the review of proposed standards for accreditation of facilities within
these programs. Arts Advocacy Dad2014 will be held March 24 and 25, 2014.
Rhode Island- Registry bill presented, passed house committee, full house, senate
committee and ran out of time prior to vote of full assembly. Regional assistance
provided by NER in requests for written testimony. Connecticut- CMTE Training
was held in CT this year. Courtney Biddle and Jennifer Sokira travelled to RI for
their House Committee Hearing and Jennifer provided testimony in favor. Re-sent
survey. Informational sheet is being revised to reflect additional information.
Additional CMTE planned for 2014. Massachusetts- task Force formed in 2013 and
MT Advocacy provided with legislators. Regulations being researched and
networking with other MT-BCs about the State Recognition Operational Plan.
**Assembly of Delegates (Heather Wagner)-
Amber Weldon-Stephens – 2014 Conference in Louisville, 11/5-11/9 – different weekend
Judy Simpson, Government Relations
Outreach to affiliate fields about our work to earn state recognition
Arts Advocacy in DC in the spring
Joint Commission has granted AMTA individual seats on advisory committees.
VA System is changing creative therapies to a different classification; will assist in recognizing MT-BC, specializations, experience and education
Rebecca Smith Preddie, Government Relations
AMTA advocating for music therapy coverage through patient protection in ACA coverage
CARF – encouraged to respond to surveys about the standards they are publishing, identifying
self as music therapist
Mary Ellen Wylie, President
Evaluation of journal editors resulted in reappointment for another four year-term, Sherri Robb,
JMT & Tony Meadows, MTP
MLE – subcommittee work. When presented to membership, topics emerged: state recognition,
impact on education programs, experience of students, workforce issues, proposed model.
NASM made recommendations based on educational impact. 4 tasks:
o consider the impact on institutions or organizations, AMTA, CBMT & NASM approval;
o allied health professions investigations (how/why they moved to graduate level, or not) – no clear trends among the professions;
o determined essential needs of the profession, and defined a “21st Century Music Therapist”;
o consider educational models – 5 chosen for examination.
Andi Farbman, Executive Director
Oxford Press collaboration
Efforts to protect the field:
o trademarked AMTA name and logo;
o Kaiser Permanente website – listing chaplains as doing music therapy
o working with military personnel for development of music therapy programs and more accurate in descriptions;
o Global Alliance for Arts and Health – trying to start of certification program for arts in health; but not really a certification, just a certificate;
o Music and Memory – trying to certify nursing homes to set up such programs; essentially nurses making iPods;
o Songwriting with Soldiers – interested in having a music therapist on the board of directors.
Working toward having increased resources in order to meet demands of work of National
Office.
Alicia Ann Clair, Treasurer
AMTA is financially sound! Strong total net assets.
Unexpected $78,766 surplus. Some due to donations and portfolio growth. Restricted surplus –
not liquid funds.
3 revenue streams: publications, membership dues, and conference.
25% decrease in professional membership since 1999. Student membership is up by 42%.
Diversified revenue streams through e-courses, web-based advertising, potential benefit from
work with Oxford Press. Frunners, fundraising for archives, planned giving (legacy and bequest).
2014 budget – projecting a deficit of $34,240. Not a concern with the large budget; income based
on conservative guesses and increased expenses.
Staff workload is expanding at a high rate. More revenue is needed to increase staff resources to:
o Meet demands facing members;
o Achieve state recognition;
o Accomplish our mission;
o Protect our profession.
Approval for a $15 dues increase for Professional & Associate Membership effective 2015 (no
change in other membership levels)
11/22/13
Elizabeth York, Ethics Board
Gretchen Patti and Betsey King confirmed for 3-year term extension.
Addition to AMTA Code of Ethics procedure regarding middle level of intervention.
**Judiciary Review Board (Nancy Skaliotis)- Nancy is the chairperson of this
committee; Julie Andring joined the board- no new cases
Professional Advocacy (Emily Bevelaqua)- Committee continues to educate our
membership with evaluating appropriate and inappropriate representations of music
therapy and is presenting a concurrent session at the 2013 AMTA conference (held
Saturday, 10:45am – 12:15pm) and at applicable 2014 regional conferences. Articles
have been written and will be submitted to regional newsletters. Committee continues to
assist members as requested with misrepresentation issues. We request members to
continue to communicate with the regional representative when they have responded to
an occurrence of misrepresentation. During this conference the committee developed a
Google Doc reporting tool for the committee to track cases and responses for
misrepresentation issues. Committee conducted a CMTE FREE session: Using the Music
Therapy Clinical Self-Assessment Guide.
** Research Committee (Judy Engel)- Judy reported that the committee feels that
there is a need to determine an overall theme for presentations. Perhaps “team
science” will be created for 2014. This year, the research committee notified
accepted presenters prior to early bird registration. There is 1 oral session this year
as well as traditional posters presentations. The call for papers for the Clinician
Research Award will be announced at conference and reviewers will be requested.
The Research Committee is considering asking for an update of the Code of Ethics as