Removed

This week, I received notice via email and letter that I have been removed from my volunteer position with AMTA as of Monday, September 30, 2024. 

I have total confidence that the leadership team that myself and the rest of the Arkansas Board of Directors have assembled together are more than capable of being good stewards of the Arkansas Chapter business in my absence. I know that they will make me proud because in many ways each one of them already has! 

I cannot say that to be removed from my duly elected position of President in this manner doesn’t hurt or that I do not find it personally humiliating. I do however find solace that my removal came from a majority of National leaders with whom I’ve only met on a few occasions and known only briefly. That is preferable to being removed by a majority of those within my chapter. AMTA’s National Executive Committee has made their choice. And, while of course I disagree, I accept their decision. 

While their reasons for making this decision are not yet explicitly stated, I do not believe it to be related to a perceived conflict of interest with my recent appointment to the Massage Therapy Technical Advisory Committee (the regulatory agency in Arkansas). To site Section 9 of AMTA’s Policy Manual on Chapters; “Fifty percent (50%) or more of elected chapter board members shall not also serve on a state regulatory board, while serving on the chapter board.” 

I find it far more probable that this decision was politically motivated given my recent outspoken support for the Interstate Massage Compact(IMpact). Given recent conversations I’ve had between AMTA National leadership, I am left to draw a direct correlation between my staunch support of IMpact and my sudden removal from volunteering with the association. I will never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it. 

AMTA has recently returned to a neutral position on the compact as was shared with chapter Presidents and Government Relations Chairs during a GR Q & A session during AMTA National Convention last month. And again, while I strongly disagree with National’s decision to remove me, I accept this outcome. It is not what we wanted or worked so hard for. To do it all over again and have the same outcome, I wouldn’t change a thing.

I have been blessed in helping shape the rebirth and rebuilding of the Arkansas Chapter. I have not achieved all that I set out to do, but with the hard work and loyalty of others, AMTA Arkansas has accomplished many important goals for the future of massage therapy in the natural state. I made good on the promise I made in both of my campaigns; to re-energize the Arkansas chapter. Membership has increased consistently, volunteer and leadership positions filled and doubled, and our chapter’s resources increased as well. 

Ours is a unique chapter and state. One of the first in the union to be granted a charter with AMTA (A.A.M.M. at the time) and, with the help of AMTA, Arkansas became one of the first five in the nation to regulate the profession of massage. Our long and storied history as leaders in the profession is one that has inspired me to get involved and I hope it will continue to inspire others. Arkansas has a responsibility to return to our seats at the tables we helped to build. A unique responsibility to seek solutions to the problems that confront the profession as a whole. 

I know many of my supporters will be disappointed with this development. I am too. But our disappointment and shock must be overcome by our dedication and love for our work as massage therapists. Please remember that my presidency and volunteerism was never about one person or one issue. 

For far too long, personalities and emotions have stood in the way of progressing massage therapy forward. I refuse to allow my personality or emotions to be a dividing factor within this profession. I call for unity amongst professionals. And among our national organizations, of which I have tirelessly devoted so much of my time and efforts. 

I remain grateful for my opportunity to serve Arkansas massage therapists in this capacity, grateful for the success that our chapter has fought hard for, and grateful for the outstanding volunteers that have joined our leadership and the guidance from those who have served the chapter before me. Let me also extend a thankful heart for those who have supported me and supported the causes we have for the Arkansas Chapter. I am sorry that I will not be there to help see many of our shared values and vision come to fruition. 

There remains much important work to be done and our beloved profession of massage therapy must always come first. I have faith that the Arkansas Chapter will rise to the occasion and overcome the inconvenience of my absence at this most inopportune time for Arkansas. The Arkansas General Assembly will be in Regular Session starting in January. It gives me great hope and comfort knowing that a stronger and more empowered chapter is poised to protect and improve massage therapy’s station in our great state.

I urge all Arkansans to get involved with the local chapter and other associations. We need your idealism, your point of view, and your professional convictions. The future of our profession demands your participation! Do all that you can to keep advancing the causes and values that all massage therapists hold dear. Protect our profession. Never doubt that you are valuable, and powerful, and rightful heirs to the legacy of Arkansas massage practitioners from time gone by. 

I remain absolutely convinced that we are a profession on the rise! We are only now finding ourselves out of 40 years in the wilderness. Finally on our way to the promised land. I believe the way forward will be built on a path of unity. We must be a unified force to advance massage therapy with common goals. We are one people with a shared history and a shared destiny.  

As for me, I will continue to serve. I will keep my commitments to other organizations including the Alliance For Massage Therapy Education’s Marketing Committee, the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards’ Education Task Force, Ambassador for the Interstate Massage Compact in Arkansas, President and Founding Member of the Society Of Massage Archives, and my recent appointment as Representative to the Massage Therapy Technical Advisory Committee. I will discharge these responsibilities unconditionally. I will also seek to support other efforts when necessary for the continued advancement of massage therapy. 

I am sure that AMTA and Kirby Clark Ellis will not always be working at cross purposes. I never felt as though we were up until this moment. I do believe there were other options for a resolution of differences. But I also believe in the spirit of reconciliation and remain hopeful that reconciliation in full between us will come someday. Time will tell and history will remember if AMTA made an appropriate choice here. In the interim, I fully intend to keep my membership with AMTA- I remain committed to the core values the association touts as their guiding principles. My volunteer experience with AMTA ends (for now) the same way that it began; with a profound love and dedication to the profession of massage therapy, with faith in the Arkansas Chapter I have been most honored to serve, and with eternal gratitude for those I have been blessed to call not only fellow volunteers and colleagues, but also friends.

Accompanying Vlog: https://www.tiktok.com/@kirbyclarkellis.mti/video/7422254780589952298

Peace and Healing, 

Kirby Clark Ellis, MTI, BCTMB