National Elections

AMTA National Election Results Are In!

AMTA is pleased to announce that 91.6% of professional members voting in the AMTA National Board Election approved the slate of new board directors to take office on March 1, 2025. The elected board members will be Heber Blackner, Matthew Fecteau, Bob Jantsch, Debra Kilty and Cheryl Siniakin. They will join five continuing Board Directors Jaime Bernardo, Jr., Donald Goodale, Rick Greely, Jane Horton Johnson and Lee Stang.

On March 1, 2025, Cindy Farrar will become the AMTA President and current President, Kim Kane-Santos will continue on the Board as Immediate-Past President.

The Board of Directors sets the direction for AMTA and its commitment to advancing the profession. The slate process and election allow the association to best ensure that board members have the skills and knowledge to direct AMTA as it continues its growth, and have the choice ratified by the membership.

“Thank you to our members for your dedication to AMTA and for participating in the election of our 2025 National Board of Directors. Together, we will continue to advance the massage therapy profession,” said AMTA President-Elect Cindy Farrar.

Tellers Report

Total Number of Eligible Professional Member Voters – 90,749

Total Number of Voters – 3,594

Percentage of Eligible Voters Participating – 4%

Percentage of Voters Approving the Board Slate – 91.6%

AMTA National Board Eligibility Requirements 

If you have been an AMTA professional member for at least three years and have served as an elected chapter volunteer, or an appointed or elected national volunteer within the past three years, you are eligible to be considered for the AMTA National Board of Directors.

If you meet these eligibility requirements, consider applying to serve on the National Board of Directors. The application is the first step in a rigorous process designed to help find AMTA members whose personal and professional strengths create the strongest national board team while considering diversity and inclusion.

AMTA National Board Candidate Checklist

To be considered, candidates must meet the eligibility criteria and complete the application process. Find out what AMTA’s National Board application process entails.

1. Sign the board of directors code of conduct.
2. Fill out an applicant eligibility form.
3. Sign the conflict of interest form.
4. Take four online courses and pass the corresponding online exams.
5. Fill out the bio application.
6. Submit a 60-90 second candidate video.
7. Submit three letters of reference from professional and personal colleagues and friends. 
8. Participate in a 30-minute phone interview with the Slate Selection Commission.

What is the Slate Selection Commission?

The Slate Selection Commission is a group of current and recent past national volunteers with deep knowledge of AMTA, who guide candidates through the application process and ensure they meet the high standards required of national board service.

Members eligible to serve on this commission include: Chapter President Council Moderators, past national presidents and board members, past and current national standing, advisory and operational committee chairs and members, and past Slate Selection Commission members.

The Slate Selection Commission has the important responsibility to bring forward the strongest slate of candidates for AMTA members to consider.

Bylaws: Slate Selection Commission

• The Slate Selection Commission receives and reviews applications for candidacy to the national board and shall ensure that one qualified candidate is on the ballot for each open position. A member of the Slate Selection Commission may not be recruited for an elected position.
• The Slate Selection Commission shall be appointed by the President with approval of the National Board of Directors.
• Current members of the National Board of Directors may not serve on the SSC.
• There shall be five members selected from the following four groups:
  • Group 1: Past National Presidents having served within the last five years after completion of their term as Immediate Past President.
  • Group 2: Past National Board Members having completed one full term in their position within the last five years
  • Group 3: Slate Selection Commission members having served within the last five years.
  •  Group 4: Select National Volunteers
    a. Members or Chairs of standing committees, advisory committees, and/or operational committees having completed one full term within their position within the last five years.
    b. Chapter Presidents Council (CPC) moderators having completed one full term within their position within the last five years
    c. Assembly of Delegates Advisory Committee Chairs and members having completed one full term within their position within the last five years.

• The term is for two years beginning on the first day of the fiscal year following the appointment.
• Slate Selection Commission members shall serve no more than three consecutive two-year terms, but may be reappointed following at least a year’s absence on the Commission provided that eligibility requirements are met.
• The President-Elect is an ex-officio and non-voting member.
• The chair of the Slate Selection Commission shall be appointed by the President.
• Duties and empowerments of the Slate Selection Commission shall be defined in AMTA policy.

Policy: The SSC has the following duties and empowerments:

• Shall review AMTA recruitment and elections policies.
• Shall consult with the Commissioner of Elections regarding the “Call for Candidates” and election education materials.
• Shall establish candidate application credentialing procedures.
• Shall assess the skillsets and expertise needed by the board.
• Shall contact incumbents to discover if they intend to seek re-election.
• Shall make available appropriate education tools for potential applicants.
• Shall recruit for all open Director positions between August 1 and November 1.
• Shall confirm that each candidate has demonstrated a familiarity with AMTA Bylaws, policy, procedure and other relevant information through online testing or similar methods.
• Shall respond to all applicants in writing from September 1-15 to verify receipt of their application.
• Shall interview all applicants.
• Shall determine the best applicants to fill positions on the slate.
• Shall notify applicants in writing that they are or are not placed on the slate prior to November 15.
• Shall create and maintain guidelines for publication of candidate information.
• Shall submit a written report to the Commissioner of Elections before November 15, which includes the final slate.
• Shall ensure that the slate is published on the AMTA website by November 15.
• The members of the SSC shall not disclose the names of slated candidates until the slate is posted online.

Resources

Future Directions/Strategic Plan
Director Position Description

Bylaws and Policy

Bylaws—Article VII
Policy—Candidacy & Elections