Why Join?
Why are National and State Associations important to ME?
Reflexologists often ask why national and state associations are important and/or even necessary. Good question. Why should you join?
If you are someone who values the benefits that reflexology offers people, wishes to be recognized as a valuable contributing member of the broad field of wellness and healthcare, and wishes to insure your right to practice reflexology legally in the United States, then there are many good reasons to join your state reflexology association and the Reflexology Association of America.
1. By adding your name and voice, you help to bring credibility and recognition to the field. As reflexology inches closer to state- by-state licensing, the number of practitioners that are members of a unified national association and respective state association becomes very important. In a nutshell, our legislative clout increases the more practitioners we have operating at the professional level who value their field enough to join forces as members of independent, non-profit membership organizations. Your presence counts!
2. RAA offers many opportunities to engage in dialogue and activities, both state and national, to help shape the future of reflexology in the United States. By participating, you can experience the benefits of camaraderie, support, respect, and most importantly, a sense of contributing to something bigger than yourself.
3. As a member, you will receive e-blasts on time-sensitive issues and breaking news, so you can stay current on the matters affecting your life as a reflexologist; and if necessary, the opportunity to take action to protect your rights. Although it certainly is easier to ignore the political environment and just ‘do your own thing’, the very real risk exists that you may wake up some day and find rules and regulations that you don’t like very much, or even prevent you from offering reflexology to the public. Therefore it’s very important to have people follow the legislative process and ensure that our rights are protected. (RAA has a very dedicated and active Legislative committee that works on behalf of its members to further our cause and preserve our hard-earned entitlements.)
4. Professional credibility. Like it or not, the public perceives someone listed in a professional membership directory as being better qualified than those who are not. Professional membership is a big consideration for many people researching a practitioner and deciding to whom they will give their hard-earned money. If you are a teacher of reflexology, it is equally important to be able to state that you are a member in good standing of this country’s only national professional reflexology association.
5. Finally, there are the many personal benefits members receive, including marketing opportunities, liability insurance discounts and client referrals.
Please take a moment to read past President Laura Aho Jodry’s very inspiring story [DOC][PDF] of her involvement with the successful lobbying in Massachusetts that kept reflexology from being included in the state massage therapy act. Learn how respected and admired the reflexology associations are within our peer healthcare groups. Her article will make you proud!