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Meeting Summary
The second annual
conference of the International Alliance for Animal Therapy
and Healing evolved into a sharing workshop as the September
11 events affected both speaker and participant numbers.
. The 20-40 people attending the four days shared in round
table discussions and workshops addressing key issues. The
following summarizes the four days.
Day 1 — Hilton Garden Inn- Beaverton,
Oregon
The meeting was facilitated by Acting Council Chairman Mary
Ann Simonds. Core council members present included Dennis
O'Brien, conference chairman and Donna Starita. Core Council
members Mimi Porter, Trish Quirion, Stacy Small, Nancy Zidonis,
Nadine Donahugh, and Butch Smith were not able to attend.
Committee leaders present were Jim Helfter, Linda Tellington-Jones,
and Lola Michlen. Linda Rampey, acting Executive Director
was also not able to attend. The 20-30 people attending
the IAATH meeting introduced themselves and identified their
expectations and contributions to the meetings. It was decided
that those IAATH sponsors attending would participate and
have the right to direct decisions. Committee summaries
were discussed by the group. The group also discussed the
pros and cons of IAATH moving from a foundation organization
into a membership based 501c3 non-profit. The group decided
to keep IAATH a foundation based organization for the time
being.
Priorities for IAATH were identified. Communication and
articulating a clear IAATH image to sponsors and interested
parties was identified as being needed. The group discussed
how to best reach people interested in IAATH. Two main issues
were identified:
- Develop a centralized data base
- Enhance the web site to provide easy answers and clear
communication to those interested.
Jim Helftler
agreed to offer support to develop the data base if all
people interested would send him their mailing lists. He
agreed to keep these lists confidential and only for IAATH
business. Jim also volunteered his staff to assist with
developing the IAATH web site with information if others
would send him data for the site. It was also agreed that
IAATH should have its own e-mail address for correspondence.
All correspondence to IAATH not directed at a specific council
member should go to IAATHnetexpress.net.
The afternoon was spent working on developing a "position
paper". Since one of the main reasons IAATH was formed
was to help construct a "model" for changing professions
and attitudes in the animal healing industry, IAATH council
felt that a position paper suggesting such a model would
most help all parties at this time. Mary Ann Simonds drafted
a suggested outline for a model and gave it to all participants
for discussion. Key "buzz words" were identified
and the group broke into smaller groups and worked on defining
these buzz words.
Day 2 — Portland Community College,
Rock Creek Campus
A panel addressed
the "shifting paradigm" from various perspectives.
Linda Tellington-Jones, Mike Gleason, DC, Donna Starita,
DVM, and Lola Michlen presented how they are working together
as practitioners in various fields. Lorie Makinen and Karen
Kelly offered insight into attitudes and changing legislation
from the perspective of both Washington and Oregon Veterinary
governing Boards. Matt Rossel and Lorie Lown from In Defense
of Animals presented insight concerning changing attitudes
toward animals. They suggested that we refer to animal "owners"
as "guardians". The group decided to unanimously
support this suggestion. IAATH would use the word "animal
"guardian" and put "owners" in parentheses.
The group broke into two groups for the afternoon work sessions.
One group refined the definitions and the other group worked
on categories for the model.
Day 3 — Portland Community College,
Rock Creek Campus
The morning panel
discussions centered around how various animal healers and
health practitioners were integrating their professions,
as well as working with others. Barbara Chasteen, from California
presented how a massage therapist can assist in identifying
and correcting conformation vs. posture problems. Jim Helfter
discussed how nutrition is the key and often the underlying
problem to many health situations. Mike Gleason presented
data from a soon to be published paper concerning attitudes
and knowledge of Australian veterinarians with regard to
alternative. Complementary, natural health options. Randi
Peters, presented a paper on homeopathy by Anahi' S. Zlonik.
Chris Jefferson from Canada guided participants into a wonderful
mediations and discussion on Reiki and healing energy. Carla
Meeske-Person, a university business professor by day conducted
a brief "shamanic demonstration" showing the "shaman's
path to healing.
The afternoon work sessions focused on refining the position
paper categories. Mike Gleason provided data and insight
with his further presentation on paradigm shifts.
Day 4- Hilton Garden Inn, Beaverton, Oregon
The focus of
the general meeting was to ensure the continuation of IAATH
and through consensus elect new council members. Dr. Donna
Starita was nominated and approved to become the new Council
Chairman for IAATH. Other new council members who volunteered
and were approved are Linda Tellington-Jones, Jim Helfter,
Mike Gleason, Dee Howe and Cali. Mary Ann Simonds, and Dennis
O'Brien will continue on the council. Council members not
attending have the option for becoming active again or retiring
to the Advisory Board. IAATH's "whole system"
organizational structure provides for old council members
to retire as new council members are elected. This keeps
a group of old and new members together and allows information
to be transferred from each new council.
The group also approved the proposed Code of Ethics as an
option for sponsors to sign and return to IAATH if they
wish.
The group addressed IAATH' image and re-defined its "mission"
and changed IAATH's new by line which will sit under its
logo.
The groups also worked on updating the brochure. All new
information will be listed on the Web site.
It was also suggested that IAATH purchase the domain names
IAATH.org and IAATH.net. Jim will investigate this and get
back to the council.
A "word smith" team volunteered to work on the
final version of the position paper and the brochure. Mike
Gleason, Missy Farmer, Jim Helfter, Randi Peters, Barbara
Chasteen and Mary Ann Simonds will assist with this task.
Karen Tappendon will send in legislative updates to Jim
for Web site.
Sponsorship renewal was discussed and Howard Jessie and
Tracy volunteered to help. No plan was developed.
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