Maine Council of Reflexologists “Dedicated to Professional Standards” Established 1991 November 2004                                                          BACK to HOME PAGE Past MCR Newsletters Spring 2003 Fall 2003     P.O. Box  5583 Augusta, ME. 04330 www.reflexologyofmaine.org info@reflexologyofmaine.org  MCR Board of Directors: President Aloisia Pollock Vice President Wendy Decker Recording Secretary Alison Gingras Corresponding Secretary Treasurer Myra Achorn Program Chairman Susan Miller Newsletter Editor Connie Hubley Presidents Letter Dear Fellow  Reflexologists,  What a great meeting we had in Blue Hill! On Friday evening we laid out our strategic plans for MCR for the upcoming year(s). This meeting reminded me of all the meetings we used to have when MCR was in its infancy and we would gather at members’ homes to hold our meetings. I felt the same comradery and enthusiasm for our group and for reflexology as when I started working as a reflexologist.  The business meeting on Saturday was well attended and we had a wonderful and fruitful gathering.  With this letter I am signing off as your President. My life is taking me out of Maine, back to New York City, and I have handed the scepter over to our Vice President until the election in February.  Please direct all your questions to Wendy Decker who is quite capable of  filling in my shoes. I thank you for letting me serve you as  your president for the last four years and wish you all a wonderful future in your elected career.  Aloisia Pollock IN THIS ISSUE: Calendar of Events MCR Spotlight Strategic Planning Strategic Planning  Twelve people attended on Friday 17th September Janet Stetser, Aloisia Pollock, Alina Blakesley, Susan Miller, Chrissy, Alison Gringras, June Atherton, Sylvia, Wendy Decker, Judy Gulliver, Greta Simmons, Dawn Helton.  Alina asked people to bring an object to symbolize their personal visions and a vision for MCR.  We started with a silent meditation around a candle. The energy of the group felt very strong and vibrant. We asked for the spirit of openness and positive energy to be present and we shared our collective ideas. Around the candle we placed our planning themes from our last  session  which included Office Space for MCR, Education, Networking among members, Increased Membership, Host Conferences, Licensing issues, Media Attention, and Financial Issues. Participants liked a theme and read it out aloud. Objects included crystal balls, rings, pendants, tiles and bird’s nests. The group listened to each person as they shared their visions.  Sylvia suggested that we List our accomplishments for 2003 which included: 6 people attended leadership training Round table discussion Increased our membership and our fee We had meetings in different regions Tea and feet reflexology exchanges among members Official School recognized by the state Advertising Reflexology Week (Wendy)  We then picked one theme “ Getting the Word Out” and brainstormed ideas: Press Releases for MCR events and meeting Provide Press release kits including identifying newspapers in each region and assigning a person in each region to send the press release via email June Artherton has found an excellent resource on the internet which would make it so easy. Judy will collate, Janet will help with writing and procedure: Alina will make it available on the web on the members web page so that it is easy to download and access. We set ourselves a goal to accomplish this task by next MCR meeting so that the press release kits will be available before the next meeting and our ideas implemented.  We also want to collate an Events Kit for: World Reflexology Week Camp Sunshine Common Ground Fair Hats off to Susan     For the past four (4) years, Susan Miller has worked very hard to provide the Maine Council with the best in program.  Her high standards have been of a great benefit to all the members of MCR.    Taking time from her busy schedule to see that we had quality workshops each year. Doing the many tasks it requires to see that all goes well and a rewarding experience is available to all who wanted /could take advantage of it.  The great care she took to see that the program time at each of our meetings was something that would aid our members in growing in Reflexology, business or in net working.  With her many other responsibilities and obligations, she went above and beyond to serve the membership.     MANY, MANY THANKS FOR ALL YOUR GOOD WORK AND CARING. SUSAN Did you know?  Quick Self-Sole-utions When on the Run:   Anxiety:  Reflex area: Solar Plexus, stomach, brain   Jet Lag:  Reflex area: Brain, pineal, pituitary, spine   PMS: Reflex area: Uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, brain, thyroid, stomach, solar plexus   Kristen Erico Fund: Don’t forget the Kristen Erico fund.  It is money raised by auctions we hold at  each meeting.  The money is to help those who need a helping hand to attend workshops or conferences .  This gives all our membership an opportunity to grow and learn.     Yes, you do need to pay it back. But where else can you borrow money for an experience now and pay it back with no interest?  So when you are cleaning out and find something you wish to donate to a worthwhile cause, bring it to our next meeting.  It will help to make opportunity available to all our membership.  Kristen Erico fund is $1,9959.39 currently.   STRATEGIC PLANNING – Alina Blakesley Alina shared with the group an overview of the strategic planning event held Friday evening at Judy Gulliver’s home.  Twelve members attended a program led by Alina.  After the opening activity of meditation and sharing, the group first outlined the accomplishments of the past 12 months then focused on obtainable next steps.  The group addressed the need to ‘get the word out’ and established two goals for the winter/early spring.  First, create a ‘press release kit’ and second, an ‘events kit’ which would contain a user-friendly poster.  The membership will be invited to design the poster.  Please bring your ideas by the February meeting. This important work will continue and be revisited twice a year at the early spring and fall meeting times.   Life is as great as we want to see it is.  Anonymous Advertising for free: We need to be more diligent in blowing our own horn.  This can be done very inexpensively, by using news releases or articles and putting meeting or workshop dates in a free calendar in your local paper. It is important when planning to do this, to know:   1. Who to direct the information to   2. How far ahead do they need the information   3. Be brief, but complete with the information you wish to share   4. Pictures speak louder than words and may be a good alternative On the internet you can get most of this information, if you are not comfortable to go to or call  your own local paper.    Spotlight on Chrissy Ravalli-Studer  Chrissy Ravelli-Studer lives with her husband, David, on Irenic Farm in Washington, Maine.  Eighteen years ago she was taking her son Dante to Karate class in Waldoboro.  She learned about classes starting in Reflexology.  The owner , Jane Sanford, encouraged her to participate.  Jane told her that the benefits were similar  to massage. The course in Reflexology taught by Janet Stetser, would fit her life better, since she was a mother of three young children.  Reflexology was a total unknown to Chrissy but she was intrigued.  Chrissy called Janet, who suggested calling one of her recent students, Nancy .  Nancy was an old friend of Chrissy’s and agreed to give her a session.  Chrissy could not believe how wonderful she felt during the session and decided to enroll in Janet’s course.  Chrissy was certified in the fall of 1986.  She began to give sessions, both at her home and making house calls.  She realized that reflexology was something others liked to barter.  This led to some great exchanges, like cooking classes, compost for the garden, haircuts, chiropractic treatments, housework, meals and artwork.  One friend that she used to visit and give free sessions to willed her his car.  She enjoys giving sessions on her deck when the weather is good.  She serves on the staff of a fitness center in Union.  Chrissy’s philosophy of reflexology is that “most individuals live in their heads during their waking hours.  During a reflexology session, one’s awareness is drawn downward to the feet and the hands and into one’s center.  There an inner experience of peace, pleasure, joy, beauty and even ecstasy can be felt.  It is a welcome, beautiful time out from everyday reality.  By having such an experience and especially thought repetition, individuals are guided to an altered state of consciousness.  This is what our world desperately needs.”  Active in MCR, she enjoys the trainings such as Beryl Crane’s Workshop on Hands, Feet and Ears; Kristi Tanner on Hands; Geraldine Tay on Feet.  She has taken training on JinShinDo, Polarity, Massage Therapy, and Reiki and now is exploring stone massage.    Chrissy is a charter member of MCR and feels privileged to be part of the organization.  Currently she serves as the Historian and coordinates the Common Ground Country Fair reflexology booth with Alison Gingras.  In the past years she has been the Treasurer and Program Chair.  Chrissy added working as a part time rural mail carrier in Alna, ME recently.  She feels it  is fun, but challenging.  She has two businesses distributing Chi Machines and Super Blue Green Algae Nutritional and Skin Care Products.  Other interests are kayaking, hiking, swimming, golf, reading, gardening, family history research and dancing.  Chrissy loves traveling out west to visit her 2 daughters and 4 grandsons.  She is active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and serves in various leadership capacities.  Chrissy appreciates being a member of MCR greatly.  She likes the opportunity to create friendships, expand her knowledge of reflexology and related fields, have fun and be of service.  Her vision of MCR is seeing each member feel valued, having opportunities to serve and experiencing oneness in purpose and goals.   HISTORIAN – Chrissy Ravelli-Studer Chrissy has the MCR historical scrapbook and is looking for additions from members of old photos/articles.  She would also like a Photo/Bio and business card of all members for the notebook. Please bring them to the February meeting or mail to her by then. September 30 th/ October 1st- Blue Hill. Do you need any articles written or any other help for the newsletter?  I rejoice in this question and want to invite any of you who wish to make a contribution to the newsletter, to please do so.  The deadline for the next newsletter is always the 10th of the month following the meeting.  If you know ahead of time, you may want to write it and take it to the newsletter editor (Connie Hubley) at the meeting. From Wendy: I have room in my home for one person,  two if one stays in the living room (which is heated only by wood stove), for the Feb meeting.    Thank you Wendy, if anyone needs to have a place to stay in February, feel free to contact Wendy direct.   Thanks to the hard working members from Blue Hill and how wonderful the meeting was due to their work and great hospitality.                                                               Thank you one and all.  June, Greta, Judith and Mac.   May we all continue to grow and learn while keeping Joy in our life.