What Is It Like To Volunteer?

Curious about volunteering? Get a glimpse of what board members and committee chairs say about volunteering with AMTA-NY, what they enjoy, the challenges they’ve faced, and what potential volunteers can expect if they take on these roles.

Jennifer Niemi
AMTA-NY Chapter President

I have volunteered for AMTA-NY since 2016 and currently serve as Chapter President.  I began as a facilitator for state convention classes, then transitioned to Online Elections Coordinator, stepped up to Secretary, and now here I am in my second term as Chapter President.

What I really enjoy about volunteering is meeting everyone, hearing their stories, whether it's how they got into massage or what they like about a class or instructor.  I also enjoy going to the National Conventions and meeting amazing people from other states. It is nice to connect with like-minded people who share similar values and deal with similar hurdles in the massage business. You can get a different perspective.

Challenges I’ve faced as chapter president: Sometimes, you have to have the tough talks with people. I don't enjoy conflict, but as President, who else is going to make those difficult decisions and see them through? Luckily, the good times outweigh the bad!

Taking on this role, you are going to learn about the inner workings of the New York Chapter more than you ever imagined! You are a part of every decision, discussion, and argument that happens. It will sharpen your communication, scheduling, and negotiation skills. There are some days when you will wish to say, “no more,” but there are more days when you can appreciate a job well done by each of the committee chairs. You will learn a lot about yourself and what you are truly capable of doing.

Kelly Cartus
Chapter Secretary

I’ve been volunteering with AMTA-NY for the past five years; I began as a Delegate for one term and am currently serving as Secretary for my second term. What I enjoy most about volunteering for AMTA is giving back, feeling like I’m a part of something, being affiliated with this great organization, meeting people from all over, and the camaraderie.

One challenge I struggled with at first was the technology; it wasn’t what I'd used in other jobs/volunteer organizations in the past. What can potential volunteers expect if they take over my position? When I took over, I had a good base to build on, excellent guidance, and a lot to learn.

Melanie Olivieri
Financial Administrator

Hi. I am Melanie Olivieri, NY Chapter Financial Administrator (FA). I have been a member of AMTA since I was a student 15 years ago and a volunteer for 14 years. 

I started out volunteering in a position that no longer exists lol, helping to bring classes and bring people in the area to AMTA local meetings. Then I was Scholarship Chair, helping get the word out to massage schools & students in NY that AMTA offers a scholarship to 3 students every year to help with tuition, and helping find the best three essays. 

I have been on the Board of Directors for NY for about 11 years, first as a board member and now as FA. The biggest challenge as FA is keeping our volunteers, vendors, and chapter accounting all on the same page at the same time. While it is a year-round position, it gets busier around NY & National conventions and around trainings.

I enjoy helping AMTA & our members bring massage therapy more into the medical field and have it seen as Healthcare, which we all know it is. And I really love meeting and becoming friends with other massage therapists.

Marisol Rivera-Placido Boardmember and Government Relations Committee Chair

I’ve been a member of AMTA since 2015, starting back when I was still in massage school. I always wanted to volunteer, support my fellow therapists, and help advance our profession, but for a long time, I worried I didn’t have enough experience or years in the field. I also didn’t personally know anyone on the board, which made the idea feel even more intimidating.

In 2023, I finally ran for a Board Member position. That decision changed everything. I met LMTs from across the state and built genuine friendships with people who care deeply about our profession. I’ve served on the Board since 2023 and ran again in 2025. I also stepped into the role of Government Relations (GR) Chair in 2023, a position I continue to hold.

As GR Chair, I truly enjoy navigating the legislative landscape and helping bring our profession to the forefront. I advocate for massage therapy as essential healthcare, educating legislators and the public about its value as both therapeutic treatment and preventive care. One of the biggest challenges in this role is shifting people’s perception, helping them see massage not as a luxury, but as a necessary component of wellness and healthcare.

The challenges of serving as a Board Member are minimal; the responsibilities are straightforward and manageable. The GR role is where the deeper work happens, and it’s incredibly rewarding. For anyone stepping into this volunteer position after me, you will grow in ways you don’t expect. You’ll learn so much, meet people from all over the state, and realize that what once felt like a “big, scary job” is an opportunity to connect, contribute, and make a meaningful impact. You’ll also meet colleagues from across the country and hear what they’re experiencing in their own states, a perspective that’s both grounding and inspiring.

Ed Pacyna
Awards Committee Chair & Vendor Coordinator

I began volunteering for AMTA-NY Chapter in 2014. I started as the vendor coordinator, contacting potential vendors who may be interested in selling their products at our annual AMTA New York State Convention.  A few years after starting my volunteering as vendor coordinator, I also became head of the awards committee.

What I enjoy the most about volunteering for AMTA is working with all our volunteers and board members. We have a special group that gets a lot of work done to pull off our annual convention every year. It is fun to see volunteers step up or become board members, and new volunteers join the team, all without interrupting our tasks at hand. Everyone helps everyone; that’s what makes AMTA-NY special.

One challenge I face as vendor coordinator is that some potential vendors feel their website and online sales outweigh the cost and time of attending a convention as a vendor. Yes, that has merit. Having the convention at a different location every year is also a deciding factor for potential vendors in returning. The big factor, of course, is that everything is so expensive now!!!!  We keep our rates very reasonable, but for smaller entrepreneurs, it can still be too much. If potential volunteers took over the vendor role, they could expect to face these challenges too. I would welcome anyone who would like to volunteer and help grow our vendor list.

My experience volunteering with the AMTA-NY Chapter has been a lot of work but a lot of fun. From our convention to trainings and other volunteer activities, our group is great. I was in the same place as you; I wasn't getting involved and volunteering. Well, here I am. Come join the fun!!

Ruth Anselm
Education Committee Chair

I have volunteered with AMTA-NY for the past four years. Since I began volunteering, I have been in my current role as Education Committee Chair. What I enjoy most about volunteering with AMTA is having a network of professionals I can reach out to when I need help.

One challenge I’ve faced in the role is learning how organizations operate, which has been illuminating. Sometimes communication gets frustrating, but I keep growing and learning. Figuring out who we are inviting to instruct our CE classes and the logistics of where, in coordination with venue and instructor availability.

Advice for anyone taking over this role: figuring out how to delegate is very helpful. This role has helped me grow in personal organization, and I am surprised by how many skills I have honed and strengthened during my time in it.

Shania Sonneville
Co-Convention Committee Chair

I currently serve as AMTA New York co-convention chair. I recently stepped down from the role of convention chair, a position I held for five consecutive years.  Before serving as convention chair, I also served as sports massage chair and volunteered on the former community service Massage therapy team.  I have also held various roles, including unit chair and delegate.

What I enjoy most about volunteering with AMTA is the sense of cohesion.  I get to work with different personalities and talents, and I learned how to be more productive and improve my communication skills. For some of us who work as a sole proprietor, it can be very isolating. At the office, I am alone, but when I volunteer for the AMTA, there’s a group that needs me and holds me accountable for my role and responsibilities.  The same group also supports me and feels like family, with friendships and working relationships that have formed over the years.

Stepping into a new role is always a challenge; expectations aren't always clear, so there is usually a learning curve. However, AMTA has training for volunteers stepping into various roles, which makes it easier. If you are looking to step into a volunteer position, you can expect to feel overwhelmed at times, but also have the support that you need from the other volunteers. Expect to be on calls, answer emails, and experience a hands-on learning process similar to an internship in business management and practices.

Alexa Goodlander
Convention Committee Chair and Delegate

I have volunteered with AMTA-NY since 2023. I started off serving as a Board Member and volunteered on both the Education and Convention Committees. I’m one of two chapter delegates and recently took over as Convention Chair.

I truly enjoy giving back to our members and supporting them through these various positions. While I haven't faced any significant challenges so far as Convention Chair, I am realistic and know that some will likely arise at some point.

For any volunteers considering taking over these positions in the future, please know that while they each require varying levels of work, they are all incredibly rewarding ways to support our AMTA NY community.

I’ve volunteered for AMTA on and off for over a decade. In addition to serving as Delegate, I served as Awards Committee Chair. What I really enjoy about volunteering for AMTA is the connection, seeing everyone at our conventions and chapter trainings, and getting together outside conventions to see how we can improve our chapter for its members. I’ve also really enjoyed the conversations and the great relationships I have built while serving.

One challenge I’ve faced as Delegate is wondering whether the role is really making a difference in members' options at the state level with AMTA National. A Delegate's role is to discuss topics AMTA National presents to state members, then attend a House of Delegates meeting at the national convention to discuss those topics with Delegates from other states. 

This is a good role for volunteers to start in because it requires very few hours throughout the year, and the only commitment is attending the national convention and most monthly board meetings at the state level. You’ll also get guidance from the lead Delegate, national hub, and our state board.

Kim Corpus
Delegate

Jessica Evans-Kirley
Scholarship Committee Chair

I became an AMTA member in 2024 and began volunteering with AMTA-NY that same year. I currently serve as Scholarship Committee Chair, where my goal is to administer the scholarship program and help it grow to reach more massage therapy students across New York State.

As Scholarship Committee Chair, I spearhead communications with New York State massage therapy programs to promote our chapter's scholarship opportunities and encourage student participation. I coordinate and facilitate the entire scholarship process, from managing submissions and ensuring a fair, unbiased review to recruiting committee members to evaluate essays and compiling scores to determine recipients. I also communicate with scholarship winners and their schools' bursar offices, coordinate scholarship payments, and serve as the primary point of contact for recipients, including those who choose to attend our annual state convention. Since joining the Board, I've also participated in broader chapter initiatives, always looking for ways to improve processes, increase engagement, and create meaningful opportunities for both members and future massage therapists.

One of my favorite parts of volunteering is networking and collaborating with other massage therapists who are passionate about advancing our profession. I enjoy promoting the massage therapy industry, supporting students as they begin their careers, and knowing our work can meaningfully shape the future of massage therapy. Volunteering has also given me an outlet for creativity, whether that's brainstorming new initiatives, improving existing programs, or finding engaging ways to connect with students and members.

Like any volunteer role, it comes with challenges. Increasing awareness of the scholarship program and encouraging student participation has been an ongoing focus, but this year we were excited to receive one of the highest numbers of scholarship applications we've seen in recent years—a milestone that reflected the value of expanding our outreach efforts. I've also seen the impact of massage therapy school closures throughout New York State, which makes it even more important to find innovative ways to support both students and licensed massage therapists. These challenges have inspired me to continue looking for creative solutions and new opportunities to strengthen our profession.

For anyone considering volunteering with AMTA, I can say it's an incredibly meaningful and rewarding experience. While the scholarship cycle has busier times, you'll be supported by a dedicated team that shares a common goal: investing in the future of massage therapy. If you enjoy collaborating with others, thinking creatively, solving problems, and making a lasting impact, volunteering with AMTA offers countless opportunities to grow while helping shape the future of our profession.

Jina Smith
Online Elections Coordinator

I rejoined AMTA six years ago specifically for the training and volunteer opportunities, and I began volunteering as a facilitator at the first convention following the COVID-19 pandemic. I currently serve as the Online Elections Coordinator (OEC) and co-chair of the Education Committee. I also serve on the Convention Committee as the Facilitator Coordinator.

I truly enjoy the camaraderie of volunteering and the opportunity to build friendships with people from across the state and the country. Attending the National Convention, Chapter Volunteer Orientation Program (CVOP), and Chapter Advancement Initiative (CAI) trainings has been remarkable. It is enlightening to see how AMTA constantly works to improve the massage therapy field, and I appreciate the unique opportunity to learn about different state regulations regarding education and training.

The main challenge is that my roles with the Education and Convention committees, as well as the OEC, get very busy in the lead-up to our convention. However, this has personally helped me improve my time management skills.

These roles will be very rewarding for potential volunteers. Serving as a facilitator or Facilitator Coordinator is an excellent way to start volunteering, as the time commitment is manageable and often requires only one meeting per month.

Shawn Belles
Membership Engagement and Communications Chair

I’ve volunteered with AMTA since 2023. The previous AMTA-NY President, Donald Goodale, approached me at the state convention and asked me to serve as Membership Engagement Chair; I reluctantly took on the role, not really knowing what I would end up doing. A few months later, the Communication Chair left, and I took on that role since the two roles are very similar in how they reach out to our members.

I’ve had a great experience volunteering so far. With the board's support, I’ve used these roles to reach more members through member spotlight emails, update members through our Facebook Members Group Page, and help create a new AMTA-NY website. I really enjoy our chapter trainings where we connect and come up with new ideas to improve our chapter. I enjoyed the Chapter Volunteer Orientation Program (CVOP), an AMTA national training on self-improvement and supporting our state chapters. I made friendships with people from around the country, which was an amazing opportunity.

The biggest challenge for me in these roles was that there wasn’t much of a blueprint for how to do them. It was shortly after Covid, and the board was still regrouping. The board has been amazing in supporting my ideas for reaching more members, and it’s a great role for creatives. I’ve recruited an amazing person (Livia Zimmerman) who's on my committee and helps me write Member Spotlight emails, and I’m still looking for volunteers in the future to take on more social media projects as they come up.

In these roles, potential volunteers can expect to write monthly newsletters and the convention summary newsletter, update social media, and take photos and videos at our events for content. This position can be time-consuming, depending on the projects you're working on. Anyone interested in the role will get support before taking it over from our amazing board members. I’m continuing to expand the role, and if you think you'd be a great fit for creating content, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

We hope you enjoyed reading about our experience and that it gives you a clearer idea of what it's like to volunteer with us. If you'd like to join us, fill out the form below. We look forward to working with you to strengthen our massage community.