California Coalition on Somatic Practices (CCSP)

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CCSP Status and Plans, March 2000

March 20, 2000

In early January, a letter was to have gone out to you in preparation for the February 6th meeting of the California Coalition on Somatic Practices (CCSP). Due to a number of mistakes and delays, most of you probably received the letter after the meeting. The meeting occurred nevertheless.

This letter is a supplement to the minutes of that meeting. If you received this via the US Postal service, the minutes should be enclosed. If you have received this electronically, the minutes can be downloaded from our web-site: www.somatic.com/ccsp.

As stated in our previous letter, the core participants in CCSP need to scale back our involvement after years of work. We remain committed to the vision and community which has been created, and to continue a select number of projects. Beyond that, we will only initiate new projects if needs arise which are best addressed by a group such as this one. We have not scheduled another meeting at this time, but certainly will if the need arises.

The practitioner database which we had considered, with or without verification of credentials, is still seen as a valuable resource, but would involve massive amounts of time, money and energy. Our trial run last year had virtually no response, perhaps indicating that such an endeavor may be premature.

Meanwhile, we will focus our efforts on an Internet user list as a forum for discussion and communication limited to issues of regulation and professional identity. In addition to our web-site, this will be the means by which we will continue to maintain a network and community, be a resource for information, and facilitate a forum for discussion and exploration of the richness of alternatives addressing professional and regulatory concerns.

Our current mission statement (adopted 10/1/97) is still relevant:

CCSP Mission Statement:

Whereas: A broad communication forum is needed in the
somatics field which gives different voices a chance to be heard and
provides a common voice for our diversity; and

Whereas: we are committed to being an open, inclusive community
of individuals and organizations;

and

Whereas: we share a common goal of supporting the development of
the field of somatics in California; and

Whereas: we share a common commitment to protect the right of each
modality to practice;

The Mission of CCSP is:

1.To find a common ground for distinct somatic practices, while recognizing
and respecting their inherent uniqueness.

2.To monitor and respond to opportunities and potential threats which affect
somatic practices in California, and to trends nationwide.

3.To be a resource for other professions and the community at large.

The internet mail list we are setting up will be focused and low volume. Those signing up can choose to receive individual messages as they are posted, or a daily digest of messages, or can instead retrieve messages as they like from the web-site. Instructions will be sent to those signing up. We will most likely moderate the list to assure that postings are on the subject, and are respectful of diverse viewpoints.

The internet mail list will obviously leave out those without internet access - we feel that at this time it is most reasonable for us to maintain only regular contact through the internet. Also, these days almost anyone can have access to the internet if only through a free account at a library.

I frequently get calls or e-mails from somatic practitioners, mostly massage therapists, asking what we are doing about getting state licensing in California. CCSP has taken a position against state regulation at this time (discussed in our paper "Why now is not the time to go to Sacramento", which can be found on our web-site). We still support this position for now.

Due to this position, some feel we are doing little for the profession. Yet the issue of certification and licensing is so very broad, and its' implications so massive that we continue to study the meanings and ramifications. Even more significantly, the issue brings up tremendous emotions on either side. I believe that until the emotions can be aired, logic and rational analysis will be impossible. So while I personally hesitate to jump into the fray, I think it crucial to address the issues in an ongoing forum before anyone attempts to introduce legislation and initiate an all out war between pro and con factions. I believe, as I always have, that the process by which this community resolves conflict bears a direct effect on our ability to serve the public through our work.

I am currently reading a book on the legal, social and political foundations of licensure and certification. It is published by Professional Examination Service, a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the understanding and use of sound credentialing practices, on the basis that both licensure and certification can benefit the public good. Despite this acknowledged belief, the book is not a blanket endorsement of either type of program. It addresses the mission of licensure and certification programs and their ramifications. This book is one of the most thorough and objective books I have read on this topic. I intend to introduce some of the points covered for discussion on the internet list, as I think it can facilitate more honest and sophisticated discussion than is usually heard on these subjects.

Shortly those of you on the CCSP e-mail list will be receiving an invitation to join our group. We apologize to those left behind, for now, due to lack of access. If one of you would like to volunteer to maintain our mailing list and be responsible for organizing, printing and distributing periodic updates via postal mail, please let us know and we can assist you with the resources.

If you received this via postal mail and you now have an e-mail address, please contact us at www.somatic.com/ccsp to sign up for the internet group.

Please feel free to contact us for additional information on these projects.

Beverly May, Chair
on behalf of the California Coalition on Somatic Practices (CCSP)

You can contact us at:

California Coalition on Somatic Practices
P.O. Box 5611
San Mateo, CA. 94402-0611
(650) 637-1233 (Beverly May) beverlysmay@home.com

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Revised 3/31/00