I Mission Statement (approximately one hour discussion)

The Mission Statement continued as an item of discussion throughout the entire Board Meeting. The purpose of the Mission Statement is to introduce to the general public (and the membership) the contributions of the Rolf Institute and of the Rolfing technique to the health and wellbeing of the evolving human being. It was agreed that the Mission Statement would be in two parts. Part A – Internal Statement (short form); Part B – External (long form) – an expansion and elaboration of the Internal Statement.

Marilyn Thursby will elicit and coordinate input from the membership – followed by internal editing by Peter Melchior, Emmett Hutchins and Jan Sultan – and others with possible outside professional editing. It was determined that the questionnaire to the membership should go out from Neal Powers’ office.

The current Mission Statement that has thus far evolved from the Board (and special thanks to former Board member Tom West who put the current version together – goes as follows):

“The Rolf Institute, dedicated to the inspiration, courage, andvision of Ida P. Rolf, is entrusted to maintain and develop the practice and promise of the Rolf work. Rolling is based on the premise of the enduring changeability of the human body and the environment. It is a means of bringing order, balance, and optimal functioning to the structure. The goal of the Institute is to increase understanding of the organizing effects of human touch in our society, to educate qualified persons in the Rolf system, deepening the problem solving capacity of the theory and practice of the work, and to continue in the vanguard of the search for harmony and well-being within and among people. ”

II. President’s Report (approximately two hours)

Contained with the President’s Report a variety of items were discussed with resolutions made by the Board.

A. Rolf Lines – Open Forum.

In respect to the Open Forum, it was resolved that Neal Powers, as President, respond to certain questionable statements and letters shared by the membership. It was further encouraged that all members – and in particular the Rolfing Teachers offer replies to some of the letters being seen in the Open Forum of Rolf Lines.

B. Insurance Payments.

Neal Powers will put a statement in a future issue of Rolf Lines regarding insurance payments for Rolfing and Rolling Movement Integration.

C. “Not Actively Rolfing” Status.

It was shared with the Board and received concurrence by the Board that in the next directory of certified members those Rolfers and Rolfing Movement teachers who had elected for the “not actively Rolfing” status be put in the back of the directory with one address and phone number with a clear explanation of what the “not actively Rolfing” status represents.

D. Membership Directory.

It was urged by the Board of Directors that we return to the “old format” of the directory and include an index in the back listing all members alphabetically with a reference as to which state is their principal residence.

E. Committees’ Report.

Neal shared with the Board of Directors his recent participation in several of the Institute’s committees – including:

1. The Admissions (formerly known as Selection Committee)

2. Rolfing Teachers

3. Movement Committee

4. Natural Sciences Committee

5. Education Committee

6. Ethics Committee

F. Legal Update.

As President, Neal Powers is responsible for all litigation involving the Rolf Institute. Neal’s report was presented to the Board and is considered confidential.

III. 1984 Annual Meeting Update Report.

Neal shared with the Board of Directors the current progress being made with the plans of the 1984 Annual Meeting to be conducted in Boulder August 27 through August 31. Neal will be communicating with each Board member in the next one to one and a half months regarding the Board’s participation at the ’84 Annual Meeting.

IV. Managing Director’s Report (approximately one hour)

A. 1984 Proposed Budget.

Motion made that the Board give provisional approval to the ’84 Proposed Budget with the understanding that since the original preparation of the budget, there have materialized several changes which will be incorporated and accordingly the budget will be revised and distributed to all Board members.

Motion Passed: Board members voting yes: Stacey Mills, Marilyn Thursby, Hans Flury, Nicholas French. Abstained votes: Charlotte Kelly and Cathryn Ellison.

Proposed Budget (continued)

It was further determined that the recap sheet (Page 1) will be sent to the entire membership with a note that detailed figures will be available upon request.

Motion made by Charlotte Kelly and seconded by Cathryn Ellison to set aside 100 of membership dues (approximately $14,000) for 1984 Public Relations. Charlotte and Cathryn voted yes; Nicholas French, Stacey Mills, Marilyn Thursby voted no. Hans Flury abstained. All agreed that this would be a goal for 1985.

B. European Training.

Richard Stenstadvold gave a report on his February trip to Europe -with input from Hans Flury, the European Representative to the Board of Directors. The progress with the European Training Center is looking extremely encouraging. For the year 1984 (and possibly 1985) the European Training Center will be conducting two Basic Classes a year. It is anticipated that in early 1985 the Advanced Training will be brought to Europe – and most likely will be taught by Peter Melchior.

V. Feasibility Study on Expanded Training. (approximately one-half hour discussion)

The Board discussed the memorandum submitted by the Study Committee on the Feasibility Study. The review of the study will follow with a cover letter from Cathryn Ellison and Charlotte Kelly. The recommendations are being sent specifically by Neal Powers to the appropriate committees for study and Neal will ask for feedback within the next one and one-half months time.

The Board moved and unanimously passed a motion to acknowledge Cathryn Ellison, Charlotte Kelly and former Board member Brian Fahey and all respondents for the work put into the feasibility study.

VI. Pre-training Program as being developed with the help of Jason Mixter (approximately one and one-quarter hour discussion)

There was discussion regarding the history of the development of the pre training program. Neal Powers is to contact Jason Mixter and ask Jason to send copies to all Board members of his revised version (including budget) of the pre-training program which is to be presented to the mid-April ’84 Education Committee Meeting again. The pre-training proposal needs to be approved by the Board of Directors. The April 6, 7 and 8 Meeting of the Rolling teachers hopefully will feed information on the pre-training proposal to the mid-April ’84 Meeting of the Education Committee – which will pass the overall reactions of the Education Committee (representing Rolfing, Movement and Anatomy Instructors) and the Board of Directors.

VII. Future Planning (Discussion – approximately four hours)

A number of goals were discussed for the ’84-85 calendar year and are reported as follows:

Future Planning (continued)

A. Membership Brochures.

1. Brochure – simple and easy to read short concise high quality understandable language professionally done commissioned by the Rolf Institute.

2. Fact Sheet: To be used by Rolfers with media – basic information on Rolling and Movement – which allows presentation of basic facts on Rolfing, Rolfing Movement Integration, Ida P. Rolf, and the origin of the Rolf Institute. (Public education – needing funding).

B. Membership Support

1. Guidelines for establishing a practice (includes “care and feeding of Rolfers” by Stacey Mills – information regarding insurance, licensing information, Institute resources, etc. ,

2. Informal Apprentice Program. (-Marilyn Thursby’s idea of a “Buddy System” – Regionally) [Public Education – needing funding]

C. National Advisory Board – A board comprised of individuals prominent in their respective fields

1. Associate Membership and friends of Rolfing (public education)

D. Quality Control Board – Cathryn Ellison’s idea of a Systemic Evaluation of the Training and Education Programs of the Rolf Institute – evaluating quality of the work – based on some minimal criteria and based on a common language (training).

E. Fund Raising “Hotline” – relationship with membership and potential donors, friends and/or clients (membership support).

F. Research (clinical) – Outside of the Rolf Institute – good control group – doesn’t need to be a very large study (i. e. , low back pain… scoloisis – whiplash – etc.) [ Training …. funding needed ]

G. Improving communication links with other professional groups. Defining our relationship with such groups non competitive information on other schools including offshoot schools from Rolfing (public education).

H. Create Funding Programs for:

1. Building

2. Legislation

3. Insurance Approval

4. Publications by membership plus preserving historical tapes of Ida P. Rolf.

5. Scholarships

6. Professional fund raising consultant (membership support… training… funding needed)

I. Expanding Continuing Education Program

Shorter workshops (weekend workshops and 3-day workshops, advanced classes, tutorial). (Membership support/training).

J. Expanded Curriculum

Degree programs (membership support – training)

K. Public Education Department

Formal speakers bureau and establishing a public image (Public Education… funding needed)

L. Recruitment Program for new Candidates for Training (Training.. . funding needed)

M. Discussion of Relocating (or expanding) to another location in the United States.

1. Rolf International Headquarters

2. Relocation of Training Center

In a discussion concerning future planning it was noted that the priorities for fund raising were needed for new building facility, expanded training, public education and public relations, fund raising developmental work. The Board then shared with each other visions for the coming years. These visions included a larger physical plant facility including dormitory, laundry room, dining building, parking with carports, landscaping, greater office space, near a university and research hospital, moving a 100 to 150 students per one year training program, a clinic building, endowments/ investments, licensing and insurance payments, active recruitment program involving scholarships for those who can’t afford the training, possibility of membership and dues replaced by alumni and no dues, international centers and training programs, funds available for proper payment of staff/Board/ teachers/committee members, etc. Regional Centers in Regional research centers, pre-training, successful research program. Then the future plans were categorized as follows:

Funding Needed
Legislation
Insurance Publications (including archives)
Professional fundraising consultant for min. of 2 yr.
Building
Scholarships
Research
Computer
Endowment

Training
Expanded Curriculum
Pre-training
Quality Control Board
Research Funding
Expanded Continuing
Education

Membership Support
Brochure
Guidelines for establishing a practice
Informal apprenticeship
Fund raising relationship with membership

Public Education
Public Ed. Dept.
Nat’l Advisory Board including communications and relationships with other professional groups
Public Image
Speakers Bureau
Brochure
Fact Sheet

VIII. By-Laws Revisions (approximately 2 hour discussion)

The Board determined that a variety of changes were needed so that the By-Laws can be revised and made current after which they will be sent to the membership for ratification. It is hoped that this will be accomplished in the next one to two months.

BY-Laws Revisions

A. Board Composition – leave as is.

B. President (appoint rather than elected).

C. Delete Section IV, page 5 “Executive Committee”

D. Add a last sentence to Section 1, page … “The officers shall be responsible to carry out the daily business of the organization, all committee activities, and all special projects. The officers shall report monthly to the Board of Directors.

E. VI. , Section 2, re-title “Appointment of Officers” and change sixth word from approved to appoint.

F. Page 2, III, “Board of Directors” – omit preamble.

G. Page 2, III, “Board of Directors” – Section 1, Number of Directors” insert “voting” after #10.

H. Page 3, Section VI. … add “appropriate” membership and delete last sentence.

I. Page 2, Section III, delete word “general” from title and on page 3 delete the title “Section IV” and make A of old section IV to become D and D of old Section IV become E.

IX. It was suggested that Board members may wish to travel to their sub-regions meetings when appropriate – travel fees may be split between the region being visited and the Rolf Institute (approximately 10 minute discussion).

X. Jim Oschman’s Research Proposal on Human Structure and Moire Photography… Stage I – “Developmental Program”

Questions and Comments from the Board.

A. Why would newly trained practitioners be used to test our technique

B. We need a “co-sponsor” (i. e. , hospital), so research is not … “Rolf Institute Research”

C. Needs to follow more scientific guidelines for research projects (see Roger Thies’s letter of critique)

D. Board expressed concern about need for “clinical research” vs. “basic research”

E. Exciting because it is innovative; but its value is not in its innovation

F. Would like to see more control groups for a comparative study

G. Would like plans for testing and desired results more specifically as stated

H. Find out about “whiplash project”

The Board expresses its sincere appreciation to Jim Oschman. Neal Powers will write to Jim regarding the Board’s concerns and comments and, in turn, requests that Jim respond to Neal (to be shared with the Board) Jim’s response.

(Approximately one and a half hour discussion)

XI. Del Frnka Fund Raising Consultant

Basic premises presented to the Board by Mr. Frenka

A. Need case statement… “argument for existing”

B. Organizations such as ours normally disappear 20 years after the death of the founder

C. As Board members, our prime concern should be the financial solvency of the Rolf Institute

D. Need to think about “annual money” .. the need to thing about wills and bequests – for long-range support

E. Donors have needs for gratification. There is a general need for donors to “help mankind”

F. Need “seed money” – it takes money to raise money

G. It takes approximately three years to get a developmental program off the ground

H. We need to overcome the concept that raising of money is unpleasant

I. We need to stress in our training programs the need to go out and share our needs to the public

J. Our clientele is reasonably affluent

K. Key decisions we need to make (as recommended by fund raising consultant)

1. Geographic location of Institute

a. Need for scholarship for training
b. “Bricks and mortar” – needs a substantial building
c. Staff compensation
d. Make the best of both worlds … (i. e. , – being a “family” and being a professional organization”)

2. To enlist the membership to be “Ambassadors” of Rolfing and the Rolf Institute

3. Need research

L. Seed money for fund raising developmental program (approximately $100, 000 for a three-year program)

M. Always ask a prospective donor to give an amount directly related to that prospective donor’s capacity to give

N. Inconceivable to prosper without a “voice” for the Institute a quarterly newsletter to “Rolfees”(Approximate two hour discussion)

XII. Action Statements (A re-cap of actions which the Board intends to follow through on)

A. Mission Statement

Marilyn Thursby will be in charge of coordinating membership input regarding internal mission statement – working with Neal Powers.

B. Neal is sending out a questionnaire to membership regarding public relations – what is needed by newer practitioners – how is the client workload going – percent of folks busy – brochure.

C. Admissions
Nicholas French and Cathryn Ellison to review “data collecting” to formulate a profile of the Institute’s Admissions Procedures

D. National Advisory Board
Board members are asked to begin to collect names and individual (nonmembers) who would be appropriate to serve on a National Advisory Board

E. Hans Flury to review possibilities of a clinical research study in Europe

F. Stacey Mills to investigate what we mean by “Quality Control Board”

G. Public Education Brochure
Neal will pursue the formulation of a public education brochure for use by Rolfers with perspective clients and will report at the next meeting

H. Guidelines for Establishing Practice
Neal and Charlotte will pursue the formulation of such guidelines for newly trained practitioners. This “packet” would include items such as Insurance procedures, care and feeding of Rolfers, off ice setting up, licensing (local and state), accounting procedures, etc.

I. Clinical Research Ideas. Neal will ask membership regarding their ideas and possible facilities for conducting clinical research

J. Computer. Richard Stenstadvold will obtain information (bids) on possible computer leasing

K. Newsletter for Public (friends of Rolfing?clients?)
Neal and Cathryn will pursue this matter

(discussion approximately three-quarter hour)Board of Directors Meeting