Chair massage at an elementary school?

[regina]

OK... there is a staff appreciation day at my daughters school district on tuesday.  I found out about this last week when the PTA newsletter came out and they were asking for baked goods.  I have always sent stuff in but thought this year... hey, I can do something better!  Chair Massage!!!  Especially since I am looking to branch out on my own, this would be a great oportunity to advertise in my community!So, the woman calls me up finally today saying that she is sorry and thank you for being willing to give my time and that it would have been a great idea.  The problem that the school had was liability!!!  She spoke to the PTA president, the school board, the districts lawyer, you name it... Yet no one called me to ask about it when I first suggested it!!!  When I told her that I had full coverage and malpractice insurance she almost died and wished that she had called me earlier.  Very, very frustrating!!!  Since I really would have thought that stressed out teachers would be happier receiving a 5-10 minute massage vs. a plate of cookies and brownies!!!  I just really needed to vent on this...  and wondering if anyone has done something like this???  Just trying to do something nice for a change!

 

[whoo-cheals]

WoW, I can't believe the school's would go thru all that and not even consider calling you up first to get your information.  I am volunteering for a couple hours (an hour per day) during teacher appreciate week at my kid's elementary school.  They didn't even bat an eye.  My friend was the one who suggested it to the person coordinating the event and then my friend got in touch with me.  Another school in the same district as us was actually "hiring" a therapist for their day.  I should have jumped at that one too...but it was after the fact.  Oh well.  I'll let you know how it turns out and I am still curious about other's who have already done this, too!JoJo

 

[Pompal 09.]

the PTA president, the school board, the districts lawyer, you name it...

And these are the people who are in charge of picking teachers to teach our kids?  Yikes!  No wonder we have places with them coming out of highschool with minimal skills.  Look at the top of the food chain!Too bad that happened to you.  Maybe you should get the numbers or information of the people who made such a concientious decision, and let them know what your credentials and insurances are now, so that next time, they will give you the big ok?What a pain!

 

[Karamore(:]

Chair massage at an elementary school?

yeah this is a "live and learn" experience. Next time when you submit a suggestion that you're available to provide chair massage to teachers at a local school, be sure to add in your letter/flyer that you are both licensed AND insured and will gladly answer any questions they may have concerning the legalities of such a benefit at their institution.Sorry you had to learn the hard way on this but I'm glad you vented to us M.T.'s out there who may have otherwise gone through the same thing had we not learned from your negative experience.Be well,Jen

 

[Kelly M]

Chair massage at an elementary school?

Yes, as a good general rule to stick by, and especially when you are "breaking in new ground"...always mentioned that you are insured, Muriel. That's what you are paying for Schools can be a great resource for work. I worked on contract bi-weekly for a city's school administration. Once you are hired by one school system, it opens the door for others.

 

[Reba]

Chair massage at an elementary school?

I learned very quickly on that one... I will always make sure that I put everywhere that I am licensed and insured!!!  But truthfully the coordinator for this event should have responded a lot quicker, from my point of view I was figuring that in that amount of time...  she either never checked her e-mail or erased it!!!  She should have responded with a thank you and I will get back to you if we can do this I just have to clear it with so and so...  not check with so and so, and get back to me with the bad news which didn't have to be bad in the first place...  argh!!!And yeah, I am hoping that volunteering at the school will turn around as clients either way, coming directly to the school doing chair massage (which I think will be great for both parties) or advertising that I do table massage in addition to this little sample of my work!I have been thinking that I may call her back, say that I will do a raffle instead (because of the screw up) for a 1/2 hour gift certificate and leave a jar in the teachers lounge or where ever they are going to have the "baked goods" along with a stack of my cards...  I really want the advertisement, I will probably still want it next year, but it will be more important for me now!!!Thank you all for your comments, I really appreciate it!!!

 

[David W]

Exactly... and that is why I figured that I could volunteer in a better way then just baking a plate of brownies or cookies.  I figured that was a better way for me to give back with what I do best and in a way that they would really appreciate.  I honestly thought I gave her enough time to contact me, and that would have been my first thought that I would have gotten a response from her asap.  I really had given up that it was a possibility and was worried about getting the time off from the spa with such a short notice.  Even if I didn't get any private clients from the day, I would know that I would have relieved a little bit of the stress that they face in their normal day.  My mother, 3 of my uncles, my brother (briefly), and several of my best friends are all teachers, so I appreciate them more than you know.  I really respect my teachers and have been greatful for what they have done for me, and remember many of them to this day!

 

[Luna]

Chair massage at an elementary school?

It can't hurt to submit a follow-up letter/email/phone call after your initial one. Especially this time of year what with the staff getting ready for end-of-year things, they probably need a reminder that you'd love to help them during this stressful time of year. I allow 3-4 days maximum to hear back from places like that regarding chair massage. Maybe you can start making it part of your habit to try and re-connect with a business/school/etc. if you haven't heard back after a few days.Good luck on the next one! Be well,Jen

 

[Fasty]

I was actually thinking about doing that exactly the day she called, mainly because I needed to tell my boss that I wouldn't be comming in!  But yes, these are things I definitely need to think about in the future.  She did ask me if I would be interested in doing it next year, and I said I would... so hopefully we won't have to go through this fiasco when the time comes!  I could have even faxed them my license and my insurance information if necessary!!!

 

[Zeina]

Chair massage at an elementary school?

Several of us have been giving chair type massages for many years at teacher training programs that are held annually for our teachers here in southern NM. We have always received great evaluations. I discovered years ago that it is always good to have evaluation forms available just in case someone doesn't like it and complains to the administration. Some of my school social workers have also successfully introduced our program to students in the behaviour classrooms and the students quieted down and responded very well to the massage.Anyway, I know that many teachers and schools are frightened of touch, but as long as we have clearly established "guidelines for touch" they can safely use our program.