Delegate’s Report
The
American Electrology Association Board Meeting
October 2002
Las Vegas, Nevada
By:
Regina W. Rakar, CPE
President
Gerrelyn Adams welcomed the Board members to Las Vegas and called the
meeting to order at 8:50 a.m. Delegates introduced themselves with a
verbal roll call. President
Adams introduced Dr. Kogure, Fumio Amatatsu and Keiko Tezuka from JSA,
who presented the following report: Fumio Amatatsu reported that the
esthetic industry in Japan is now recognized by the government as an
independent service industry. Along with the Ministry of Economy, Trade
and Industry, JSA is pursuing a unified qualification system in the
esthetic industry. The laser industry in Japan has slowed down due to
post treatment skin problems and unskilled practitioners. Keiko Tezuka
reported that 60 test takers passed the CPE exam in Tokyo in August,
bring the current number of Japanese CPEs to 1,105. The Japanese CPE
exam includes a practical portion. JSA sponsored two seminars this year,
one in March and one in August. The JSA website has been reworked and
now includes a question and answer forum for consumers. This website, http://www.jsa-cpe.org was advertised in women’s magazines. The
website lists the salons that employ CPEs. The JSA newsletter translated
and featured the article on Theresa Petricca that was published in International
Hair Route.
MINUTES
The
minutes of the June 29, 2002 AEA Board meeting in Charleston, S.C. were
accepted with the following corrections:
- Page 2 – New Chariman of CERC – should read….Joan Millay, CPE, Director
of OCE, with the able assistance of her husband Ken, will chair
CERC, combining the two continuing education committees into one office.
- Page 3 – CERC – Joan is the Chairman of CERC, not the Director.
- Page 4 – CONVENTION – there will be two luncheon buffets offered
at the convention.
Treasurer’s
Report: Sharon Ortiz, AEA Treasurer, provided a complete report
of finances since the last AEA Board meeting. The report was passed
around fr Delegate review and signatures.
COORESPONDENCE
Executive
Director, Teresa Petricca, recapped various correspondences that the
Executive Office has handled since the last Board meeting, which included:
- The
2003 CPE Test Bulletin has been revised and will soon be available
on line.
- Response
from state medical boards and physicians advertising “permanent hair
removal” for laser has remained overwhelming. In many cases, the physicians
don’t realize that they are advertising fraudulently. State Presidents
are encouraged to police the laser ads for misuse of the phrase “permanent
hair removal”.
- The
Executive Office continues to correspond and e-mail the FDA regarding
the patch and cotton-tip swab device (neither have been cleared to
market), Cold laser HFD, and false advertising.
- Provided
written assistance to Maryland and California, both under Sunset Review.
- The
new President of the Rhode Island Affiliate is Sofia Garabedian. President
Adams wrote to Sofia and told her that the AEA is developing a program
to assist Affiliates struggling with the problems of putting together
interesting CEU seminars, retaining members and attracting new members.
- Continuing
with PR for the profession, the Executive Director responded to articles
containing erroneous information and was interviewed by the NY Post
regarding the lack of training of laser technicians.
- The
packet included correspondence from AEA Delegates at Large, Bonita
Mitchell, to AEA members in the states that she serves and from Mary
Federico to newly licensed non-members in Ohio.
- A
sample letter was included in the delegate packets that ED Petricca
sends to members who report physicians performing / offering laser
hair removal that use “permanent hair removal” in their ads. Due to
the large number of complaints received by the Executive Director,
if the ad is repeated within a 3-4 week time frame, the information
must be resubmitted before another letter will be sent. In another
letter to an electrologist who complained of fraudulent advertising
by a doctor to the FDA, ED Petricca explained that the FDA does not
take action if the device name is not listed in the ad. She recommended
that one should include Laser Facts from the FDA website and copy
letters of complaint to the Board of Medicine of the state.
NEW BUSINESS
OHIO There is a discussion in Ohio to go before the Ohio Medical Board
to increase hours of training from 600 to 1200 hours. The AEA Board
requested more information on this pending legislation and Delegate
at Large, Mary Federico, from Ohio, will investigate and report back.
USE
OF PERMANENT CHOICE BROCHURE CONVER BY MEMBERS IN THEIR ADVERTISING The AEA has received many requests for the use of the pictures on
the cover of the Permanent Choice Brochure in the Public Information
Series. Due to contractual obligations with the photography company
that created the photos, these photos are limited to the usage of AEA
and any related materials b the AEA. The brochure cover cannot be used
by an individual or an organization. The AEA will be sending a camera
– ready picture of the young girl on the brochure that members are encouraged
to use in their advertising.
LUCY
PETERS AEA Executive Director wrote to the Senior Attorney
/ Advertising Review Specialist Chrysee Spathas, addressing the false
claims in Lucy Peter’s advertising in New York Magazine in spite of
the agreement Ms. Peters made to follow NAD (National Advertising Division
of the Council of Better Business Bureau, Inc.) recommendations.
OALE
SCRIPT for ASSOCIATION YP PHONE NUMBER The Oregon Association
of Licensed Electrologists (OALE) provided the script that they use
for their information hotline. This service provides callers with credentials
a consumer should look for when choosing an electrologist, questions
they should ask their electrologist, and sanitation guidelines.
NC
USE OF THE IBEC TEST A letter from AEA was sent to North Carolina
Board of Electrology Examiners protesting a vote to use another national
certifying exam in place of the CPE exam as the written portion of the
NC licensing exam. Differences between the two tests were pointed, including
reasons why the CPE exam is the only certification exam used by states
as the written portion of their licensure exam. NCBEE was also reminded
that they have a contract with CGI.
IGIA
INFOMERCIAL An infomercial for Igia’s Finally gone states
that it is permanent and “utilizes the same technology endorsed by IGPE”.
Executive Director Petricca responded with a complaint to the Federal
Trade Commission and the FDA’s Chief of General Surgery Devices, Office
of Compliance.
OHIO
STATE MEDICAL BOARD CEU APPROVAL When the Ohio State Medical
Board approved only .8 hours of continuing education of the 1.5 offered
at the AEA convention in Las Vegas, they were asked to reevaluate their
decision after being presented with documentation that the speakers
fulfilled all requirements of the Board and met all necessary criteria
for acceptance. All 15 hours were approved.
STATES
SEEKING REGULATION South Carolina, Virginia, and Texas are
pursuing licensure. California is seeking to modify and increase hours
of training for instructors. California was also pursuing a continuing
education requirement proposal for a portion of their licensure renewal
but this is on hold for now.
AURORA
DS The “new” Aurora DS has received FDA clearance for hair
removal. It combines RF laser and a coolant.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
CERC/OCE (Joan Millay, CPE) Joan reported tat there are currently 2434
CPEs. OCE recorded 19 state Affiliate CEU events and 11 non-affiliated
events. 662 JOE Home Study exams were processed so far this year, 203
in the past trimester – Joan requested again that those in charge of
Affiliate event take in fees and send OCE one check for all of
those in attendance.
Joan
announced that the Executive Committee had reviewed the concerns about
computer /business courses that contribute to continuing education requirements
and presented the following resolution:
Business
courses, related to an electrology business, will be limited to 5 hours
in a 5-year certification period. This includes, but is not limited
to, computers, business management, and office organization. These 5
hours may be all at once, or spread throughout the certification period.
VOTE: Yes – 10
No – 22
Without
the passage of the resolution, OCE will continue to accept or deny courses
on an individual basis.
EW (Sally McAleer, CPE) Volume 21, Issue 2 was mailed out August 14,
2002. Extra issues of EW were mailed to Bonita Mitchell to aid her in
her endeavor to promote the AEA to non-members. Sally is currently working
on Volume 21, Issue 3, with a submission deadline of October 28, 2002.
IBEC (Patsy Kirby, CPE) Patsy is continuing her preparation of the new
AEA program “Teaching the Teachers”, has organized and completed the
“Instructor’s Handbook” and received approval for 12 hours of continuing
education – 1.2 CEUs.
MEMBERSHIP
DATA BANK (Coral Gosnell, CPE) Coral mailed pro rate notices
to all 2002 non-renewals and has been processing those renewals. She
also coordinated the paid referral ads and mailed payment notices out.
Coral sent out mailing list for EW and JOE and is currently processing
2003 dues renewals. Coral is again asking that each state Affiliate
Membership chair follow up on non-renewals in their state and send her
an update on the status of the non-renewals.
MEMBERSHIP (Gerrelyn Adams, CPE) Gerrelyn reported with fewer electrology schools
across the country, it has led to a decrease in AEA membership. In spite
of this, AEA membership base is remaining stable, due in part to an
active membership that reviews the database about 4 times a year and
frequently communicates with former members.
COE (Bette Pritchett, CPE) Bette is planning to interview candidates
interested in serving on the Council. Bette also did the legwork to
plan the February 2003 Board meeting in San Antonio, TX. (See 2003 MEETING
DATES later in this document).
CONVENTION (Marilyn Kraut, CPE) As of October 3, there were 308 registered
for the 2002 convention. The 2003 convention will be at the Ft. Lauderdale
Marina Marriott, November 5-8. The room rate is $129.00 single/double.
Additional persons $10.00. The 2004 convention will return to Las Vegas.
Possible dates are October 13-16 or October 20-23, 2004.
ADVERTISING (Sheila Ahern, CPE) In November, there will be a new look
for web supplier ads. For Affiliate events, you can contact Sheila at
the bottom of the Exchange page. The Affiliate exchange Message Index
has proved quite beneficial to electrologists who want to travel to
near-by states and attend events. Sheila now has a general outline of
meeting schedules for all affiliates but Virginia. If you need to leave
a long detailed message for Sheila please use her home # - 503-285-7309.
You may fax her at this # or at 503-241-4299.
BYLAWS (Diane Polin Radic, CPE) The Committee reviewed bylaws and
proposed changes to bylaws from Connecticut (CSEA) and made suggested
corrections as to format as well as comprehensive recommended revisions.
Diane had a phone meeting with Dr. DeStasio and discussed Article VI
– Meetings, Section 4 of AEA’s bylaws.
CONVENTION
EDUCATION (Bonita Mitchell, CPE) Bonita was quite busy
during this period prior to the convention. In addition to duties associated
with the convention speakers, she wrote an article for EW and a news
release for Hair Route. She has confirmed speakers for the 2003 convention
and all have been approved by CERC. Lecture suggestions and speaker
contacts can be sent to Bonita at her address in the Roster or at amitch0300@aol.com
Bonita asked that all state Delegates help monitor the interruptions
and conversation during lectures at the convention.
WAYS
AND MEANS (Claire Klenosky, CPE) New order forms were provided.
Please print the new forms in state Affiliate newsletters and have copies
on hand at Affiliate meetings. Please note that there are now shipping
and handling charges on each order.
DELEGATES
AT LARGE (Mary Federico, CPE / Bonita Mitchell, CPE) Both Mary and
Bonita have been quite busy informing their constituents about the latest
AEA Board meetings, the next convention in Florida and other pertinent
issues. Mary attended a community college meeting and made a good
contact for the AEA and our goal to introduce electrology programs to
community colleges across the country.
WEBSITE
REPORT (Gerrelyn Adams) Gerrelyn thanked Rodney Brandon for all
the years he devoted to putting the AEA website together and keeping
it running. A new Web master, Kelly Watson, took over this job in March,
2002. Our two sites, electrology.com and the database, were combined
to save money. Kelly had made many useful, necessary and cost effective
changes, such as the shopping cart to purchase AEA promotional items.
Also, the membership applications and CPE test bulletins are now available
for downloading, which reduces postage costs substantially. When all
costs are in, there will be a report on everything that was done. Billing
for the referral directory and more paid ads in the classified section
is offsetting some of the costs involved.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
ILLINOIS
/ NY LICENSING Illinois Governor George H. Ryan informed Executive
Director Petricca that by his signing of HB 4255 on August 2, 2002,
Illinois joined ranks with states that govern the practice of electrology.
Caroline DelJuidice, CPE, President of the New Your Affiliate, is still
fighting for legislation in her state. The New York Affiliate has been
in pursuit of this goal for over 20 years and is now waiting for the
Assembly to reconvene.
VOGUE
MAGAZINE AD Advertising copy is available for states wishing
to use the Vogue Magazine ad in their area.
TRANSDERMAL,
EPAN Executive Director Petricca continues to keep the FDA
apprised of fraudulent claims found on TV and in catalogue advertisements
by E-Pen, the cotton tip and the patch devices like Super-Phaser Gold
/ Transdermal, and the website http://www.permanenthairoff.com
STATE
MEDICAL BOARDS State Medical Boards have been very supportive
when contacted by concerned electrologists who bring the fraudulent
claims of laser physicians / technicians to their attention. State Medical
Board contact with a physician who fraudulently advertises laser hair
removal as permanent always results in amended ads and compliance with
state laws and professional codes. PLEASE REMEMBER: Executive Director
Petricca needs ALL pertinent information to follow-up on a fraudulent
advertising claim: Please send: 1. The ad itself. 2. The
name, complete address (including the zip code) of the person advertising.
3. The name and date of the publication. Ads should be current.
COMMUNITY
COLLEGE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM / OCEAN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE Each attendee at the AEA Convention will be receiving a questionnaire
that will assist community colleges conducting a market feasibility
study of the profession. The results of this study will help community
colleges decide on adding electrology to their programs.
YELLOW
PAGES Electrologists across the country are still frustrated
with laser heading jumping. NY Affiliate President Caroline DelJuidice,
CPE, is continuing her communication with Verison Yellow Pages on this
issue. Her correspondence is included in the delegate packet. Delegates
should create a Yellow Page file and have correspondence / documentation
available if they are faced with similar problems in their area.
2003 AEA BOARD MEETINGS
February
8, 2003 San
Antonio, TX The
Homewood Suites
June
28, 2003
Chicago, Illinois
The Talbot Hotel
Nov 4, 2002
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Marina Marriott
PUBLIC
RELATIONS Executive Director Petricca continues to keep
the AEA, electrology and CPE in the spotlight. AEA Executive Director
Petricca was interviewed by the NY Post regarding laser techs. She is
also working with Katherine Svedman, Executive Director, American Society
for Dermatologic Surgery, informed editors about joint efforts on the
national level to expose the dangers of non-physicians practicing medicine,
such as laser hair removal and other procedures. Terri discussed this
issue in an interview with the Discovery Channel for a one-hour story
on the non-physician practice of medicine. The Executive Director contributed
to an article on Medical Spas in the Aug. / Sept. issue of Massage and
Bodywork. A response was written to address erroneous statements in
an article in the July 2002 issue of cosmopolitan and in 2 separate
articles in the September 2002 issue of Cosmopolitan. The AEA offers
its’ services as the definitive contact resource to any publication.
A factual article, “Shedding the Light on the Laser” by Karine Beaumont,
of Dectro International, is often included with the letter by Executive
Director Petricca to Beauty Editors of national magazines.
GOOD and WELFARE
A
laser device from Radiancy was cleared by the FDA as a Physician’s Directed
Use (PDU) device, or for house use.
The
updated FDA Laser Facts, published 9/24/2002, was included in Delegate
packets. It clearly states “manufacturers may not claim that laser hair
removal is either painless or permanent.
@COPYRIGHT
2002, THE AMERICAN ELECTROLOGY ASSOCIATION. All rights reserved.
No part of this document may be produced, stored in a retrieval system,
or transmitted, in any form or by an y means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission
of the AMERICAN ELECTROLOGY ASSOCIATION.