With
the introduction of laser hair removal technology in 1995, it became
increasingly apparent, over the next few years, that there was a growing
need to recognize and preserve the identity of electrologists as permanent
hair removal specialists in the face of a rapidly changing hair removal
industry. In order that Texas electrologists could have a choice
to belong to a state electrology association that represented only needle type electrology practitioners, it became necessary to form a
new state electrolysis association in Texas and was the catalyst that
led to the inception of TAPE.
On
April 7, 1998, a letter was sent to the majority of electrologists in
Texas to invite their support and participation in the formation of
a new state electrology association that, by design, would be an affiliate
of the AEA. A modest, yet encouraging response was received
and plans immediately were made to set up an organization meeting that
would lay the groundwork for TAPE’s official formation.
With twelve enthusiastic electrologists in attendance, on June 28, 1998,
TAPE’s first organization meeting was held in Houston, Texas, and formalized
the humble beginnings of a new state electrology association in Texas.
Subsequently,
as a supportive measure to TAPE, AEA scheduled its first Board meeting
of 1999 locally in Dallas, Texas. The following year, on
January 23, 1999, the AEA Board voted unanimously to accept TAPE as
their new state affiliate. Being a part of the AEA family of state
affiliates, at last, TAPE members were extremely proud of their new
status and also very grateful for the assistance AEA had given their
newly formed state electrology association throughout its formative
process.
The
following month, steps were taken to incorporate TAPE as a non-profit
corporation in the State of Texas. On February 11, 1999, TAPE
was issued a Certificate of Incorporation and Charter number by the
office of the Secretary of State, in Austin,Texas.
WHAT STATE AFFILIATION WITH AEA MEANS
AEA,
incorporated in 1958, is the oldest and largest international electrology
association in our profession. It promotes the highest standards
of electrology education, practice and ethics and supports state licensing
and regulation of the profession to protect the public interest.
AEA has accomplished many national standards of excellence for our profession.
Some of its most major contributions are as follows:
- AEA Infection Control Standards for the Practice of Electrology
(developed with the assistance of Centers For Disease Control in Atlanta,
Geogia)
- Standards of Practice for Electrologists
- Sponsorship of the International Board of Electrologist Certification
(IBEC)/Certified Professional Electrologist (CPE) Exam/Credential
- Developed IBEC test for written portion of state licensing exam
- Office of Continuing Education
AEA
also offers services and support to its members that are unmatched in
our profession. And perhaps most importantly of all, AEA remains
always accountable to its membership, the entire profession, state and
federal agencies as well as serving as a consumer advocate.
A
coalition of state electrology associations, with a unique affiliate
and delegate structure, compose AEA’s membership body. Every AEA
state affiliate within the coalition has representation by two delegates
who each have one vote. This truly democratic way in which AEA
functions gives TAPE and all its state affiliates a voice in national
policy and enables them to support our health related profession in
an appropriate manner. The state affiliates are supportive spokes
in AEA’s greater wheel of structure and is where TAPE and all state
electrology associations belong. |
