Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68008
touch and such BY KARRIE OSBORN A Virtual World With hopes of creating dialog between members of the far-reaching massage profession, a handful of Canadian massage therapists developed MassageTherapyRadio.com, a type of radio on the web, where experts in the field talk about trends, techniques, research, and regulation. "There is a lot of isolation with massage therapists," says Toronto-based Eric Brown, co-creator of the Massage Therapy Radio project. "We thought it would be a wonderful resource to talk about issues and put it in a public forum. This really provides an opportunity for dialog." This labor of love was created almost two years ago by Brown, Scott Dartnall, Donald Dillon, Melanie Hayden, Barry Jennings, and Jim Smyth. Now they have created the November 17-22 World Massage Conference, pegged to be the largest massage conference ever, with 8,000 participants already registered for the virtual event. "When we were doing live broadcasts on Massage Therapy Radio, we saw that people were listening from around the world," Hayden says. "We saw that opportunity of a global perspective; of linking people together." For a small fee, conference participants can listen in to more than 50 presenters, including Leon Chaitow, Bonnie Prudden, Thomas Myers, John Upledger, and Ruth Werner. Conference-goers will have access to live audio presentations either online or over the phone, can ask questions of the experts, and can even follow along with slideshows or provided notes. Sessions will also be available to download for an additional fee. Taking what they had learned from producing content for MasageTherapyRadio.com, the team hopes the World Massage Conference can create virtual, global classrooms where professional dialog can evolve. "Instead of just talking amongst ourselves in North America, let's talk about what's happening internationally," Brown says. To register for the World Massage Conference, visit the link on MassageandBodywork.com. To see what's happening on the online airwaves, go to MassageTherapyRadio.com. 92 massage & bodywork november/december 2008 Giving for Free Philanthropy on a shoestring. That's what they're calling an idea from GoodSearch.com and GoodShop.com, which lets the public give to their favorite non-profit every time they search the Internet or shop online. More than 100 new non- profits and schools are registering daily, with 60,000 groups already on board, and it's all at no cost to the giver. For online shopping, GoodShop. com lets consumers choose from more than 700 retailers, including Target, Macy's, and Best Buy. With each item you buy—at the exact same price offered directly from retailers—up to 30 percent of the purchase price goes to the shopper's favorite cause. GoodSearch.com helps non-profits by donating approximately one cent to the user's favorite charity for every Internet search conducted. There's no easier, or cheaper, way to give. On the same note, don't forget the "free" giving you can do at TheRainForestsite. com, TheChildHealthsite. com, TheLiteracysite.com, TheBreastCancersite.com, and all the other websites that support causes financially, all with a simple—and free—click of the mouse.