The RRCO Council is a group of dedicated volunteers. All Council representatives are voted on to Council by the membership. All RRCO members have the right to become a Councillor. Members of the Council are expected to:
- Prepare for and attend board meetings
- Work as a team member
- Sit on and participate in one of the working committees of RRCO
- Participate in the development of a strategic plan
- Monitor the performance of the organization in relation to objectives and core values
- Approve the budget and monitor financial performance in relation to it
- Establish, review, and monitor polices that guide core operational practices (e.g. financial management, human resource management)
- Attend and participate in the Annual General Meeting
Chair ~ George Hatch
How did I get started in Reflexology? After I retired from GMD (General Motors Diesel Div), where I built locomotives and LAV (light armored vehicles), I thought I would drive a school bus part-time. One day when sitting at home talking with my wife, a flyer was put in our mail box. This flyer was put out by the city of London. As I was looking through it I saw this course for reflexology. I asked my wife ‘what is reflexology’ and she said that she thought it something to do with the feet. I looked it up on the internet and thought this is really interesting. So, I took the ten week course the city was putting on. This course was not designed to make you a reflexologist. It was an introductory course.
I enjoyed learning about reflexology so much, that I decided to take the regular course with Holt’s School of Natural Healing. I graduated in Feb 2009 and Dec of 2009 I was voted on the RRCO Council. One year later I became the Chair of the RRCO. I have over 10 year experience in running meetings and organizations, including the St Vincente de Paul society, countless number of Toastmasters meetings and sitting on two of their councils. I have also taught a number of work shops for Toastmasters. I’m currently the President of the Ontario Chapter of the Knights on Bikes (Knights of Columbus)
As Chair of the RRCO I intend to take us to the next level.
God Bless. George J Hatch RRPr
Vice Chair ~ Vacant
Corporate Secretary ~ Kirsten Blok
I, Kirsten Blok, sole owner of Blok’s HANDS Of Healing Holistic Center, have been studying and practising reflexology, both enthusiastically and passionately since 1994. The capital letters of HANDS in my business name is also an acronym that stands for HOLISTIC, ALTERNATIVE, NATURAL, DETOXIFYING AND SPIRITUALITY (Of Healing). Thus, the true hands that heal.
I believe in the concepts of reflexology so vividly that I decided to make it my sole career even when no one in my community seemed to know anything about this magical, ancient healing art.
I realised quickly that the basic reflexology course offered by the only place in Canada to learn reflexology at the time, I knew of, was not enough skill and knowledge, in my opinion, to pursue a lifetime career in reflexology. I searched for organisations outside of North America only to find the ICR or the International Council Of Reflexologists. From there, I was able to attend advanced workshops around the world in reflexology and soon found out how behind Canada seemed to be.
To further my knowledge, I took advanced pathology in reflexology and teaching courses through the Reflexology Association of Canada or RAC for many years. However, I was still hungry to learn and offer more, so I enrolled in the IMI or Irene’s Myomassology Institute School to even further my skills in health modalities. The electives for this program had many avenues but I studied meridian based courses and bio-energetic studies like prana in reflexology, shiatsu, applied kinesiology, craniosacral therapy, etc. to add to my myomassology career. I then also kept learning in Canada as well by taking Therapeutic Touch and Aromatherapy Certifications.
Now, I felt better prepared to start a fulltime career after three years of continuous study. Hence, my seven years as the in-house therapist at a local factory began. I was involved in helping to reduce lost time due to injuries and absences from sick time, repetitive strain injuries, speeding recovery and mostly, reduce WSIB costs.
My skills sharpened at this factory (Integram Windsor Seating), as all I did was work conveyer line style of one body after another like the mentality of the line worker. Then, after extreme downsizing in the company and the arrival of the CAW, I was let go and forced to start my career elsewhere. And so, by June 17th, 2005, I was back in business with my own practice and teaching service of Blok’s HANDS Of Healing.
As a service to the survival of reflexology in Ontario, I enjoy sitting on the RRCO or the Reflexology Registration Council of Ontario. We are dedicated to keep reflexology of holistic and of professional health care status.
I truly believe that reflexology should be a complementary modality in mainstream healthcare as well as a household name and common home remedy to enhance health naturally. My motto stills stand as “Move over aspirin, make room for the Reflexology chart.” Just remember that large amounts of aspirin can damage the body but, large amounts of reflexology does not! Keep practicing.
Growing together one step at a time! Kirsten E. Blok, RRPr, RMP, Aromatherapist & Certified Teacher of Foot Reflexology.
Treasurer
Peter Clemens
I am the newest member to the team of volunteers on the Council. I graduated from the Balnea Institute in Burlington in 2009. To gain valuable experience, I volunteered my reflexology services at the Aids Network of Hamilton from graduation until 2011 and I have developed a sub-speciality in immune building. I am also a former Registered Practical Nurse. I now sit on the Elections and ByLaw Committee and I contribute regularly to our RRCO Facebook page by finding research papers to share.
Jackie Cave
I have been called a ‘Jackie of All Trades’ because I am certified in many holistic modalities. I am a lifelong learner and my passion lies in teaching others the skills I have learned over the years to help people feel physically and emotionally better and to help put them on the path to fulfilling their soul’s mission.
I was first introduced to Reflexology in my early 20’s when I attended a seminar with my sister in England. It was fascinating when the teacher found a sensitive area on my sister’s foot and showed us the related reflex on a foot chart. My sister went to the doctor’s and found she had a problem in the area indicated by the reflexologist. That was one of the first steps towards my interest in holistic modalities. In 2002 I qualified as a Registered Reflexologist with the RRCO and joined the Council in 2009. I currently am Chair of the Insurance Committee and a member of the By-Law Committee as well as taking an active part in office administrative functions, including proof-reading and editing. I encourage others to join us and make RRCO the best it can be.
Annette Verhey
I am a holistic practitioner who provides aromatherapy, hotstone massage, Indian head massage, Swedish massage and reflexology. I also specialize in advanced foot care. At home I experiment with gluten-free diets, organic cooking, sugarless snacks and other healthy real food items. With my husband and seven children, there is a steady supply of feedback. I am dedicated to raising the wellness factor and giving back to the community that helped raise a child. Since my practice has reached beyond her immediate family, I counsel others to make active decisions for healthy lifestyles. I am eager to use my holistic training and practical experience helping people change their habits one at a time. Reflexology, as a safe, noninvasive treatment, offers the perfect connecting point. As I continue my passion for learning, I enjoy sharing my knowledge with others.
Eugen Dietrich
Founding member of RRCO. Sits on the Election Committee and the ByLaws Committee.