Vermont Reiki Association History

VRA History

The VRA Acting as a resource for the understanding and practice of Reiki and an advocate for the acceptance of Reiki.

Autumn 2002	A small group of Reiki practitioners gathered several times to discuss forming a statewide Reiki organization.
February, 2003	14 Reiki practitioners met and enthusiastically endorsed the concept of a Vermont Reiki Organization.
Winter 2003	The name “Vermont Reiki Association” was registered with the State of Vermont and goals of the Association were established.
Winter/ Spring/Fall 2003	A Reiki support group sponsored by the Vermont Reiki Association (VRA) met on a regular basis.
December, 2003	The VRA held its first public event, a Reiki clinic at the University of Vermont, attended by 65 students and 10 Reiki practitioners.
Spring 2004	The VRA established a leadership team.
Spring/Summer 2004	The VRA became a formal organization with paid memberships, a code of ethics and a vision statement.
July , 2004	Paid memberships began.
Fall 2004	The VRA gave Reiki at the Vermont Respite House which provides care for those in their last weeks of life. A VRA created a logo, tagline and website.
	An educational and hands-on Reiki clinic was held at St. Michaels College.
	The first regional coordinator was established in central Vermont.
February , 2005	The first VRA newsletter was published.
April 30, 2005	9 members gave 80 Reiki sessions at the Stowe Weekend of Hope for Cancer Survivors and did a workshop on how Reiki can be used as part of a healing program. 1000 people attended the event.
June 4, 2005	VRA members gave Reiki sessions at Camp Knock, Knock for children and families who have lost a loved one.
September 24, 2005	24 people attended the first VRA annual meeting held at the Montpelier library.
October 21, 2005	VRA members gave 50 Reiki sessions at the Breast Cancer Conference at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in Burlington.
Throughout 2005	Monthly Reiki sessions were offered at the Vermont Respite House in Williston, a home for people in their last week of life, operated by the Visiting Nurses’ Association.
May 6, 2006	At the Stowe Weekend of Hope for Cancer Survivors members gave 70 sessions.
May 13, 2006	4 members participated in Women’s Health Day at Fletcher Allen Health Care and gave 60 sessions.
June, 2006	At Camp Knock, Knock 7 members gave Reiki to 30 people and 1 dog.
	One member gave Reiki sessions at a National Cancer Day event in Montpelier.
October, 2006	10 members gave Reiki at the Breast Cancer Conference at the Sheraton in Burlington.
	2 members gave Reiki at the Central Vermont Medical Center Breast Care Open House.
	The second VRA annual meeting was held in Montpelier. 15 people attended. VRA had 50 members who donated 240 Reiki sessions in 2006.
	Regional coordinators were established in several areas of Vermont.
November, 2006	20 first year medical students at UVM were given an introduction and Reiki. 6 VRA members gave 20 sessions.
	Ongoing monthly sessions at Respite House.
May, 2007	10 members gave 78 sessions at Weekend of Hope for Cancer Survivors.
	4 members gave 70 sessions at Women’s Health Day at Fletcher Allen Health Care.
	9 members gave 65 sessions at the Rutland Health Fair.
	4 members gave Reiki at Cancer Survivor’s Day at the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth - Hitchcock Medical Center.
June, 2007	10 members gave 61 sessions at Camp Knock, Knock.
	4 members gave sessions at the Johnson State College Awakening the Spirit Days.
October, 2007	The third annual meeting was held and attended by 15 people.
Nov. 2007	11 members gave 70 sessions at the Breast Cancer Conference at the Sheraton.
	Monthly sessions continued at Respite House.
	A monthly free Reiki clinic were established at Central Vermont Medical Center.
	A Reiki volunteer program began at Gifford Medical Center in Randolph.
	A Reiki volunteer program started on the Hematology/Oncology department at Fletcher Allen Health Care.
	Reiki was given at Dartmouth - Hitchcock Hospital.
December, 2007	VRA membership reached 80.
April, 2008	5 members gave Reiki at the Healing Fire at UVM, an event that raises awareness of sexual abuse.
May, 2008	15 members gave 100 sessions at the Weekend of Hope for Cancer Survivors.
	3 members gave Reiki at Cancer Survivor's Day at Norris Cotton Cancer Center.
June 2008	9 members gave 65 sessions at Camp Knock, Knock.
	5 members gave 60 sessions at the Hospice and Palliative Care Council of Vermont Conference.
	5 members gave Reiki at Relay For Life events in Essex, Rutland, Lebanon and Woodstock.
	2 members gave Reiki at the Prouty, a bike and walking event to raise money for cancer research.
October 2008	The fourth VRA annual meeting was held at Gifford Medical Center in Randolph. Members voted in favor of the VRA becoming a non-profit.
	Members gave Reiki at the Breast Cancer Conference at the Sheraton.
April 2009	4 members gave 15 sessions at the Women's Healing Fire at UVM.
	1 member gave Reiki at the New England Resident Service Coordinators Conference in Burlington.
May 2009	13 members gave 82 sessions at the Weekend of Hope in Stowe.
	9 members gave Reiki at the Nurse’s Knowledge Day at Fletcher Allen.
June 2009	VRA board of directors was formed.
	12 members gave 35 sessions at Camp Knock, Knock.
	6 members gave 60 sessions at the Palliative Care Council of Vermont Conference.
July 2009	VRA received state non-profit status.
August 2009	6 members gave 40 sessions at the Rutland Health Fair.
October 2009	Members gave Reiki at the Breast Cancer Conference at the Sheraton in Burlington.
November 2009	Over 30 members attended the 5th VRA annual meeting at the Montpelier library.
	The board of directors started work on the VRA bylaws.
2010	VRA memberships exceed 100.
April 2010	VRA gave Reiki at the Women’s Healing Fire at the University of Vermont.
May 2010	7 of our members helped give 47 Reiki sessions at Nurse’s Knowledge Day at Fletcher Allen Hospital.
June 2010	7 VRA members gave Reiki at the Hospice and Palliative Care Council of Vermont Annual Conference.
June 2010	Members gave Reiki at Camp Knock, Knock.
Aug. 2010	Members gave Reiki sessions at the Rutland Health Fair.
Oct. 2010	13 VRA members gave 50 Reiki sessions at the Breast Cancer Conference at the Sheraton.
January 2011	Website redesigned.
May 11, 2011	VRA Bylaws installed
July 2011	Ongoing - Clinic at Central Vermont Medical Center.
	Reiki sessions at Respite House.
	Clinic at Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Saint Johnsbury, VT and Hanover, NH.
	Clinic at Gifford Medical Center
	Reiki at Chapel of St. Johnsbury House

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

~Mahatma Gandhi