The History of VRA
The Vermont Reiki Association was founded in 2003 by a group of 14 Reiki Practitioners.
Kelly McDermott-Burns Pittsfield, Windsor County
Marybeth McKinnon Lang Tunbridge, Orange County
Shelley Chmielewsk Milton, Chittenden County
Gerri Cobb Swanton, Franklin County
Susan M. Fortier RSM
Chris Hanna Burlington, Chittenden County
Jennie Kristel Shelburne, Chittenden County
Syliva Lio Rutland County
Jean Potter Shelburne, Chittenden County
Phoebe Sol East Thetford, Orange County
Taras B. Lovick, MS
Donna Thomas South Burlington, Chittenden County
Kelly McDermott-Burns Pittsfield, Windsor County
Marybeth McKinnon Lang Tunbridge, Orange County
Shelley Chmielewsk Milton, Chittenden County
Gerri Cobb Swanton, Franklin County
Susan M. Fortier RSM
Chris Hanna Burlington, Chittenden County
Jennie Kristel Shelburne, Chittenden County
Syliva Lio Rutland County
Jean Potter Shelburne, Chittenden County
Phoebe Sol East Thetford, Orange County
Taras B. Lovick, MS
Donna Thomas South Burlington, Chittenden County
The early years - pre-2005
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.
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.
2006-2010
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.
November 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.
August 2010
Members gave Reiki sessions at the Rutland Health Fair.
October 2010
13 VRA members gave 50 Reiki sessions at the Breast Cancer Conference at the Sheraton.
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.
November 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.
August 2010
Members gave Reiki sessions at the Rutland Health Fair.
October 2010
13 VRA members gave 50 Reiki sessions at the Breast Cancer Conference at the Sheraton.
2011-2015
January 2011
Website designed
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.
Website designed
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.
2016 - 2020
2016
Membership report
2017
Website redesigned
Events included Stowe Weekend of Hope, Camp Knock Knock, Women's Health & Cancer Conf., VNA Respite House, Strolling of the Heifers (see annual report)
Annual report to membership
Membership report
2018
Events included Stowe Weekend of Hope, Camp Knock Knock, Women's Health & Cancer Conf., VNA Respite House, Reiki for Recovery, Alzheimer’s Longest Day, Reiki at UVM Medical Center, Strolling of the Heifers (see annual report)
Annual report to membership
Membership report
Membership by region/county
2019
Events included Stowe Weekend of Hope, Go Red for Women, Mind-Body-Spirit Expo, Camp Knock Knock, Women's Health & Cancer Conf., VNA Respite House, Alzheimer’s Longest Day, Reiki at UVM Medical Center, Strolling of the Heifers (see annual report)
Annual report to membership
Membership report
Membership by region/county
2020
Events were not possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic. VRA focused on supporting membership through expanded social media connections, a virtual conference, launching a "Reiki Enhancement Series" to connect through virtual space.
Membership report
2017
Website redesigned
Events included Stowe Weekend of Hope, Camp Knock Knock, Women's Health & Cancer Conf., VNA Respite House, Strolling of the Heifers (see annual report)
Annual report to membership
Membership report
2018
Events included Stowe Weekend of Hope, Camp Knock Knock, Women's Health & Cancer Conf., VNA Respite House, Reiki for Recovery, Alzheimer’s Longest Day, Reiki at UVM Medical Center, Strolling of the Heifers (see annual report)
Annual report to membership
Membership report
Membership by region/county
2019
Events included Stowe Weekend of Hope, Go Red for Women, Mind-Body-Spirit Expo, Camp Knock Knock, Women's Health & Cancer Conf., VNA Respite House, Alzheimer’s Longest Day, Reiki at UVM Medical Center, Strolling of the Heifers (see annual report)
Annual report to membership
Membership report
Membership by region/county
2020
Events were not possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic. VRA focused on supporting membership through expanded social media connections, a virtual conference, launching a "Reiki Enhancement Series" to connect through virtual space.
- Logo redesign
- Virtual conference
- Expanded social media presence on 5 platforms
- Reiki Enhancement Series launched
- Groups established to facilitate connections in VRA regions across the state via Facebook groups
