Title: Message from the Chair
Author:
Section/SPIG: Community Health Planning and Policy Development
Issue Date:
Welcome to a new year and new opportunities. This is the beginning of my two-year term as Chair of the Community Health Planning and Policy Development Section (CHPPD), and I am already envisioning new challenges and visions for our growing Section. At over 1,700 members, we are one of the larger sections (over 6 percent of total APHA membership), and certainly the most diverse.
Many thanks to Paul Meissner, immediate Past Chair, for the hard work he has committed over the past couple of years, particularly since he served two years in what he thought was a one-year term (last year this Section decided to join other sections in extending the term of our officers to two years to maintain continuity and build on experience). I am very pleased to have his continued support, as well as that of Chair-Elect Sue Myers in this time of transition.
In fact, I am very fortunate to have the confirmed support of our CHPPD leadership group of over 30 members who volunteer to assist in many activities throughout the year. In a Jan. 7, 2005, business meeting of this group, we talked about many Section interests, and took action to confirm our formal leadership positions including Section Council, Governing Council, Committee Chairs, and Activity Liaisons as shown in the list at the end of this article (a few positions haven’t been filled yet, and volunteers will be accepted on a first-come first-serve basis, so contact me immediately if you would like to increase your involvement).
We had many important things to discussion, particularly the Call for Abstracts due on Feb. 10, 2005 (with special recognition for student submissions this year), APHA Executive Committee activities, membership services, the New Orleans Annual Meeting, and an emphasis on awards to recognize outstanding achievements in section contributions, plus excellence in health policy and health planning practice.
Communication has been repeatedly discussed as one of the most important things that we can work on this year. This can take many forms, from local state interaction to annual face-to-face conference contacts. Meanwhile, we want to continue to develop our valuable communication vehicles such as the newsletter, e-mail exchanges, listserv dialogue and Web site service. Member input is an important feedback to help us respond to needs, so it is vital that we hear what you have to say and how we say it.
Stay in touch, and drop me line if you have ideas or just want to leave a greeting: <macquest@mchsi.com>. Communication is a two-way street and a scenic drive.
Related Files:
leaderroster.doc