A.   Policy

        1.      Outline of the Policy Submission Process and Timeline

    The following is a brief outline of the policy submission process and timeline.  Policies are reviewed by the Joint Policy Committee (JPC), an instrument of the Governing Council with 12 members (four from each of the Science, Action, and Education Boards).  In January, the intention to submit a resolution is expressed to the JPC to help provide guidance or reference to any similar policies. By mid-March a draft is due to the JPC, and the proposed policy is available online for review, with comments submitted by Sections and SPIGs. In April after comments are in, the JPC submits their formal recommendation to the Governing Council to approve the resolution, approve with some conditions, or reject (which can be appealed), and authors can resubmit their revisions by mid-June.  Upon revisions and endorsements from other sections by July, it is posted online and put to a final vote by membership by the end of August, and will get a public hearing and vote at the Annual Meeting.

    Please feel welcome to send policies to John Balbus, our Environment Section Policy Committee Chair, and he can help with policy suggestions, revisions and the policy process: jbalbus@ed.org .

            2.       Subcommittees and Chairs                

·           Built environment initiative committee: Peter Ashley Peter.J.Ashley@hud.gov

·           Climate Change Committee: Kyle Kinner and John Balbus  jbalbus@ed.org

·           Committee on 2011: Leyla McCurdy mccurdy@neetf.org

·           Green Meeting Committee: Maureen O’Neill oneill.marueen@epa.gov

·           Healthy Food Systems Committee: Jill Litt  jill.litt@uchsc.edu 

B.   Program Planning

    Many thanks to Barbara Glenn and Bill Daniell and all of the Section members who helped plan this year’s program!  They have been working hard reviewing abstracts, designing tracks and planning fantastic social events!  The Program for the Environment Section sessions and events for the Annual Meeting is included in the newsletter. Further details about the program and the meeting can be found at the APHA meeting Web site at www.apha.org/meetings.

    Barbara and Bill are looking to recruit session moderators, and future program planners.  Please contact them if you are interested: Glenn.Barbara@epa.gov and bdaniell@u.washington.edu.

C.   Student Involvement Committee

    We are pleased to announce that the Student Involvement Committee received many applications for the Student Scholarship Program Awards. The Award winners will be announced at the Section Social at the Annual Meeting. As interest in this opportunity grows, so must our network of support.  We realize the importance of encouraging students to get involved in the environmental health field, and how difficult it can be for them to find resources to explore these opportunities. We would like to enlist your support of the Student Award process, by asking you to encourage your training institutions to sponsor the Environment Section Student Awards.  The awards are used to fund student posters, travel and participation in the annual conferences, at which students are required to participate in Section meetings and events.  A template letter is available. If you are able to assist, please contact Nse Obot-Witherspoon at nobot@cehn.org .

D.  Communications Committee

    The Section Web site will be migrating to the APHA web site soon! We are in search of a new Webmaster. Generously, Chuck Treser has served as the Section’s Webmaster for many years since its inception and has graciously offered to continue this service to the Section. If you are interested in getting more involved, please contact Jill Litt at jill.litt@uchsc.edu .

E.  Membership Committee 

    Robin Lee and the Committee would like to welcome new and returning members! To help you customize your Section membership with updates based on your interests, you may update your professional interests and expertise at the APHA Web site: www.apha.org .  To access your member profile: 1) click on the ‘About Us’ drop down menu in the upper left-hand corner of the screen, 2) click on ‘Member Information’, and 3) click on ‘Update Your Member Profile.’  Enter your username and password to access your member profile.  Update all fields and click Submit Changes at the bottom of the screen. 

    The Membership Committee has created a table with opportunities for you to get involved in Section and committee activities.  Please look for this table in this edition of the newsletter!

F.   Nominations Committee

    Interested in getting involved in the leadership aspects of the Section?  Would you like to nominate someone who inspires you in environmental health?  If so, please contact Nse Obot Witherspoon at nobot@cehn.org .