Dear IH Section Members:
Please enjoy this issue of our Section Newsletter! Josefa Ippolito-Shepherd, our dedicated editor, strives to ensure that each newsletter contains reports from Section leaders and Committees. Feedback is welcome!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your trust in me to take on this important job. It has been a very busy time just learning what it is to be Chair and trying to stay in touch and support all Committees and other work of our Section.
The following were stated goals at last year’s meeting:
- Work with APHA Executive Director, Board and Staff to improve mutual understanding of the potential for IH Section policy and advocacy.
Actions: to date we have had several meetings and things are improving.
- Improve internal IH Section coordination and interactive communication.
Actions: Efforts were made to individually chat with each member, and the listserv has been updated.
- Develop Section materials, “experts” listing, and other products to complement and be posted on the Web site, so that the IH Section is seen as the “go-to” place.
Actions: Please visit the Web site regularly and offer blogs.
- Ensure membership involvement through encouragement of Committee work, through encouragement created by a newsletter linked to the Web site and blast e-mails, and through surveys to assess members needs, with feedback to all.
Actions: regular brief surveys have begun. Stay tuned!
- Increase development efforts to meet the challenge grant.
Actions: we need help here… Right now, in these tricky economic times, we must increase our development efforts, both internal and external. One very kind member offered to match funds raised – but a match only occurs when funds are raised!! If you are interested in development and fundraising, please contact me directly.
- Expand interactions with other Sections.
Actions: the Global Health Committee and others are increasing efforts to develop improved liaison work. We are particularly energized to support Maggie Huff-Rouselle in her candidacy for Executive Board!
- Work towards a longer term strategic plan.
Action: The survey findings will be presented at the meeting, and will inform out new Strategic Planning effort. Our Monday morning meeting will be dedicated to this effort, with attendance limited to elected officers and selected others.
This year the Section is trying new and innovative approaches to serving the needs of membership. This year we especially encourage you to become more involved with the work of the Section. For immediate response, please contact the Chair of any Committee that interests you based on the reports in this Newsletter or on our Web site.
In addition to ongoing active committees, we also have recently initiated a regular, very brief e-mail from the Chair, with very short surveys. In this manner we hope to:
1. Ensure that your interests are heard.
2. Develop an “Experts” bank for access by member and for use by APHA Executive staff to identify support with our issues.
3. Continue our excellent policy and advocacy work with ever-increasing emphasis on membership’s concerns.
4. Expand our global reach while we bring APHA into the current international health reality.
See you in Philly!
Warmest regards,
--Miriam Labbok, MD, MPH, Chair IH Section, Telephone: (919) 966-0928; Fax: (919) 966-0458; E-mail: labbok@unc.edu