Summer suddenly exploded on APHA with a round of busy conference calls and e-mail sessions. Usually groups become less busy during vacation time, but these few months allow for final preparation for APHA’s Annual Meeting in November. At the same time, MCH leadership has been working to develop new communication opportunities for Section members.
Maternal and Child Health, like all the other sections, SPIGS, and Caucuses, is in the middle of these arrangements. Annual Meeting Planning Chair Carol Nelson has been successful in her negotiations with APHA. Besides the usual number of panels and presentations, MCH is sponsoring a “by-invitation only” session for state affiliate members to encourage the idea of developing state sub-groups on maternal and child health. Dr. Charles Mahan and Dee Jeffers of the Childs Center in Florida are the speakers for this Monday afternoon event.
In addition, the timing of several of the MCH Section meetings has changed to better meet the new APHA conference format. The main leadership meeting will be Sunday morning from 10:00 to noon, and brunch will be served. The general membership meeting will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 on Sunday to allow attendees to go to the APHA performance by the Capitol Steps on Sunday evening. Student orientation will occur from 2:00 to 4:00 on Sunday.
This change will leave Monday morning open for committee meetings, from 7:00 to 8:30. During the recent mid year meeting, Section leadership discussed the need for task forces on advocacy, membership development, and strategic planning. Those groups will have time to meet during this fall session. Tuesday remains full with the Martha May Elliott noon session, and the Martha May Elliott Forum. We are also planning a special cocktail hour gathering with the President of APHA, MCH’s own Deborah Klein-Walker. Please start putting your convention calendar together.
Section Secretary Jane Pearson, assisted by Laura Kavanaugh and Shalini Tendulkar, has been working on the new Web site, which is almost ready to be launched. Jane has also updated the MCH listserv, adding many new names. Many of these individuals are asking to be involved in Section activities so please contact Jane if you have a task and need some help.
Jessica Murray, APHA intern, with the help of APHA Director of Component Affairs Fran Atkinson, did a wonderful job surveying present and lapsed MCH members. They also produced a new MCH brochure, which we will be reviewing and publishing this summer. Membership Chair Jessie Richardson and Section Chair-elect Joanne Fisher are working to use these tools in the MCH membership drive. A new booth is planned, which the Section Council hopes will be funded through membership contributions.
Holly Grason has been working hard as Action Board Representative. With the help of Laura Chiu, senior Student Fellow, and other past fellows, Holly reviewed all the existing MCH policies for the Action Board. A report on this policy development will be forthcoming at the Annual Meeting.
Finally, Secretary-elect Karen VanLandingham has a pool of applicants for the coming year for Student Fellows. She is working with a committee to continue in the tradition of exciting student intern programs, which was begun by previous secretaries-elect.
Whew! Time to end and get back to “lolly-gagging” (a good ol’ time Southern expression for hanging out) in the sun. Isn’t that what the song promised, the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer? Keep tuned in to your e-mail; there is much going on this summer in the MCH Section.