American Academy of Sanitarians                                                                                                     Annual Meeting Minutes                                                                                                                          Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                                                      May 11, 2004

Harry Grenawitzke, Vice President, opened the annual meeting of the Academy by acknowledging the members present. He then asked for a departure from the agenda to allow Nelson Fabian, Executive Director of the National Environmental Health to speak to the membership regarding the status of the RS credential. Mr. Fabian explained that the RS exam is no longer current and is in need of a complete revision. It has been five years since the exam has changed. He indicated that funding is not available for the revision and it is not feasible at this time to have a cost effective program because of states using two different examination companies. He further indicated that NEHA was considering a proposal to buy the examination rights from PES and then there would only be one organization responsible for the exam. NEHA is considering several alternatives to address this issue. Harry thanked Nelson for addressing the membership and invited him to attend our business meetings in the future.

Vice Chair Grenawitzke announced the new members of the Academy. They are Angus Reed, William Darby, Donald Williams, Michele Samarya-Timm, Steve Tackitt, and Gary Carter.

Following self introductions of all members present, Harry welcomed all to the Academy and the meeting. He asked for any changes to the agenda and hearing none, asked for a motion to approve it as presented. Darrel Rowe motioned, Rick Collins seconded to approve the agenda: MOTION CARRIED. A motion was made by Rick Collins, supported by Terry Gratton to approve the meeting summary of the June 4, 2003 of the Academy held in Reno, Nevada. MOTION CARRIED

Secretary-Treasurer Report

Gary P. Noonan presented the Treasurer’s report and described the process leading to the conference and new tabletop display the Academy purchased. He reported that the telephone line that was established at the NEHA headquarters was not cost effective and has been discontinued. The website was more effective and much less expensive and was being updated by Teresa McDarmont. A Money software program is now being used and all checks have been entered. A question about the report was answered by Treasurer Noonan confirming that the total assets he was reporting was after all expenses had been subtracted. Rick Collins made the motion to accept the report, seconded by Bruce Chelikowski. MOTION CARRIED.

Gary indicated that he has been in contact with an attorney to begin the process of incorporation of the Academy in the State of Georgia. There was discussion about the need for an outside audit but that the cost was prohibitive. There was a suggestion from the floor to form an internal group to conduct the audit and to go to an outside firm only if there was a problem. Rick Collins moved to approve that suggestion. Ron Grimes seconded. MOTION CARRIED. Harry asked for volunteers to form the audit committee. Craig Shepherd, Colin Thacker and Rick Collins volunteered. The audit will be completed by July 31 with a report to the President and the Secretary-Treasurer. A question was asked about the need for an audit before incorporation. A CPA( Carol Dellapenna) in attendance indicated that there is no such requirement.

Welford Roberts, Academy representative to the Crumbine Jury reported that there was no winner selected this year. It is speculated that the time necessary to complete the application process may be a disincentive. It is hoped that there will be more applicants next year. Harry asked the membership about continuing this support? A motion was made by Gary Carter, seconded by Jim Balsamo to continue support. MOTION CARRIED.

Jim Balsamo, Chair of the NEHA Scholarship Committee reported that inquiries are down 75 to 80%. Only eight applications were received this year and one undergraduate and two graduate students were selected. The membership was polled and agreed to continue supporting the scholarship program. Staff changes within NEHA this past year kept the program from running effectively but the new staff have been assigned and expectations are that it will be better next year.

Total expenditures for the scholarship program were $5,000 shared equally by AAS and NEHA:  $1,000 to each of three undergraduate and $2,000 to one graduate student.

Old Business

Grenawitzke reported that for nominations to the Board for next year that Bob Powitz, Daryl Barnett and Jim Balsamo will complete their first terms, and Jim Dingman will complete his second term and will have to go off the Board. There was discussion about the board size, that for an organization of 200 members, (paid 140 members) a 12 person board is perhaps too many. The Bylaws proscribe not less than 7 or more than 15 on the board. It was suggested that in view of the current numbers, board membership should be reduced by one through attrition over the next three years.

Welford Roberts asked about the status of the Academy Strategic Plan. A survey was completed of the membership, with not an overwhelming response rate.  Grenawitzke's response to the lack of participation in the survey was that we must contribute to the profession and not just have lunch once a year.  He went on to say that we must mentor younger members and move the profession forward. He has heard many complain about lack of talent and people that are filling vacancies not qualified. College enrollment numbers are dropping, not doing enough on many levels. We need to go into high schools, we need a strategic plan.  We need to distribute the strategic plan to those members in attendance and those that responded to survey. A suggestion that the plan be put on website met with agreement. Jack Hatlin stated the good news was that enrollment of environmental health programs at accredited schools has gone up 4%. Keith Krinn stated that California State San Bernadino, Benedict College and University of Ohio are all accredited.

Welford Roberts asked for a core of people to look at the Academy Strategic Plan and then send it out to the membership. Welford agreed to chair a working group on revising the Strategic Plan for the Academy.  The Plan will be on the Academy Website by June 15 and have all comments made by August 1st and that a new draft be developed by October 1, 2004. Tom Crow, Tom Wendell, and Gary Carter will comprise workgroup. It is the intent to have a completed document by next year’s meeting. Plan must have dates and people. Won’t be onerous, no motion necessary.

Regarding the Certification and Credentialing Committee, Robert Powitz will continue as Chair. Michele Samarya-Timm volunteered to serve on the committee.

Terry reported that he did a survey on name change of Sanitarian. 4722 survey instruments were sent, 786 (17%) responded. Results showed that 42% want name change, 37% did not. The bottom line is the name appropriate? 35% said yes, and about same number said no. If you were a member of NEHA for 10 years or less, you wanted a name change. Older members were content with Sanitarian. Question about origins of response, how many would respond by email or on website? 23% from the web, (179 people, most were older Sanitarians. There was a very low response rate, possibly indicating that there was little interest in the issue. There was some consideration to resurvey, but would need 35-40% response to really matter. Given the information they had, they will report the results in the Journal and see if there is a response.

The Chlorine dose slide rule project is going to be completed by the end of December. The Chlorine Council has agreed to pay for and distribute 50,000 of these with the Academy name and logo on it and they will go to practicing Sanitarians probably through NEHA.

Gary Noonan asked about the status of the dictionary of terms used in environmental health. Welford Roberts indicated that this project should be completed by the end of the summer.

New Business:

Trenton Davis is going to look at bylaws for possible revisions. The Constitution and Bylaws are on the website. If you have any suggestions, pass them on to Trenton. Gary Noonan offered to take comments and get them to Trenton.

Liability Insurance is very costly and Harry suggested that because of the resources needed, he believed that it was not needed at this time. It is not the issue it was 5-10 years ago and we want to spend money wisely. Jack Hatlin suggested that we need incorporation first.

Updated membership directory was last completed in 1996 by Colin Thacker. He has agreed to update it by the 2005 meeting in Providence. It was suggested that there not be a booklet, but it will be distributed in a CD format.

The issue of the state of the RS/REHS credential and exam was discussed at length. It was suggested that the credential was a key mission of NEHA and that the current state was unacceptable. It is believed that NEHA has four main hallmarks for our profession. They include education, the Journal, provide service and credentialing. It was explained that the Past Presidents at their meeting took a very strong stand to push the NEHA Board to take action now to resolve the issue. The Endowment Foundation Board also agreed to loan NEHA $10,000 to complete a new exam and establish a revision update policy. Currently Experior, a private company has the examination and coordinates the testing through Sylvan Learning Centers. PES also has an examination that ten states use. PES has offered to sell its rights to the exam to NEHA and exit this business. NEHA is pursuing it. Credentialing is an expensive process and there are too may organizations competing for the same market. It will most likely never be a profit center for the association. Harry suggested that the Academy does have money that we can offer either by contribution or by loan. Bruce Chelikowsky said with so many organizations having a piece, there had not been coordination. CFSP is being requested 2-1 over RS/REHS. Question about cost to do this and do other professions have same problem, no one knows. Gary said we need to give them enough to do the job; are there other possible resources. After considerable discussion, Rick Collins moved and supported by Jack Hatlin that the Academy contribute $5,000 and loan $10,000 to NEHA to resolve the issue. It was suggested that Harry and Gary Noonan oversee the issue and only provide the funds when we are satisfied that a plan is in place to resolve the RS issue. MOTION CARRIED. (Note: All NEHA Board members in the Academy recused themselves from voting to prevent any issue of conflict.)

Harry asked if the Academy should be contributor to the NEHA Endowment. Michigan and Illinois affiliates each gave $1,000. Motions by Ron Grimes, supported by Rick Collins that Academy do that. MOTION CARRIED. It was explained that the Endowment Board consists of three past presidents elected at their meeting and three current NEHA Board members each serving three year terms. The NEHA Executive Director is an Ex Officio member without voting rights.

The Environmental Health Officers Professional Advisory Committee has worked on this for 18 months to establish a Category Logo coin. It will be used for recruitment purposes. COSTEPs can be given a coin for example. Other categories have done this and they are requesting money to get this started, then after initial purchase the loan will be repaid. Motion made by Gary Coleman, by Terry Gratton to approve the request for the loan. MOTION CARRIED.

Announcements

Harry announced that the Academy is very to congratulate Daryl Rowe on receiving the Walter Mangold Award from NEHA.

Motion made by Bruce Chelikowsky, supported by Ron Grimes to adjourn the 2004 meeting of the Academy. MOTION CARRIED

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