Academy Reorganization

To Academy of Industrial Hygiene members:

Over the past year leaders of AIHA and the Academy of Industrial Hygiene have evaluated ways to more fully engage Academy members, to streamline the Academy’s operations, and to enhance the Academy’s ability to carry out its mission.  A proposal was developed by the Council that was endorsed by all members of the Council and the AIHA Board of Directors.  I would now like to get your comments and suggestions regarding the proposed changes to facilitate their implementation.

The essence of the changes is as follows:

1. The structure of the Council, which is the governing body of the Academy of Industrial Hygiene (AIH), will change to allow for a higher level of strategic thinking for the profession as well as coordination between IH organizations.  The Council would consist of four elected officers (President, President-Elect, Vice President and Past President) and the following invited participants:  the President of AIHA, the Chair of ABIH, and the Chair of ACGIH, or their designees.
2. The Council will reduce the number of annual meetings it holds from three to two.  These meetings will be held at AIHce and PCIH.  Other work of the Council would be conducted electronically and on frequent conference calls.
3. The Council will take on high-value projects that fulfill the Academy’s mission and will more fully engage its over 4,800 members in working on projects for the betterment of the professional practice of industrial hygiene.  It is anticipated that short-term project teams will be created to address high-priority issues and report progress to the Council.

In developing its proposal the Council attempted to find ways to make our organization more effective in promoting the profession and to more fully engage all of its members while reducing its operating costs.  Historically the Academy has been and will continue to be involved in three major efforts:  overseeing the accreditation of academic programs, sponsoring the PCIH, and serving as the secretariat of the Joint Industrial Hygiene Ethics Education Committee.  Under its new structure the Academy will be better positioned to expand its scope to include new activities such as leading the effort to further develop the Value of the Profession initiative and to disseminate its findings.  It is the intention of the Council to provide all Academy members with an opportunity to participate in a meaningful way.

To get further information on the proposed changes visit

• FAQs 
• PowerPoint on AIH reorganization (PPT)

Feel free to contact me at btgarber@comcast.net or phone me at (203) 245-1988 to provide comments or suggestions.  Please provide your comments and or suggestions by July 15, 2008.

Regards,

Brad T. Garber, PhD, CIH
President
Academy of Industrial Hygiene