AIHA is a multi-disciplinary organization that reaches workers across every industry, so it should not come as a surprise that we regularly communicate with dozens of nonprofit organizations. For those organizations whose interests most closely align with ours, we will often consider establishing a more formal agreement known as a Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU.

Over 10 years ago, AIHA retained the services of a consulting firm called Going Global Matters to develop key criteria to consider when evaluating an MOU. These were captured in a scorecard we use to rate an organization's synergies with AIHA's mission and strategic priorities, the potential benefits for AIHA members and other constituents, the potential expansion of our products and services, and a dozen other criteria. Ultimately the decision to enter into an MOU is predicated on the expectation that both parties will mutually benefit from the enhanced promotion of their respective offerings with the potential to generate new revenue streams.

All MOUs require formal approval by AIHA's Board of Directors. Once approved, both organizations normally issue press releases to their respective media contacts and announce these partnerships to their memberships via their e-newsletters, websites, and other vehicles. MOU partners establish formal links to each other's websites and regularly promote each other's events.

Currently, AIHA maintains over 30 MOUs with various organizations, such as:

• domestic technical societies and non-profits, including the American Society of Safety Professionals, the National Safety Council, ACGIH, the Society for Chemical Hazard Communication, and the Health Physics Society
• international organizations such as the British Occupational Hygiene Society, the World Cares Center, the Occupational Hygiene Training Association, and the Southern African Institute for Occupational Hygiene
• certification bodies such as the Board for Global EHS Credentialing
• government agencies such as NIOSH and OSHA

Most recently, the AIHA Board approved new MOUs with the following organizations:

• Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES): Here, we'll be exploring joint educational programs on topics of mutual interest. Such programs might include town halls, webinars, and short courses. We'll also offer each other complimentary exhibit space on a trial basis and submit proposals for educational sessions held at each other's annual meetings.
• Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM): In this case, IHMM is interested in offering select AIHA University courses geared toward EHS generalists that can help its certificate holders maintain their recertification status.
• Society for Total Worker Health (S4TWH): This new organization has been established to advance the NIOSH Total Worker Health program through public health researchers, academicians, practitioners, and others interested in workplace health, safety, and well-being, primarily within North America. AIHA and S4TWH will promote and jointly sponsor educational programs on occupational and environmental health, such as the S4TWH symposia and professional development activities and AIHce. We will also explore discounted and bundled individual memberships across both organizations.

These are just a few examples of how AIHA engages with allied associations. For a complete list of our various alliance partners, visit the AIHA website.