2020 is halfway over, yet the world is still adjusting to the many challenges imposed by COVID-19 on both the workplace and everyday life. AIHA local sections and volunteer groups have tackled these obstacles by meeting online and becoming involved with COVID-related guidance documents. In fact, volunteer support and involvement has been crucial to AIHA’s response to the pandemic. So, what exactly are volunteer groups all about?

What Do Volunteer Groups Do?

AIHA has over 50 volunteer committees and working groups, all of which are vital to helping our organization achieve its mission and vision—they are the association’s lifeline. The volunteer groups work collectively to support:

• networking and information exchange among members
• the development of educational products, services, and activities
• the development of guidelines and standards for best practices
• the development of statements for public policy debates
• collaboration with allied organizations

What Are Their Bodies of Work?

Volunteer committees’ bodies of work are extensive libraries of resources in their areas of specialty and topics of interest. They include position statements, guidance documents, white papers, fact sheets, and checklists, and can be browsed by subject.

Who Can Join?

Any AIHA national member in good standing can join a volunteer group. For more information on how to become an AIHA member, visit the association’s membership page. To join a volunteer group, visit the Volunteer Now page.

Can I Earn CM Points for Volunteering?

Your time is valuable—therefore, the answer is yes. CM points are awarded for OEHS technical or professional committee service outside of the diplomate's organization. In general, if the work aligns with the IH Rubrics or the CIH Exam Blueprint, it can count toward CM points. The number of points received depends on the position:

• The AIHA Committee Chair earns one (1) point per year.
• AIHA active committee members earn 1/2 point per year (active status requires that the individual be actively working on a committee-related project).
• AIHA corresponding members do not qualify for points.

What Have AIHA Volunteers Accomplished?

Approximately 2,500 AIHA members, ranging from students to retired professionals, volunteer to provide expertise on every aspect of occupational hygiene by creating white papers and providing content for AIHce EXP, AIHA’s annual conference. Volunteers also helped develop “Back to Work Safely,” an initiative to help employers and employees return safely to work during the COVID-19 pandemic with industry sector-specific guidelines and resources. AIHA launched the initiative in conjunction with Mark Cuban, entrepreneur, investor, and owner of the National Basketball Association's Dallas Mavericks.

Volunteers also have active roles in AIHA’s COVID-19 Resource Center and Disaster Response Resource Center projects.

Why Should You Volunteer with AIHA?

Aside from the chance to earn CM credit, joining a volunteer group is an opportunity for leadership growth, interaction with other industry experts and allied organizations, public exposure of your research, and helping create healthier workplaces.

Become an AIHA member to join a volunteer group today!