CEC Gears Up for AIHce 2016
The AIHA Continuing Education Committee (CEC) met this October to review 73 PDC proposals for presentation at AIHce 2016. Each proposal undergoes a rigorous and competitive bi-level review by the CEC and experts from AIHA volunteer groups. This review helps guarantee that quality courses are presented to ensure an excellent educational experience.
Fifty-three proposals were selected for presentation at AIHce 2016 in Baltimore, Md., on Saturday, May 21, and Sunday, May 22. With benefits and value-added items ranging from hands-on demonstrations and workshops to e-handouts, essential publications, and software, the 2016 PDCs will provide practical skills and tools that attendees can apply immediately. In addition, PDC attendees earn extra certification maintenance points and network with experts.
On average, more than 2,400 OEHS professionals attend PDCs annually and rate their overall experience as “very good/excellent.” Full PDC descriptions are published on the AIHce 2016 website.
Call for Volunteers: AIHA Finance Committee
The AIHA Finance Committee is a standing committee that works with AIHA’s Board of Directors, executive director, and finance staff to monitor the finances of the association. There is currently one opening on the Finance Committee that the Board must fill for a three-year term beginning June 2016.
If you are interested in serving on the Finance Committee, please review the roles and responsibilities and submit your application by Jan. 31, 2016. Once your application is received, you will be contacted to set up an appointment for a 30-minute phone interview with a member of the AIHA Board.
Please e-mail Belinda D’Agostino or call (703) 846-0721 with any questions.
AIHA’s International Work Recognized in Congressional Report
The Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) recognized AIHA’s work with the National Center for International Cooperation in Work Safety, SAWS, China (NCICS) in its 2015 annual report. The CECC monitors human rights and the development of the rule of law in China and provides an annual report to the president and Congress. Worker rights, public health, and the environment are key topics addressed in the report.
“We are proud to have been the only U.S. association to participate in two recent exchanges between the Chinese and U.S. governments,” said AIHA Executive Director Peter J. O’Neil, FASAE, CAE.
The report urges members of Congress and Administration officials to “encourage meaningful exchanges between Chinese and U.S. professional organizations, such as those between China’s National Center for International Cooperation on Work Safety and the American Industrial Hygiene Association.” For many years, AIHA has worked diligently to build and sustain a working relationship with the Chinese government and professional organizations in China.
In September, AIHA and NCICS jointly hosted the first-ever China-U.S. Occupational Health Symposia in Shanghai, China. Nearly 300 practitioners and industry partners from across China assembled for two days in Shanghai to exchange knowledge and information about worker protection. Discussions at the meeting covered topics such as risk/exposure assessment and the process of attaining the CIH credential.
“AIHA and SAWS have had a longstanding Memorandum of Understanding, and this joint effort represents the first time we have collaborated with the Chinese government at this level,” O’Neil said. “We look forward to continuing our efforts to advance the practice of industrial/occupational hygiene globally.”
AIHA Education Offers 2016 eLearning Subscription
The 2016 eLearning Subscription is an excellent opportunity for companies and organizations, AIHA local sections, and individuals to participate in e-learning cost effectively. Subscribing sites are guaranteed automatic registration to the following course offerings throughout 2016:
2016 Live Webinar Series: Automatic registration to webinars, including the option for live participation or recorded playback access to all 2016 webinars for on-demand viewing. Earn at least 10 Contact Hours.
2016 Virtual Fall Conference. Earn at least 11.5 contact hours by virtually attending AIHA Fall Conference, which includes live video streaming and a multi-track session broadcast of the event. Virtual attendees are able to submit questions for presenters and interact with other virtual participants via online chat. The subscription also includes access to session recordings.
Waived fees. Processing fees required for individuals seeking certification maintenance are waived for subscribers and individuals included on the subscribing site roster.
A new option for 2016, eLearning Subscription Lite, includes access to the subscriber’s choice of five webinars and the waived fees described above.
Register by Dec. 31, 2015, for maximum savings. Registration information is available from the AIHA website. Please e-mail Jessica Pagel with any questions.
News & Notes
Nominations for Fellows Due This Month
The AIHA Nominating and Awards Committee requests nominations for the 2016 Fellow awards. The Fellow designation was established to recognize full members in good standing who have at least 15 years of continuous membership and have made recognized contributions to industrial hygiene or related disciplines through research, leadership, publications, education, or service to AIHA. The deadline for nominations is Dec. 31.
Each local section, committee, special interest group, and other formal AIHA entity may nominate one individual for the AIHA Fellow Award per year. At-large nominations will also be accepted, but individuals may not self-nominate.
For more information, visit the AIHA website or contact Judy Keithline at (703) 846-0702 or keithline@aiha.org.
AIHA Office to Close for the Holidays
The AIHA office will close for the holidays beginning Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015, through Friday, Jan. 1, 2016, reopening on Monday, Jan. 4. Online resources, including the marketplace and Member Center, will remain available. Any orders placed between Dec. 24 and Jan. 1 will be fulfilled when the AIHA office reopens on Jan. 4.
Members will continue to receive AIHA’s two weekly e-newsletters, The Synergist Weekly and The Synergist Newswire.
Our staff wishes you a safe and enjoyable holiday season!
Dates and Deadlines
December 31, 2015
Deadline for AIHA Fellows nominations and Distinguished Lecturer Program applications.
January 31, 2016
Deadline to submit applications for the AIHA Finance Committee.
April 18–21, 2016
AIHA’s Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene course in Columbus, Ohio.
May 21–26, 2016
AIHce 2016 (co-located with Stewardship 2016) in Baltimore, Md.
For a complete list of events, visit the AIHA calendar.
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