#1263
Date: Wed, 27 Nov 2002 09:29:46 -0500
From: Iris Prager <prager.ij@PG.COM>
Subject: Iris Prager-IJ/PGI is out of the office.
**
** Leading into the Future-AAHE
** <http://www.aahperd.org/aahe/template.cfm>
** Official Sponsor of the HEDIR
**
I will be out of the office from 11/27/2002 until 12/02/2002.
I will respond to your message when I return.
------------------------------
#1264
Date: Wed, 27 Nov 2002 09:22:18 -0600
From: Michael Pejsach <healthedman@COX.NET>
Subject: Re: Solutions to multiple organizations?
**
** Leading into the Future-AAHE
** <http://www.aahperd.org/aahe/template.cfm>
** Official Sponsor of the HEDIR
**
Ken,
Firstly, I believe we need to differentiate health education and the health
education profession. I am addressing the need to have a single voice, one
professional organization, that protects the profession, and, only in
addition, promotes health education. While they are interrelated, I'm not
sure promoting health education is the same as promoting health educators.
Secondly, let's talk cash.
Your reply made a stronger case for a single organization. Simply put, we
want to support our professional organizations, but, unlike our colleagues
in medicine and nursing, we don't earn, on the average, enough to afford
TWO different organizations that have, seemingly, the same vision and
mission. I know several physicians who belong to two or three different
professional groups, but these memberships are usually with specialty groups
(obstetrics, psychiatry, etc.), none being the single voice for their
profession.
SOPHE membership costs about $100 per year, and AAHE, with a single journal,
$125. While the two journals that come with a basic membership price of $225
are the best, for the most part that's all a member gets (aside from all the
policy and position work for health education -not health educators).
Registration for the AAHE Annual Meeting costs between $185-$255.
Registration for the SOPHE meeting costs another $150 or so.
The total membership costs for an underpaid health educator wanting to
support his/her profession, would be, approximately, a staggering $560 plus
another $1,500 for cheap airfare, hotel and meals. Most academicians get
$250 per year to travel, and most public health educators get zero funding
for travel. If I'm spending $2,000 per year to support my profession, what
am I getting back?
Yes, I get to hear the best in the business. I learn something new each time
I attend (some, however are reiterations of stuff I read in the journals),
and I get to network (internal marketing again). I can even earn CHES CECHs.
BUT when I get back home they're still hiring nurses, social workers,
political scientists, and anthropologists as health educators!
On the other hand if we had one organization, in this case if SOPHE and AAHE
merged, the costs would be half that amount, I'm guessing. I could save
about $1,00 each year! And....if both were merged, it would be a bigger
organization, which often means more powerful. It could mean more
streamlined processes (no need to get to the coalition meetings- ever wonder
how they afford the time and money for that ADDITIONAL meeting?). It's
downsizing and consolidation, a simple business approach (now government
approach) to reducing duplication.
Also, with a single organization there would be less competition to be the
lead dog, getting all the attention. Trying to be the lead dog in any
business can be costly, and is an inefficient use of resources. Money could
be saved and used for promotion if there was less competition for limited
human resources.
Back in the early '90's, SOPHE and AAHE talked about merging. SOPHE was
struggling with membership, barely covering expense.
AAHE found, after five years of discussions, that there would be a terrible
loss of fiscal and infrastructure resources if they broke away from the
"alliance."
So....unless AAHE is willing to make the break and suffer the losses, and
SOPHE is willing to change their structure (and "society" feel and name),
which has since seen an significant growth in infrastructure, nothing will
change and the status quo will go on.
And public health departments and hospitals will continue to hire nurses,
social workers, political scientists, and anthropologists for positions that
desperately need trained health educators. And consumers will continue to
get the short end of prevention and health promotion.
Best wishes for the holiday season,
Michael
On 11/26/02 9:29 PM, "Kenneth R. McLeroy" <kmcleroy@srph.tamushsc.edu>
wrote:
> Michael:
>
> Thank you for your reply. I had trouble with my original question being
> posted on the HEDIR-L, since my e-mail address had changed. For others
> on the list, I simply asked:
>
> " I am sorry. But would someone please explain to me how adding another
> health education organization is a solution to this problem."
>
> The answer I received below was a restatement of the problem, the need
> for a single voice. Moreover, the proposal was for merging existing
> organizations into one.
>
> I think organizations emerge for a variety of reasons, including the
> desire by some professionals, who may feel left out of existing
> organizations, to establish a place for themselves in a new hierarchy. I
> must confess that I cannot take seriously the merging of the various
> health education organizations into a single one. Moreover, I think that
> status, prestige, and power for professions comes from a variety of
> sources, not just from having one voice. One source is having
> something--knowledge, skills, control over resources--that the
> population desires. Perhaps we should focus on strengthening the value
> of what we provide, rather than bemoaning the fact that we don't get no
> respect.
>
> I actually think that SOPHE in particular has made enormous strides in
> recent years in serving as an advocacy organization, as well as in
> strengthening the profession. Less this look self-serving, I am not, nor
> have I even been, an officer in SOPHE. The closest I have come is
> serving on the Health Education and Behavior Editorial Board for 13
> years. However, I have served as Chair of the Health Education and
> Health Promotion Section of APHA. That said, I value my relationships
> with both organizations (APHA and SOPHE), and I can't imagine them
> merging.
>
> If health educators are committed to improving the health of the
> public, I would encourage them to belong to both organizations.
>
> Regards
>
> -Ken McLeroy
>
>
Michael Pejsach, Ed.D., CHES
Life&Health Enhancement Services
5101 W. Esplanade, #10
Metairie, LA 70006
Voice: (504) 779-KICK
Voice/fax: (504) 885-4254
Confidentiality/Privacy Caution:
The information contained in this email message is intended only for the
addressee. As a recipient, whether unintentional or intentional, you
acknowledge that this message and its content may not be used, disclosed,
copied, distributed, and/or otherwise shared without the express permission
of the sender. If you have received this message in error, please email or
telephone the sender immediately and delete the message. Thank you.
**
** Come on now...do we REALLY need
** more than one organization
** representing Health Educators?
** Well, then, which one? Find out:
**
http://www.health-educators.org
**
http://www.health-educators.com
**
**
** Review/Learn about PRECEDE/PROCEED @
**
http://healthbehavior.com/CHESCECHs.shtml
**
** All new:
** Karate as Worksite Health Promotion?
** WAMA offers programs @ work
**
http://wama.biz
**
------------------------------
#1265
Date: Wed, 27 Nov 2002 11:18:49 -0600
From: "Kenneth R. McLeroy" <kmcleroy@SRPH.TAMUSHSC.EDU>
Subject: Re: Solutions to multiple organizations?
**
** Leading into the Future-AAHE
** <http://www.aahperd.org/aahe/template.cfm>
** Official Sponsor of the HEDIR
**
Michael:
I will try one more time to respond to your issues/concerns. That's
about as far as I am willing to go with this conversation, since I think
you are on a holy crusade.
I think there is a difference between promoting health education and
promoting health educators. I think that is part of the problem. Perhaps
my view is a bit Panglossian, but I thing that ultimately professions
are rewarded for what they contribute. I perfer, then, to focus on the
contribution.
Cost of journals and memberships are an issue for all of us. I do not
think, however, that e-mail discussions are going to solve the problem.
When it comes to professional memberships, I think individuals should
pursue their enlightened self-interest.
My impressions, corrrect or incorred, are that AAHE has been more
closely linked to HPER kinds of schools or departments. SOPHE, APHA, and
ASPH have different audiences. SOPHE has moved towards more
community-based practice, APHA serves the broader field of public
health, and ASPH serves the schools of public health. Given my
experience with these latter three organizations, I don't think I want
them to merge, nor would I want to merge SOPHE and AAHE. Should they
cooperate on selected initiatives? Sure.
I know you think that all of the professional associations should serve
your individual interest. However, there are others of us who define our
interest somewhat differently. I value the organizations to which I
belong. I have been much more concerned about my role in the
organizations, and being of service, than I have been about saving
dollars on memberships.
A related issue is whether there should be a single voice for health
education/educators. I think health education is becoming increasingly
diverse. I am not sure that a single organization is in all of our
interests; and I certainly do not thing that I have control over
creating a single organization.
Regards
-Ken McLeroy
>>> Michael Pejsach <healthedman@COX.NET> 11/27/02 09:22AM >>>
**
** Leading into the Future-AAHE
** <http://www.aahperd.org/aahe/template.cfm>
** Official Sponsor of the HEDIR
**
Ken,
Firstly, I believe we need to differentiate health education and the
health
education profession. I am addressing the need to have a single voice,
one
professional organization, that protects the profession, and, only in
addition, promotes health education. While they are interrelated, I'm
not
sure promoting health education is the same as promoting health
educators.
Secondly, let's talk cash.
Your reply made a stronger case for a single organization. Simply put,
we
want to support our professional organizations, but, unlike our
colleagues
in medicine and nursing, we don't earn, on the average, enough to
afford
TWO different organizations that have, seemingly, the same vision and
mission. I know several physicians who belong to two or three
different
professional groups, but these memberships are usually with specialty
groups
(obstetrics, psychiatry, etc.), none being the single voice for their
profession.
SOPHE membership costs about $100 per year, and AAHE, with a single
journal,
$125. While the two journals that come with a basic membership price of
$225
are the best, for the most part that's all a member gets (aside from
all the
policy and position work for health education -not health educators).
Registration for the AAHE Annual Meeting costs between $185-$255.
Registration for the SOPHE meeting costs another $150 or so.
The total membership costs for an underpaid health educator wanting to
support his/her profession, would be, approximately, a staggering $560
plus
another $1,500 for cheap airfare, hotel and meals. Most academicians
get
$250 per year to travel, and most public health educators get zero
funding
for travel. If I'm spending $2,000 per year to support my profession,
what
am I getting back?
Yes, I get to hear the best in the business. I learn something new each
time
I attend (some, however are reiterations of stuff I read in the
journals),
and I get to network (internal marketing again). I can even earn CHES
CECHs.
BUT when I get back home they're still hiring nurses, social workers,
political scientists, and anthropologists as health educators!
On the other hand if we had one organization, in this case if SOPHE and
AAHE
merged, the costs would be half that amount, I'm guessing. I could
save
about $1,00 each year! And....if both were merged, it would be a
bigger
organization, which often means more powerful. It could mean more
streamlined processes (no need to get to the coalition meetings- ever
wonder
how they afford the time and money for that ADDITIONAL meeting?). It's
downsizing and consolidation, a simple business approach (now
government
approach) to reducing duplication.
Also, with a single organization there would be less competition to be
the
lead dog, getting all the attention. Trying to be the lead dog in any
business can be costly, and is an inefficient use of resources. Money
could
be saved and used for promotion if there was less competition for
limited
human resources.
Back in the early '90's, SOPHE and AAHE talked about merging. SOPHE
was
struggling with membership, barely covering expense.
AAHE found, after five years of discussions, that there would be a
terrible
loss of fiscal and infrastructure resources if they broke away from
the
"alliance."
So....unless AAHE is willing to make the break and suffer the losses,
and
SOPHE is willing to change their structure (and "society" feel and
name),
which has since seen an significant growth in infrastructure, nothing
will
change and the status quo will go on.
And public health departments and hospitals will continue to hire
nurses,
social workers, political scientists, and anthropologists for positions
that
desperately need trained health educators. And consumers will continue
to
get the short end of prevention and health promotion.
Best wishes for the holiday season,
Michael
On 11/26/02 9:29 PM, "Kenneth R. McLeroy" <kmcleroy@srph.tamushsc.edu>
wrote:
> Michael:
>
> Thank you for your reply. I had trouble with my original question
being
> posted on the HEDIR-L, since my e-mail address had changed. For
others
> on the list, I simply asked:
>
> " I am sorry. But would someone please explain to me how adding
another
> health education organization is a solution to this problem."
>
> The answer I received below was a restatement of the problem, the
need
> for a single voice. Moreover, the proposal was for merging existing
> organizations into one.
>
> I think organizations emerge for a variety of reasons, including the
> desire by some professionals, who may feel left out of existing
> organizations, to establish a place for themselves in a new
hierarchy. I
> must confess that I cannot take seriously the merging of the various
> health education organizations into a single one. Moreover, I think
that
> status, prestige, and power for professions comes from a variety of
> sources, not just from having one voice. One source is having
> something--knowledge, skills, control over resources--that the
> population desires. Perhaps we should focus on strengthening the
value
> of what we provide, rather than bemoaning the fact that we don't get
no
> respect.
>
> I actually think that SOPHE in particular has made enormous strides
in
> recent years in serving as an advocacy organization, as well as in
> strengthening the profession. Less this look self-serving, I am not,
nor
> have I even been, an officer in SOPHE. The closest I have come is
> serving on the Health Education and Behavior Editorial Board for 13
> years. However, I have served as Chair of the Health Education and
> Health Promotion Section of APHA. That said, I value my
relationships
> with both organizations (APHA and SOPHE), and I can't imagine them
> merging.
>
> If health educators are committed to improving the health of the
> public, I would encourage them to belong to both organizations.
>
> Regards
>
> -Ken McLeroy
>
>
Michael Pejsach, Ed.D., CHES
Life&Health Enhancement Services
5101 W. Esplanade, #10
Metairie, LA 70006
Voice: (504) 779-KICK
Voice/fax: (504) 885-4254
Confidentiality/Privacy Caution:
The information contained in this email message is intended only for
the
addressee. As a recipient, whether unintentional or intentional, you
acknowledge that this message and its content may not be used,
disclosed,
copied, distributed, and/or otherwise shared without the express
permission
of the sender. If you have received this message in error, please
email or
telephone the sender immediately and delete the message. Thank you.
**
** Come on now...do we REALLY need
** more than one organization
** representing Health Educators?
** Well, then, which one? Find out:
**
http://www.health-educators.org
**
http://www.health-educators.com
**
**
** Review/Learn about PRECEDE/PROCEED @
**
http://healthbehavior.com/CHESCECHs.shtml
**
** All new:
** Karate as Worksite Health Promotion?
** WAMA offers programs @ work
**
http://wama.biz
**
** Advertise Jobs On The HEDIR
**
http://www.hpcareer.net/hedir.cfm
**
** Check Your HEDIR Info & Photos
** www.hedir.org/directory
** www.hedir.org/people
**
------------------------------
#1266
Date: Wed, 27 Nov 2002 12:52:29 -0600
From: "Cissell, William" <WCissell@MAIL.TWU.EDU>
Subject: One Professional Organization Versus Panglossian View
**
** Leading into the Future-AAHE
** <http://www.aahperd.org/aahe/template.cfm>
** Official Sponsor of the HEDIR
**
HEDIRs Interested in One Versus Multiple Professional Organizations:
I have found the discussion between Michael Pejsach and Kenneth McLeroy very
interesting.
Also, I have exchanged messages with Michael directly. While I find the
idea of a
monolithic professional organization infrastructure appealing for the reasons
Michael has
cited, I believe Kenneth's position is closer to what we can expect in the
continuing
evolution of our profession(s) and the professional organizations it (or they)
has/have
spawned, including (AAHE [unless you perceive that physical educators ultimately
spawned
all associations in AAHPERD], SOPHE, IUHPE/NARO, AWHP [health educators and
professionals
of several other fields established it], AHEA, AAHP, ASTDHPPHE, and ESG.
Other
organizations, including ACHA, APHA, ASHA, ASPH, ACSM, and SSDHPER, are
professional
organizations in which health educators hold membership and provide some
leadership, but
they were established by a wide array of health professionals. It is
unrealistic to
believe that AHEA will be able to provide an infrastructure so appealing that
diverse
professionals who identify with health education and health promotion will
either abandon
their memberships and leadership roles of other organizations or merge their
organizations
with it.
Kenneth's inference that the other organizations will continue progressively
along the
lines they have been moving may reflect a Panglossian (blindly or naively
optimistic)
view. Several, if not all, professional organizations in which health
educators and
health promoters hold their members are having substantial financial challenges.
A major
problem is that financial reserves for many of these organizations were placed
in risky
investments. These investments paid sizable returns during the 1990's;
however, they have
suffered huge losses over the past two years. Costs of operations have
increased for many
of these organizations, while acquisition of resources (membership dues,
conference
registration fees, sales of journals and other pubs, etc.) have plateaued or
declined.
AWHP has abandoned its independence to be merged into ACSM. There may be a
few other
mergers. However, Kenneth's central point is still sound in that any
merging or
restructuring of these other organizations will do little to advance the goal of
AHEA to
become, or contribute to establishing, a monolithic health education/health
promotion
professional organization.
May all HEDIRs and those they hold dear enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving Day and
break!
Bill Cissell
wcissell@twu.edu
940-898-2861 Fax 940-898-2859
------------------------------
#1267
Date: Wed, 27 Nov 2002 14:45:41 EST
From: Suzy Harrington <Sshari@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Solutions to multiple organizations?
**
** Leading into the Future-AAHE
** <http://www.aahperd.org/aahe/template.cfm>
** Official Sponsor of the HEDIR
**
As an RN and CHES, I decided to wade in:
The ANA may be a single voice for nurses, but is not as strong as it could
be, for there are about 75 specialty organizations for nurses, each with
their own membership fees and professional journals. (And, contrary to the
implied, the majority of nurses don't maintain an income different from
health educators.) As a result, many nurses do not financially support the
ANA, preferring the voice of their own specialty, splitting the power of
nurses.
So instead of falling down a similar hole, as each health organization
develops its niche, could they not form a coalition of sorts, to meet the
larger need of one voice, while still meeting the needs of their niche? Maybe
a single health organization isn't necessary for strength and unity?
Just a thought for this debate.
May we all be thankful during this time of Thanksgiving - happy Turkey Day!
Suzy Harrington, RN, MS, CHES
Columbia, MD
------------------------------
#1268
Date: Wed, 27 Nov 2002 15:04:06 -0500
From: Stuart Fors <stufors@ARCHES.UGA.EDU>
Subject: Re: Solutions to multiple organizations?
**
** Leading into the Future-AAHE
** <http://www.aahperd.org/aahe/template.cfm>
** Official Sponsor of the HEDIR
**
Suzy's suggestion about a Coalition that speaks loudly for the
profession (and all professional organizations) is timely. The
Coalition of National Health Education Organizations has been around
for at least 20 years and at the recent 21st Century Conf. in Atlanta,
the reps from all the member associations recommended a more centalized
effort for advocacy of all types. The Coalition would be the place for
this. This will require a larger investment from each of the member
organizations to support a small professional staff. Currently, all
the work is done by volunteer delegates from the member associations.
This proposal has been discussed by Coalition delegates (I am the AAHE
delegate) and it is now being circulated to all the boards of the
member organizations. If it is approved, this will provide for a much
stronger, unified voice for our profession without limiting the number
of professional organizations and the diversity they provide.
Stu Fors, Professor and Head
Dept. of Health Promotion and Behavior
University of Georgia
307 Ramsey Student Center
Athens, GA 30602-6522
706.542.4365; FAX 4956
------------------------------
#1269
Date: Wed, 27 Nov 2002 14:51:29 -0600
From: "Cissell, William" <WCissell@MAIL.TWU.EDU>
Subject: Strengthening CNHEO
**
** Leading into the Future-AAHE
** <http://www.aahperd.org/aahe/template.cfm>
** Official Sponsor of the HEDIR
**
HEDIRs Interested in Discussion of Strengthening CNHEO:
Stu's point is good. I, like Stu, am a delegate to The Coalition of
National Health
Education Organizations (CNHEO). I represent the School Health Education
and Services
(SHES) Section of APHA. CNHEO has actually been around more than 30 years,
and there has
been recent interest in expanding the number of organizations. There
were originally
seven (with APHA having both the PHEHP and SHES Sections represented) having
delegates
involved in its meetings, sponsored activities, and policy making.
Unfortunately, few
professional organizations currently represented within CNHEO or seeking
inclusion can
afford substantially larger financial levels of support for it. In the
case of SHES-APHA,
the budget for 2003 is less than $1,000. It is a strain for SHES to cover
its operating
expenses within APHA activities, much less pay more than the current $100 annual
fee to
CNHEO.
Also, there has been, at various points throughout the history of CNHEO,
discussion of
alignments of it with entities such as the National Center for Health Education.
I do not
believe discussions of such alignments have ever gotten very far due to concerns
about how
the finances of such alignments would be structured. It seems to me that
responsible,
innovative leaders need to continue the dialog that was initiated during the
21st Century
conference in Atlanta. Coalescence, cohesion and collaboration
through communication
will serve both Panglosian and pragmatic health educators and health promoters.
Bill Cissell
wcissell@twu.edu
940-898-2861 Fax 940-898-2859
------------------------------
#1270
Date: Wed, 27 Nov 2002 18:02:29 -0500
From: nfb <nfb@GWU.EDU>
Subject: CHHCS News Alerts: Managing Life-Threatening Allergies in
Schools/SAMHSA Announces
Availability of Youth Violence Prevention
Grants
**
** Leading into the Future-AAHE
** <http://www.aahperd.org/aahe/template.cfm>
** Official Sponsor of the HEDIR
**
CHHCS News Alerts 11/27/02
Managing Life-Threatening Allergies in Schools:
The Massachusetts Department of Education has posted a comprehensive
guide to handling food allergies in school.
http://www.healthinschools.org/2002/nov26_alert.asp
SAMHSA Announces Availability of Youth Violence Prevention Grants:
Approximately $4 million in 2003 funds is expected to be available for
24 grants to public and private organizations for community
collaborations to prevent youth violence and promote youth
development...
http://www.healthinschools.org/2002/nov26b_alert.asp
Web Manager
The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools (CHHCS)
http://www.healthinschools.org
------------------------------