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From the President

If anyone read the last Presidential website message, you will recall the words…. communication, involvement and contribution.   Your Board, and the MEHA Committee Chairs are actively engaged in the growth and improvement of our organization.  I have been very impressed by the talent among the Board members and Committee Chairs we have working for us in MEHA.  The agenda is simple and focused.  Namely, we are working on website advancements, protecting the endowment fund (ensuring we reach the 2010 goal) and hammering out the issue of licensure.

The website is coming along, and in the next couple of weeks, will have an electronic version of the Journal.  The changes have been dramatic.  The final product will be nothing short of professional.  It will be electronic, and printable solely at the discretion of your computer.  The Board and Endowment Committee also have a focused approach to managing the Endowment Fund and hitting the 2010 goal.  As we move closer to the final number of  $100,000, we need to re-think how we are investing.  The interest of the account is what will be used to grant scholarships and other things for which the fund was established.  We cannot tolerate fluctuating markets that will affect the principle of the fund.  We are looking at putting this is fund in a less aggressive low interest investment that will ensure we hit the 2010 goal.

The issue of licensure is a goal that will be resolved this year.  This topic was discussed at length during the RAM Center Board meeting held on June 6th.   The Board approved by a roll call vote to pursue mandatory licensure.   As soon as the meeting minutes to our June Board meeting are approved, they will be attached to this document for your convenience.  There are numerous reasons for a licensure requirement in Michigan.  Volumes can be written about the positive primary and secondary effects that licensure will have on Michigan.  Very few if any negative effects can be attributed to this effort.  The main objection to the effort of mandatory licensure has been the fate of those in the profession who are not credentialed or who are not eligible to sit for the written examination.  I assure you the MEHA Licensure Ad-Hoc Committee will write in a grandfathering clause to include the ability for non-credentialed or non-registered current environmental health practitioners to become licensed. Those given the ‘grandfather license’ would have the same status and accountability under the law as those who hold a traditional license.  Given this allowance, I cannot foresee opposition to this needed requirement.  If this bid is successful, I will apply for a license to practice environmental health in Michigan.  I am currently in the process of applying for Michigan reciprocity of my Indiana R.E.H.S. credential  #21000702.

Shortly, you will receive an email that announces the arrival of the electronic MEHA Journal.  You should also be receiving by email, the website address for the MEHA Licensure blog.  This blog will be created to allow the  membership to communicate their  views on licensure.    I simply ask you to communicate……..contribute……….get involved.

Respectfully yours,
Bob Paulus, R.E.H.S.,
President – Michigan Environmental Health Association