NEHA Green Book

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PURPOSE

''The purpose of the National Association ofSanitarians (June 1938 The Sanitarian) was to promote the welfare of sanitarians engaged in public health inspection or in allied occupations and to professionalize their status; to foster and promote high stan­ dards of attainment in their work and of qualifications for engaging therein; to strive for their recognition as a scientific group by public and official sources, rendering a governmental service for the general welfare of the public; to bring about harmonious and cooperative effort for better understanding and more efficient rendering of their duties and responsibilities; to bring about standardization in methods of law enforce­ ment and general public health practices in their respective fields; to encourage the establishment of courses of instruction and schools of training for the purpose of increasing the knowledge and efficiency of its members for their usefulness in public health work; to encourage reciprocal cooperation of the various branches and depart­ ments of government in activities directed toward the improvement of public health; to cultivate social intercourse among its members; and to establish a central point of reference for its members. "

SLOGAN AND SYMBOL

The slogan, "Sanitation - the Beacon Light of Public Health," was adopted in 1932, and the emblem (a shield with a beacon in the center) was adopted December 11, 1937 at the first annual meeting of the National Association of Sanitarians in San Luis Obispo.

OFF AND RUNNING

The Association planned to publish a journal, establish sections throughout the country, issue technical publications on specific subjects, and create a library and information bureau for use by members without charge.

Active membership was open to any sanitarian permanently employed by any whole time health service in the United States or its territories.

The national journal entitled The Sanitarian was begun in June 1938 with Walter S. Mangold as editor and William L. Nunes as business manager. A technical publication, "Sanitization of the Drink­ ing Glass," was also published in June 1938. The first two sections - the Northern California and Southern California Sections - were formally approved on January 13, 1940. The association was off and running. The stage was set for the work to be done toward professionalization of the Sanitarian, as well as other job categories in environmental health, during the 50 years 1937-1987.

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REGISTRATION AS A TOOL

Although the Association began screening members' credentials and issuing certificates of Registration in 1940, the goal was a state legislated Registration for Sanitarians which would be a documentation of knowledge and competency of this group of workers.

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