11 When the association concluded its 1983 fiscal year, it was given a "qualified" audit by its accountant. NEHA's money woes were closely tied to a steadily declining member ship. In view of these discouraging facts, the association began the search for a new executive director. In January 1983, the Executive Committee completed its search and employed Nelson E. Fabian, a managing engineer with 13 years experience in cluding environmental health planning and employment by the Motor Vehicle Manufac turers Association. Coming to NEHA in May 1983, Fabian, in consort with the Executive Committee, started immediately to mend the problems in finances and morale. Fabian began a pro gram of extensive travel to affiliates in order to reach all members on a pesonal basis and probe the profession; thus NEHA's leaders have learned about the members' priorities, sensitivities and needs. Equally critical during the period of resurgence was the work of President Phil Kirkwood (1983-84) and other officers who traveled extensively to promote NEHA and emphasize its role in professional development and regain respect for the association. During the first year of Fabian' s tenure, with the support of an Executive Committee committed to rejuvenating the association, the Newsletter was resurrected, the office was relocated, a sustaining membership campaign was launched, and funding was obtained from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for production of three more self-paced learning modules. Further, through the Association's technical sections and administrative committees, three position papers were prepared regarding pending legislation. The NEHA Scholar ship funded by contributions from members and affiliates was established. Several publications were developed and became available to members. By the time of the 1984 annual meeting, membership had stabilized, and an industry affiliate was approved by the Board of Directors. NEHA Was regaining its role in pro moting professionalism for environmental health practitioners. In the years following NEHA's test of fire, the momentum, progress and member ship have been expanding. Operating under the conviction that NEHA represents all practitioners in environmental health irrespective of place of employment, NEHA is attracting more professionals employed by industry into active membership. Executive Director Fabian has waged a successful campaign to increase the number of sustaining memberships and at the time this history was prepared, there were 50 sustaining members. NEHA's membership services had grown from a processing operation to a service operation with Mel Monkelis as Membership Coordinator. The department is also responsible for the NEHA Registration for Sanitarians, coordinating the technical sec tions and the annual educational conference program, and overseeing the scholarship program. Monkelis is also the administrator for the National Council on Continuing Education in Environmental Health. Expanding the number of publications so NEHA members get more from their pro fessional organization has also diversified the revenue base; NEHA operations are not now as dependent on membership dues and NEHA is financially stable. In 1983, membership dues accounted for 47 percent of the association's income; whereas, in 1987 only 27 percent of the income was from membership dues. The association is now committed to obtaining new grants and contracts, to increasing credentialing
Powered by FlippingBook