Ohio SOPHE Then….and Now

(OSOPHE MEMBERS: This document is a work in progress.  If you can add to this, please email Mary Chace at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .)

In accord with the early membership requirements of National SOPHE, the Ohio Chapter consisted of health education professionals located at colleges and universities.  The emphasis on research, and the membership requirements limited the participation of those individuals in the field.

During the 1970’s, as the number of practitioners in the field grew, interest in SOPHE expanded.  The chapter became more inclusive and broadened its focus to attract practitioners.

By the early 1980’s, Ohio SOPHE was a blend of health educators at the local level, and health education faculty at colleges and universities.   Over time, more members were practitioners, and fewer members were from academia.

Our president was Jody Beck. That year we received official recognition from the IRS and our tax exempt status.

Membership remained small, with 61 members.  Annual dues were $8.00.  The bank account (partially funded) through dues and nut sales) contained $725.00.

Membership remains steady – Cheryl Kleiber-Morrisy presided over 63 members.

Job changes, marriages and moves resulted in a series of temporary presidents and newer members becoming active on the Board.  Routine business and educational programs continued, but the turnover of leadership slowed growth and progress.

Membership has grown to 128.  The SOPHE Board held a special meeting to plan for the future, including expanding membership, promoting the profession, and meeting the needs of members.  One recognized need was a closer relationship with the Ohio Association of University Health Educators.

The first $500 student scholarship was given by Ohio SOPHE.  This scholarship would later be named in memory of Karen Evans, previous Director of Health Promotion at the Ohio Dept of Health.  Discussions were held regarding the lack of diversity (including gender) of the SOPHE membership.  SOPHE became the coordinator and fiscal agent for the annual Health Educator Institute (HEI); prior to this time Ohio Dept. of Health coordinated HEI.

A big boost for SOPHE was the invitation to participate in the development of the Ohio Public Health Plan, a project initiated by the Director’s Office of ODH.  The president, Kay Parent, served on the Community Needs/Capacity Assessment work group.  Also that year SOPHE conducted an interest survey of the membership.  Members beam with pride as Ohio member Ellen Capwell presides over National SOPHE.

We were invited to “sit at more tables” – the Combined Public Health Conference planning committee and the board of the Ohio Public Health Association.  The later was accomplished by the creation of an official liason between the two organizations.  SOPHE was being seen as a crucial partner in the enhancement of public health in Ohio.     The newsletter, “News and Views,” received a dramatic face lift; layout and printing are done by a printing company.

SOPHE was brought in to the computer age by the development of an ACCESS-based membership database.  A new Policies and Procedures manual was created to assist Board members and to provide consistency from one year to the next.  A third key accomplishment was the representation on the Ohio Public Health Performance Standards workgroup.

Membership stands at 167.  Another technological advance was the creation of the Ohio SOPHE website.  A “Shared Vision” was created with the ODH, Bureau of Health Promotion and Risk Reduction.  Another partnership was created with the Association of Worksite Health Promotion for the planning of HEI.

To enhance communication among members, the Web Mistress, Patty Kuun, a Listserv was created.  ODH contracted with SOPHE to organize and conduct the Health Education Principles Course.  The six-day course is designed to those working in health education but do not have academic preparation in health education.   The Ohio Association of University Educators printed a brochure, “The Employers’ Guide to Hiring Health Educator, which promotes Ohio SOPHE.  At mid-year the bank account was a healthy $19, 672.

2001   Discussions began to consider hiring a part-time Executive Director/Administrator.  Impetus for the position consideration was learning at the National SOPHE conference how other chapters utilize paid positions. Planning began for Ohio to host National SOPHE Mid-year conference.  OSOPHE was one of the five Ohio public health associations that the initiated the formation of what is now the official 501 (c) 3 organization, Ohio Pubic Health Partnership.

In May 2002 we hosted the National SOPHE Mid-year in Cincinnati in conjunction with National SOPHE.  OSOPHE was well compensated, receiving approximately $5000 from National SOPHE.

2004    The first comprehensive OSOPHE Strategic Plan (2005-2008) was developed which included committee-based action plans, tasks and timeline.

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009   Hired the first paid staff person for Ohio SOPHE.  Patty Kuhn, a long-time Ohio SOPHE member, will now lend her expertise as a part-time administrator for Ohio SOPHE.  Her major job responsibilities focus are to support the OSOPHE board, support the annual Health Educator Institute (HEI)  conference, day-to-day book-keeping, oversee the updated OSOPHE website, and work with committees to assist and coordinate their goals and responsibilities.  She also will help facilitate the updated strategic plan.