July 25, 2003, October 3, 2003, January 30, 2004, April 2, 2004

We are working on meeting venues now and will publish them as soon as they are confirmed. Please note that the January meeting will be our Vendors Meeting. Also, if you have any ideas for meeting topics, know of an interesting speaker, or would like to offer your services to speak, please let an officer know.

Note: For the July 25th meeting we are looking for volunteers to participate in the panel discussion. See related article

3. Student Programs - Let's get involved and get them involved!
   
   The leadership team feels that we can be more proactive in our support and outreach to local college programs. We specifically would like to enhance our level of activity and support of programs at both UGA and Emory. Some of the things we have set as targets in this area include:
1. Waive the meeting fee for all students that pre-register for local section meetings
2. Continue with Scholarship Program for UGA; Consider developing a program for Emory and also providing financial support to the AIHF foundation if finances permit.
3. Consider having the Georgia Local Section serve as a facilitator regarding internship programs. It is our intention that the GLS can play a more active role in recruiting companies to offer internships, and facilitate communications to students when opportunities become available. We need your support to meet this objective.
    
4. Financial - Let's give some value back to the members!
   
   We are in very good financial standing, with a balance going into year of $18,500. The previous officers had expressed that we should give back to our members via reduced costs and enhanced programs. So the 2003 - 2004 team is looking to address this objective in a responsible fashion.
    
5. Government Affairs - Preparing for the Next Legislative Session!
   
   Drew Peake, your President-elect, has expressed an interest in leading this effort, particularly as it pertains to mold legislation.
    
6. AIHCE 2004 - It's coming back to Atlanta!
   
   It's back! The American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exhibition (AIHCE) will be back in Atlanta for 2004. The conference theme, OEHS - Promoting Excellence will be held May 8-13, 2004 at the Georgia World Congress Center. It is the premier meeting for our profession. See the article in this issue regarding the GLS obligations regarding Conference activities and how you can help.

I know we are all busy in these economic times, however sometimes a break from our daily routine can be “just what the Doctor ordered.” So take some time to network, get reacquainted with old friends, or help a young professional enter the profession. Plan to attend the meetings on July 25th. If you cannot make it, but would like to assist us in our efforts, just drop me an email at delucar@eshconnect.com .

I look forward to working with all of you. Have a safe summer!

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Executive Committee Highlights

Bryce Bennett - Secretary

The first Board meeting of the 2003-2004 Georgia Local Section was held on June 6^th. Members attending were Rich Deluca, Chris DePasquale, Larry Newton, Art Wickman, Ryan Langton and Bryce Bennett. The meeting lasted from 9:00 AM to 12:00PM.

The first order of business was to devise a directional path for this upcoming year. It is important for the GLS to have tangible goals and objectives to strive for during this tenure. The main goals that were established are detailed in the President's message. Items such as identification of additional safety and health personnel in the area and evaluation of current enrollment were key action items analyzed. Finally, Ryan Langton reviewed the current treasury report.

Additional topics of discussion centered on future meeting dates, topics and formats as well as incentives to attract additional attendees to these meetings.

The next GLS meeting will be held July 25^th from 9am to 1 pm with a Local Conference Committee (LCC) planning meeting to follow.

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News from the Local Section Business Meeting in Dallas

by Ryan Langton

The annual AIHA local section council business meeting was held in conjunction with the AIHCE in Dallas on May 14, 2003, at the Adams Mark hotel. Attending the meeting on behalf of the Georgia Local Section were Treasurer Ryan Langton, and First Term Director, Chris DePasquale. Mr. Jeff Burton, Vice Chair of the Local Sections Council, was the meeting facilitator. Awards were presented for outstanding local section websites, as well as to the student local section of the year (Central Missouri State University, so all you Mules alumni out there can be proud!). The meeting presented an excellent opportunity to network with officers from other local sections, and share ideas for local section meetings and other functions.

The most significant item of discussion involved the issue of liability insurance for the local sections. The national AIHA recently notified the local sections that they would no longer be carrying this insurance for the local sections. A representative from the AIHA's insurance carrier presented the options for coverage for the local sections. At this time no definitive actions have been taken in regards to this issue, but please be aware that the AIHA will assist the local sections on the best course of action to take on this issue. Other speakers during the meeting included Stephen Davis, AIHA Executive Director and Gary Olmstead, President of the AIHF.

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Mark Your Calendars

The Fall Golf Classic sponsored by the Georgia Chapters of the AIHA, ASSE & EIA will again take place this year at the Trophy Club of Atlanta in Alpharetta, GA on October 9, 2003. The Fall Golf Classic, in the past and again this year, will provide an opportunity for the members of these organizations to gather in a casual atmosphere to network, promote each chapter, develop business relationships, and most importantly, have a great day with good people on the golf course.

The entry fee is $75 which includes greens fee, cart, range balls, box lunch and, of course, unlimited heckling. The deadline for entry will be September 26, 2003. If you have questions or would like to be a Classic Sponsor, please contact Tod Dawson at:
(770) 499-7127 or TodDawson@mindspring.com .

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Summer Meeting:

Emerging Issues Update

The Summer Meeting has traditionally been a ˝ day event. Our next meeting will be held on Friday, July 25, 2003. It will focus on emerging issues that have impact on occupational health. We will meet in the Georgia-Pacific Corporation Training Center, Training Room five, located at 133 Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta.

We will have a NIOSH representative speak to us about SARS, and what to anticipate in the upcoming months. Next, we will have a speaker from OSHA explain the new proposed rules regarding respirator fit testing and fit factors. We will then follow this discussion with an MSA respirator representative sharing their views regarding the NIOSH Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) certification for respiratory protection. Finally, we will close the meeting with a panel discussion on how all of these issues impact the way we do business. We are soliciting members to be on the panel. Please e-mail Rich DeLuca at delucar@eshconnect.com if you would like to participate.