INTRODUCTION

At the October 1998 Board meeting, held in Seattle USA, the Board decided to cease the process of matching learners with mentors on a one-to-one basis and focus on a broader approach.

The background to this discussion is detailed in a discussion paper that was circulated to all Board members prior to the Seattle meeting.

The purpose of this document is to provide the foundation for the new broad-based programme and to set out a number of key aims and objectives for this new initiative. It is anticipated that responses will be sought from Board members so that a final document can be developed for presentation to the Executive and Board members.

In the interests of full discussion, a number of suggestions that were discussed at some length in Seattle, have been included even though no resolution was achieved at the meeting.

PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES

The key objective of the programme is to enhance the creation of an international network of occupational hygiene organisations. To achieve this aim on a large scale it is envisaged that the efforts of IOHA will be directed towards promoting and assisting national bodies or groups of individuals within a country to form an association (or develop an existing association) with the ultimate objective being membership of IOHA.

The promotion and assistance noted above could be in a number of forms including:

• Guidance to develop a constitution or membership rules that would ultimately be acceptable to IOHA, if membership was sought at some stage in the future.

• Assistance with the development of education and/or training programmes.

• Provision of technical experience and information to key persons within a country on the understanding that it will be circulated to interested persons within a country.

• Sponsorship of key individuals who represent colleagues within a country to significant events such as IOHA conferences, annual conference of member organisations, specialist seminars, etc.

• Attendance at local meetings by representative(s) of the IOHA Board to promote the profession at a local level and to evaluate individual country needs.

PROGRAMME MECHANISM

IOHA should identify one new group or association each year and seek to establish its needs to effectively promote the profession within that country. A maximum of two associations should be listed on the programme at any one time unless sufficient resources exist to expand the programme.

Having established the requirements of a country, IOHA should actively seek partnerships with other bodies (eg AIHA International Affairs Committee, ACGIH International Committee, ILO, WHO) who are best placed to complement IOHA in the provision of identified requirements.

IOHA should, upon the collection of all available information, conduct an evaluation to establish if a realistic potential for a successful outcome is possible. This evaluation should be based on predetermined criteria and should not be the subject of influence from Board members who may have some personal affiliation or interest with a country. A full cost estimation should also be made at this stage and the resultant evaluation and cost proposal placed before the Board for approval.

Upon approval by the Board, IOHA should request the involvement of the most appropriate Board member to ensure that the programme is implemented within the agreed timeframe.

At the end of a successful programme, IOHA may identify a willingness for an association to become a member of IOHA but a reluctance because of financial considerations. In such cases transitional membership (which includes voting rights) maybe granted for a period of no longer than three (3) years (reviewed annually by the Executive) at a cost lower than the normal capitation fee. This initiative should only be applied to those countries that have similar special financial arrangements with organisations such as ILO or WHO. In those countries where currency transfers between the local association and IOHA are prohibited, alternative measures acceptable to the Executive may be considered.

CURRENT LEARNER-MENTOR PAIRINGS

As agreed at the Seattle Board meeting, only those active pairs as of the date of the Board meeting (2 October 1998) should be allowed to continue to finality. No further individual pairings should be endorsed by IOHA.

NAME CHANGE

In order to avoid confusion and to more correctly represent the new initiative of IOHA, it is suggested that the current Mentor Programme be deleted and be replaced by the Co-operation in Occupational Hygiene Programme, as per the suggestion of Dr V Rose.

PUBLICITY

All material (written, website) promoting the previous mentor programme should be withdrawn. Steps should be taken to publicise the revised programme to ensure maximum exposure and to dispel any confusion as to the reasons why the previous programme has ceased.