| SOPHE Resolutions Policy and Procedures
Definition:
A resolution is a statement that identifies and describes a health education issue and calls for specific action by SOPHE.
Purpose:
As a national professional association, SOPHE has both the capacity and responsibility to act on relevant health education issues. In addition to actions taken by the SOPHE Executive Committee, Board, chapters and individuals, a resolution process provides an opportunity and mechanism for members to bring their concerns to the attention of the organization, make appropriate recommendations, and receive a response.
Sponsorship:
Resolutions may be submitted by one or more national SOPHE members in good standing. However, one member must be designated as a spokesperson who will initiate and receive all communications related to a particular resolution.
Content and Format:
Title - Should reflect the topic of the resolution.
Statement of the problem – Must clearly and concisely describe the problem, document its impact/importance and explain its relevance to health education and SOPHE. Footnotes and/or references may be included but are not required.
Request for action – Must clearly and concisely state the step(s) sponsors would like SOPHE to take. If there is a deadline by which action must be taken, it must be stated. Sponsors must also estimate resources that would be required to carry out recommendations.
Sponsorship – If there is more that one sponsor, the spokesperson’s name, address and daytime telephone number must be listed first; names of all additional sponsors must also be included.
Length -- A maximum of 500 words for the resolution itself and a maximum of three typed, double-spaced pages of supplementary testimony.
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Submission:
A resolution may be submitted at any time by sending three copies to the Society for Public Health Education, 750 First Street, NE, Suite, 910, Washington, DC 20002-4242, Attn: Resolutions Committee. One copy will be filed in the SOPHE office; the other two will be forwarded to the Resolutions committee chairperson. Unless additional information is needed from the sponsor(s), the Resolution Committee Chairperson will send a copy to the President for action. The sponsor(s) will receive from the chairperson an immediate acknowledgment of the receipt of the resolution, information about its status within 30 days thereafter, and prompt notification of final action taken.
Mechanism for Action:
The Board of Trustees will consider resolutions on behalf of the SOPHE membership. Therefore, resolutions will be placed on the agenda of the Board meeting subsequent to their receipt. The sponsor or designee must be present to speak on behalf of the resolution. However, if the sponsor(s) request immediate action and document the need, the President will poll the Executive Committee to determine an appropriate course of action. At the request of the sponsor(s) or those considering the resolution, action may be deferred until the annual mailing of the ballot so that the entire SOPHE membership may have an opportunity to vote.
Possible Actions:
- The resolution may be approved as submitted. If the resolution calls for development of an action plan, it must be approved by the Executive Committee prior to implementation.
- The resolution may be deferred if additional information is needed.
- The resolution may be disapproved for action by SOPHE.
Resolutions Committee:
A Resolution Chairperson and Committee shall be responsible for:
- Ensuring that a complete file of all submitted resolutions and their disposition is maintained.
- Educating the SOPHE membership regarding the resolutions policy and procedures to be followed.
- Reviewing submitted resolutions for completeness and forwarding them to the President in a timely fashion.
- Communicating with sponsor(s) regarding receipt, status and disposition of resolutions.
- Submitting approved solutions to News & Views for publication.
- Preparing resolutions to be voted on by the membership for mailing with the ballot; tallying and reporting on the result of the voting.
- Compiling a list of resolutions for the SOPHE annual report; their titles, brief summaries, sponsors and actions taken.
The Immediate Past President of SOPHE will chair the committee. If this is not possible for feasible, a chairperson will be appointed by the President.
Approved May 2, 1982 by the SOPHE Board of Trustees.
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