Society for Public Health Education

On October 19, 2001, the Society for Public Health Education’s (SOPHE) Board of Trustees adopted a strategic plan for 2002 through 2005. The plan emerged following eight months of work by the Strategic Planning Committee. The committee began its work affirming the current SOPHE mission statement, which was adopted in 1997:

The plan presented herein is based on extensive input from external leader interviews; online surveys of both the membership and leadership; focus groups with members, leaders and registrants at the SOPHE 2001 Midyear Meeting; and a review of needs assessment data from SOPHE chapters. Following two strategic planning retreats and monthly calls, the Strategic Planning Committee circulated a draft plan to the SOPHE leadership and posted it on SOPHE’s website for public comment.

Based on the background data, several clear themes emerged: SOPHE must continue to play a major role in advocacy; must initiate substantive efforts to market the profession; must be an active participant in addressing health disparities; and should assume a major role in shaping research agendas for health education and public health. These themes help shape the basis for six broad goals and 28 objectives included in this final strategic plan. Each objective includes one or more evaluation measures as well as dates for their completion and individuals/groups to be held accountable.

The Strategic Planning Committee will oversee the implementation of the strategic plan and report on its progress to the Board of Trustees. The President and President-Elect will ensure that each committee chair and/or new officer is aware of his/her responsibilities for implementing specific goals in the plan and to help provide the necessary resources. Each committee is responsible for developing a specific workplan with concrete/numeric goals for the year and providing it to the President or President-Elect within the first quarter of the new SOPHE year. This workplan should link specifically to the goals of the strategic plan for which the committee has responsibility. The Strategic Planning Committee will also review workplans to monitor progress and activities against stated goals and objectives and work with the Finance Committee and the Treasurer to assess resource allocation.

The Strategic Plan will be revisited annually to assess any needs for modifications so that SOPHE continues its responsiveness to the dynamic, contemporary environment of the Society and its members.

Goal	Objective	Evaluation Measure	Who Is Responsible	By When
1. To expand the reach and effectiveness of SOPHE’s advocacy efforts.	1.1 Develop sustained communication channels for advocacy information exchange among National SOPHE leadership, chapters and membership.	Articles in News & Views on new communication mechanisms and session at midyear or annual meeting on advocacy issues Articles in News & Views on national/global public health issues that require an advocacy response from SOPHE and partners Publication of articles in Health Promotion Practice on national and global public health issues and advocacy efforts to address those issues	National Advocacy Committee National Office Electronic Communications Committee SIG/caucus Chairs International and cross-cultural Health SIG	November 2002, then yearly in time for annual meeting.
	1.2 Develop/update, disseminate, and implement at least one (1) SOPHE resolution on priority health education and public health issues per year.	Published resolution and dissemination plan Annual reports from Resolutions Committee and Advocacy Committee Annual report by National Office	National Advocacy Committee Electronic Communications Committee Resolutions Committee National Office staff	Yearly in time for annual meeting.
	1.3 Develop new collaborative relationships/partnerships with a minimum of two (2) other organizations for the purpose of influencing health issues and policies at the national and global levels and encourage local chapters to do the same.	Reports on new national and global partnerships in News & Views and at national meetings. Attendance of key partners at midyear and annual meetings. Written letters or other documentation of partnerships with at least 2 organizations	National Advocacy Committee International and cross-cultural Health SIG SOPHE Ambassadors	Yearly in time for annual meeting.
	1.4 Encourage and support SOPHE chapters to initiate at least one (1) local advocacy effort each year (e.g. training, letter writing campaign, educating legislators).	Annual reports from chapters Annual Report from National Advocacy Committee	National Advocacy Committee	Yearly in time for annual meeting.
	1.5 Evaluate progress on at least one (1) SOPHE resolution on priority health education and public health issues per year.	Annual reports from appropriate caucuses/ SIGS and committees Annual Report on implementation of resolution from Resolutions Committee	National Advocacy Committee Resolutions Committee SIG/Caucus Chairs	Yearly in time for annual meeting.

Goal	Objective	Evaluation Measure	Who is Responsible	By When
2. To promote the use of health education to eliminate health disparities.	2.1 Identify promising strategies to eliminate health disparities and share information at SOPHE meetings.	SOPHE report on promising practices and strategies disseminated Sessions on promising strategies at midyear or annual SOPHE meeting(s)	Research Agenda Committee Annual/Midyear Planning Committees Appropriate SIGs/caucuses	Annual meetings
	2.2 Develop and disseminate a research agenda for the elimination of health disparities to SOPHE membership, funding agencies and other organizations.	Publication of new SOPHE research agenda on health disparities in Health Education and Behavior and session at national meeting	Research Agenda Committee Annual/midyear Planning Committees Appropriate SIGs/caucuses	November 2002
	2.3 Evaluate the implementation of SOPHE resolutions for eliminating health disparities.	Evaluation Plan Annual Report	Resolutions Committee National Advocacy Committee	November, 2003
	2.4 Sponsor at least one (1) interactive session per year at SOPHE meetings related to the root causes of disparities and discrimination in domestic and global settings	Annual and Midyear Meeting Abstracts	Annual/midyear Planning Committees Appropriate SIGS/caucuses International and cross-cultural Health SIG Research Agenda Committee	Annually
	2.5 Develop curriculum on eliminating health disparities for use by National SOPHE members and chapters	Receipt of funding grant or contract Development of curricular components	Executive Board Appropriate SIGs/caucuses Chapter Development Committee Resource Development Committee	November 2005
	2.6 Link with at least two (2) programs, organizations, and/or community-based organizations per year that represent and serve priority populations to foster the exchange of best practices, and develop local chapter linkages to participate in such efforts.	New partnerships Recruitment of new members Representation of new partners in programs for midyear and annual meetings Chapter Annual Reports Newsletters/articles	Chapter Development Committee Executive Board Research Agenda Committee Professional Development Committee National Office	Annually

Goal	Objective	Evaluation Measure	Who Is Responsible	By When
3. To review, expand and promote a dynamic research agenda for health education and behavioral sciences.	3.1 Assess SOPHE’s current research agenda in light of relevant new public and private international and national research agendas and recommend areas for improvement.	Summary of other research agendas and gaps in SOPHE’s current agenda	Research Agenda Committee International and cross-cultural Health SIG	May 2002
	3.2 Provide expertise in health education in the formation of public health research agendas developed by other public and private partners.	Article in News & Views and/or presentation at national meeting regarding SOPHE’s participation in other research agendas	Research Agenda Committee	Annually
	3.3 Proactively publish and disseminate the translation of health education research to practitioners.	A minimum of two (2) articles translating research to practice in Health Promotion Practice or other journals Annual Report of the Research Agenda Committee At least one session at midyear or annual meeting focused on this topic	Associate Editors, Health Promotion Practice Research Agenda Committee	November 2003 and November 2004
	3.4 Develop a plan for updating the health education research agenda for 2005.	Completed plan	Research Agenda Committee	November 2004

Goal	Objective	Evaluation Measure	Who Is Responsible	By When
4. To support and enhance the professional preparation and training of health educators and public health professionals.	4.1 Support and disseminate progress and recommendations of the SOPHE/AAHE Task Force on Quality Assurance and Professional Preparation.	A minimum of 2 articles in News & Views, chapter newsletter articles, presentations at SOPHE meetings	Co-chairs, SOPHE/AAHE Task Force	2004
	4.2 Conduct training of health education and other public health professionals, including where feasible, distance learning and other emerging technologies.	Number of sessions provided/year and number of CHES credits provided/year National Office Report	Technology Subcommittee Professional Development Committee Electronic Communications Committee Continuing Education Committee Chapter Development Committee National Office	Annually
	4.3 Shape the movement toward public health credentialing to include entry and graduate level competencies for health education.	SOPHE representation in ASPH/APHA and CDC discussions Outcomes of credentialing discussions	Professional Preparation Committee	December 2003

Goal	Objective	Evaluation Measure	Who Is Responsible	By When
5. To proactively market health education.	5.1 Develop a marketing plan for the profession of health education that specifies partners, priority audiences, messages, methods, communication channels, time frames and evaluation measures.	Actual existence of a marketing plan	External Communications Committee Executive Board Social Marketing/Health Communications SIG	April 2002
	5.2 On the national and chapter level, pilot test, implement and evaluate at least two (2) key initiatives as identified in the marketing plan.	Letters of support from CNHEO representatives External Communications Committee Annual Report	External Communications Committee Social Marketing/Health Communications SIG	May 2002
	5.3 Diffuse marketing plan to SOPHE chapters and members, partner organizations and funding agencies.	Summaries	External Communications Committee Social Marketing/Health Communications SIG Chapter Development Committee	November 2003
	5.4 Evaluate marketing initiative with specific consideration for future implications for marketing SOPHE.	Evaluation report to Board Annual Reports of chapters	External Communications Committee Social Marketing/Health Communications SIG	May 2004
	5.5 Develop and market a speakers’ bureau to provide health educators to speak on national and global health issues	Establishment of a speakers’ bureau Distribution of speakers’ bureau announcements to selected media outlets Number of media responses to speakers’ bureau	External Communications Committee National Office Social Marketing/Health Communications SIG	November 2002

Goal	Objective	Evaluation Measure	Who Is Responsible	By When
6. To continually elevate SOPHE’s performance in operations, governance and resource development to achieve the strategic plan.	6.1 Increase the diversity (as defined in criteria set by the Membership committee) of SOPHE leadership and membership by 30 percent.	Compare baseline membership numbers as of Dec. 31, 2001 to Dec. 31, 2005 membership numbers	Nominations Committee Membership Committee Chapter Development Committee National Office	2005
	6.2 Increase overall SOPHE membership by 15 percent.	Compare baseline membership numbers as of Dec. 31, 2001 to Dec. 31, 2005 membership numbers	Membership Committee Chapter Development Committee National Office	2005
	6.3 Work with chapters to develop, implement and evaluate a plan to provide training and technical assistance in response to chapter needs	Chapter evaluations of infrastructure/resources and ability to accomplish their own strategic plans	Chapter Development Committee Executive Committee National Office	December 2003.
	6.4 Review and propose changes in SOPHE’s governance for better alignment with the mission and strategic plan.	Bylaws changes approved by membership Outcomes of 2002-2005 Strategic Plan	National Office	December 2003
	6.5 Increase finances and resources to support SOPHE operations and implementation of the strategic plan	Annual reports on SOPHE’s budget, investment performance and resource development plan	Executive Committee Resource Development Committee Finance Committee National Office	Ongoing