Call for board of trustee applicants 

Do you have experience in SOPHE and are interested in moving to the next level? Individuals with exemplary leadership and commitment to SOPHE, health education and health promotion are critical to the success of SOPHE and set a powerful example for others.

We actively recruit a diverse slate of members for the board of trustees, who would start their terms of office in the spring. All positions are for two-year terms of office, except the president-elect and student trustee.

The opportunity to help lead SOPHE is a notable personal and professional achievement. YOU have the opportunity to shape the future of SOPHE!

In a leadership role you will:

  • Play a significant role in advancing the health education profession.
  • Enhance the value of SOPHE to school and public health stakeholders.
  • Access to up-to-date information about the challenges facing health education and health promotion research and practice.
  • The chance to shape SOPHE’s strategic future directions.
  • Develop new leadership skills.
  • An opportunity to earn Category II Continuing Education Contact Hours for CHES/MCHES.

SOPHE leaders devote time, energy and ideas to move the organization forward. Read more about the obligations of a board member.

Learn more about Board of Trustee obligations & FAQs.

The operation of SOPHE is the responsibility of SOPHE Officers and Board of Trustees as outlined in the SOPHE Bylaws.  The Elected Officers are:  President Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer.  The remaining elected Trustees are: Advocacy and Resolutions Annual Meeting, Communications, Publications, Membership and Leadership Development, Professional Development, and Professional Preparation, Research and Strategic Initiatives

ARTICLE VI – Officers and Trustees (Adapted from SOPHE By-Laws)

Officers

The Officers of the Board of Trustees shall consist of the President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer and Immediate Past-President.  No person may hold more than one office at the same time. 

Election of Officers 

The President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer (and, in certain cases, the President) shall be elected by the Individual Members of SOPHE.

Election of Trustees

All Trustees will be elected by the Individual Members of SOPHE.

Term of Office

  • President, President-Elect and Past President.  The President, President-Elect and Past President shall each serve for a term of one year, Upon the expiration of their respective terms, the current President shall automatically succeed to the Office of Past President; the President-Elect shall automatically succeed to the Office of President.
  • Secretary and Treasurer.  The Secretary and Treasurer shall each serve a two-year term and shall be elected in alternate years.
  • Terms for all Trustees shall begin with their installation at SOPHE’s annual business meeting and serve for two years, except the Student Trustee, which comes with a one-year term. Half of the Trustees will be elected in alternate years, so that there is never a brand new slate of Trustees.

Vacancies

A.   If there is a vacancy in the Office of President, the President-Elect will automatically fill the vacancy should the President be unable to finish his/her term.  The President-Elect shall then serve a full term as President.

B.     A vacancy in any other Office shall be filled by the Board of Trustees only for the unexpired term.

Expectations of Service

  • SOPHE Board members must be paid members of National SOPHE at the time of their election and continue through their term of service.
  • Attend monthly 90-minute Board meetings via zoom, held on the second Wednesday at 03:00 – 04:30 EST.  Officers and Trustees are allowed to miss two meetings/year.
  • Attend regular meetings, via Zoom, with members of committees that report to you, according to role descriptions in the SOPHE Procedures Manual.
  • Participate, either in person in Washington, DC or via Zoom, Annual half day Board meetings.  These meetings are schedule adjacent to the SOPHE Advocacy Summit.
  • Attend the All-Member Business Meeting at the SOPHE Annual Meeting.
    • (Note: in person attendance at any above meeting will be at Board Member’s personal cost.)
  • Be fiducially responsible to SOPHE, which includes donating to SOPHE scholarships and/or other funds.
  • Respond to ongoing and regular email communication between Board members and Officers and CEO.
  • Regular reporting to their stakeholder groups, inviting feedback and participation in emerging opportunities
  • Commit to the mission, vision, and core principles of SOPHE.

Additional Responsibilities of All Trustees

  • Determine the organization’s mission and purposes.
  • Assist with selection and evaluation of SOPHE CEO.
  • Ensure effective organizational planning.
  • Ensure adequate resources.
  • Manage resources effectively.
  • Determine, monitor, and strengthen SOPHE’s programs and services.
  • Enhance SOPHE’s public standing.
  • Ensure SOPHE’s legal and ethical integrity and maintain accountability.
  • Recruit and orient new board members and assess board performance.
  • Appoint committee chairs/co-chairs for the respective areas and oversee their development, implementation, and evaluation of action plans in support of the SOPHE strategic plan, according to their role descriptions in the SOPHE Procedures Manual.
  • Report on the progress/activities of the respective committees to the Board.
  • Communicate decisions/discussions of the Board to the respective committee leadership.
  • Alerting the SOPHE Treasurer to new resource development opportunities.
FAQs

Becoming a SOPHE Board Member

Is there any financial or other compensation for serving on the Board?

No, there is no financial or other direct compensation for serving on the SOPHE Board. 

Why should I serve as a SOPHE Board Member?

Good question! There are many reasons for serving on the SOPHE Board, including an opportunity to understand how a non-profit board functions. You also will have an opportunity to create a vision and strategic plan for the organization and for the profession of health promotion and health education. As a Board Trustee, you will gain valuable insight in to how the organization is managed and may consider running for President-Elect one day. 

What qualifications do I need to serve on the SOPHE Board?

In addition to being National SOPHE members when the nominations process commences, other qualifications include demonstrated leadership, commitment, and follow-through; availability; understanding of the priorities and processes of their respective committee(s) and roles, and genuine interest in moving the organization forward.

How are individuals selected to be placed on the ballot?

Potential members will be identified by the current SOPHE Board, the SOPHE Nominations Committee, and/or through self-nomination. Interested applicants will complete Jot Form, which asks for your vision, purpose for running, previous SOPHE volunteer experience, and your commitment to DEI. The SOPHE Nominations Committee will review entries of all interested individuals and, based on diversity, representation, inclusivity and leadership potential, the final ballot will be created.  It is important to note that the final ballot will not have more than two nominees for each position, even if there were more than two interested parties. The Trustee of Membership, who chairs the Nominations Committee will be in touch with everyone who submitted a Jot Form to let them know of the outcome of the vetting process.

You can download a pdf copy Learn more about Board of Trustee obligations & FAQs.

Together, we can ensure that SOPHE has a strong and vibrant future!

SOPHE officer nominations

We actively recruite members to the board of trustees, who will start their terms of office annually in the spring.

I. General Responsibilities of all members of the board of trustees

  1. Determine the organization’s mission and purposes.
  2. Select and support the chief executive officer.
  3. Ensure effective organizational planning.
  4. Ensure adequate resources.
  5. Manage resources effectively.
  6. Determine, monitor, and strengthen SOPHE’s programs and services.
  7. Enhance SOPHE’s public standing.
  8. Ensure SOPHE’s legal and ethical integrity and maintain accountability.
  9. Recruit and orient new board members and assess board performance.
  10. Participate in face-to-face Midyear and Annual meetings of the SOPHE Board and the All-Member Business Meeting at the Annual Meeting.
  11. Participate in monthly conference calls of the Board of Trustees.
  12. Appoint committee chairs/co-chairs for the respective areas and oversee their development, implementation, and evaluation of action plans in support of the SOPHE strategic plan, according to their role descriptions in the SOPHE Procedures Manual.
  13. Report on the progress/activities of the respective committees to the Board.
  14. Communicate decisions/discussions of the Board to the respective committee leadership.
  15. Alerting the SOPHE Treasurer to new resource development opportunities.
    II. Specific Position Responsibilities

The nominations for 2022-2023 are closed.