Washington State Environmental 
Health Association

Membership Information

The Washington State Environmental Health Association, Inc. (WSEHA) is a non-profit, professional, and educational organization. It was established to provide a forum for dialogue and a vehicle for advanced training opportunities. WSEHA enhances individual and collective expertise, promotes professional growth, and revitalizes Environmental Health endeavors. The Association is enriched by the diversity of ideas and orientation of its members, who represent both the public and private sectors.

Code of Ethics

"As a member of the Washington State Environmental Health Association, Inc., I acknowledge:

"That I have an obligation to the sciences and arts for the advancement of public health. I will uphold the standards of my profession, continually search for truths and disseminate my findings; and I will strive to keep myself fully informed of the developments in the field of public health.

"That I have an obligation to the public whose trust I hold and I will endeavor to the best of my ability to guard their interests honestly and wisely.

"That the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, cultural background, economic or social condition.

"That, being loyal to my profession, I will uphold the Constitution and By-Laws of the Washington State Environmental Health Association, Inc. and will at all times conduct myself in a manner worthy of my profession. My signature hereon constitutes a realization of my personal responsibility to regularly discharge these obligations."

Members are:

Environmental Health personnel with professional responsibility for, or interest in, protecting the public’s health through organized programs in the following areas:

Categories are:

Regular Members: Persons who are active in the field of environmental health or related educational activities, who have a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university.

Associated Members: Persons who are active in the field of environmental health or related educational activities, but who do not meet the requirements of regular membership.

Student Members: Persons who are working towards a bachelors degree or higher in sanitary science, public health, environmental health, or related academic field.

Subscribing Members: Persons residing outside of the state of Washington whose principal membership benefit is receiving the WSEHA Newsletter.

Sustaining Members: Persons or organizations that are interested in supporting WSEHA and its goals and objectives.

Affiliate Members: Professional or civic organizations that share the goals and objectives of WSEHA and wish to improve communications and coordination of mutual programs.

Emeritus Membership: May be awarded by the Board of Directors to persons who have been active in the field of environmental health for at least twenty (20) years, including at least five (5) years as a member of WSEHA, and who have retired because of age or disability. To request the Emeritus category, a letter should be sent to the WSEHA Executive Secretary.  The letter will then be presented and voted on at the next Board meeting.  The requestor will then be notified of the results of the vote.

Annual Payment of Dues:

The annual dues are payable on or before October 1^st of each year regardless of when dues were last paid. A membership renewal notice will be mailed to members on or before the 15^th of September of each year. Reminder notices will also be mailed 3 months past the expiration date for those who failed to renew in October.

Reinstatement of Lapsed Memberships:

To reinstate a lapsed membership (lapsed for two years or more) for the purpose of maintaining the original joining date, the member must pay all of the back dues for the category of membership selected by the member at the time reinstatement. If back dues are not paid, then the joining date starts over again with the current date, however, the original membership number remains the same. Members may appeal this decision to the Board of Directors.

Benefits:

CEU tracking for non-registered sanitarians: WSEHA contracts with the Washington State Board of Registered Sanitarians to track CEUs for WSEHA members who are not members of WSBRS. This is an annual contract which expires at the same time as WSEHA memberships. To maintain CEU tracking, membership with WSEHA must be maintained. This benefit is not offered to Subscribing or Student members. With questions regarding CEUs, please contact  Toni Plemel at WSBRS.exsec@verizon.net

Discounts: As a WSEHA member, you automatically receive discounts to all conferences hosted by WSEHA. You also receive discounts on all products sold by WSEHA.

Voting Priviledges: As a Regular, Associate, Affiliate, Sustaining, or Emeritus member of WSEHA, you have the ability to vote during annual Officer Elections; for changes to policies and procedures; other issues as required by the membership to be voted upon.

Awards and Scholarships: WSEHA members are eligible for the awards and scholarships presented annually at the Annual Education Conference.

Newsletters: WSEHA publishes a quarterly newsletter that provides information on State and local health activities, job postings, information on upcoming conferences, regional reporting, and more. To get articles published in the newsletter, contact your Regional Vice President.

Get Involved: As a member of WSEHA, you have the ability to get involved in committees, and run for office. The greatest benefit you receive is the opportunity to meet and work with people in your related field. Get involved today.   Listed below are WSEHA's list of committees

Standing Committees:

AEC Committee
Finance Committee
Education Committee
Nominations and Awards Committee
Publications Committee
AEC Committee
International Health Committee
Membership and Benefits Committee

To become a member of any of these committees, contact the Chair located on the Board Roster or one of the other Board members.


Updated: 2/4/02