The mission of the Massachusetts Health Officers Association is to assist and support staff of local health departments in meeting their statutory responsibilities to the public through programs of education, technical assistance, representation and resource development and by providing educational and informational programs to the general public on public health topics.

Goals

1. To be recognized as, and regarded by, members and other agencies as an effective, professional group representing and advocating for local public and environmental health.

2. To work closely with national, state and local health and environmental agencies and associations to improve public health practice.

3. To promote and foster high standards of professionalism among local health department staff.

Objectives

1. To provide timely, pertinent and cost-effective educational programs.

2. To publish a newsletter at regular intervals.

3. To maintain an internet and email site on the world wide web.

4. To monitor and advocate for legislation affecting health and environmental issues.

5. To promote student internship opportunities.

6. To serve on national and state committees that foster collaboration for the promotion of our ideals.

7. To maintain a Resource Lending Library.

8. To offer an annual scholarship to a member, or member’s family, embarking on, or enhancing,  a career in public or environmental health.

9. To present annual awards for outstanding leadership, extraordinary service and distinguished contributions to local health practice.

10. To keep members abreast of new and current public and environmental health topics and issues.

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A Brief History of MHOA

The foundations of MHOA began in 1950 when a group of health officials from cities and towns north of Boston began meeting together several times a year for  the purpose  of contributing, on a voluntary basis, their experiences for a better understanding and servicing of local health department practice and administration.  This group became known as the North Metropolitan Health Officers and Agents Association.  State Health Department officials took an interest and attended their meetings.

Because of the activities of this group and their interest in public health, many  local health officials from communities south of Boston indicated a desire to become members of the group. On November 17, 1954 the name was changed to the Metropolitan Health Officers Association, and included  health officials from the Northeastern and Southeastern Health Districts of the State.

Interest and membership expanded to include local health officials west of Boston.  In 1962 the name was  changed  to the Massachusetts Health Officers Association and membership was open to health officials throughout the State.  The date of incorporation for MHOA was February 4, 1972.

Currently, regular MHOA membership embodies any person employed as a Director, Agent or Inspector of a regional or local municipal agency for the purpose of carrying out the public health mandates of that agency, or any person certified by the Board of Certification of Health Officers.  Associate members include those individuals that do not meet the requirements of regular membership but wish to support and advance the objectives of MHOA.  We are also proud to have a number of members emeritus, retired members and honorary members.

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MHOA Bylaws

Word Document Version: bylaws.doc

MHOA BYLAWS
(Revised 9/20/07)

Article I – Name

The name of this association shall be Massachusetts Health Officers Association, Incorporated, hereinafter referred to as the Association.

Article II – Mission Statement

The mission of the Massachusetts Health Officers Association is to assist and support staff of local and regional health departments in meeting their statutory responsibilities to the public through programs of education, technical assistance, representation and resource development and by providing educational and informational programs to the general public on public health topics.

Article III – Membership

Regular Member:   Qualification for Regular Membership shall be:

(1.) Any Certified Health Officer (C.H.O.), certified by the Board of Certification of Health Officers, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or

(2.) any person employed by a regional or local municipal agency as a Commissioner, Director, Assistant Director, Administrator, Health Agent, Inspector, Public Health Nurse, or Sanitarian whose primary purpose is carrying out the public health mandate of that agency.  A person shall not be qualified who, by virtue of an appointment as an agent of a Board of Health, may carry out tasks which are incidental to, or support functions of, the persons listed above.  Such persons not qualified may include, but not be limited to, secretary, clerk, animal control officer, tobacco control director, and contracted personnel or agencies.  Determination of Regular Membership shall be made, and all membership shall be established, by a majority vote of the Executive Committee except where otherwise provided.

A Regular Member of over three years who is no longer connected with official health work may continue as a Regular Member.

Every Regular Member and Associate Member shall pay annual dues as set forth by the Executive Committee except as specifically exempted elsewhere in these By-Laws.

Retired Member: May be given to any member of the Association with three or more years standing as a Regular Member, and has retired from active employment in the health field.  The annual dues for a retired member shall be 50% of the Regular Membership dues.

Member Emeritus: May be granted by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee to a Regular Member in recognition to that member’s contribution over time to the Association and to the field of Public Health.  The Member Emeritus shall enjoy all the privileges of a Regular Member and shall be exempt from paying dues.

Associate Member:  All others who desire to join the Association for the purpose of supporting and advancing the objectives of its regular membership who do not meet the requirements of regular membership may become Associate Members.  Associate Members shall have all the privileges and responsibilities of Regular Members except that an Associate Member may not vote, nor hold office in the Association, and may not be a member of the Executive Committee.

Student Member: Individuals currently enrolled in a full-time degree program in Public Health, Allied Health Professions, Environmental Health, Environmental Science, or Environmental Studies may join the Association by paying dues that shall be half of the Regular Membership dues. Students must provide a photocopy of a current student identification to verify enrollment annually. Student Members shall have all the privileges and responsibilities of Associate Members.

Honorary Member: May be given to any person so designated by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee who has shown exemplary accomplishment in the field of Public or Environmental Health.  Honorary Members shall not pay dues.

Article IV – Officers

Section 1.  The officers of the Association shall be: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.  Only regular members who are currently employed as executive or administrative head or deputy director of a local or regional municipal health agency shall be qualified to fill the offices of President, Vice President or Secretary. Employees of local and regional health agencies that have similar responsibilities and qualifications of an administrative head or deputy director may be presented for election by the Nominating Committee. A Regular Member can be nominated from the floor at the Annual Business Meeting provided that the nominee’s qualifications have been confirmed by the Nominating Committee or the Executive Committee.

Section 2.  The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and the Executive Committee, and shall be an ex officio voting member of all standing committees and shall have the general powers and duties of supervision and management usually vested in the President of a Corporation.

Section 3.  The Vice President, upon absence or disability of the President, shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of President and shall perform such other duties as the Executive Committee may delegate.  The Vice President shall serve as Chairperson of the Conference Committee.

Section 4.  The Secretary shall be responsible for preparing and maintaining the minutes of all meetings of the Executive Committee and general membership.  The Secretary shall also be known as the Clerk of the Corporation.

Section 5.  The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all funds collected or received by the Association and shall manage all financial matters of the Association.  Under the general direction of the Executive Committee, the Treasurer shall have the authority to control and disburse those funds, making an accounting of receipts and disbursements at each annual meeting and on the date of retirement as Treasurer.  In the absence of the Treasurer, the President is authorized to issue checks with the approval of the Executive Committee.  The Treasurer shall receive a stipend as recommended by the Personnel Committee and voted by the Executive Committee.

Section 6.  Election of Officers and the Executive Committee shall be held at the Annual Meeting.  The election portion of the Annual Meeting shall be conducted by the Chairperson of the Nominating Committee.

Section 7.  The term of office for all Officers and the Executive Committee shall be one year effective January 1 of each year.  The President and Vice President may serve for a maximum of two consecutive years.

Section 8.  To be eligible to be elected as an officer, an individual must have served on the Executive Committee for a minimum of two years.

Article V - Executive Committee

Section 1.  The Executive Committee shall consist of seven (7) regular members elected from the seven Bio-terrorism regions as established by the Department of Public Health.  One member from the following regions: 1, 2, 3, 4a, 4b, 4c, and 5 shall be elected under the provision of Section 2 of Article V.  Additionally, there shall be eight (8) regular members-at-large elected at the Annual Meeting from the general membership, as well as the four (4) Officers of the Association as enumerated in Article IV, Section 1.  All past Presidents of the Association shall serve as ex officio, voting members of the Executive Committee.

Section 2.  All regular members of each region shall caucus prior to the election at the Annual Meeting and shall present to the general membership one name of a regular member from their region to serve as their representative on the Executive Committee.  In the case that no nominee is nominated by a specific region, or a region’s nominee is not elected, then that position shall be filled by any regular member duly elected by the membership.

Section 3.  Regional classification and membership shall be defined by the prime location of employment of the regular member as opposed to the town of residence.  In the case that a regular member is not employed in a health related occupation, his or her city/town of residence shall determine regional membership.

Section 4.  The Executive Committee shall have the authority to fill any and all vacancies, as they might occur, on the Executive Committee and any staff or contracted services by majority vote of the Executive Committee.

Section 5.   Representation on the Executive Committee shall only include employees of local or regional health departments.  Any current member of the Executive Committee that does not meet this criterion shall be grandfathered.

Article VI - Committees

All Committees shall act in accordance with the policies voted by the Executive Committee.

Section 1.  There shall be a Nominating Committee consisting of five (5) members of the Executive Committee, three (3) of whom shall be ex officio members when feasible, appointed by the President at least thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Meeting.  At each Annual Meeting the Nominating Committee shall present the names of at least eight (8) regular members as nominees for the positions of members-at-large on the Executive Committee.  The Nominating Committee shall further present the name of at least one (1) regular member for each of the Offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer as nominees for election by the general membership.  Further nominations may be submitted from the floor, at the Annual Meeting by any regular member.  No nomination from the floor will be allowed for a regional position unless there has been no nomination by the caucus of that region in accordance with Article V, Section 2.

Section 2.  There shall be a Finance Committee appointed by the President, not to exceed five (5) members.  It shall be the responsibility of this Committee to develop the annual budget to be presented to the Executive Committee in October of each year for the following fiscal year.  This Committee shall be responsible for developing and maintaining a Financial Policy Manual.

Section 3.  There shall be an Awards Committee appointed by the President consisting of twelve members.  The members shall be past recipients of the John D. Crowley Award, the Michael D. Saraco Award, and the Public Health Nurses Award whenever possible.  The members shall form subcommittees to select a new recipient for their respective award.  The full committee shall select a new recipient for the Curtis M. Hilliard Award.  Nominations shall be accepted from any member of the Association.  President’s Awards may be presented at the discretion of the President.

Section 4.  There shall be a Conference Committee appointed each year by the Vice President who will serve as its Chair.  This Committee shall hold all the responsibility for the planning, implementation, and fiscal decisions of this Conference.

Section 5.  There shall be a Personnel Committee of five (5) members: the President, Vice President, Immediate Past President, an ex officio member, and a member of the Executive Committee appointed by the President.  It shall be the responsibility of this Committee to make recommendations regarding the employment or termination of individuals.  This Committee shall also maintain and update any job descriptions and conduct an annual review of all employees.

Section 6.  There shall be a Scholarship Committee of not less than three (3) members appointed by the President.  It shall be the responsibility of this Committee to review applications for the Amy Naparstek Memorial Scholarship and to submit the nominees to the Executive Committee for their ratification.

Section 7.  Special Committees may be established by the President as needed with the approval, by majority vote, of the Executive Committee.

Article VII – Employees

In order to carry out the day-to-day operations of the Association the Executive Committee may, after consulting with the Personnel Committee and Finance Committee, hire or terminate employees or service providers, as it deems necessary.

Article VIII – Finances

Section 1.  An audit by a CPA shall be conducted:  when there is a change in the position of Treasurer; as required by state or federal law; or when deemed necessary by the Executive Committee, but not less than every three years.

Article IX – Meetings

Section 1.  There shall be at least three (3) regular meetings of the membership of the Association held each year.

Section 2.  The Annual Meeting shall be held in the fall of each year on a specific date to be determined by the Conference Committee with the concurrence of the Executive Committee.

Section 3.  Fifteen (15) voting members shall constitute a quorum for regular meetings.

Section 4.  The Executive Committee shall meet as needed.  Eight (8) members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum of that body for the purpose of conducting meetings and acting on business of the Association.

Section 5.  Roberts Revised Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings of the meetings of the Association and the Executive Committee.

Section 6.  The President, or any ten (10) members of the Executive Committee, may convene a meeting of the Association or Executive Committee at any time, provided that not less than seven (7) days prior to the proposed date of such meeting, notice shall be given to all members of the date, time and place of such meeting and the business to be discussed.

Article X – Amendment of the By-laws

Section 1.  The Membership of the Association may amend or adopt these By-Laws at any meeting of the general membership.  The Executive Committee shall review, consider and report to the membership on any proposed amendment or change of By-Laws.  The Executive committee may from time to time appoint a special Committee for the purpose of reviewing and proposing amendments or changes to the By-Laws.  Such Special Committee shall report to the Executive Committee and the Association.  Amendments or By-Law changes may be adopted by a simple majority of the voting members present at the meeting provided that the proposed amendments or changes have been submitted to the membership in writing via e-mail and posted on the website at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting.

[End of Bylaws]




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The MHOA Annual Conference

Location:  The location of the Annual Education Conference will be in Massachusetts with the following considerations:

• Accessible for people to come for one day
• Far enough away for many people to stay overnight.  This is important not only for the networking which occurs during the informal social time but also to minimize the  cost of the conference as the meeting space is free based on the number of overnight rooms
• Reasonably priced package prices
• Smokefree city/town preferably, otherwise smokefree meeting space
• Handicap accessible


Time of year: The timing of the Conference should not conflict with other major Massachusetts health conferences, shall not conflict with seasonal workloads, shall be such to maximize attendance.

Duties:  The Chairman of the Conference shall be the Vice President of the organization. (S)he will be responsible for the program.  The Executive Director will be responsible for the administrative concerns. The duties of the two people shall include, but not be limited to:

 
Vice President

Appoint the Conference Committee

Program

     Speakers

     Moderators

     Getting a.v. info to Executive Director and Hotel

Exhibitors

Contents of participant packages

Contracts


Member Services

Registration flyer

Registration (contact with Registration Coordinator)

CEU’s

Contact with Hotel

Registration Coordinator

Receive and account for registration fees

Account for all registrants

Make name tags

Responsible for compilation of registration packets

Recruit people for staffing registration tables as needed

Coordinate and staff registration tables

Have a stipend and full package, including spouse

Conference Committee Members shall included, but not be limited to, the following: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretery, Executive Director, Registration Coordinator, Exhibitor Coordinator, CEU Coordinator

• Recommend policies to the full Executive Board
• Develop program
• Recruit speakers
• Establish registration and exhibitor fees
• Complementary rooms and meals

The following people shall be offered a complementary full package, including dinner and hotel the night before the first day of the Conference:

President

Vice President

Treasurer

Secretary

Exhibitor Coordinator

Registration Coordinator

Executive Director

Anyone who works full time at the registration desk

Out of state speakers

The following people shall be offered a complementary meal:

Speakers (meal most appropriate for the time of day they are speaking)

Legislators and their staff

Others as the Conference Chair approves

Exhibitors shall be given one registration packet (without ceu slip) 
CEU’s will be awarded only to those participants who pay the registration fee
The refund policy will be included on the registration flyer.

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Disclaimer

The information contained in this web site is being made available as a public service by the The Massachusetts Health Officers Association.  No posted information is intended to constitute legal or professional advice.  The information contained in this web site is compiled from reliable sources, however, if the user discovers any errors or omissions, we encourage the user to report them to the Webmaster.  MHOA does not guarantee the accuracy of information at this site, or the accuracy of information in other sites accessible through links herein.  Links to other sites or from other sites to MHOA web site do not constitute an endorsement by MHOA.  These links are provided for convenience only.