E5.01 - Skill-Building Intensive: Strengthening Health Educators: The Impacts of Local SOPHE Chapter Membership

Brief Abstract Summary: This presentation aims to collaboratively explore the benefits of membership with local SOPHE Chapters by facilitating discussions on the perceived benefits of professional association membership, including how chapters engage in mentorship, leadership skill building, and the development of the public health education workforce. Led by CT SOPHE, the newest chapter, and Ohio SOPHE, a long-established chapter, his session will include an overview of both Chapters and incorporate a series of discussions on topics critical to both Chapters’ success. After each discussion, CT SOPHE and Ohio SOPHE will share examples of how each Chapter uniquely addresses these needs. The purpose of these facilitated discussions is threefold: to gather insights from a diverse group of health educators, to explore common needs and expectations health educators have from local chapters, and to highlight how the Connecticut and Ohio SOPHE chapters are addressing these needs in their communities.

Detailed abstract description: Gain insights into how local SOPHE Chapters offer immense value by fostering a strong network that enhances the local workforce through accessible and engaging programming. They serve as a vital pipeline to national SOPHE involvement, advocating to further the mission and promote the organization's events. Local chapters are instrumental in building a supportive community that promotes growth and collaboration.

CT SOPHE is the newest Chapter of SOPHE, officially incorporated in August 2020 and was founded as a graduate internship for an MPH student from Southern CT State University. In partnership with a diverse board of local health educators, this intern then became the first Chapter President. In 2023, they published in HPP and received the Chapter of Excellence Award for their work in leadership development.

Conversely, the Ohio SOPHE Chapter was formed in the 1980s to support professional development, networking, leadership building, and advocacy for public health education. Each year, leadership hosts quarterly events, an annual conference, scholarships, and awards. In 2023, the Ohio Chapter received funding from the Ohio Department of Health to support workforce development efforts to increase membership, streamline chapter functions, and build leadership skills. While these Chapters are different in many ways, they both uniquely develop programming for their membership that supports various areas of development.

This presentation aims to collaboratively explore the benefits of membership with local SOPHE Chapters by facilitating discussions on the perceived benefits of professional association membership, including how chapters engage in mentorship, leadership skill building, and the development of the public health education workforce. This session will open with a short overview of both Chapters and incorporate a series of discussions on topics critical to both Chapters’ success. Leaning on the tenets of appreciative inquiry, we will start the discussion by asking, “What is your best experience with a local professional association”? We will then move to facilitate discussions around three critical aspects of Chapters - leadership, mentorship, and workforce development:
What are the most important leadership skills for Health Educators?
Where have you received professional mentorship in the past?
What skills do you believe are most important for chapters to help you develop?
After each discussion, CT SOPHE and Ohio SOPHE will share examples of how each Chapter uniquely addresses these needs. The purpose of these facilitated discussions is threefold: to gather insights from a diverse group of health educators, to explore common needs and expectations health educators have from local chapters, and to highlight how the Connecticut and Ohio SOPHE chapters are addressing these needs in their communities.