| | | | News & Updates for the IAQ Community
| | In This Issue: - Greetings from the Board
- Heat Related Illnesses, by Jeremy Beagle
- Updates from the Exec Director: IAQA Partnership with Healthy Indoors ;IAQA Virtual Office Hours
- Member Opportunities
- IAQA Australia Meeting in October - Invitation, Call for Speakers
- Members in the News
| | | | | | | Greetings, and welcome to the first newsletter of the new, independent Indoor Air Quality Association! Our journey since last fall has been more rollercoaster than smooth sailing, but rest assured, the rumors of our extinction are wildly exaggerated!
Since separating from our previous management company, IAQA has made significant progress in rebuilding what was lost during the transition to self-management. In the past 9 months we have: Appointed an Executive Director dedicated solely to our organization (no more outside management) Navigated the bankruptcy reorganization process (ongoing) Recovered most of our records and intellectual property Developed a new website - with much more to come Planned and executed our Annual Conference from scratch in less than 3 months Made videos of the conference sessions available for purchase
As a professional association, everything we do is for the benefit of our members. Our sole purpose is to serve the professional needs of those in the Indoor Air Quality industry. To those of you who have renewed your dues, we THANK YOU! Operating an association and providing benefits costs money, and membership dues constitute our primary source of revenue. None of this year’s initiatives and services would be possible without the support of our members who have already renewed!
If your membership has lapsed, NOW is still a great time to re-join: Our committees are gearing up We’re lining up all new virtual programming with great content for the fall Vendor discounts for members are in the works Our all-new member database - customized just for IAQA - is in beta testing and will be launched in a matter of weeks, giving members more control over their membership and purchases Find-a-Pro will be linked to our new custom database shortly. Only active members can receive referrals!
We are excited about all that IAQA has to offer, including the new programs and opportunities, and we’re looking forward to having all our members aboard for the journey.
Sincerely, Your IAQA Board Members: Lisa, Stanley, Eric, Dave, Dennis, Doug, Greg, Ivi, Jay, Jeremy and Luke | | | | Recognizing and Managing Heat-Related Illnessesby Jeremy Beagle, CIH, CMCC, CMC | |
For many of us, summer is here. The south and southeast have been experiencing above average temperatures for the past month and for the rest of us, summer is on its way, so now is as good as any time to talk about and recognize the hazards associated with heat exposure. First and foremost, hazardous heat exposure does not only occur during the summer months or outdoors. Heat related illness can occur during any season and anywhere, given the right environment. For many, the consideration of heat exposure is highest when the outside environment is persistently heating up. In many cases, physical activities will exacerbate conditions leading to a heat related illness.
The human body has a remarkable ability to remove excess heat through dissipation or cooling. The body performs this function primarily through evaporation or what is commonly known as perspiration. As the temperature increases, the body will begin to produce sweat which will evaporate from the surface of the skin. As the sweat evaporates, it removes heat energy from the surface of the skin, in turn, cooling the skin. The process helps maintain a functional body temperature. Conduction is another common method to cool the body. Conduction is the transfer of thermal energy between two objects that are contacting each other. Think about a cold swimming pool or jumping in a creek. The heat energy in your body is transferred into the water. When the body is not cooling quick enough, the internal temperature continues to increase. As the temperature increases, so does the likelihood of adverse effects such as thirst, irritation, cramping, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Whether you are a worker or the general public, it is important to be familiar with heat related illnesses and their symptoms. The following table describes . . . [continue]
| | Director's Update by Sarah Fanger, CIE | | It’s been my privilege over the past several months to serve as the Executive Director of IAQA. This organization has meant a lot to me during my own career in indoor air quality. I’m looking forward to rebuilding IAQA into an organization that will bring education, services and benefits to members for many years to come. Part of my commitment, in alignment with the Board, is to provide transparency and communication with you, our members. As a member, I understand the importance of knowing our association's goals, mission, and vision. If I'm paying dues, I need to be assured that my membership benefits both me and my company. Membership is a choice, and the Board and staff always consider, "Why join?" when making organizational decisions.
This is an exciting time to be part of IAQA, and I’m excited to share our plans. Look for these things coming soon: | | Member RecordsThe old database was built on an expensive commercial platform used by large associations. Despite months of trying to regain access, we were informed that our only option was to rebuild the database from scratch, which would be very costly. Instead, we chose to save member dollars by creating a new, customizable, and affordable database. This new member portal is currently in beta testing, and we expect to provide login details by late July. | | Website Find-a-ProWe are designing and building a new easy-to-use Find-a-Pro interface. This tool will match user keywords or locations with the keywords and service areas that participating members add to their profiles. When the set-up is completed, we will ask you to update your information in the database to maximize your referrals. Currently, we are doing our best to respond to the numerous Find-a-Pro requests we receive weekly through our “Contact Us” portal. However, gaps in coverage mean some consumer referrals go unserved due to a lack of available contractors or consultants. If you haven’t renewed your membership, you are not part of our referral base. Just one IAQA referral could cover your dues for a year (and potentially much more!).
Look for more information on these infrastructure projects in future email updates and on our website at IAQA.org | | | | IAQA Announces Partnership with Healthy Indoors!!
One tool we will be using going forward is the Healthy Indoors Community. Many of you no doubt remember fondly their Healthy Indoors Magazine. Well, they have spent several years building an online platform for the IAQ community to link industry professionals, researchers, suppliers, and other interested parties through engagement and relevant content. We have partnered with Healthy Indoors to provide all of their tools and content to our members, along with a gated members-only community for posting questions, notifications, and our proprietary content. This will be the location for committee meetings, online programming, new educational content, and more. | | Virtual Office Hours Start THIS FRIDAY
Beginning this Friday, June 28th at 1:00 pm Eastern Time, the Healthy Indoors Community will also be the host location for IAQA Open Office Hours – a new recurring opportunity to talk with IAQA staff and key volunteers. At least once a month, you will have a chance to “drop in” and chat with me or another host who can answer questions, discuss what’s new in IAQ, or just trade stories. While we envision this will be mostly member-centric, everyone is invited: lapsed members, long-ago members, never members, students, members of the public, even your Aunt Marge!
To participate, you must first register for a free membership in the Healthy Indoors Community - which takes less than two minutes. I’m encouraging all members to use the link above to register on the Healthy Indoors site now, so when you want to participate in a program, join a committee, or stop by during office hours, you will already be set up.
| | | | Calling All Bloggers!
Do you have a well-crafted, informative, and pertinent blog on your website? Are you looking to attract more visitors and potential clients to your website? IAQA is here to assist you!
IAQA's website will soon be offering consumer information, including links to public resources and information from our members on a wide range of IAQ topics. We recognize that many of our members have put a lot of work into blog articles over the years and have posted that content for anyone who stumbles across it. We are delighted to extend an invitation for you to showcase your expertise and perspectives on IAQA's website.
By linking your blog page to our platform, you can share valuable insights, case studies, and industry updates. This opportunity not only enhances your visibility but also enriches our website with diverse content that benefits all members and the general public. We believe that your contributions will inspire and inform our audience, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange within our community. Join us in creating a vibrant online space that reflects the breadth and depth of expertise among our members. Please reach out to us to discuss how we can feature your blog on our website. | | Committee Openings
We are excited to invite passionate individuals like you to join our committees and make a meaningful impact within our association. Whether you are interested in shaping our membership strategies, enhancing educational initiatives, amplifying our social media presence, or contributing to the planning of our conferences, there is a place for your skills and enthusiasm. By joining these committees, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded peers, influence the direction of our association, and help us achieve our shared goals.
Your dedication and fresh perspectives are invaluable to us as we strive for excellence in serving our community. Please consider volunteering your time and expertise to help us grow and thrive together.
| | | | IAQA Australia October 28-29, 2024 Annual Conference in Sydney: Call for Speakers and Invitation to Attend | | The Australian Chapter of IAQA will be hosting a conference at the end of October in Sydney. They have graciously extended an invitation to those interested in speaking, either in person or via video call. The theme of the conference is “Using Science to Bridge the Gap in Indoor Air Quality and Disaster Response.”
For those who may not wish to speak but would still like to attend, online tickets are available. Whether you are looking to deepen your expertise or share your own experiences, the IAQAA 2024 Conference provides an ideal platform for collaboration, learning, and networking. With a focus on practical applications and thought leadership, attendees will gain actionable insights and tools necessary to enhance their impact in the field. The conference will take place on October 28th and 29th, 2024. If you are interested in a speaking opportunity, reach out to vicepres@iaqaaustralia.org.au for more information. For more details on the conference, click here.
If your chapter has an event or other information you’d like us to share in future newsletters, please email us: admin@iaqa.org
| | | | | | | | For breath is life, so if you breathe well you will live long on earth. – Sanskrit Proverb | | | Our mailing address is: 675 Alpha Dr., Ste. G, Cleveland OH 44124
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