Savannah River Site Health Effects Subcommittee (SRSHES) Meeting

Final Meeting Minutes
January 10, 2002

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The SRSHES brochure or other literature can be incorporated into regular mailings by the CAB. Reading rooms, libraries and depositories in both Georgia and South Carolina should be contacted to ensure that SRSHES materials are always displayed. Community leaders identified in ATSDR’s environmental health education needs assessment should be asked to more widely distribute SRSHES literature to constituents and other target audiences. Third, specific tasks were outlined. The workgroup will develop a comprehensive mailing list in Georgia and South Carolina, such as the 3,000 persons on the Environmental Justice database. The existing SRSHES mailing list will be reviewed to eliminate duplications, and key points of contacts will be identified to assist in disseminating materials to the broader public.

The workgroup will update and distribute the revised brochure as soon as possible because the current brochure is outdated in terms of the SRSHES membership and other items. The workgroup will actively recruit communities to attend SRSHES meetings scheduled for 2002 and 2003. Leaders participating in ATSDR’s environmental health education needs assessment will be asked to assist in this effort. Fourth, information needs were identified. The budget for the brochure should be provided in terms of revisions, dissemination to stakeholders, and publication in media outlets. SRSHES members who also serve on the CAB should determine the organization’s interest in partnering with the workgroup on outreach activities. These members include Dr. Dawson, Mr. Devitt and Mr. Waters.

Fifth, recommendations were made. Each SRSHES member should be encouraged to serve as an ambassador by using the “Curtis Graves hands-on” model. For example, social events, business functions and other opportunities should be used to notify the public about SRSHES, its ongoing activities, community involvement process, and future goals. The SRSHES brochure should be updated and improved by adding pictures of current members; reflecting the correct number of members; changing the reference to NIOSH if necessary; modifying the cover page to reflect the growth of SRSHES; using a professional for the design and layout; and decreasing the size of the document.

Discussion.
Mr. Renard commented on the workgroup’s activities. First, NIOSH should be referenced in the updated brochure because SRSHES is still chartered to provide consensus advice to this agency. Second, NCEH has not set aside dollars specifically for the brochure, but the probability of implementing the recommendations is high. Third, groups must be extremely cautious in sharing mailing lists with names and other personal identifiers due to confidentiality and privacy issues. Fourth, CDC staff members with expertise in layout and design should be considered as a resource before outside professionals are approached. Fifth, SRSHES should reach consensus on pictures to include in the updated brochure as soon as possible. Indecision about this issue caused a significant delay in publishing the current brochure.

Overall, Mr. Renard was pleased that many of the workgroup’s suggestions are economical and can be conducted with existing resources, such as SRSHES members, the CAB and community events. As another dissemination tool, Ms. Perry raised the possibility of linking non-CDC web sites to the SRSHES brochure. Ms. Drye inquired whether SRSHES materials are appropriate for high school seniors since she has access to 1,250 students per day. Dr. McClain replied that young persons have expressed an interest in serving as SRSHES members and participating in other activities. She agreed that outreach initiatives should be targeted to high school and college students to develop a new pool of community leaders and SRSHES members for the future. She also urged teachers to incorporate SRSHES activities into existing curricula.

Mr. Lockridge pointed out that the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations would be interested in receiving the brochure. Since civic groups are frequently in need of speakers for meetings, he raised the possibility of the workgroup making a presentation in the future. He questioned whether the current brochure could be distributed while revisions are being made. Mr. Renard asked SRSHES not to circulate the current brochure because much of the information is outdated or incorrect, such as the membership and telephone number. Dr. Bustos recessed the meeting for a break from 3:55-4:15 p.m.