As chair of the NORA Liaison Committee I have closely watched the evolution of NORA over the past four years. I'm proud to say that I have been involved with this process from its' creation though the remarkable successes we see today.

The Liaison Committee embodies the partnership theme reflected in this year's NORA Symposium. Our members represent the diverse nature of the field of occupational safety and health research with representatives from industry, labor, academia, professional organizations and government. It is through this spirit of partnership and commitment to NORA that the committee has been able to function so successfully. I'd like to thank the committee for their dedication and work over the last year.

The Liaison Committee continues to play an active role in tracking the progress of NORA. Through the Measures and Goals subcommittee, our members have undertaken a survey to gauge the effectiveness and reach of NORA in associations (see details on page 23). This year, the Liaison Committee met with the leaders of the NORA Partnership Teams for the first time. This was a wonderful opportunity to hear first hand the accomplishments and challenges facing the 20 NORA teams.

The committee is impressed with and supportive of the NORA implementation activities, especially the NORA grants process. The grant process provides a wonderful example of the role partnerships can play in advancing our goals. Continued support from NORA partners will ensure an even more remarkable impact on occupational safety and health research. I would like to use this opportunity to encourage applications for a NORA-related research award. The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses and the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine are sponsoring a joint research award with selection criteria based on NORA priority areas. The purpose of the award is to recognize joint research projects conducted by collaborative research teams of nurses and physicians for the purpose of improving the knowledge base of occupational and environmental health. The deadline for submissions is December 1, 1999. Please contact Margaret Anderson at AAOHN (1-800-241-8014 x 120, Margaret@aaohn.org) for more details.

Many individuals and organizations have contributed to the success of NORA. The Liaison Committee is happy to have been part of this example of true partnership at work.

Bonnie Rogers, DrPH, COHN-S, FAAN
Chair, NORA Liaison Committee
American Association of Occupational Health Nurses