Shape the future of CIEH – become a CIEH volunteer

Chair James Howe shares his experience of joining the CIEH Appointments and Remuneration Committee. 

Have you ever wondered how you can make an impact in the environmental health profession? Being part of CIEH is so much more than receiving tangible benefits, it’s about being part of something bigger. While CIEH offers a range of benefits, such as EHN magazine, reduced training costs, mentoring support and access to a free legal helpline, the real benefit, is providing a voice for the profession.

Rarely do you meet an Environmental Health Practitioner who considers their role as ‘just another job’, because they see the real benefits their work brings to health, the environment, and local communities. Having the collective voice of the CIEH means that we are not only able to improve conditions in our local communities but also influence national policy. 

I joined the Appointments and Remuneration Committee because I wanted to play a role in shaping the selection of future CIEH leaders and key governance officeholders during a critical time for the organisation. The committee (known as ARC) plays a key role in the governance structure, and is responsible for recommending appointments to the Board, its committees and advisory groups, and reviewing the composition of the Board to identify any skills gaps. The committee also recommends the framework for the Chief Executive’s remuneration and reviews significant proposed changes in employment policy and benefits for CIEH staff. 

Attracting the best candidates who can bring expertise, integrity and diverse perspectives, and who are aligned with the organisation’s values, is essential for sustainable growth and resilience.  

Not only has my role on ARC enabled me to work with like-minded professionals, but I have also met a wide and interesting range of candidates, bringing the specialist skills and experience the CIEH needs to operate effectively, such as finance, strategy, higher education and human resources. I have always been pleasantly surprised by the number and calibre of candidates from outside the Environmental Health profession who have recognised the value the CIEH delivers for society and have volunteered their time to support the organisation. 

I joined ARC in 2019 and have chaired the committee for the past four years. I will complete the maximum term of six years at the end of this year. This has been a period of significant change for the profession and the organisation, not least because of the 2020 pandemic, but also changes in leadership and governance at the CIEH. The best volunteering opportunities are those where there is a mutual benefit between the volunteer and the organisation. Whilst I joined to support the CIEH, my motives weren’t exclusively altruistic, and I’ve had the opportunity to network with Environmental Health colleagues, and specialists from other professions, as well as developing new knowledge and skills. 

We are currently recruiting for a variety of volunteer roles, so if you want to help shape the future of environmental health, please apply before 27 October by visiting our website here: https://www.cieh.org/governanceroles  

We look forward to working with you!