Recruit A New Member to Win!

Register Online for April Leadership Workshop

National Conference Call for Papers Deadline Extended

OverNite Software, inc. Joins ACHMM As 'Green' Partner

Call for ACHMM of the Month Nominations

U.S. Members to Present EHMM Course in India

DHS Eases Chemical Registration Rule

Scientists to Study High-Risk Plant Pathogen Using Small, Unmanned Aircraft

Panasonic Launches Recycling Business

ACHMM Internet Resources

Call for ACHMM of the Month Nominations

Each month ACHMM recognizes the hard work, extraordinary achievements and contributions of a member. You can submit an ACHMM of the Month nomination via e-mail today. Nominees must be an ACHMM certified or affiliate member or an ACHMM local chapter.

When submitting a nomination, be sure to include the name(s), contact information and a brief description (250 words or less) of the deserving member's or chapter's accomplishments or contributions. The ACHMM Awards Committee will select an honoree to be featured in The Manager each month.

Honorees will be notified in advance and asked to provide a photo. ACHMM of the Month honorees receive a special certificate of recognition.

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U.S. Members to Present EHMM Course in India
International Chapter Update

Ten ACHMM members, including President Michael Mandracchia, CHMM, are traveling to India this week to present the Essentials of Hazardous Materials Management Course to ACHMM-India chapter members and other EHS&S professionals and to participate in the international chapter's first-ever National Seminar on Hazardous Materials Management.

The EHMM training course is slated for Feb. 1 through 3 at the Bangalore Institute of Technology in Bangalore, India, and the national seminar will follow on Feb. 4 and 5, also at the Institute.

Members of the ACHMM delegation who are participating in these events are Mandracchia; ACHMM International Ambassador and India Chapter President Rampur S. Viswanath, Ph.D., CHMM, REM; Adriane Borgias, MSEM, CHMM; Brandan Borgias, Ph.D.; Raymond Davis, CHMM, CIPS, CBSM; Lorenz Spangler, CHMM; Wen Pan, Ph.D., CHMM; John Herrig, J.D.; Steve Bakhtiar, Ph.D., CHMM; and Ron Wilkins, CHMM.

Some of the team members are visiting India for the second time after having participated in the chartering of the ACHMM-India Chapter in February 2006 and the presentation of the then-National Overview Course to the newly formed chapter's members during that trip.

Participants in both ACHMM-India hosted events will be from industries, academia, government and non-government organizations involved in environmental pollution control and hazardous materials management activities from India and other countries. The National Seminar on Hazardous Materials Management also will feature an exhibit hall.

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The Department of Homeland Security has given most farmers an indefinite extension to adhere to new chemical registration rules that require facilities storing materials deemed hazardous to register those materials on DHS’ Chemical Security Anti-Terrorism Top Screen online tool.

The mandate governs chemicals like propane fuel and fertilizer used in every day operations on farms. The indefinite extension covers crop, fruit, nut, and vegetable farms; ranches and rangeland; poultry, dairy, and equine facilities; turfgrass growers; golf courses; nurseries; floricultural operations; and public and private parks.

It does not however cover “chemical distribution facilities or commercial chemical application services,” according to a DHS Federal Register notice released on Jan. 9.

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David Schmale, an assistant professor of plant pathology, physiology and weed science at Virginia Tech, is using a fleet of 15 hobby-size UAVs in a study that aims to detect, monitor and forecast the spread of Phytophthora infestans, a fungus-like organism that was responsible for the Irish Potato Famine in the 19th century. 

During the three-year study, the UAVs will fly above potato fields at Virginia Tech's Kentland Farm to collect samples of P. infestans found tens to hundreds of meters up in the air using onboard collection plates that open while the plane is in flight. The retrofit of the UAVs was made with help from the Virginia Tech Center for Autonomous Systems. 

Schmale will then use state-of-the-art equipment to detect and quantify P. infestans at the Kentland Farm within several minutes of the sample collection. The data collected in the study will be used to generate a long-distance transport model for P. infestans, which could be integrated into a 3-D map viewable on Google Earth. 

"This research will allow scientists to know where this pathogen could move and what strategies we could use to mitigate it if an epidemic occurs," says Schmale.  "One outcome of this project will be the development of an online resource that provides growers and producers with rapid forecasting of the potential spread of late blight so they can take appropriate measures to safeguard their crops." 

The effort is funded by a nearly $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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Panasonic, Sharp, and Toshiba have formed the Electronic Manufacturers Recycling Management Company (MRM), a new company designed to help consumers recycle products such as HD TVs and camcorders, as well as provide services to other companies and governmental bodies that need to meet recycling mandates in the United States. 

MRM has already started working in Minnesota, which recently enacted new rules for electronics recycling, and has collected about 750 tons of used products.  MRM has established collection and recycling agreements with Hitachi, JVC, Mitsubishi, Philips, Pioneer, Sanyo and others, Panasonic says. 

Panasonic believes that as consumers in the United States prepare for the switch to digital broadcasting, they will upgrade to new HD TVs.

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A Message From ACHMM
Michael Mandracchia, CHMM
ACHMM President

The New Year is here and I find myself standing at the leadership helm of the Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers (ACHMM) pondering the course for 2008. The answer seems so simple:  Stay the Course!

However, so much has changed in just the past two years while I have served on ACHMM's Board of Directors that it is hard to believe it is even the same organization. In 2006, after an independent review of our organization, then-President John Mitchell implemented a series of recommended and sweeping changes that included a move into new offices and the hiring of an executive director—A. Cedric Calhoun, CAE.

The process continued through 2007 under President Laureen McMurray's guidance and included a major rewrite of our organizational bylaws and a restructuring of the Board itself.

Today, at the start of 2008, I am pleased to announce, that except for one or two minor items the implementation plan, we have been following to restructure ACHMM has been completed. I commend Presidents Mitchell and McMurray as well as the 2006 and 2007 Boards of Directors for their vision, willingness to change and, most of all, their efforts to make all of these changes happen.

I also thank Executive Director Calhoun and the National Office staff for all their work in 2007 that helped move the process along. I had the opportunity to interview Cedric in 2006 for the top staff position and was impressed by the potential I saw. However, I was surprised by the speed that Cedric was able to step in and implement improvements to ACHMM's day-to-day operations. I look forward to working closely with Cedric to lead ACHMM in 2008.

When I first learned about ACHMM in early 1997, I recognized its tremendous potential and wanted to be a part of it. However, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would become the organization's president, let alone to be tapped to lead it at this critical time when its restructuring is complete and we begin to attain ACHMM's stated vision "to be the recognized leader and resource for those practicing Environmental, Health and Safety Management."

But how do I stay the course when it seems that we are just starting out? The answer again seems simple:  use ACHMM's stated mission "to promote the environmental, health and safety profession; offer professional development and networking opportunities; and to provide value to our membership" ÿand implement our strategic plan for this year. Here is a brief look at this plan:

ACHMM 2008 Strategic Plan:

1. Goal 1:  Increase the visibility of ACHMM and provide value to our membership.
2. Goal 2: Strengthen the financial position of ACHMM in order to offer greater benefit to the membership.
3. Goal 3:  Unify and strengthen the Environmental, Health, Safety and Security industry.
4. Goal 4:  Continuously improve ACHMM operations, processes and structure to support the ACHMM strategic goals and objectives.

Under each of these goals there are objectives (visit www.achmm.org to view these objectives) that have been assigned to one or more of our technical committees to complete. Each technical committee has been empowered to get their assigned tasks done and will be held accountable by their standing committee director to accomplish their charge.

However, for ACHMM to reach its 2008 goals I need your help. Each of the technical committees needs additional members who are willing to commit themselves to accomplishing one or more of the committee's assigned tasks. I've learned that the easiest way to increase the value of your own membership in ACHMM is to get involved with one of our committees. Are you willing and able to help? If so, ACHMM wants you! To join one of these technical committees, contact the chairperson of the committee on which you are interested in participating.

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Recruit A New Member to Win!

By Regina Mowad, CHMM
ACHMM Membership Chairperson

If you encourage an EHS&S colleague to join ACHMM you could win—BIG! For each new member you recruit between now and February 29, you will be awarded an additional chance in the prize drawing for a complimentary registration to the 2008 ACHMM National Conference, which will be held September 7 through 10 in Minneapolis, or one of three $100 American Express gift cards! Remember, the more new members you recruit, the better your chances to win one of these fabulous prizes.

How can you entice a colleague to join ACHMM? It's easier than you think. Your personal endorsement is the best way to introduce your EHS&S peers to the resources and benefits that ACHMM provides and that are essential to advancing their careers. By influencing a colleague to experience all that ACHMM membership offers you will:

1. Expand the network of hazardous materials management professionals in the EHS&S industry;
2. Strengthen ACHMM to ensure that the voices of EHS&S professionals are heard;
3. Receive national recognition in The Manager and at www.achmm.org; and
4. Be entered for the prize drawing.

To recruit a new member, simply forward this membership application to your colleagues. Be sure to remind them to write your name on the "Sponsor/Referred by" line! To further entice them, forward to your colleagues this overview of ACHMM member benefits as well.

Tell your colleagues to fax the completed application, with your name on the appropriate line, to (301) 634-7431 or for faster service to call the National Office at (800) 437-0137 and mention code RAM2. Thanks for participating in this member recruitment campaign and good luck!

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Register Online for April Leadership Workshop-SOLD OUT!!!

Due to overwhelming demand ACHMM is only accepting registrants on its wait list. If there is enough interest another Workshop will be held this year. Please register on the wait list OR send an email to academy@achmm.org indicating your interest in attending another offering.

ACHMM’s 2008 Leadership Workshop will take place in Milwaukee from April 23 through 25. This widely anticipated event will be hosted by ACHMM and the Wisconsin CHMM Chapter/Federation of Environmental Technologists, Inc. and the daily sessions will be held at the Harley-Davidson USA’s Capitol Drive Powertrain Operations Facility.

The three-day Leadership Workshop will feature skills-building seminars presented by Rodney Grieve and Robert Greenwood, the co-founders of BRANTA Worldwide, a leadership development consultancy based in Sacramento, Calif. and a "Gold Sponsor" of the ACHMM Corporate & Community Relations Partnership Program.

The duo will present a day-and-a-half of interactive, practical and motivating training sessions to attendees. Sessions will examine topics such as:

• Personal Strengths Assessment;
• Better Results through Collaboration;
• Effective Change;
• Listening;
• High-Impact Feedback and Discretionary Effort; and
• Coaching.

There also will be a pre-workshop tour of Harley-Davidson USA's Capitol Drive Powertrain Operations Facility on April 23 and several networking events.

This workshop is free for ACHMM members—one of the many benefits the organization offers its members. Travel and accommodations are the responsibility of individual attendees. The Institute of Hazardous Materials Management is awarding 0.62 certification maintenance points to CHMM accredited holders who attend the 2008 ACHMM Leadership Workshop.

Serving as the headquarters hotel will be the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee. Room reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at (800) 233-1234 or via the Hyatt Regency Web site. To secure the preferred room rate of $129, be sure to tell the reservations associate that you will be attending the ACHMM Leadership Workshop. The cutoff date for room reservations is
April 9.

National Conference Call for Papers Deadline Extended

ACHMM has extended to Feb. 1 the deadline for submission of abstracts of cutting-edge environmental, health, safety and security (EHS&S) projects or case study papers for presentation at the organization's annual National Conference.

The 2008 ACHMM National Conference will be held September 7 through 10 at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis at Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis, Minn.

Abstracts may be submitted by any EHS&S professional, organization or company. Interested individuals should submit abstracts for the ACHMM 2008 Call for Papers by the new deadline.
Presenting a paper at the ACHMM National Conference is a great opportunity for professional development‰??both for the presenter and for the audience. The presenter shares topics of interest to the EHS&S and hazardous materials management communities and receives exposure to an audience of nearly 1,000 EHS&S professionals. At the same time, the audience learns new ideas, recent developments, emerging issues and regulatory updates.

ACHMM is seeking papers in seven different tracks as well as those that address new or significant issues in hazardous materials management. Those tracks are:

1. EHS&S Management and Management Principles;
2. Safety and Industrial Health;
3. Waste Minimization / Pollution Prevention / Green Facilities;
4. Developments in Emergency Preparedness, Response and Homeland Security;
5. Environmental Actions;
6. Regulatory Requirements, Updates and Legal Trends; and
7. New and Emerging Technologies / International Issues / Developing Countries / University Research Projects.

Abstracts of up to 250 words and a 50-word presenter biography can be submitted electronically by clicking here. The abstract should include presentation title, three to five keywords, track title from above and contact information for the presenter:  name, title, organization, address, telephone, fax and e-mail address.

A panel of ACHMM judges will evaluate the abstracts on relevance, completeness, timeliness, originality, applicability and technical merit. EHS&S professionals selected to make presentations at the National Conference will receive notification from ACHMM by
March 3.

The ACHMM showcase meeting is the premier training and networking event for hazardous materials management and EHS&S professionals. The event features top-notch industry, regulatory and government speakers; an unmatched EHS&S exhibit hall; numerous continuing-education and training seminars; and countless networking opportunities.

ACHMM has reserved a block of rooms at a special conference rate of $170 per night (for single and double rooms). Click here to view the hotel's Web site and to make your room reservation online or you can call a Hyatt Hotel reservations associate at 1-800-223-1234. This rate is available to National Conference attendees until August 14; after that date room availability and rates cannot be guaranteed. Online event registration will be live soon on the ACHMM Web site.

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OverNite Software, inc. Joins ACHMM As ÎGreenâ Partner

OverNite Software, inc., a leading innovator and in-demand provider of Web-based distance-learning systems, is the newest sponsor of the ACHMM Corporate & Community Relations Partnership Program. OverNite Software joined at the “Green”—or top-level of sponsorship. The company is the creator of ExxTend Learning™, an online learning management system, as well as off-the-shelf and custom-training courseware. Since its founding in 1995 OverNite Software, based in Angleton, Texas, has provided Web-based, LAN-based and CD-ROM-based training courses to a wide range of industries, including to environmental, health, safety and security (EHS&S) professionals.

ACHMM’s recently launched Corporate & Community Relations Partnership Program, introduced during ACHMM’s 2007 National Conference, encourages government, corporate and community organizations to partner with ACHMM to work toward common goals within the EHS&S field and the hazardous materials manager profession. OverNite Software is the second sponsor, joining with BRANTA Worldwide.

The ACHMM Corporate & Community Relations Partnership Program offers partnering organizations four different participation levels—Green, Gold, Silver and Bronze. Partner organizations receive promotional exposure at ACHMM’s annual National Conference and Leadership Workshop in addition to public recognition through the ACHMM Web site (www.achmm.org), the organization’s monthly e-newsletter and its other national communications vehicles. Partners also get unprecedented access to ACHMM members and other EHS&S industry leaders.

EHS&S organizations interested in partnering with ACHMM or seeking more information about the Corporate & Community Relations Partnership Program should contact ACHMM at 1-800-437-0137 or visit www.achmm.org.

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