The Annual Arizona Distracted Driving Summit will have a new format this year. As in the past, the Summit has worked together with citizens, law enforcement agencies, legislators, and elected officials as well as numerous other state and national organizations to provide education and engagement to help reduce and eliminate the crisis of distracted driving in our communities and on our roadways.  

The 2021 Summit will be a web-based format consisting of pre-recorded videos and presentations which can be accehttp://www.drivesmartarizona.com/ssed by the public at any time after the launch on January 27th. The organizers of this event are accepting pre-recorded content or new videos of education and/or learning activities related to distracted driving to be added to their virtual education page. Links to PDF content is also welcome. Content links need to be submitted by January 20th and can be submitted to http://www.drivesmartarizona.com/contact-us.html 

Participants will also have their company logo added to the list of coalition partners on the Drive Smart Arizona website.

We are seeking nominations for the AZASSP Chapter Safety Professional of the Year and the Executive of the Year. If you know someone that should be recognized for their efforts in Safety and Health for the past year, please submit the linked nomination. This is an opportunity to recognize a colleague you know who has gone above and beyond during this pandemic. It’s a way to thank your company leadership for their commitment to protecting workers. Please reach out to nominations@az.assp.org if you have any questions about the process. We are more than happy to assist with the required paperwork.

We have several open board committee positions. If you have just a couple of hours to contribute each month, there are several needs within the board where some members are working in multiple positions. Please reach out to Christopher Brandon, presidentelect@az.assp.org. We have job descriptions for each open position and other board members to orient you to the duties. We can find a role that you will both enjoy and find rewarding!

Arizona ASSP Community,

As the year comes to a close I am left with optimism looking ahead to 2021. The year has been quite the roller coaster for us all. However, I look forward to a time soon that we will come together again. Traditionally in December at our technical meeting we collect toys for a deserving local organization. This year it seems like the needs are even greater in different ways. Currently 1 in 6 American citizens are hungry, and millions currently face eviction. I would ask my fellow safety professionals to consider those who may need a helping hand in this season of giving. A couple organizations that I support are Arizona Food Bank Network and Healthy Giving Council.

• The Arizona Food Bank Network (AzFBN) is a coalition of 5 regional food banks and nearly 1,000 food pantries and agencies, working together to address hunger in Arizona. Each month this network helps feed more than 450,000 food insecure people in all 15 counties in Arizona. Visit https://azfoodbanks.org/ for more information.
• The Healthy Giving Council brings like-minded people and groups together with the goal of providing lasting, long-term help to those experiencing homelessness. Visit https://www.givesmartaz.org/ for more information.

As we turn the page to 2021, I am most looking forward to the virtual Health and Safety Summit planned for March 17-19.  Once again we are partnering with our local AIHA chapter to bring 3 days of speakers for the price of 1! I’m happy to share that our early bird price for the event is $99. So if you have year end budget to spend please consider the summit. We have a great lineup and hope to see you there.

From my family to yours, have a safe and enjoyable holiday season!

Regards,

Brandon

Your AZ-ASSP Secretary, Nicholas Hugh Sexton, MPH, CSP, ARM, CPCU has been selected as one of 33 Rising Stars of Safety at the National Safety Council. Mr. Sexton was nominated to the program and selected for his outstanding achievements in Occupational Safety and Health, technical excellence, consummate professionalism, and overall awesomeness! You can view the details here!!!