About OROHC
Building off the success of statewide oral health summit in 2004, the Oregon State Oral Health Program, with guidance from its Oral Health Advisory Board (OHAB) began development of a broad based statewide oral health coalition (SOHC) in 2005. The OHAB expanded membership to form a Coalition Steering Committee which coordinated the planning of three major activities around a two day event in May, 2006. Those activities were: 1) release of the first ever state oral health plan, 2) the convening of a second oral health summit (Forum) and 3) the launch of the first ever statewide oral health coalition.
The Steering Committee began by identifying a broad based list of stakeholder organizations and individuals to invite as founding members of the Coalition. A draft Charter was created which identified the Purpose, Mission, Fundamental Functions and Interim Operating Principles for the Coalition. The State Oral Health Program agreed to provide resources to the newly formed Coalition for its first 18 months of development which included communications, facilitation, meeting space and planning, conference calling, minute taking and other operational support. The Steering Committee also completed planning of an all day Summit (Forum) followed the next day by the first ever SOHC business meeting.
The Summit, attended by 150 stakeholders, included: 1) a session on “Why a Coalition?”, 2) introduction of the State Oral Health Plan, 3) feedback sessions on priorities in the Plan and 4) recommended activities for the newly formed Coalition. Included in the attendees were about 50 invited Coalition members.
The Coalition’s first meeting was held the next day with the 50 invited members in attendance. The agenda included review of the Summit outcomes, identification of priority activities, adoption of the interim Charter and establishment of subcommittees which included a leadership group, standing committees and subject committees. The adopted mission of the Coalition was determined to be a central source for advocacy, information, and communication about oral health issues in Oregon and to organized stakeholders’ individual strengths into a collective power for oral health. The Coalition adopted a mission statement and set of objectives.
The Leadership Group was charged with completing the Coalition Charter, planning the next Coalition business meeting, and develops a plan for future independent status of the Coalition. As of this writing the Leadership Group has completed the Charter, agreed to establish 501(c) (3) status, appointed an interim Board of Directors, and drafted a set of bylaws. The second business meeting was held in December 2006.
The Coalition bylaws include the official name of the Coalition, description of membership types, description of officer duties, election process, operations of the Board of Directors, and description of the Standing Committees.
Review our bylaws