Community Health Advisory Board

Regular Meetings

• The Community Health Advisory Board meets at 11 am on the first Friday of each month
• Meetings are held in the Commissioners Hearing Room, B-102, Coupeville Annex Building (corner of 6th and Main Street).
• Join the meeting via Zoom
• Meeting ID: 945 2101 9995
• Passcode: 087548
• By phone (audio only): 253-215-8782
• Meeting ID 945 2101 9995

Agendas & Minutes

• Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.
• View most recent Agendas & Minutes

What is a CHAB?

The community health advisory board CHAB) helps the county Board of Health connect with its community. Advisory boards are a formal method for generating public interaction and are created to advise, consult with, and make recommendations to policymakers.

CHAB History

The Island County Board of Health (BOH) selected its first 21-member Community Health Advisory Board (CHAB) on March 8, 1993. The Island County Community Health Advisory Board (CHAB) is the longest standing board of its kind in Washington state. Members are appointed and act in an advisory capacity to Island County's Board of Health. CHAB was established to provide a community forum to assess the community's health concerns and needs, prioritize and recommend policy to address those concerns, and to assure that such policies attend to the community's needs. CHAB was further charged to advise the local Board of Health of measures requiring BOH or other community action. They make recommendations to the board in matters concerning public health as authorized in the Engrossed Second House Bill 1152 (RCW 70.46.140).

A CHAB Board Member Will

• Discuss ideas and issues that the board of health is not yet ready to formally consider
• On behalf of the board of health, research new or controversial ideas, specific topics, and professional input
• Help build consensus on difficult issues
• Serve as an advisory for the community health improvement plan
• Provide connections between the board of health and the community

What Does Being on CHAB Involve?

• You do not need any special qualifications to be on CHAB
• Speaking up and sharing suggestions and potential solutions to help improve community health
• Talking about your experiences as an Island County resident and/or as a patient/consumer of public health services member — but also think beyond your own personal experiences
• Working with people who may be different from you
• Listening to and think about what others say, even when you disagree
• Bringing a positive attitude to discussions
• Dedicating at least four hours each month to CHAB
• What’s most important is your experience as a member of the community

Open Government Training

Legislation enacted by Washington state in July 2014 requires Open Government Training for all members of governing bodies (county council, planning commission, civil service commission, charter review commission, etc.) and for members of volunteer boards and committees who act on behalf of and/or take public comment for a governing body.

Goals of the law are to improve trust in government and reduce liability through education about the principles of open government. The law requires training no later than 90 days after the oath of office or assumption of duties. There is also “refresher” training required at intervals of no more than four years to cover any updates on the laws. The time commitment is modest and the training is free through the Washington State Attorney General’s Office.

Training Options

Members view video (currently unavailable) or a Powerpoint presentation on their own, complete and sign individual training certificate.