The organization set up by the General Conference to launch, foster, and coordinate the church’s temperance program conducted throughout the world, both within the church and outside the church. Its constitution was adopted by General Conference action at the Autumn Council of 1947, at which time representatives from the world divisions were present.
The principal objectives of the International Health and Temperance Association are to enlighten the peoples of the various countries of the world concerning the effects of the use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and narcotics, to enlist the active participation of all church members and other interested persons in temperance endeavor, and to encourage the habits of better living.
The Executive Committee of the General Conference, and the presidents and executive secretaries of the various division and national societies affiliated with the International Health and Temperance Association, comprise the board of governors, which meets annually in connection with the Annual Council and quinquennially at the time of the General Conference session.
Membership in the International Health and Temperance Association consists of such division or national societies as may be sponsored by Seventh-day Adventist conference organizations throughout the world. Each division is encouraged to organize a society within its area, which in turn organizes and fosters a national society in each country in the division territory.
Members of the division committee and the presidents and executive secretaries of all the national societies affiliated with the division society serve as the board of governors for the division society.
Financial support for the International Health and Temperance Association comes from offerings and special contributions; 10 percent of the funds received through the annual Health and Temperance Offering is remitted to the association international headquarters for support of the worldwide work.
The International Health and Temperance Association uses its resources in educational and promotional programs of the world church, including Global Mission projects, Adventist Youth to Youth programs, and various training seminars.
Annually, the International Health and Temperance Association promotes the World Health and Temperance Day, at which time the basic health and temperance beliefs of the church are emphasized for church members, and the challenge of the church’s temperance program for the church and the public is presented.
i1 Presidents: i0 J. L. McElhany, 1948–1950; W. H. Branson, 1950–1954; A. V. Olson, 1954–1958; H. L. Rudy, 1958–1960; M. V. Campbell, 1960–1962; R. S. Watts, 1962–1970; M. S. Nigri, 1970–1975; F. W. Wernick, 1975–1980; M. G. Hardinge, 1980–1983; F. W. Wernick, 1983–1985; W. O. Coe, 1985–1989; R. J. Kloosterhuis, 1989–1990; L. S. Ranzolin, 1990– .
Executive Directors: W. A. Scharffenberg, 1948–1964; E. J. Folkenberg, 1964–1968; E.H.J. Steed, 1968–1982; Albert S. Whiting, 1983–1985; DeWitt S. Williams, 1985–1987; Thomas R. Neslund, 1987– .