Government Affairs & PAC Updates
For those chapters that are planning to make a donation for Chapter Champions or to the PAC Roots Campaign, please use the new forms to do so. Please dispose of any prior forms.
For those chapters that are planning to make a donation for Chapter Champions or to the PAC Roots Campaign, please use the new forms to do so. Please dispose of any prior forms.
Learn more about becoming a Chapter Champion here.
Congratulations to the following Chapter Champions!
Minnesota ANFP
Kansas ANFP
North Dakota ANFP
We are approaching the start of the new volunteer year. Many of us are looking forward to the possibility of returning to our pre-COVID “normal” worlds, including regular board and education meetings, and other chapter business. Before we look at our year head, we want to be sure we are laying the foundation for a great year. This includes ensuring our new and continuing volunteers are set up to succeed in their roles. This can be done in various ways.
This month we are honoring Wendy Barrett, CDM, CFPP, of the Montana ANFP chapter as our Volunteer of the Month. Wendy began her volunteer career as president-elect in 2020 and is now currently the MT ANFP president. During her short time as president, Wendy did not hesitate to take the reins but is still learning the role and doing so with enthusiasm and grace.
Wendy originally joined ANFP in 1997, taking a hiatus for a number of years before becoming recertified in 2014, and has been a member since that time. Her role as a dietitian assistant did not require her to manage kitchens, so she missed having a leadership role, which is one of the reasons she began to volunteer, with president-elect being her first role.
While her term as president began in January of this year, Wendy has already made an impact on the chapter. Having sent out the chapter’s most recent newsletter, she has re-engaged MT ANFP members and signified to them, that they have an active board that is moving the chapter forward. It was also an opportunity for members to meet their new board members.
Wendy envisions the MT ANFP chapter as an organization that members will be proud to be a part of. One of her goals is to grow the chapter into one that is well known and respected by healthcare leaders at the executive and government levels. However, most importantly, she wants to be a part of growing the educational opportunities that will cultivate and broaden MT ANFP’s member abilities and knowledge base.
When it comes to volunteering, Wendy shares these words, “I would highly encourage members to volunteer. The level of leadership rises, and you will grow marketable skills, especially if you are just starting in your careers. Stepping out of our comfort zone is a challenge in itself and exhilarating.”
Wendy, thank you for volunteering to lead your chapter! We look forward to seeing what you have in store for MT ANFP. Our organization would not be the same if it were not for chapter leaders like you!
If you would like to nominate yourself or another volunteer, please email Abigail Solazzo at asolazzo@ANFPonline.org.
Please note the important deadlines approaching.
Government Affairs & PAC Updates
For those chapters that are planning to make a donation for Chapter Champions or to the PAC ROOTS Campaign, please use the new forms to do so. Please dispose of any prior forms.
Learn more about becoming a Chapter Champion here.
Congratulations to the following Chapter Champions!
North Dakota ANFP
WELCOME to the Spring edition of ROOTS Roundup! In this newsletter you will read about what is happening at ANFP Headquarters, updates from your Government Affairs Committee, and valuable information you can share with your state chapter and leaders.
As the primary education and certifying organization of dietary managers, ANFP serves as a clearinghouse for members to access dietary staffing regulations in long-term care facilities and hospitals in their state. To stay current, ANFP conducts an annual review of regulatory requirements with Health Departments across the US. A current copy of these requirements is available online under the “Resources” tab.
We are pleased to share that Kentucky, New Hampshire and Texas have adopted the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations that list the CDM, CFPP as the primary qualification for the Director of Food and Nutrition Services in the absence of a full-time dietitian, bringing the total number of states that recognize the credential to 21! View a complete list of these states here.
Several health department representatives confirmed during the annual review that their state is planning to revise the staffing regulations by incorporating the CMS rules to ensure consistency with state law.
As a result of the CMS regulations, congressional legislation is no longer needed to establish training and certification requirements for the Director of Food and Nutrition Services. However, the focus continues to be on implementing the regulations at the state level.
ANFP’s Government Affairs committee and ANFP chapter’s spokesperson volunteers continue to advocate for CDM, CFPPs with local and state legislators providing a toolkit and data statistics that include the current number of states that recognize the credential, a map outlining the number of long-term care facilities and ANFP-approved programs in each state. Connecting with legislators provides an opportunity to share impactful stories and to make a difference on the issues that CDM, CFPPs care about!
Also, in pursuit of new pathways for the CDM, CFPP credential, ANFP is working to sponsor a U.S. Dept. of Labor (DOL) recognized youth apprenticeship program with help from the Urban Institute. The Urban Institute received a $2 million annual grant from DOL in 2020 to establish more youth apprenticeship programs and has been assisting ANFP with all aspects of the application process to become a youth apprenticeship national sponsor that would include funding of up to $1,000 per apprentice.
Learn more about the GrassROOTS initiatives or join the cause and become a member of the network here. Please also consider giving to ANFP’s political action committee, ANFP-PAC, which is integral to our visibility and success on Capitol Hill.
Spring is a time of year for growth and change for many of us, and that is also true of our chapters and how we approach meetings and volunteer roles. In the coming weeks, we are providing chapter volunteer leaders with two new resources that will help our chapters adapt to the changing world of meetings and introduce a new volunteer role to raise awareness of ANFP.
On Monday, March 8, at 2:00 p.m. CST, join us for Chapter Best Practices to discuss virtual chapter meetings. We will be speaking with Regina St. Clair, CDM, CFPP, the current GA ANFP chapter president. The GA chapter hosted a very successful virtual meeting in the fall of 2020. During this webinar, participants can expect to learn about:
To attend Chapter Best Practices - Virtual Meetings, please pre-register by clicking on the link below.
Then, on Wednesday, April 7, at 2:00 p.m. CST, we will host another webinar; Chapter Brand Ambassador Role - Increasing the Awareness of ANFP and the CDM, CFPP. We will introduce the role of chapter Brand Ambassador. We will be speaking with Barbara Thomsen, CDM, CFPP, as well as Mindy Theesfeld and Jay CariĆo of ANFP Staff. During this webinar, participants will learn about the following:
To attend the Chapter Brand Ambassador Role - Increasing the Awareness of ANFP and the CDM, CFPP, please pre-register using the link below.
This month we are honoring Chef Rick Schmitt, CDM, CFPP, of the South Carolina ANFP chapter as our Volunteer of the Month. Rick first joined ANFP in 2005 and began volunteering with the chapter in various roles. Rick is currently serving his third term as chapter president, having previously served in 2009 and 2015. Rick has also served in roles including, but not limited to, spokesperson, webmaster, program chair, and on the Impact Team. He is also a Leadership Institute Alumni.
Rick’s service to the SC ANFP chapter has brought much stability in times of instability. He has done so by following the chapter’s governing documents, applying best practices, and mentoring new volunteers to maintain consistency and develop future leaders. Additionally, Rick has made a major impact in South Carolina in advocating for the CDM, CFPP credential and for ANFP. His knowledge and experience with advocacy have made him an ideal mentor to other chapter leaders looking to make the same impact in their states.
Looking ahead, Rick is looking forward to things returning to pre-COVID-19 normal. Rick has seen the significant impact of COVID-19 restrictions on our members' ways of teaching, networking, and functioning as an organization, which has been felt throughout the industry. Rick understands ANFP, and our members appreciate and value the time we spend face to face. He believes the educational opportunities that are offered to our members, whether through the chapters or headquarters, not only give members the necessary education they need to remain leaders in the foodservice industry in normal times, but it also provide a reason to get away, network, and take care of ourselves outside of the everyday grind.
When it comes to volunteering, Rick believes everyone is good at something and everyone has a unique talent to offer. He also feels each organization needs a variety of talented members to bring in fresh ideas, and all help is welcomed.
Rick, thank you for the many years of service and hard work! Your dedication to the South Carolina chapter and to ANFP are greatly valued and appreciated, and we look forward to our continued work together!
If you would like to nominate yourself or another volunteer, please email Abigail Solazzo at asolazzo@ANFPonline.org.
Chapter Rebate Revised Requirements
Chapters need to submit the following as soon as possible in order to be eligible for the second rebate.
A few months ago, you received an e-mail regarding new CDM, CFPP recognition opportuniteis. Opportunities include CDM, CFPP of the Month, What CDM, CFPP Means to Me, Everyday Heroes, Career Reflections, and My Recipe for Success. For more information regarding these recognition opportunities, or to submit a nomination, please click here.
Additionally, if you or a chapter leader you know would like to be featured as the Volunteer of the Month, please e-mail Abigail Solazzo at asolazzo@ANFPonline.org.
We are now accepting speaker proposals for the 2021 ANFP Meetings & events season! The safety of our members and attendees always comes first – we are continuing to monitor the COVID-19 situation, but we are optimistic that we will be able to meet again in person in 2021. As a CDM, CFPP and an ANFP volunteer, I invite you to take this opportunity to share your expertise with your industry colleagues. All topics are welcome, but trending topics we are aiming to include are crisis management, labor issues, staff recruitment and retention, and more. For more information, or to submit your proposal, please visit our Call for Proposals webpage.
For most of us, we are nearing the end of winter and heading towards positive changes with the upcoming spring season. For chapters, this also means meetings season. Our meetings have looked a little different this year, and spring meetings may follow the same format. While we would like to meet in person, this may not be feasible for all members at this time. However, we can still conduct many components of the meeting as well as chapter business virtually or electronically, and reap the benefits from this type of structure.
At the national level, Debbie served as Chair (including Chair-Elect and Immediate Past Chair) from 2015-2016. She has also served on several committees including the Leadership Development Committee, Program Review Committee, Professional Development Committee, Chapter Leadership Team, and Item Writers Committee. She has also served on the CBDM board and is an alumnus of the Leadership Institute. She was the recipient of the much-deserved Legacy Award in 2020.
Having volunteered with ANFP for many years in various roles, Debbie has made a positive and long-lasting impact through her leadership. She is well regarded by members and vendors because of her consistency and dependability. She is the “go to” for members for answers to questions and support. With her patience, knowledge of ANFP and the industry, as well as experience, she has successfully mentored many members over the years.. Debbie is a team player and continuous advocate for ANFP. When speaking with administrators, food service workers, high school students and political representatives she is passionate about ANFP, which proves to be contagious.
Moving forward, Debbie would like to see more participation from chapter members, better communication, and increased mentoring opportunities for incoming members. She would also like to see the TX chapter win the coveted Diamond Award.
Lastly, for those that are considering volunteering with their chapter, but haven’t had the courage, Debbie states, “Volunteering is a great learning experience. There are perks for volunteering, such as support to participate at ACE. The more members volunteer, the more they would know about the organization. There are resources, seasoned members, and ANFP staff to assist you in all areas throughout the organization. You will have the opportunity to meet new people and network across all 50 sates.”
Debbie, your contributions and dedication to ANFP and the TX chapter are unmatched! We are very grateful to have volunteers like you and the hard work you have done over the years!
New CDM, CFFP Recognition Opportunities
We have recently implemented a number of new CDM, CFPP recognition opportunities. Opportunities include, CDM of the Month, What CDM Means to Me, Career Reflections, My Recipe for Success and Everyday Hero. For more information on these recognition opportunities or to submit a nomination, please click here.
Additionally, if you or a chapter leader you know would like to be featured as the Volunteer of the Month, please email Abigail Solazzo at asolazzo@ANFPonline.org.
Call for Proposals
Chapter Rebate Revised Requirements
Deadline: January 15, 2021
Chapters needed to submit the following by January 15, 2021 (except bank statement) to be eligible for the second rebate.
This month we are honoring Bonna Brown, CDM, CFPP of the Maryland, Delaware, DC (MD, DE, DC) ANFP chapter as our Volunteer of the Month. Bonna first joined ANFP in1984 when it was known as HIEFSS. She then became certified as a CDM in 1987. Bonna spent many years in various roles in the foodservice industry, starting with volunteering in her school cafeteria in high school. She eventually found her way to Cedar Ridge Children’s Home & School where she recently retired after 40 years of dedicated service.
Bonna has also held several volunteer roles throughout her long career. Starting in 1985, she was the MD chapter hospitality chairperson and has continued to serve in this role in some capacity throughout the years. She served as the membership chairperson for the Western district during that time as well. Then, in 1996, she began to volunteer at the chapter level as the treasurer and continues to serve in this role today. She was honored as the chapters ‘Dietary Manager of the Year’ in 1999 as well as the MD, DE, DC ANFP ‘CDM of the Year’ in 2018.
As a volunteer through the years, Bonna’s biggest impact has been to maintain financial stability for the chapter. Through her leadership, consistency, and transparency, the chapter audits prove the finances to be error free during her time as treasurer. She would like to see this continue with another volunteer willing to take on the role of treasurer.
As members contemplate volunteering with the chapter, Bonna states, “My advice to members looking to volunteer is to start small. Volunteer for jobs that you would be comfortable doing. I like bookkeeping and numbers, so treasurer was a job I could do. It was well within my comfort zone and I have enjoyed the job.”
Thank you Bonna for your many years of service and the positive impact you have had on the MD, DE, DC, chapter! ANFP is grateful for dedicated and hardworking volunteers like you!
If you would like to nominate yourself or another volunteer, please email Abigail Solazzo at asolazzo@ANFPonline.org.