We are excited to announce new and updated tools and resources to help simplify and streamline the prior approval application process for chapters for the upcoming volunteer year starting in June 2020. While the finalized documents will not be available until that time, we want to give our chapter leaders a ‘sneak peek’ of what is to come.

Speaker Directory (formerly known as the speaker resource guide) – The new, user-friendly speaker directory will allow chapter leaders to sort through ANFP approved speakers, by topic, state, type of CE awarded (GEN, SAN, and Ethics) and will also include biographies.

Sample Completed Applications – ANFP will provide samples of completed applications for chapter leaders to reference as they complete their own. This will ensure the submitted application is completed in its entirety and includes all required supporting documents in the correct format.  

Speaker Recommendation Form – Chapter leaders will have the opportunity to recommend speakers to national and other chapters. These recommendations will be added to the speaker directory. Speaker recommendations can include speakers that presented at chapter meetings or other industry workshops, conferences or seminars.

Event Planning Grid – This template allows the meeting/program chair to keep all information and details related to the meeting including speaker checklist, food & beverage details, daily schedule with room assignments and audiovisual needs, etc. in one place for easy reference and organization.

Top 10 – A list of top ten tips for meeting planning and presenting will also be available to help chapter leaders stay organized and prioritize these crucial components of the meeting.

In the coming months, please look for more information, tools, and resources that will be available to use and reference during at the start of the new volunteer year, in June 2020.

Important Deadlines

ANFP offers an adversity rebate for chapters that need additional financial assistance in addition to their bi-annual rebate and revenue produced from chapter programs. The adversity rebate is to help off-set ANFP chapter operational costs related to meetings, programs, or other initiatives. If you would like to apply for the adversity rebate, please do so by December 1, 2019, for a December 31, 2019, rebate distribution. Applications are accepted quarterly and can be found on ANFPConnect, Volunteer Resources, Chapter Management.

The January rebate requirements deadline is right around the corner. The following items are due on January 15^th, 2020.

• Bylaws – Reviewed by all board members. Edited as needed. (Bylaws require membership review and approval of 2/3 vote.)
• Policies & procedures - Reviewed by all board members. Edited as needed. Policies and procedures require board (majority) approval.
• Bi-annual chapter achievement rebate report – Download from the chapter portal.
• Annual succession plan – Download outline from the chapter portal.
• ACE Award nomination – For more information or to submit a nomination please click here.

This month we are featuring Chef Todd Leasure, CDM, CFPP, of the WV ANFP chapter. Todd became a Certified Dietary Manager in March 2012. Prior to becoming a CDM, CFPP, Todd spent nearly 30 years in the fine dining world and is certified by the Le Cordon Bleu School in Paris, France. Currently, he is the Executive Chef at The Orchards (located in OH and WV) and oversees all aspects of culinary dinning services at several facilities on three different campuses.

Todd became active with the WV chapter in 2015 when he served as the program chair. Since then he has served as the president-elect and is the president as of 2016.

Todd states that his involvement with WV, OH, and National meetings has helped him gain knowledge and improve his skills, specifically related to facilities that offer restaurant-style dining. By becoming involved, stepping outside his “comfort zone,” and networking with other CDMs, Todd has been able to improve his leadership skills as well as increase resident and employee satisfaction scores. 

As for the WV Chapter, it is a strong chapter with very dedicated CDM’s that are very passionate about the industry, including Todd himself. He would to see it continue with its success by building stronger community ties, and reaching out to new CDMs to share their knowledge and talents in order to bring about change.

Todd encourages all ANFP members to take the opportunity to get involved as a volunteer and step out of your own comfort zone. He states, "ANFP is only as strong as its members, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to take a role in sharing their talents and knowledge."

Thank you for your many years of service and dedication to ANFP, Todd! Congratulations on the many successes throughout your career and more to come!

If you would like to nominate yourself or another volunteer, please email Abigail Solazzo at asolazzo@ANFPonline.org.

Conducting virtual meetings or sessions may seem daunting for some of us; whether it’s the technology requirements that seem unattainable, or the lack of engagement and interaction between audience and speaker. Yet, they present an opportunity for members to access education that they may not be able to otherwise. Additionally, with the many online meeting platforms available for virtual meetings, we can still interact with the speaker as well as with one another. Virtual meetings offer other benefits as well.

Engagement & Interaction – While a virtual meeting is not a traditional in-person meeting, it can still be conducted as a face-to-face meeting. Many platforms, like Facebook Live, allow the audience and speaker to interact with each other and see each other without being across the table from one another.

Economical – There are many online meeting software programs available, some with all the bells and whistles, while others are more bare bones. Some will be more costly, while others are more cost effective, like Zoom, and offer videoconferencing, screensharing and an unlimited number of meetings. Hosting a virtual session or meeting may also help the chapter reduce costs on speaker honorariums, travel, lodging, and event space. This will also provide savings to your attendees if they no longer have to travel to the meeting.

Expand Audience Reach – Virtual meetings or sessions allow us to reach more members that may not able to attend the in-person meeting. While you may not wish to host an entire meeting virtually, you could broadcast a few sessions for attendees that were not able to travel to the meeting.

Attracting Younger Members – Many of our younger members are very familiar with technology and have embraced the benefits of it, including the opportunity to earn CE online. As they may prefer to obtain CE via a virtual session, this presents a wonderful opportunity to give younger members what they need, as well as introduce them to the ANFP brand and the chapter.  

Record for Future Use – Many online meeting platforms offer the option to record your session/webinar as well. This is a great benefit for your members, as they can still access the education, but when it is most convenient for them.

ANFP offers an adversity rebate for chapters that need additional financial assistance in addition to their bi-annual rebate and revenue produced from chapter programs. The adversity rebate is to help off-set ANFP chapter operational costs related to meetings, programs, or other initiatives. If you would like to apply for the adversity rebate, please do so by December 1, 2019, for a December 31, 2019 rebate distribution. Applications are accepted quarterly and can be found on ANFPConnect, Volunteer Resources, Chapter Management.

The January rebate requirements deadline is right around the corner. The following items are due on January 15^, 2020:

• Bi-annual chapter achievement rebate report – Download from the chapter portal.
• Annual succession plan – Download outline from the chapter portal.
• ACE Award nomination – For more information, or to submit a nomination please click here.

This month we are featuring Esthela Conlu, CDM, CFPP, of the CA ANFP chapter. After passing the exam in 2005, Esthela was invited by fellow member Karmen Kortie, CDM, CFPP to greet nutrition students at the local college. She has remained involved with the chapter ever since. During her many years of service with CA ANFP, Esthela has served in many roles, including membership chair, treasurer (8 years), and is currently the president. Additionally, she has previously served as the webmaster, which required frequent communication with the members. She found this role very beneficial to her professional growth. Since she has served for several years in various leadership roles, she has become a steadfast, recognizable, and trustworthy volunteer that members have come to rely on for support.

As Esthela looks to the future of the CA chapter, she looks forward to working with a robust board that will allow them to do more for members, like providing a HELP desk to assist CDMs with day-to-day operations. As not all CDMs have a consistent resource at their facilities, she would like to utilize chapter leaders or a committee as their help line. While chapter meetings and workshops are great learning opportunities, she believes a live person, able to answer questions in real-time, would serve the members well.

When it comes to volunteering, Esthela recognizes it takes time out of her busy schedule, but she finds it to be very fulfilling. Whether she is volunteering with ANFP, at the local food bank, as a math tutor, or singing with the church choir, she truly believes, “when you are a volunteer, you’ll always be appreciated.” She finds the appreciation of her service that she receives from the community to be most rewarding. She wants ANFP members to know: “You have what it takes, and we are waiting for you.”

Congratulations to Esthela for her success as a CDM, CFPP and as a dedicated ANFP volunteer throughout the years! Thank you for your dedication to ANFP, your chapter, and our members!

If you would like to nominate yourself or another volunteer, please email Abigail Solazzo at asolazzo@ANFPonline.org.

We are in full swing of ANFP chapters meetings season. Along with education and networking, many chapters conduct a fundraising event during the meeting. Chapters fundraise for various reasons, but each does so with the purpose to support and benefit our members and organization. As each chapter works very hard on fundraising efforts, we want to be sure those efforts are not in vain. With that said, we want to be sure we are in compliance with federal guidelines when it comes to fundraising and donations, specifically those related to PAC. Below is a friendly reminder of our PAC donation policies, which were implemented to ensure each dollar raised is reported correctly.

By law (the Federal Election Campaign Act), ANFP members are eligible to make contributions to the association’s Political Action Committee, ANFP-PAC. Members include professional, certified, retired, and allied professional members.

All donations (contributions) must be from personal funds using cash, check, or credit card, and must be accompanied with a PAC donation form and be submitted within 30 days of the donation. This form must include full name, address, email address, ANFP membership ID number, and signature (contributions are not tax deductible).

For more information or to download the form and make an individual donation, please go to our Safe Food for Seniors Act page: http://www.anfponline.org/government-affairs/home/contribute-to-ANFP-PAC

Please note that chapters themselves cannot contribute to ANFP-PAC. If chapters receive individual donations, they must remit payments to ANFP-PAC immediately following any collection of donations. Also, because corporations are prohibited from contributing to ANFP-PAC, chapters should not accept such contributions from vendors at state meetings.

The July rebate deadline has passed. If you have not already submitted the required documents in order to be eligible for the rebate, please do so as soon as possible.

• Officers entered in chapter portal for the volunteer year (June 1 - May 31). Officers must be entered each year regardless of length of term or when their terms start/end. For directions on how to add current officers, click here.
• Chapter Fall Meeting Dates
• 990 filed and E-receipt submitted
• Bi-Annual Chapter Rebate Achievement Report - Part 1
• Finance Committee established (consists of a minimum two board members and two non-board members). Use sample finance committee composition template

• Signed (by the president) affiliate agreement (2019 agreement is available on ANFPConnect in Volunteer Resources, Board Governance).
• Proof of attendance from one chapter leader, for one ANFP chapter leadership course (Chapter Best Practices at ACE or regional meeting, online leadership courses, chapter chats (through April))
  • Please be sure to include the chapter leader's name, name of the sessions, and session date.

This month we are featuring Angela Mims, CDM, CFPP, of the AL ANFP chapter. Angela first joined ANFP as a student in 2000 and became certified in October of the same year. Angela’s volunteer career spans many years and various roles and organizations, including kitchen program coordinator at a local soup kitchen and guidance counselor at the YMCA.

Angela’s volunteer career with ANFP started in 2015 as president-elect, eventually serving as president as well as treasurer for the AL ANFP chapter. She also served on the Chapter Leadership Team from 2017 – 2019.

Through Angela’s dedicated leadership, she has continued to keep members involved through continuous communication and improving the overall efficiency of the chapter through process and procedures.

Additionally, as an impactful leader, Angela has encouraged members to keep an open mind when it comes to change, whether related to the chapter or the industry, which in turn has motivated many members to stay engaged with the chapter.

As for the future of AL ANFP, Angela would like to see the chapter win the coveted Diamond Award. In addition to winning the award, she would also like to see the chapter continue to grow its membership as much as 50%.

For those that are hesitant to volunteer or become involved with the chapter, Angela encourages everyone to volunteer and take a role, as there are many exciting things to learn through the experience. She believes it allows members a chance to utilize their skills for an experience that will ultimately improve their careers. She encourages members to not be afraid to take on the challenge; assistance for new volunteers is available at the state and national level. Volunteering also gives members the opportunity to learn, network, meet new people, and generate new ideas for your state chapter.  Angela firmly believes that “You can make a difference in your state chapter” through volunteering. 

Congratulations to Angela and her success as a CDM and with ANFP throughout the years! Thank you for your dedication to ANFP, your chapter, and to our members!

If you would like to nominate yourself or another volunteer, please email Abigail Solazzo at asolazzo@ANFPonline.org.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

We have over 30 chapter meetings taking place throughout the country this fall. For those chapters holding meetings, this presents a face-to-face opportunity to engage and recruit members and volunteers. While it is always a good idea to have volunteers complete a volunteer interest form or give prospective members a brochure, we want to apply different strategies that personalize the experience for newcomers and first-timers to encourage them to get involved.

Welcome gifts – Many of our chapters give welcome gifts to first-timers or prospective members as well as current members. This gesture is personal and appreciated, especially if it opens the door to strike up a conversation with a potential volunteer or member.

Meeting partner – Think back to your first time attending a chapter meeting. Perhaps it was intimidating or overwhelming not knowing anyone or what to expect. To ensure prospective members have a positive experience, select a handful of meeting veterans to be designated as a their ‘meeting partner’. The meeting partner will be paired with a first-timer and act as a liaison throughout the meeting. Ensure newcomers are introduced to chapter leaders, exhibitors and other members, or accompany them to special events or sessions to ensure they feel welcome.   

New member advisors – This role takes the meeting partner strategy one step further. Like the meeting partner, new member advisors are there to ensure your new members have a positive experience throughout their first year (and beyond) of membership. Once again, you’ll need a select group of veteran members to be matched with new members. An advisor provides new members the opportunity have someone they can call with questions or concerns related to their membership, chapter involvement, or industry-related issues at any point throughout the year.

Specify the jobs or tasks – While each chapter distributes a call for volunteers, it doesn’t always result in many potential volunteers. At your next chapter meeting, specify the exact jobs that need to be completed or roles to be filled, giving members a very clear picture of what to expect. Then approach members directly and personally invite them to help with a job or task.

Shadow a volunteer for the day – Encourage members to ‘get a taste’ of what it takes to be a volunteer. Invite members to shadow your current volunteers while at the meeting. They will have the chance to ask questions, learn more about the role, and experience the rewarding role our volunteers play in putting together meetings and events for members.

The rebate deadline has passed. If you have not already submitted the required documents in order to be eligible for the rebate, please do so as soon as possible.

• Officers entered in chapter portal for the volunteer year (June 1 - May 31). (Officers must be entered each year regardless of length of term or when their terms start/end.) For directions on how to add current officers, click here.
• Chapter Fall Meeting Dates
• 990 filed and E-receipt submitted
• Bi-Annual Chapter Rebate Achievement Report - Part 1
• Finance Committee established (consists of a minimum of two board members and two non-board members). Use sample finance committee composition template

#CDMsMatter – Our members were recently informed of proposed changes to the CMS regulations. The below information provides relevant and important information for you and your members as well as suggestions on how CDMs can help bring additional awareness to the importance of their roles and the industry. Please continue to look for more information on this topic in the coming months.

On July 16, 2019, CMS posted a document of PROPOSED changes to the Long-Term Care CoP’s Conditions of Participation/Medicare and Medicaid Programs Requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities.

One of the items CMS is proposing changes to is the education requirement for Director of Food and Nutrition Services. Their rationale is that stakeholders are …” concerned about a workforce shortage of certified dietary managers and the financial costs imposed on existing experienced staff to obtain specialized training".

CMS acknowledges that set standards for the person leading the department is important and are putting forth suggestions for how to better reduce the burden by revising the standards to increase flexibility, the specifics being that a minimum standard be set.

It is important for everyone to understand that the current rules are still in effect and this is only a proposal that is open for comments. Once the comment period is over, CMS will review and thoroughly vet them before any decisions and rule changes will be made. This is a common political process.

Please know that ANFP is actively reviewing this proposal and will be submitting comments in support of the current requirements and the CDM, CFPP credential. In our comments we will be sharing data to address their financial concerns. This comes from both our LTC Benchmarking Program and the data we analyze from the CMS Database that ANFP leases, and from which we develop dashboards to help navigate this large database. Additionally, we will address the CDM, CFPP Scope of Practice, which demonstrates the ability of the CDM, CFPP to participate in the IDT when the RDN is not available. We feel confident that our comments will resonate with CMS, much like our comments submitted during the original Rules comment period.

What can you do as a CDM, CFPP or industry stakeholder?

• Comment on the regulations page HERE  
• POST a story of how your credentials have improved residents’ lives or how your community values your CDM.
• Share how hard you work to stay up to date attending Continuing Education trainings to be able to contribute more to your communities and be current with the latest in food safety.
• The importance of being a healthcare professional that can participate in the Care planning team working in tandem with your Dietitian and Nursing staff to support the residents personalized care goals
• Having the knowledge base to serve quality food that is safe and protect your communities from a food borne illness event.
• Share the pride you have in being Certified and how it a healthcare career that improves lives through good food management and safety!
• Unite as a community by adding at the end of your comments- hashtag #CDMsMatter

This month, we are featuring Leonard Turpen, CDM, CFPP, of the KS ANFP chapter. Leonard became a CDM in 1997 and began volunteering when the Jayhawk district formed. Eventually, he became district president, working his way up to chapter president in 2013 through 2016. Leonard is currently serving as the PAC chairman and serves on the Government Affairs Committee as well.

When Leonard first joined ANFP, he would sit in the back row at meetings and listen and observe. Then, he pushed himself, and slowly began to work his way up towards the front of the room at each meeting, eventually working up the courage to become involved as a leader. He encourages members to start moving forward at their own pace, until they're ready to get involved as he did with the support of Kansas ANFP members who helped him become the CDM he is today.

During his many years of volunteering, Leonard played a large part in the meeting planning process. This included overseeing food shows, managing the budget, vetting speakers as well as teaching fundamentals in healthcare at the chapter’s workshops. As an officer, Leonard’s biggest goal was continuous communication with the members. He also enjoys mentoring new CDMs as he recognizes they are the key to the future success of the chapter.

As for the what lies ahead for the KS ANFP chapter, Leonard would to see the chapter continue with Chapter Champions program and to revamp the online newsletter to make it user friendly with easy access to important links and resources. He would also like to see each district become more involved with new membership and leadership roles as well as participate in supporting community services.

One of Leonard’s favorite quotes and something he truly believes as well as demonstrates is: “unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.” (by Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Congratulations to Leonard and all his success and hard work! Thank you for your dedication to ANFP as well as the credential!

If you would like to nominate yourself or another volunteer, please email Abigail Solazzo at asolazzo@ANFPonline.org.

By donating $400 or more, your chapter can become an NFEF Chapter Champion. By joining, you are showing your chapter’s support for the Nutrition & Foodservice Education Foundation’s goal to raise visibility of the CDM credential.

Learn More

By donating $400 or more, your chapter can become an NFEF Chapter Champion. By joining, you are showing your chapter’s support for the Nutrition & Foodservice Education Foundation’s goal to raise visibility of the CDM credential.

Learn More

Please note the important deadlines approaching.

• PAST DUE - Officers entered in chapter portal for the volunteer year (June 1 - May 31). (Officers must be entered each year regardless of length of term or when their terms start/end.) For directions on how to add current officers, click here.
• Due July 15 to National –
  • Chapter Fall Meeting Dates
  • 990 filed and E-receipt submitted
  • Bi-Annual Chapter Rebate Achievement Report - Part 1
  • Finance Committee established (consists of a minimum, two board members and two non-board members). Use sample finance committee composition template

This month features Cathy Oberbeck, CDM, CFPP, of the UT ANFP chapter. Cathy has been certified since 2007 and volunteered immediately thereafter. During her 39 years at her facility, she has moved up the ranks, and is now at the latter part of her career, but not slowing down as her department is in the beginning stages of transforming to a room service dining program. 

In 2015, Cathy began serving on the ANFP professional development committee and continues to do so as the chair. Prior to this, she served on the program review committee for three years, and most recently has been appointed to the leadership development committee. 

The UT ANFP board uses the team approach when it comes to chapter management.  While Cathy has been the president in title, as well as newsletter editor, all members of the board contribute to the experience and accomplish all things as a team. 

She believes the biggest impact the board has had on the chapter is partnering with Sysco Intermountain, which has allowed for the chapter to offer complimentary registration at two seminars every year since 2012. Attendees can earn up to 14 credits at each seminar. Her hope is with new members coming in, there will be more members who would like to be a part of the board and possibly serve at the national level.

As a member, she has learned a great deal by having met members from all over the country and bonding over same struggles, triumphs, and scenarios. She has found getting involved and networking at conferences to be very enjoyable and has become a better public speaker because of it.

Cathy loves to travel, play golf, treasure hunt at estate sales with her husband of 41 years, and play with her grandchildren. 

If you would like to nominate yourself or another volunteer, please email Abigail Solazzo at asolazzo@ANFPonline.org.