ANFP’s Annual Conference & Expo (ACE) took place last week in St. Louis, MO. The three-day conference was jammed packed with education, tours, hands-on culinary tables, cooking demonstrations, an expo and an opportunity to network, collaborate and interact with other CDMs and industry professionals from around the country. Below are some additional highlights from the conference.

Volunteer Luncheon – Each year at ACE we are given the opportunity to honor our hardworking volunteers during the volunteer luncheon. We also recognized many chapters that received awards for bi-annual chapter achievement, communications, government affairs and membership. Additionally, we recognized our Diamond award nominees and finalists. All award recipients will be listed in the next issue of Edge.

Diamond Award – During the Honors Gala, Iowa ANFP was announced as this year’s Diamond Award recipient. Iowa ANFP focused on the well-being of animals in relief areas for hardship-laden elders during the state’s long winter months. Through their efforts, such as fundraisers, care packages and supply donations, the chapter made a positive impact that will have a lasting effect on the communities and the individuals that reside in the state. Congratulations Iowa ANFP!

Chapter Best Practices – ACE also provides an opportunity for chapter leaders to meet face to face to discuss challenges and hear solutions from other chapter leaders as well. This year, attendees were presented the opportunity to ‘crowdsource’ ideas to help improve the many aspects of chapter management. Various topics were discussed including meeting planning, member and volunteer recruitment, leadership development and member engagement. Look for more information and ideas that came from this session, in the coming months.

MO ANFP – A special acknowledgement and thank you to the MO ANFP chapter for their generous hospitality and making our members from all over feel welcome in St. Louis! Thank you!

For those that were not able to attend, please mark your calendars for ACE 2020, June 15-18, where we will celebrate ANFP’s 60^th anniversary!

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

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. You may also want to consider applying for this if you are seeking speakers that request honorariums.  If you would like to apply for the adversity rebate, please do so as soon as possible in order to receive a June 30 rebate distribution. Applications are accepted quarterly and can be found on ANFPConnect, Volunteer Resources, Chapter Management.

Please note the important deadlines approaching.

• PAST DUE - Chapter End of the Year Financial Report were due May 15^th (New policy implemented in August 2018). Reports should be submitted to chapters@ANFPonline.org as soon as possible. This report should include a snapshot of the chapter’s finances from April 2018 to April 2019.
• 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.

Carol Rice, CDM, CFPP


This month we are featuring Carol Rice, CDM, CFPP, of the SD ANFP Chapter. Carol has been a member of ANFP since 1996 and started as a volunteer with the chapter in 2004 as the secretary.  In addition to her role as secretary, Carol as also served as the president (2014) and education chairperson, her most current volunteer role. Since becoming a volunteer and working on the board, she has gained knowledge and confidence that have allowed her to work on projects and tasks that serve all SD ANFP members.

Being a volunteer in the state chapter has been a great way for Carol to learn about working as a team and prioritizing training needs for members throughout the state.  Carol also believes that attending the chapter conferences has been a great opportunity to network and discuss challenges and solutions with other CDMs. She feels that members tend to get more from an experience by being together face-to-face, compared to watching webinars. Carol believes that even with the many benefits of technology, we may forget the benefits of human interaction and encourages members to get involved and attend meetings for this reason. SD AFNP hosts a spring and fall conference each year, both of which provide targeted trainings and sessions that are useful in their members’ daily work lives. Carol states that of all the conferences she has attended, the ANFP state and regional conferences have been of the most valuable in her career.

Carol enjoys her role and being involved from the aspect of a volunteer leader. She hopes to gather all SD ANFP members in one location for conferences in the future but encourages members to become more involved in the meantime. She believes everyone has valuable talents and skills that can help SD ANFP grow!

If you would like to nominate yourself or another volunteer, please email Abigail Solazzo at asolazzo@ANFPonline.org. (All nominations are confidential.)

The new volunteer year has officially started (as of June 1) which means new chapter goals have been created in months prior and chapter leaders are prepared to implement the plans to execute the goals. During the time chapter leaders were developing these goals, there was likely much discussion about what the result or outcome that will transpire. While we can set goals and have that expectation of the results, we also need to ensure we have developed the right tools, support and plan of action needed to reach our goals.           

• Plan of Work – Chapters should start with a plan of work. The plan should include expected outcomes (what does the result look like?), tactics or strategies (how will we accomplish this goal?) as well as key performance indicators (KPIs – how do we measure our success?) for each goal. These steps will help define what is necessary to achieve the goal.

• Timelines – In addition to your plan of work, chapters should assign a timeline to each goal and determine what needs to be completed by when. Chapters could also assign who will be responsible for the goal or portions of it.

• Checklists – Chapters should also create checklists that include all the pieces or ‘moving parts’ necessary to achieve the goal. This could include supplies or resources, number of volunteers, skill set, project assignments, or anything else that will support the completion of the chapter’s goals.

• Status Reports – Chapters should have regular discussions about the status of tasks and projects related to the goal. Additionally, volunteers working on the goal should provide the board with regular status updates to ensure deadlines are being met and all work is being completed.

• GRIT – Remember to keep GRIT in mind as you and your fellow chapter leaders work on completing chapter goals. “Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality.”- Angela Duckworth, TED Talks Education, April 2013

We Are Champions!

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.

Get Started

Congratulations to our current Chapter Champions!

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. You may also want to consider applying for this if you are seeking speakers that request honorariums. If you would like to apply for the adversity rebate, the next deadline is June 1, 2019 for a June 30 rebate distribution. Applications are accepted quarterly and can be found on ANFPConnect, Volunteer Resources, Chapter Management. Please note the important deadlines approaching.

• Chapter End of the Year Financial Report - Due May 15
  (New policy implemented in August 2018) submit to chapters@ANFPonline.org. This report should include a snapshot of the chapter’s finances from April 2018 to April 2019.


• Officers entered in chapter portal for future volunteer year (June 1 - May 31). (Officers must be entered each year regardless of length of term.) For directions on how to add future electees, click here.
  Due June 1

Webinar – New Chapter Board Member Orientation
For all incoming chapter board members/volunteers and those who would like a refresher, please join us on Wednesday, June 5 at 2:00 PM CT for our annual chapter board member orientation. Registration is required for this webinar. Feel free to pass this information onto your incoming volunteers.

To register for this free webinar please click on the following link:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/c15c8b6167bd169666858a512be5123a
Once you are registered you will receive and email confirmation with the call-in information.

Responses Requested – CE Prior Approval Process for Chapters
A survey has been created that specifically addresses the meeting planning and chapter prior approval processes. It is our goal to streamline and simplify both processes for our chapter leaders. However, before we can do this, we need to have a better understanding of our chapters’ points of pain when it comes to meeting planning and the prior approval process. To complete the survey and provide feedback, please click here HERE.

Linda Waite, CDM, CFPP

This month, we are featuring Linda Waite, CDM, CFPP, of the Illinois Chapter. Linda has been a member of ANFP since August 1989. She officially began her volunteer career in 1992 as the president-elect and has continued to serve in various roles throughout her years, including treasurer, secretary, and spokesperson as well as many other roles. In addition to these roles, she also served on the Government Affairs and Item Writer Committee and was a school liaison. Linda also volunteers with many local and state organizations including her church and the Lions Club.

As a volunteer and leader, Linda has always been one of the chapter’s ‘go-to’ members to answer questions, provide support and guidance, and offer encouragement for members that are interested in becoming involved with the chapter as a volunteer. Her consistent presence as a mentor, veteran member, and volunteer has positively impacted the chapter as a whole as well as individuals that are new to volunteering and the chapter.

As Linda continues to be involved with the chapter, she would like to see continued awareness of the chapter throughout the state to aid members’ careers. Additionally, she would like to see the chapter continue growing its membership through member engagement.

As a veteran volunteer, Linda suggests to those that may be hesitant to volunteer; jump in and get your feet wet. As a volunteer, you can network with peers and gain knowledge and leadership skills that meet challenges and contribute to your career. Linda believes an association is as strong as the member involvement and members' voices need to be heard, particularly those that may be hesitant of volunteering. She recommends starting in a role with some experience and working your way up from there.

Congratulations to Linda on her many years of success, dedication, and contributions as a CDM, CFPP and as an ANFP Volunteer! Thank you for all your hard work for your chapter and our association, Linda!

If you would like to nominate yourself or another volunteer, please e-mail Abigail Solazzo at asolazzo@ANFPonline.org. (All nominations are confidential.)

This spring, staff and members of our Chapter Leadership Team (CLT) met with several chapters across the country. The purpose of these visits was to provide leadership training and support for the chapters’ challenges or areas of concern. Before staff or the CLT member arrived on-site, chapter board members completed a SWOT analysis. A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis helps a chapter to better understand the current status of the chapter from each board member’s perspective. This also presents an opportunity for the board to look at areas that need improvement, as well as the areas they are succeeding in. Chapters should consider conducting their own SWOT analysis every one to two years. Below are some pointers when conducting your SWOT analysis.

• Use a facilitator - When conducting a SWOT analysis, it is best to use a facilitator. Chapters should consider asking a veteran member or another trusted member that is not currently a board member.
• Be honest – It is important through this process to be candid and honest about your chapter’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Take the time to brainstorm and include any and all characteristics. You can always edit the list later and focus on the top priorities.
• Everyone has a voice – You may not agree with each other’s ideas, but they should still be included in the overall analysis and discussed or addressed in a professional matter. (This is why having a facilitator is key.)
• Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions – No chapter is perfect, and each has areas that can use improvement. Before we can tackle those areas, recognize what they are and understand how they can be turned into an opportunity for growth and future success.
• Focus on the most critical areas – If you find there are areas that are noticeably less successful than others, make those the priority for the chapter.
• Have a plan – It is important to walk away from the training with an action plan in place. Use the TOWS tool to apply your strengths and opportunities and your weaknesses and threats.
• Follow-up – Be sure to include in your action plan a timeline and when the board will check on their progress.

Both the SWOT Analysis Guide and the TOWS tool are available to download from ANFPConnect, Volunteer Resources, Board Governance.

We Are Champions!

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.

If your chapter donates $400 or more by April 15, 2019 the chapter will be entered into a drawing for a prize that can be raffled at a state meeting.

When your chapter pledges to become a 2018-2019 Chapter Champion, it will receive special Chapter Champion recognition on your chapter’s website and the Foundation’s website and Facebook page. Chapters that remain champions for three, five, or 10 consecutive years will also receive special Chapter Champion badging on their website as well as the Foundation website.

Get Started

Congratulations to the following Chapter Champions!

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. You may also want to consider applying for this if you are seeking speakers that request honorariums. If you would like to apply for the adversity rebate, the next deadline is June 1, 2019 for a June 30 rebate distribution. Applications are accepted quarterly and can be found on ANFPConnect, Volunteer Resources, Chapter Management. Please note the important deadlines approaching.

• Chapter End of the Year Financial Report
  Due May 15 (New policy implemented in August 2018) submit to chapters@ANFPonline.org


• Officers entered in chapter portal for future volunteer year (June 1 - May 31). (Officers must be entered each year regardless of length of term.) For directions on how to add future electees, click here.
  Due June 1

Our last Chapter Chat will take place on Tuesday, April 23, at 2:00 PM CT. We will be discussing ways to invest in our volunteers and the return on investment we receive from these individuals.

Chapter Chat is a platform that allows us to directly engage with other volunteer leaders throughout the country. We encourage chapter leaders to participate and share their experiences, challenges, and best practices during this time, as each of us can benefit from these discussions. For the full Chapter Chat schedule please click here.

Chapter Chat - Investing in Volunteers: What is Your ROVI?
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CDT

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/640218669

You can also dial in using your phone.
United States (Toll Free): 1 877 309 2073
United States: +1 (646) 749-3129

Access Code: 640-218-669

Joining from a video-conferencing room or system?
Dial: 67.217.95.2##640218669
Cisco devices: 640218669@67.217.95.2

First GoToMeeting? Let's do a quick system check:
https://link.gotomeeting.com/system-check

Please note, that all chapter chats have been archived on ANFPtv and are available for viewing at any time.

In honor of the upcoming Volunteer Appreciation Week (April 8-12, 2019), and as result from the volunteer satisfaction survey, we will be highlighting a chapter leader as ‘Volunteer of the Month’ in each issue of Volunteer Leader. We will feature a volunteer who has contributed to the chapter through years of service and support and has made a positive impact through their contributions and leadership.

This month, we are featuring Wayne Kuhn, immediate Past President, of the MD, DE, DC ANFP Chapter. Wayne has been a member since 1977 when ANFP was known as HIEFSS (Hospital, Institution and Educational Food Service Society). He began his time as a volunteer in 1980 by starting with small, one-off volunteer jobs. Eventually he began to get to know the board members and more about board functionality during his years as a volunteer. With this knowledge and exposure, he then began working his way up the volunteer ladder by serving in different roles such as the newsletter editor, secretary, program chair, and even playing a role at the national meeting in Pittsburgh in 1987. Wayne has also served on the Item Writers Committee, the Government Affairs Council, and is a Leadership Institute Alumni. Through his many years as a volunteer, Wayne has served as the chapter president for five terms (inconsecutively). During his years as a volunteer, Wayne and the other chapter leaders have successfully held their annual ‘Workshop by the Sea’ that will celebrate 24 years this fall. Additionally, Wayne and the chapter have had much success with recruiting and retaining volunteers through mentorships and conflict resolution.

As for the future of his chapter, Wayne would like to see the chapter continue with their annual fall workshop and continue to build their succession plan with new volunteers. He would also like to see more members become involved with committees at the chapter level, which they have already had some success with in the past.

What advice does Wayne have for those who are hesitant to volunteer? “Get in there, get your feet wet, involve yourself, make friends, and don’t sit back. You’re investing in your own self. You’re becoming a better professional and a better person. Find one person you are comfortable with and get them to pull you along for awhile. Its about learning to be professional and believe in what you’re doing. I’ve gained so much from volunteering.”

Though he said at times he was discouraged, he always came back and tried again and learned new skills that were necessary for his role, and he attended many annual meetings that have benefited him personally and professionally.

Congratulations to Wayne on all his accomplishments as a CDM, CFPP and as an ANFP Volunteer! Thank you for your years of service, determination, and dedication to ANFP, Wayne!

If you would like to nominate yourself or another volunteer, please email Abigail Solazzo. (All nominations are confidential.)

In February, we sent out a volunteer satisfaction survey to all chapter leaders. Thank you to all that took the time to complete the survey as the results have proven to be invaluable. We will use the information when developing training programs for chapter leaders over the coming year including online courses, tools and resources for ANFPConnect, and chapter best practices sessions. Below are a few highlights from the survey.

Chapter Succession Management

• 80% of those that responded to the survey conduct a board orientation for new chapter leaders.
• 76% also offer mentors to incoming officers and leaders.
• 83% of chapter leaders are planning to attend the annual chapter board orientation via GoToMeetings (tentatively planned for May/June – information forthcoming)

Chapter Resources & Tools

• 100% of individuals found the chapter resources such as the handbook, chapter portal tutorials, templates and board orientation checklist to be helpful in managing their chapters.
• 66% of chapter leaders were in interested in online course that covers volunteer recruitment & retention.
• 57% would like to see online courses on governance best practices and program/meeting chair roles and responsibilities.
• These courses will be available in the 2019-2020 volunteer year.

Chapter Volunteer Leaders Forum

While 85% of our chapter leaders found the information posted on the forum to be useful, we’ve found that only 35% of these individuals have actually posted questions or comments. The purpose of this forum was to encourage chapter leaders throughout the country to engage with one another, not for chapter updates specifically. Unfortunately, due to lack of participation and based on the survey results, we decided to sunset this forum (62% in favor). However, all information that was posted on the forum will continue to be distributed to chapter leaders via e-mails, Volunteer Leader, and other means of communication. Also, please keep in mind that you can connect with other chapter leaders through the Member Directory function on ANFPConnect.

Chapter Chats

60% of chapter leaders stated they have participated in chapter chats at some point during the year, and 86% found the information within chapter chats to be useful. However, due to overall low participation, ANFP will be moving chapter chats to online courses that will be available in the Marketplace. We will offer at least four courses, based on the topics that chapter leaders have indicated are important to them as part of their leadership development. Please be on the lookout for more information on these courses. Archived chapter chats are available for viewing at any time on ANFPtv.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey. These results help us understand how to improve our training, education, and the tools and resources our volunteers need to successfully manage their chapters and have a positive volunteer experience.

With that being said, we have created another survey that specifically addresses the meeting planning and chapter prior approval processes. It is our goal to streamline and simplify both processes for our chapter leaders. However, before we can do this, we need to have a better understanding of our chapters’ ‘points of pain’ when it comes to meeting planning and the prior approval process. To complete the survey and provide feedback, please click here HERE.

WELCOME to the Spring edition of ROOTS Roundup, a quarterly newsletter containing information about what's happening at ANFP Headquarters, updates from your Government Affairs Committee, and valuable information you can share with your state chapter and leaders. If there are any topics you would like us to cover in a future issue, please email Mindy Theesfeld.

On March 18, the White House issued its HEA priorities with flexible Pell Grants and “market- driven workforce development programs.” The White House also announced its Workforce Advisory Board which includes Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, and Barbara Thomsen is pursuing a meeting with her staff.

On March 14, Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced the Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students (JOBS) Act, which could be added to any HEA bill and would help students by expanding Pell Grant eligibility for training and credentialing programs.

On Dec. 28, 2018, the IRS published a proposed rule to interpret and implement changes made to the formula by which businesses can take interest deductions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The American Health Care Association submitted comments on the various ownership/leasing arrangements for SNFs (direct ownership, REITs, third-party financing, etc.) and how the IRS regulations might affect them one way or the other.

On Dec. 14, 2018, the Dept. of Education held a Career & Technical Education (CTE) summit for input on the “Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act” that was enacted in July 2018, and OAJCC President Tamar Jacoby represented ANFP at the meeting.

ANFP is a member of the Opportunity America Jobs and Careers Coalition (OAJCC), consisting of companies and associations working to amplify the employer voice on career education and put workforce education more on a par with traditional academic instruction.

OAJCC is following reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA) with the goal of redirecting funds towards CTE programs. In February, Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) stated his desire to get an HEA bill through the Senate this summer with more flexible funding for CTE.

On the regulatory front, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is in the early stages of preparing a rule “Prevention of Workplace Violence in Healthcare and Social Assistance” that will cover LTC facilities. On Feb. 27, the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing on H.R. 1309, which would short-circuit OSHA’s rulemaking process and require the agency to issue an interim-final rule within a year.

ANFP-PAC flyers continue to be distributed to chapter presidents promoting the new ROOTS campaign along with the PAC Donation Policy and donation form, encouraging volunteers to solicit PAC fundraising at their spring state meetings. ANFP-PAC now has $6,129 cash-on-hand!

We Are Champions!

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.

If your chapter donates $400 or more by April 15, 2019 the chapter will be entered into a drawing for a prize that can be raffled at a state meeting.

When your chapter pledges to become a 2018-2019 Chapter Champion, it will receive special Chapter Champion recognition on your chapter’s website and the Foundation’s website and Facebook page. Chapters that remain champions for three, five, or 10 consecutive years will also receive special Chapter Champion badging on their website as well as the Foundation website.

Get Started

Congratulations to the following Chapter Champions!

Please note the important deadlines approaching.

• Chapter Awards (Communications, Membership, Government Affairs & Diamond Award)
  Due March 31


• Chapter End of the Year Financial Report
  Due May 15th (New policy implemented in August 2018) submit to chapters@ANFPonline.org


• Officers entered in chapter portal for future volunteer year (June 1 - May 31). (Officers must be entered each year regardless of length of term.) For directions on how to add future electees, click here.
  Due June 1

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, the next deadline is June 1, 2019 for a June 30 rebate distribution. Applications are accepted quarterly and can be found on ANFPConnect, Volunteer Resources, Chapter Management.

Chapter Chat will take place on Tuesday, April 23, at 2:00 PM CT. We will discuss ways to invest in our volunteers and the return on investment we receive from these individuals.

Chapter Chat is a platform that allows us to directly engage with other volunteer leaders throughout the country. We encourage chapter leaders to participate and share their experiences, challenges, and best practices during this time, as each of us can benefit from these discussions. For the full Chapter Chat schedule please click here.

Chapter Chat - Investing in Volunteers: What is Your ROVI?
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CDT

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/640218669

You can also dial in using your phone.
United States (Toll Free): 1 877 309 2073
United States: +1 (646) 749-3129

Access Code: 640-218-669

Joining from a video-conferencing room or system?
Dial: 67.217.95.2##640218669
Cisco devices: 640218669@67.217.95.2

First GoToMeeting? Let's do a quick system check

As you know, ANFP has a new Instagram account. If you’ve been following the account, you’ll notice the great photos of delicious food, ANFP members, staff, and other interesting images related to foodservice and nutrition.

We would love to see your photos as well! During your next chapter event or meeting, be sure to have your members snap photos of sessions, members, social events, vendors, awards, and any other events that take place during the meeting.

We also want to see photos of your culinary creations! If you would like to have your photo(s) featured on the ANFP Instagram account, e-mail them to marketing@ANFPonline.org with a caption/description and your Instagram username.