Learn more about becoming a Chapter Champion HERE.

Congratulations to the following Chapter Champion!

We are rapidly approaching the busy holiday season and don’t always have the chance to get together in person with our members before the start of the new year. However, we still want to keep our chapters at the forefront of our members’ minds and continue to engage with them outside of meetings and other formal chapter events. The holidays give us the opportunity to have some fun, relax and enjoy each other’s company in a different setting and without pressure and expectations. Consider a virtual meet-up or exchange in the next couple months to show appreciation for you members and keep them engaged.

Toast to Your Members – Invite members to a virtual ‘Toast to Members’ event to recognize your members’ accomplishments from this year as well as what is ahead for the new year. It’s a great opportunity to show gratitude for your chapter leaders as well as hearing about your members victories.

Ugly Holiday Sweater Contest - Many facilities or organizations hold an ugly holiday sweater contest, try this with your members as well. They can either post their photos to your preferred social media account or send them via email between set dates. Then, let your members vote to choose the member with the ugliest sweater. This is activity is always fun and gets a lot of laughs!

Recipe Swap – Another virtual event that does not take up much time, is a virtual recipe swap. This can be done at your members leisure or can be included as part of your ‘Toast to Members’ event. Ask members to submit their favorite recipe along with the reasons it’s their favorite (does it remind them of a loved one? Is it a tradition in their family, etc.). Once you have collected all the recipes, these can be combined into one document and sent out to all your members to use. No doubt you’ll get some great recipes along with some unique stories from members.

Member Check-In – While it would be ideal to meet face to face with all our members, there are many reasons we cannot, but we can reach out via phone, which is often the next best thing. Think about taking some time to reach out to your members individually via phone to say hello, see how they are doing and wish them a happy holiday season. Divide and conquer by separating the member roster by the number of chapter leaders on your board, and each one calling a portion of your members. If you have a large number, think about using your micro-volunteers for this job or sending emails or texts as well.

Reasons of Gratitude – We can all find at least one thing we are grateful for and often the holiday season is the time we think about this. Ask your members to post what they are grateful on your social media account. Then create a word cloud and post for all members to see, or in your next newsletter. You can also ask this of your members in your virtual holiday events.   

Below are the upcoming rebate requirements. Documents can be submitted either the chapter portal or sent to chatpers@ANFPonline.org.

• Submit bank statement for the month of October to ANFP Headquarters - Due November 30

Learn more about becoming a Chapter Champion HERE.

Fall chapter meetings are in full swing this month. Chapter leaders have worked very hard to put together programs that consist of relevant and important content to help CDM, CFPPs succeed in their jobs and grow professionally. One of the ways our chapters decide on content is through feedback provided from their meeting evaluations. Allowing our members and attendees to provide feedback on meetings, can help us better serve our members and meet their needs. It becomes imperative to our growth as a chapter to learn from feedback and evaluations, but perhaps most importantly that we are asking the right questions.  

Meeting Effectiveness - We can start with asking a basic, yet important question, if the meeting was effective. Was the meeting a good use of their time? Did attendees get what was intended from the meeting? If it is a reoccurring meeting, has the meeting quality improved or declined over time? You could also give attendees or members the opportunity to explain their answer as a follow-up question for a more detailed explanation. 

Meeting/Session Content – Another question or questions, you’ll want to include in your evaluation, address the meeting or session(s) content. Was the content relevant to your position? Did the session meet the objectives? Will you be able to apply what you learned? This will help your board and chapter leaders improve upon the education and topics provided at future events. You can also tack on feedback questions regarding speakers in this portion.

Recommendation of Event – One of the most positive forms of feedback is when a member or attendee recommends others attend your events. This is a great way to gauge if members will be back and perhaps bring others to the next event. Be sure to include the questions that ask if they would attend again or if they would recommend the event to a friend or colleague.

Topics for Future Meetings – A great way to get ahead of planning for the next meeting is asking your attendees the topics they would like to see included in the meeting. You may find some unique topics or a trend with the same topics being suggested. Asking this question can give you a great start to your content and agenda for next year as well as meet your members’ needs.

Additional, but Important Questions - You’ll also want to consider adding questions about the venue, location, cost to attend, food & beverage, networking events or expo/food show, registration process and anything else that you’d like to improve upon or change for next year’s event. This may help you understand why others may have not attended if you receive negative feedback.

These are just a few questions you can include in your evaluation or feedback survey. However, in addition to creating your survey, its important to act on this feedback and keep it in mind as you plan your next event.  

This month we are honoring ALL our chapter leaders and volunteers!

Last week we celebrated our annual Volunteer Appreciation Week. A week filled with giveaways, recognition and appreciation of the hard work and dedication our volunteers provide to ANFP.

We started the week off with a keepsake postcard sent out to all our volunteers. We hope that you will display this proudly in your office or workspace to let others know that you are greatly appreciated.

Tuesday, we asked volunteers to send us their testimonials about volunteering with ANFP. We asked volunteers to tell us their ‘why’ and what benefits they have received as part of their volunteer work. We hope each of you were able to reflect on your own ‘why’ and know that we are grateful for the motivation and reasons you volunteer.

On Wednesday, we had a chance to honor volunteers with Volunteer Superlatives, to recognize those that go above and beyond for their chapters, committees, or boards. Below is a list of the winners:

Early Bird Award – John Hickson, CCA, FMP, CHESP, SNM, CDM, CFPP

Biggest Heart Award– Cindy Cothern, CDM, CFPP

Perpetual Smile Award – Ariel Womack, CDM, CFPP

Band-Aid Award – Janice Hemel, CDM, CFPP

On-the-Spot Award – Joey Rost, CDM, CFPP

Thursday, we sent a video message to all our volunteers from the ANFP National Staff, thanking all volunteers for your contributions that make our organization a success. To view the video, please click here. We hope you’ll share this with your employers and fellow members so they too, can understand the positive impact you have made on ANFP.

We rounded out the week with a giveaway of Visa gift cards to 8 lucky volunteers that were randomly selected from our entire pool of volunteers. Congratulations to these individuals!

 A BIG thank you to all our volunteers! Your hard work and time given have not gone unnoticed and we hope that you feel appreciated by our members, Board, and staff. Thank you!

If you have suggestions for the 2023 Volunteer Appreciation Week, please contact Abigail Solazzo at asolazzo@ANFPonline.org.

Below are the upcoming rebate requirements. Documents can be submitted either the chapter portal or sent to chapters@ANFPonline.org. 

• Submit bank statement for the month of October to ANFP Headquarters - Due November 30

Learn more about becoming a Chapter Champion HERE.

We are off to a great start with our fall chapter meetings, with twenty meetings already scheduled and more to come. For some members this may be their first time attending a meeting, or for others this may be their first in person meeting in a couple years. Either way, attending a chapter meeting is an exciting opportunity for members to gain new knowledge, learn best practices and network with their peers and industry colleagues. However, once the meeting ends, we want to ensure we maintain our momentum and our connections that we made during the meeting. We can do this using a few strategies to maximize the knowledge we gained and build on the connections we made.

Monthly Networking Circles – Implement a virtual networking circle, like our Leadership Happy Hour calls, that extends from your meeting’s networking event. Once a month or every other month, invite participants to attend the meet-up and continue their discussions as well as meet others and ask and answer industry questions.

Set Goals Related to Content – Much of the content we learn can be applied to our everyday jobs and/or volunteer roles. Before leaving the chapter meeting, ask attendees to set goals for themselves that are related to the content taught at the meeting. This encourages attendees to use the knowledge they have gained and apply it to real life situations.

Follow-up Webinars – Once attendees have set goals, schedule a follow-up meeting(webinar) for those that would like to report on their progress and share what they learned through applying their knowledge gained at the meeting.

Check in on New Members/First Timers – Be sure to keep in touch with first time attendees, new members, students, and non-members that attend the meeting. New member advisors can be tasked with reaching out to these individuals to act as a mentor or simply check in to see how they are doing. It can be a great opportunity for relationship building among industry peers.

This month we are honoring Teresa Faison, CDM, CFPP of the Georgia (GA) ANFP Chapter.

Teresa first joined ANFP in 1989 when it was still known as DMA. She began to volunteer with the chapter after moving to Georgia, following her husband’s military retirement in 2018.

However, volunteering was not new to Teresa when deciding to volunteer with the chapter. She has volunteered in many roles and organizations over the years, including marching band booster club at her children’s schools as well as the military spouse’s club. She is currently serving as president of the Robins AFB Spouses’ Club as well as an usher at her church. In addition to these roles, Teresa is currently the president-elect for the GA ANFP chapter having started volunteering as the chapter secretary in June of 2020.

During her volunteer work now and moving forward, Teresa has brought in her experience and knowledge from other volunteer roles and applies it to her work she currently performs for the chapter. She hopes this will bring in a fresh perspective that will benefit the chapter.

As president-elect of the GA ANFP, Teresa would like to see more members volunteer for leadership positions on the state level as well as the National level. As for entire organization and industry, she would like to see ANFP continue to push to have the CDM, CFPP recognized as a requirement within the LTC industry. 

Thank you for all your hard work and unwavering dedication to your chapter and ANFP, Teresa! Our chapters are strong and successful because of chapter leaders like you. Thank you!

If you would like to nominate a chapter leader for Volunteer of the Month, please contact Abigail Solazzo at asolazzo@ANFPonline.org.

Below are the rebate requirements which are now past due. Please submit as soon as possible in order to be eligible for the first rebate installment. Documents can be submitted either the chapter portal or sent to chatpers@ANFPonline.org.

• Submit bank statement for the month of April to ANFP Headquarters - Due May 31
• Officers entered in Chapter Portal for future volunteer year (June 1 – May 31) (Officers must be entered each year regardless of length of term.) – Due June 1
• Code of Conduct - Signed by Chapter President, President- Elect, Treasurer, Secretary - Due June 1
• Affiliate Agreement – Reviewed, signed, and submitted to ANFP Headquarters – Due June 15
• End of the year financial statement by June 30 each year (for the previous fiscal year) to ANFP Headquarters – Due June 30
• Education meeting dates submitted to ANFP Headquarters - Due July 15
• 990 filed and E-receipt submitted (Fiscal year June 1 - May 31) - Due July 15
• Bi-Annual Chapter Rebate Achievement Report - Part 1 - Due July 15

This month we are honoring Dorothy Darnell, CDM, CFPP of the Utah ANFP Chapter.

Dorothy joined ANFP in January 1995 and started her dietary career in Texas. While in Texas, Dorothy was the Dietary Director at Johns Community Hospital from 2001 - 2006. She then moved to Utah in 2006 where she was the Director of Nutrition and Environmental Services Specialist for Amerinet and was responsible for implementing the GPO for Nutrition and Environmental Services Program. She finished her career at Central Valley Medical Center as the Dietary Director and is now retired.

During her robust career, Dorothy still found time to volunteer with ANFP starting in Texas where she served as the district 6 president and district 6 treasurer. Following her move to Utah, she learned about an opening for the UT ANFP chapter president's position. She served in this position for 2 years and then became the chapter treasurer for another 2 years. During this time, she was very fortunate to have members volunteer to fill open board positions.  She has served in the same positions at various times throughout her volunteer career, and trained others in these roles in addition to serving as the newsletter editor. She currently serves as the chapter’s treasurer.

During her years of service, the UT ANFP chapter received the Gold Level Achievement Award Chapter and also saw the largest percentage of membership increase for the month of February in 2007. She also served on the Item Writers Committee, that develops questions for the credentialing exam, from 2008-2010.

Being back in a chapter leadership position, Dorothy would like to see the chapter go back to having two live seminars each year and increase attendance and overall member participation.  She’d also like to see UT ANFP members become involved, specifically with the quarterly newsletter by submitting articles or other relevant contributions.  Dorothy also encourages members to volunteer in any small way they can.  

For the time being, Dorothy would also like to see the relationship strengthen between the chapter board and members. She also seeks the same outcome with UT’s communities through food bank donations or volunteering and participating in career days at local high schools. Dorothy would also like the chapter to offer more support for members planning to attend ACE or that need assistance with dues.

Dorothy, thank you for your many years of service and hard work! UT ANFP has a bright future ahead with you as a member of the board. Thank you for all you do for ANFP and your chapter!

If you would like to nominate a chapter leader for Volunteer of the Month, please contact Abigail Solazzo at asolazzo@ANFPonline.org.

Below are the rebate requirements which are now past due. Please submit as soon as possible in order to be eligible for the first rebate installment. Documents can be submitted either the chapter portal or sent to chatpers@ANFPonline.org.

• Submit bank statement for the month of April to ANFP Headquarters - Due May 31
• Officers entered in Chapter Portal for future volunteer year (June 1 – May 31) (Officers must be entered each year regardless of length of term.) – Due June 1
• Code of Conduct - Signed by Chapter President, President- Elect, Treasurer, Secretary - Due June 1
• Affiliate Agreement – Reviewed, signed, and submitted to ANFP Headquarters – Due June 15
• End of the year financial statement by June 30 each year (for the previous fiscal year) to ANFP Headquarters – Due June 30
• Education meeting dates submitted to ANFP Headquarters - Due July 15
• 990 filed and E-receipt submitted (Fiscal year June 1 - May 31) - Due July 1
• Bi-Annual Chapter Rebate Achievement Report - Part 1 - Due July 15

Learn more about becoming a Chapter Champion HERE.

We have officially reached the mid-point of summer. June was a busy month for most of us, and the remaining months of summer will continue to be busy as well. In addition to our hectic work schedules, volunteer duties, and vacations, many of our chapter leaders were able to attend ACE that took place in Scottsdale, AZ, the last week of June. It was a unique opportunity for chapter leaders to network, learn, as well as discuss chapter related topics and the challenges many of our volunteers are facing. There were many other highlights that occurred during ACE which are noted below for those that were not able to attend.

Volunteer Luncheon – Each year at ACE we celebrate our volunteers with a luncheon and special recognition of our chapters and their accomplishments. Several states took home multiple awards for communications, government affairs, membership and the state achievement. In addition, we recognized our Diamond Award nominees that included, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, DE, DC, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Congratulations to all our chapters!

Chapter Best Practices – We had very engaging and dynamic session that featured four panelists/chapter leaders; Rick Eggert (WI ANFP), Robert McKeon (MD, DE, DC ANFP), Felicia Smith (WY ANFP) and Regina St. Clair (GA ANFP). The discussion was led by Omar Humes, National ANFP Chair, and we discussed resiliency in leadership. Many chapter leaders shard their challenges as well as how they have overcome these challenges and remained resilient during the last couple years. We shared many helpful ideas regarding recruitment, meeting planning, specifically related to speakers and session topics, and the importance of reaching out to one another for support and guidance.

Networking Circles – This year we introduced networking circles which were small groups of attendees (a mix of first-timers and veteran members) that met throughout the conference to chat, share a meal, ask questions and share what they had learned as well as network within a small group. Each circle was assigned a leader that helped them navigate the conference and introduced them to other peers. The feedback from participating attendees was positive and we will plan to facilitate these groups again next year for those that would like to participate or could not attend.

Honors Gala – Our week at ACE closed out with a spectacular evening at the Honors Gala. We recognized and celebrated peers and industry colleagues and one special chapter that have made a positive impact on the foodservice industry as well as ANFP. We concluded the evening with dancing and sharing laughs and good times among members. Congratulations to all our award winners! For a full list of award recipients, please click here.

Diamond Award – This year Minnesota (MN) ANFP was the recipient of the coveted Diamond Award. MN ANFP focused on assisting members and facilities with understanding and implementing the foodservice and nutrition components of the new regulations for assisted living in their state. The regulations allowed the chapter to highlight the expertise of the CDM, CFPP and all they can bring to the table. It was also the perfect opportunity to position the CDM, CFPP as subject matter experts in the assisted living environment. MN ANFP provided a continuous stream of education, information, and updates to their members to ensure they were informed and knowledgeable of all the changes and could be used a resource when implementing these changes. Congratulations, Minnesota ANFP, 2022 Diamon Award winner!

For those that were not able to attend, we hope you can join in is New Orleans, June 25-28, 2023!

This month we are honoring Corinna DesRoches, CDM, CFPP of the North Dakota ANFP Chapter.

Corinna became a CDM, CFPP in 2022 and has worked in healthcare/senior living dining for 40 years where she started as a part-time dietary aide right out of school, and worked her way up in the field, holding various positions throughout the years.

Shortly after obtaining the credential, she started volunteering with her chapter as the education/program chair, planning chapter meetings which they often partner with the North Dakota Long Term Care Association. In addition to Corinna’s many years of serving as the education chair, she has been involved with the chapter’s fundraising efforts, trade show booths and hospitality committee that oversees the hospitality suites at their meetings. She is currently the ND ANFP chapter president and has served in the role since 2019 but will soon be passing the baton to her president-elect.

Corinna’s biggest impact on the chapter has been collaborating as team and bringing new ideas to the table that help strengthen and grow the membership as well as support members when needed.  

For the future of ND ANFP, Corinna would like to see the membership continue to grow as well as see new members step into volunteer roles where they can gain confidence and be comfortable in their roles to contribute new ideas to the chapter.

As for volunteering, Corinna states, “I want all members to know that the support and knowledge we receive from ANFP is wonderful and they are always there to help us succeed every day and we are never alone, we are all in this together.”

Thank you, Corinna! ND ANFP has continued to be a strong and successful chapter because of your continuous support and dedication. Thank you for all you do!

If you would like to nominate a chapter leader for Volunteer of the Month, please contact Abigail Solazzo at asolazzo@ANFPonline.org.