Special ANFP Merchandise Offer
Save 20% on select CDM, CFPP branded merchandise through the end of August! Sale items include the cinch pack, key chain, padfolio, tumbler, and pen cup. Use code SUMMER at checkout through August 31, 2021.
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Changes & Updates
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Chapter Champions
Learn more about becoming a Chapter Champion here. -
Food For Thought
It was great to be back in Orlando at ACE last week for our first in-person meeting in quite some time. We reconnected with old friends, met some new friends, and learned a lot in between. We were able to celebrate our volunteers and our chapters’ achievements during the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. We also had the opportunity to hear from a panel of chapter leaders and corporate partners that discussed best practices related to building industry partnerships. Sherri Conde of Performance Foodservice, and Kelley Vande Lune of Fieldstone Bakery, were our guest corporate sponsor panelists. John Hickson, CDM, CFPP, president of the LA ANFP Chapter and Jessica Weisbrich, RDN, LD, CDM CFPP, secretary of the MN ANFP chapter were also on the panel. Below are some of the key takeaways from the session that we hope you will apply to your own industry partnerships.
Communication is Key – Some chapters may only reach out to partners and vendors on an as-needed basis. However, maintaining communication throughout the year helps to keep vendors and partners engaged and aware of what is going on with the chapter. Communication is also key to building mutual trust and respect that will end up benefitting both parties. Include vendors in newsletter mailings, meeting/event invites, and ask them to like the chapter’s social media page to get the most up-to-date information. Also, don’t hesitate to check in with them occasionally to remain on one another’s radar, not just during meeting/event seasons.
Inform and Educate – Chapters and their members should not hesitate to let their vendors and partners know what they need. While this includes financial assistance or in-kind donations for chapter events, this also includes what you may need within your facilities or in your role as a CDM, CFPP. They cannot provide the right equipment, supplies, or services without getting a better understanding of what their customers need. Also, vendors and partners should do the same - let chapters know what some of the trends they are seeing in the industry are, or fresh ideas used in other facilities that may prove to be a positive outcome for both groups involved.
Data, Data, Data - Prior to approaching any industry partner, chapters should be ready to share their data, including chapter/member demographics. This helps your prospective partners understand the chapters make-up and how they will best be able to support your members, initiatives, and meetings/events. A chapter resume template is available on ANFPConnect in the Chapter Sponsorship Toolkit. This may take some time to develop but is worthwhile to help ‘paint the picture’ of your chapter for any prospective industry partnerships in order to help them make informed decisions.
Think Outside the Box – In addition to maintaining communication with your industry partners throughout the year, explore and consider other ways they can engage with members or be involved with your chapter. Many chapters participate or host charitable events or provide services to their community members in need. Invite your industry partners to attend these events with your chapter members. Offer them an opportunity to speak at your next event or sit down and have lunch with your members. The idea is to engage your industry partners as part of your chapter, not just in times of need.
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Important Dates & Deadlines
Please note the important deadlines below:
- Chapter's April bank statement due June 1
- 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. (If you no longer have access to the chapter portal, please contact National at chapters@ANFPonline.org to regain access).
- Code of Conduct - Due June 1 (signed by Chapter President, President-Elect, Treasurer, Secretary).
- Affiliate Agreement - Due June 15 (Reviewed, signed, and submitted to National)
- Fall meeting date and location submitted in chapter portal - Due July 15
- First part of Bi-Annual Chapter Report, uploaded to chapter portal - Due July 15
- IRS Form 990 e-receipt (uploaded as image, PDF, or Word doc to chapter portal( - Due July 15
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Volunteer of the Month
This month we are honoring Michelle Kerr, CDM, CFPP of the Oregon (OR) ANFP Chapter as our Volunteer of the Month. Michelle first joined ANFP in 2010 and was quick to volunteer with the chapter the following year. She is currently the president of the chapter and has held the position for several years. When she began to volunteer with the chapter, she was trained by chapter leaders that were committed to provide the best experience, resources, and networking opportunities for OR ANFP members, just as she does today.
During her time as chapter president, Michelle has found the role rewarding but has had some challenges with member engagement as healthcare is ever evolving. As the needs of the chapter and its members have changed, even though in a positive way, she has found that it takes a larger community to better serve the chapter.
During her time as a chapter leader, Michelle has built positive relationships within and is always looking for innovative ways to keep the chapter moving forward no matter the pace. Her commitment as an industry advocate has also had a positive impact on those around her. She has proctored exams and rotations, worked with students and interns, and provided mentoring to upcoming and current leaders in the workplace and community settings.
Currently, Michelle is hoping to see increased engagement and participation in both the planning and executing of meetings, networking opportunities, and sharing best practices for the chapter. Managing a chapter is a collaborative effort and to ensure they are meeting the needs of members; they need to hear from members more often.
For those that are considering volunteering, Michelle shares some wise words, “Don’t fear the time commitment, it is both valuable time spent and rewarding being part of the chapter. Having board members, chapter leaders helps to share the workload. We are most impactful in sharing our learnings and supporting each other as a group that it doesn’t feel unmanageable.”
Thank you, Michelle for your continued commitment and hard work for the OR ANFP Chapter. Our chapters cannot remain sustainable and successful without volunteers like you!
If you would like to nominate yourself or another volunteer, please email Abigail Solazzo at asolazzo@ANFPonline.org.
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Changes & Updates
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. -
Chapter Champions
Learn more about becoming a Chapter Champion HERE.
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ROOTS Roundup
As we usher in a new year and the summer season, I would like to welcome the Government Affairs newest Chair, Bionca Lindsey, CDM, CFPP! Serving alongside Barbara Thomsen, CDM, CFPP, in her new role as Ex-Officio and mentor, Bionca will now carry the torch and lead in the development of the committee’s strategic and long-term goals. On behalf of the committee, thank you, Barbara, for all your hard work, dedication, and commitment over the past eight years!
Continuing their service on the committee are Larry Jackson, CDM, CFPP; Zlatko Jancic, CDM, CFPP; Richard Lind, CDM, CFPP; Kenneth Owens, CDM, CFPP; and Sherri Williams, CDM, CFPP. Please welcome Jonathan Robertson, CDM, CFPP and Renee Spence (Board Liaison) as the newest volunteers.
Continuing to serve as the Chair on the ANFP-PAC committee is Shona McCue, CDM, CFPP. This committee is responsible for assisting the Government Affairs committee in the development and implementation of effective government affairs strategies and recommends the disbursement of funds from the ANFP-PAC in concert with current legislative strategies.
Continuing their service are Andrew Aumann, CDM, CFPP; Denise Choleva, CDM, CFPP; and Tina Day, CDM, CFPP and Dorothy Radermacher. Please welcome Marjorie Smith, CDM, CFPP as the newest volunteer.
This year, the committees will continue to focus on increasing the number of ANFP-approved training programs and will continue to promote the CDM, CFPP credential as the primary qualification for the Director of Food and Nutrition Services in the absence of a full-time dietitian.
ANFP belongs to the Opportunity America Jobs and Careers Coalition and it initiated meetings between ANFP and the Urban Institute, which has a $2 million annual grant from the Department of Labor (DOL) for youth apprenticeships, in order to assist ANFP through the federal application process in order to sponsor a registered apprenticeship program. ANFP is now in the pilot phase of establishing a DOL-recognized youth apprenticeship program, which will help skilled nursing facilities attract employees based on using an ANFP-approved course. The DOL will also give employers $1,000 for each apprentice (though the Urban Institute grant) to cover the cost of the course and exam registration fees.
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) §483.60 Food and Nutrition Services rule, existing Food and Nutrition Services Directors hired prior to November 28, 2016, will have until November 28, 2021 to obtain the CDM, CFPP credential. As we approach this deadline, we encourage those of you who need or have someone you know who needs to complete the certification process, to reach out to ANFP for guidance. ANFP’s Professional Services team is here to help you register for the CDM Credentialing Exam. Please e-mail info@CBDMonline.org or call 800.323.1908, select option 1 Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CT.
The ANFP-PAC committee volunteers will be at the Expo booth in Orlando, FL during the Annual Conference & Expo and welcome members to visit and make a donation! Your support continues to increase visibility and success on Capitol Hill.
Learn more about the GrassROOTS initiatives, join the cause, or become a member of the network here.
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Food For Thought
It is the start of a new volunteer year for each of us. Our members have made it through many challenges this past year, but we are looking forward to more positive experiences in the coming year, including chapter meetings. Chapter meetings are not only a great opportunity to earn CE, but a much-welcomed return of networking with our peers and vendors. While not all chapters will return to in-person meetings, and some in fact may continue to hold virtual or hybrid events, there are a few new ideas we can use to re-engage our members and prospective members.
Hybrid Platform – Chapters may want to consider offering a hybrid version of their meeting. This includes an in-person audience as well as a virtual audience for those members that still may not be able to travel. It also presents an opportunity to record and archive sessions for those members that are not able to attend the live event. Wisconsin ANFP recently hosted a very successful hybrid meeting this past spring that allowed in-person and virtual members to attend the meeting simultaneously.
Registration Options – Many of our chapters offer various types of registration rates either for members, students, or prospective members. When the Southern New England ANFP meetings were taking place in person, they offered their members a complimentary guest pass which helped to increase attendance while exposing prospective members to ANFP and the CDM, CFPP credential.
Checking In With Each Other – Our upcoming networking events will offer opportunities for members to share their challenges as well as their solutions from the past year. It is also a time for members to discuss their professional goals with one another. This creates an opportunity for members to keep in touch as well as hold each other accountable for their goals until the next time they meet in person. Ask members to pair off with another member and encourage them to keep in touch between meetings. Wyoming ANFP has a strong network of CDM, CFPPs throughout the state that rely on one another throughout the year for purposes such as this.
Smaller, More Frequent Meetings/Courses – Another option chapters may wish to pursue is offering more frequent, but smaller meetings or education opportunities throughout the year. This can be done in various ways, including virtually, hybrid, or in person. This will allow your members to meet more frequently or as their schedule allows, with more opportunities to earn CE without the hassle or expense of travel in some cases. Iowa ANFP held various webinars throughout October that were very successful.
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Volunteer of the Month
This month we are honoring Brian T. Cook, CDM, CFPP, of the New Jersey ANFP chapter as our Volunteer of the Month. Brian started his path towards the credential in the summer of 2007 after attending his first chapter meeting in Cape May, NJ. Though he attended as a guest at the time, he was impressed by the networking and camaraderie that was present during the meeting. Following the meeting, he inquired further about becoming a member with the chapter president at that time, who was instrumental in directing him on how to obtain the credential.
Brian obtained his CDM, CFPP certification in February of 2008. He started his volunteer career by helping at meetings including room set-up, distributing literature, stuffing registration bags, and helping wherever it was needed. Following Brian’s micro-volunteering jobs, and demonstrating his enthusiasm for ANFP and the chapter, he was asked to take on the role as secretary and quickly became acclimated to all the responsibilities of the job. He is currently serving as the chapter’s treasurer and has done so for the past several years.
During his years of volunteering with ANFP, Brian has demonstrated dedication and consistency as a key chapter leader for the NJ ANFP chapter. Working alongside a strong, like-minded team has also helped to sustain the chapter and keep members engaged.
Moving forward, Brian envisions the chapter continuing to grow and be a viable resource for professionals and industry partners in the state. He believes NJ ANFP is truly helpful and provides insightful information and tools for the ever-changing foodservice industry.
For members that might be considering becoming a volunteer, Brian states, “Anyone hesitant to volunteer just jump in. Often. It’s a small commitment of your time, but a very valuable reward not only for yourself but for an entire community of your fellow colleagues. The ANFP organization as a whole presents awesome opportunities and really allows you to enhance your learning in the many aspects of food service. The exposure to other professionals from all over, different trends, and new innovative ideas and perspectives really provide a great foundation for a young professional starting out or allows the 'seasoned' vet, no pun intended, to stay in the know of the new happening practices.”
In addition to Brian’s role as the Campus Food Service Director at Bartley Healthcare, and his volunteering responsibilities with ANFP, Brian owns a small business, Heavenly Eats Catering.
We thank you, Brian, for your years of service and dedication to the NJ ANFP chapter! It is because of volunteers like you, that chapters remain an integral part of our organization and industry. Your hard work and enthusiasm are greatly appreciated.
If you would like to nominate yourself or another volunteer, please email Abigail Solazzo at asolazzo@ANFPonline.org. -
Important Dates & Deadlines
Please note the important deadlines approaching.
- Chapter’s April bank statement due June 1
- 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 (If you no longer have access to the chapter portal, please contact National (chapters@ANFPonline.org to re-gain access.)
- Code of Conduct - Due June 1 - (Signed by Chapter President, President- Elect, Treasurer, Secretary)
- Affiliate Agreement – Due June 15 (Reviewed, signed and submitted to National)
- Fall meeting date and location submitted in chapter portal – Due July 15
- First part of Bi-annual Chapter Report, (upload to chapter portal) - Due July 15
- IRS Form 990 e-receipt (upload as image, PDF, or Word doc to chapter portal) - Due July 15
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Changes & Updates
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. -
Chapter Champions
Learn more about becoming a Chapter Champion HERE.
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Food For Thought
As you know, we celebrated ANFP’s Volunteer Appreciation Week May 3-7. Volunteer Appreciation Week consisted of weeklong activities to honor and recognize our volunteers, which are the backbone of ANFP. Our volunteers, like you, are steadfast in their dedication and hard work. Because of volunteers, our chapters remain strong, and members remain resilient. Below is a recap of last week’s events. We look forward to another great year ahead!
Monday– Volunteers received a video message from ANFP staff expressing our gratitude to our volunteers and the hard work you have contributed to ANFP this year. View the video here. Volunteers were also given access to a social media kit that allowed them to add the ANFP Volunteer logo to their e-mail signatures and social media profiles where they would like to be recognized as a volunteer.
Tuesday - ANFP hosted a webinar for volunteers that allowed participants to swap ideas and share solutions to some of their biggest volunteer challenges. All that attended the live webinar were entered into a drawing for a CDM, CFPP merchandise gift basket giveaway. Maggie Rowlands, CDM, CFPP, was the lucky recipient. Congrats, Maggie!
Wednesday – All ANFP volunteers were sent a handwritten thank you letter, noting our gratitude and appreciation for our volunteers and all that you do. Volunteers were also given a code to receive 10% off all merchandise through May 15. Be sure to use code VAW2021 when purchasing merchandise from the Marketplace.
Thursday – ANFP Volunteers were invited to participate in virtual Volunteer Bingo. The bingo card was a reflection on the many ways our volunteers have engaged with ANFP over the years. Volunteers that submitted their cards were entered into a drawing for a giveaway of two $100 Visa gift cards. The lucky recipients were Marica Borton, CDM, CFPP and Felica Smith, MHA, CDM, CFPP. Congratulations to you both!
Friday – To celebrate our volunteers, each were entered into the giveaway for a five piece Le Creuset cookware set. The lucky recipient was Melisa Roehrich, CDM CFPP. Congrats, Melisa!
Thank you to all our volunteers for your hard work and support that make ANFP the great organization it is today. We look forward to celebrating you again next year!
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Volunteer of the Month
This month we are honoring Colleen Zenk, CDM, CFPP, of the Minnesota ANFP chapter as our Volunteer of the Month. Colleen did not originally seek to become a CDM, CFPP. She began her professional life as a high school home economics teacher. However, when home economics courses began to be scaled back at the high schools, she decided she needed to make a career change. During her time at a continuing care retirement community, she earned her CDM, CFPP credential. Shortly after obtaining her certification, she attended a MN ANFP chapter meeting and was persuaded to run for a district office. Once she became involved with the chapter, she never looked back and has continued to be a part of the leadership at the state and national level.
As a longtime volunteer, Colleen has served in many roles at the chapter and national level. At the chapter level, she as served in roles including president, treasurer, webmaster, and most recently, spokesperson. Colleen has also served on the ANFP National Board of Directors, where she worked her way up to serve as the national chair in 2002. During her year as past chair she founded a group of like associations in 11 countries that benefitted from networking and sharing common issues and worked to strengthen the CDM,CFPP credential in the US. At the national level, Colleen also served on the Item Writers Committee, the Standards Committee, and the CBDM Board of Directors. She presents often at state and national meetings, sharing the expertise in food safety she has developed throughout her career.
Colleen’s biggest impact has been the example of leadership she has demonstrated to the chapter and the future leaders she has mentored. She has played a significant part in developing MN ANFP as a strong and vital chapter, and has cultivated leaders that continue to contribute not only at the state level, but those that move up to serve on national ANFP committees and offices.
She hopes to remain a resource to members and national leadership, as well as help members understand state and federal regulations in this important practice area. One point of pride for Colleen has been seeing those she has led be inspired to step up to leadership themselves, by the example she has set.
She hopes to see MN ANFP continue to be a strong chapter and one that continues to produce strong leaders for our association. Additionally, she would like to see the MN ANFP chapter grow in membership and see the chapter as a source of support and a lifeline to its members during difficult times.
For those that are considering volunteering, Colleen states the many benefits it has brought her. “I can’t begin to express the ways that I have benefited from volunteering with ANFP. I have made new and lifelong friends that I would have never met any other way. I have met people from all over the country and the world and have shared our common passion for improving senior care. I have developed a network of colleagues and industry professionals that I can call on for advice, information, and support, which helped me grow as a manager and leader in my field. Volunteering with ANFP allowed me to develop knowledge and skills that opened other doors for me and helped my career to flourish. ANFP enriched my life and career, and being part of this organization was one of the best decisions I ever made. So I would encourage others to follow my example. Start with something small – a committee or task that you can do for the chapter and see where it takes you. You won’t regret it.”
A tremendous thank you to Colleen, who has set the bar for our volunteers. We are grateful for the time, hard work and dedication you have given to MN ANFP and the national organization. ANFP 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. -
Important Dates & Deadlines
Please note the important deadlines approaching.
- Chapter's April bank statement due June 1.
- 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.
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Changes & Updates
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.
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Chapter Champions
Learn more about becoming a Chapter Champion here.
Congratulations to the following Chapter Champions!
Minnesota ANFP
Kansas ANFP
North Dakota ANFP
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Food for Thought
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.
- Board Orientation — Each year should start with a board orientation. This should include chapter leaders continuing their terms, new chapter leaders, as well as any immediate past chapter leaders. This is an opportunity to review governing documents and role responsibilities, ask questions, and review strategic plans and goals. A board orientation checklist is available in Volunteer Resources in ANFPConnect.
- Online Course(s) — Take some time to review the online chapter leadership courses, available in the Marketplace. They include courses like Newsletter Editor - Roles & Responsibilities, Meeting Planning 101, and Volunteer and Member Recruitment and Retention. Also be sure to check out the chapters section in ANFPtv with archived webinars and Chapter Chats with relevant leadership topics.
- Meet One-on-One — Take time to meet one-on-one with each other, especially with new board members. This is a great opportunity for former board members to pass on best practices as well as other advice. You could also use this opportunity for hands-on training and shadowing.
- Team Building — Consider having a team building activity as part of your orientation. This is a great way to break the ice and build trust among your board members. It can be something as quick and simple as Two Truths & a Lie or a more involved activity such as a scavenger hunt (virtual or in-person).
- Transfer of Records — At some point, you may need to hand off chapter records or documents. This is also an opportunity for veteran chapter leaders to train new chapter leaders. Walk them through important documents, remind them of important dates, and let them know where they can find volunteer tools and resources.
- Talk to Other Chapter Leaders — With many chapter leaders throughout the country, take advantage of their knowledge and experience. Reach out to those that are in the same or similar roles on their board and share best practices, ideas, or just take some time to get to know other chapter leaders.
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Volunteer of the Month
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.