This month we are honoring Diana Trout, CDM, CFPP, of the South Carolina (SC) ANFP Chapter as our Volunteer of the Month.
Diana’s career and love for foodservice started in 1986 at a hospital in Wilmington, Ohio, starting as a dietary aide and finishing as a first cook. After moving in 1992, she began working in LTC and where she made the move to management. She obtained her CDM, CFPP in 1995 and began her volunteer career in 2013 when she agreed to be the SC ANFP membership committee chair. Then in 2014 she was elected as SC ANFP vice president and moved through the ranks as president-elect in 2015, then onto president serving two terms from 2016-2018. Following her term as past president, she was elected as secretary which she continues to serve in this role.
Due to unforeseen circumstances in 2018, Diana needed to start thinking about her volunteering career with SC ANFP and where it was going to go. Volunteering had been a huge part of her career and life. She had made some great friends that have become like family. The learning, camaraderie, planning and the interaction with peers had been something she knew she would miss. She eventually retired but continued volunteering with SC ANFP. This fall Diana was honored as the SC ANFP CDM of the Year and also received the Roland Peppard award.
As Diana reflects on her volunteer career, she states, “Serving on the executive board has been very fulfilling and I have enjoyed learning how the organization works from the inside. My favorite part is assisting with organizing the conferences and working with the venues, speakers, and vendors. I have learned that foodservice has some of the friendliest, giving, and hard-working people there is. I have acquired a larger respect for my fellow CDM’s through this COVID period. Their dedication to their positions, staff, communities, and residents is astounding.”
As for the future of the SC ANFP chapter, Diana feels that volunteering is something everyone should get involved in. She would like to see the volunteer program get a boost as she realizes participation has been hampered by CDM, CFPP’s roles changing, long work hours, less encouragement and help from employers, and less time for involvement. She recognizes foodservice is an ever-changing profession but getting involved and supporting each other is rewarding.
Thank you, Diana for the many years and hours you have dedicated to SC ANFP. You helped shape the chapter and ensure it has been a success. Thank you!
If you would like to nominate a member for Volunteer of the Month, please email Abigail Solazzo at asolazzo@ANFPonline.org.