This month we are honoring Bonna Brown, CDM, CFPP of the Maryland, Delaware, DC (MD, DE, DC) ANFP chapter as our Volunteer of the Month. Bonna first joined ANFP in1984 when it was known as HIEFSS. She then became certified as a CDM in 1987. Bonna spent many years in various roles in the foodservice industry, starting with volunteering in her school cafeteria in high school. She eventually found her way to Cedar Ridge Children’s Home & School where she recently retired after 40 years of dedicated service.
Bonna has also held several volunteer roles throughout her long career. Starting in 1985, she was the MD chapter hospitality chairperson and has continued to serve in this role in some capacity throughout the years. She served as the membership chairperson for the Western district during that time as well. Then, in 1996, she began to volunteer at the chapter level as the treasurer and continues to serve in this role today. She was honored as the chapters ‘Dietary Manager of the Year’ in 1999 as well as the MD, DE, DC ANFP ‘CDM of the Year’ in 2018.
As a volunteer through the years, Bonna’s biggest impact has been to maintain financial stability for the chapter. Through her leadership, consistency, and transparency, the chapter audits prove the finances to be error free during her time as treasurer. She would like to see this continue with another volunteer willing to take on the role of treasurer.
As members contemplate volunteering with the chapter, Bonna states, “My advice to members looking to volunteer is to start small. Volunteer for jobs that you would be comfortable doing. I like bookkeeping and numbers, so treasurer was a job I could do. It was well within my comfort zone and I have enjoyed the job.”
Thank you Bonna for your many years of service and the positive impact you have had on the MD, DE, DC, chapter! ANFP is grateful for dedicated and hardworking volunteers like you!
If you would like to nominate yourself or another volunteer, please email Abigail Solazzo at asolazzo@ANFPonline.org.