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!