SNE council of affiliates

FROM SNE From the Executive Director At the Annual Meeting, the Society looks back at the past year and reports on its achievements as an organization. The President presents a State of the Societyaddress. We compare our performance to the goals of the strategic plan in the Annual Report. (If you would like a copy of the Annual Report for 1991, call SNE headquarters office in Minneapolis; 1-800-235-6690.) The strategic plan that will gUide us in the coming year is also available from headquarters. The elected leadership changes at the Annual Meeting, too, and we look forward to the future. As we begin our partnership with a new Board of Directors, let us reflect on the critical questions to be asked of a membership organization by its members: How are we doing? How can we do better? Here are some criteria we've adopted at headquarters to evaluate how we're doing. Those who've read Michael Le Boeufs book, How to Win Customers and Keep Themfor Life, will recognize them. • Is SNE credible? Does the Society actively promote nutrition education and the role of the nutrition educator? Are the Society's members well-represented in the public policy arena? • Does SNE present an attractive, professional image to current and prospective members? Are the benefits of

mem bership well-articulated? Is membership considered valuable? • Is SNE responsive to the dynamic challenges and opportunities of the competitive environment in which nutrition educators research and practice? Is SNE responsive to the changing needs of its members? • Is SNE reliable? Do we do what we say when we say we will? Do we do it right the first time? Do we get it done on time? Do we keep members informed? In the coming months, we invite you to answer these how-are-we-doing questions in light of your personal experience with SNE. But no matter how well we are doing, we can always do better. How? Here are some suggestions for how you can help us serve members and the profession more effectively. • Use the toll-free member phone number (1-800-235-6690) to communicate with Board members and the Executive Director. We welcome your great ideas, and want to hear your concerns as well as your answers to the critical questions. • Participate in SNE activities. You can have an impact. Vote in the leadership elections. Indicate your interest in serving on committees and in lead-

SNE Council of Affiliates If you are interested in building upon the networking opportunities and experiences provided by SNE membership, why not consider joining the local affiliate of SNE in your state or metropolitan area? If there is none, you and your local food and nutrition colleagues can form one! For more information and guidelines on affiliation, contact Patricia Snyder, 199192 Chairperson, SNE Council of Affiliates, University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, D369 Mayo Memorial Building, Box 197,420 Delaware St., SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455; (612) 625-0493.

SNE Affiliates and New Contacts Alaska State Nutrition Committee Arizona Nutrition Council British Columbia Nutrition Council California Nutrition Council-New Contact: Jane Stewart, 19729 Solano Dr., Saratoga, CA 95070; (408) 257-8882. Colorado Nutrition Council Delaware Valley Chapter-SNE Hawaii Nutrition Council-New Contact: Joda Derrickson, 2814B Lowrey Ave., Honolulu, HI 96822; (808) 956-3840. 145

ership positions when you complete your ballot. Your President Elect and the Nominating Committee use that information to form committees and propose candidates. Submit an abstract for the 1992 Annual Meeting. Get the new Resolutions Briefing Packet from headquarters and propose a resolution. Cast your ballot when resolutions are presented to you. • Expand your personal networks and strengthen the Society simultaneously. Share information and ideas with colleagues in your division and others. If you have a local SNE affiliate in your area, get involved. Plan now to attend the twenty-fifth anniversary Annual Meeting of the Society in Washington, DC in July 1992. It will no doubt be a mega-networking opportunity! • Recruit at least one new member for SNE-a larger membership enhances the SOciety's power and influence. Don't underestimate the effectiveness of a personal note or phone call from you that accompanies a membership recruitment brochure. If each member brought one colleague into the organization in the coming year, the membership would double! SNE will thrive in the coming year to the extent that members find the organization credible, attractive, responsive and reliable-and enthusiastically share that perception with others. In these important ways, a professional association is a lot like tennis-those who serve well, win.

Darlene Lansing, MPH, RD Executive Director

Kansas Nutrition Council Kentucky Nutrition Council Metro D.C. Chapter-SNE Minnesota Nutrition Council New Mexico Community Nutrition Council Ohio Nutrition Council Washington State Food and Nutrition Council News From SNE'S Affiliates

British Columbia Nutrition Council (BCNC) includes dietitians, nutritionists and home economists. The Committees are: Newsletter (Update), Information and Action, Booklist, and Special Event. This year's Special Event was a program on: "Sustainable Diet in the 90s." The greatest accomplishment in 1990 was our October 16 press release: "The Poor Can't

146

From SNE

Afford to Eat in British Columbia." The BCNC made the television news hour and the first page in the major British Columbia newspapers. Several members put lots of hard work into this. The future will bring continued commitment to sustainable agriculture and follow-up regarding the press release. Much work lies ahead of us .. Anthea Kennelly 613 Fifth Street New Westminster, B.C. Canada V3L 2Y1

California Nutrition Council (CCNC) provides professional programs for members and other area professionals, develops task forces to study issues and recommend actions on nutrition concerns, and fosters the work of local nutrition councils through awards to local councils for special projects. Each year, donations for these awards are sought from the food industry. The local councils apply for the awards to fund projects as diverse as the production of a nutrition education videotape; development of food-related stories for a local Storybook Festival; implementation of a nutrition and physical activity, "Project Safe," for local school children; and a "Hunger Conference" to disseminate the results and discuss the implications of a hunger survey. Grants ranging from $100 to $300 are given to three or four local councils annually. Mary Jo Kenny 9 Adler Circle Sacramento, CA 95864 Colorado Nutrition Council (CNC) celebrated its 25th anniversary in the spring of 1990. Current members represent public health, clinical and administrative dietetics, Cooperative Extension, institutional food service management, home economics, and secondary and higher education. CNC's mission is to provide opportunities for professional growth to Colorado nutrition and health professionals through continuing education and affiliation with SNE. Its goal is to promote consumer health through nutrition education and community participation. CNC formally recognizes the need for a concerted and coordinated effort by all health professionals to promote consumer health effectively through education and behavior change. Cathleen D. Orr 805 Forest Street Denver, CO 80220 Kansas Nutrition Council (KNC)---Nutrition in Action For All People-is composed of health professionals, paraprofessionals, educators, and representatives

from the food industry and government agencies with a mutual interest in nutrition, nutrition education and our nation's food supply. The Council functions as a non-profit service organization and a source of quality information. KNC brings this information to the people of Kansas through projects that promote knowledge of various aspects of nutrition, the selection of quality food products, and the support oflegislation that affects both nutrition and our food supply. KNC evolved in 1972 from the Interagency Committee on Nutrition Education that was established after World War II by the U. S. Office of Education and the U.S. Agricultural Research Service. Early in 1981, SNE approached KNC about affiliation, and application was made. KNC was notified in December 1981 of acceptance, contingent on changes in the KNC Bylaws. On February 21, 1991, the KNC presented the Tenth Annual KNC Conference, "Women and Heart Disease." The Eleventh Annual Conference is scheduled for February 27, 1992. KNC has established a scholarship fund, is developing procedures, and plans to award the first scholarship within the next year. A newsletter is published three timcs a year, while the membership directory is updated annually as a member service. It is the challenge ofKNC to stimulate all Kansans to improve their nutritional status by offering sound food and nutrition information. Katherine A. Wehrbein 8129 Lamar Shawnee Mission, KS 66208 The Kentucky Nutrition Council (KNC) was established in 1970 as an outgrowth of the White House Conference on Food, Nutrition and Health. It was jointly sponsored by the Kentucky Dietetic Association and the Kentucky Home Economics Association. The purpose of KNC is to improve the nutritional health of Kentuckians by bringing together representatives of agencies and organizations directly involved with human nutrition. Objectives of KNC include: To serve as a coordinating body for all groups interested in nutrition education; to create an awareness of specific nutrition problems; to recommend reliable sources of nutrition education; to provide means of exchanging information and ideas related to nutrition; to sponsor nutrition programs, seminars, forums and workshops for the benefit of interested professionals and the public; and to encourage legislation relating to improved nutrition. A wide variety of professionals are members of KNC; many members are dietitians, school foodservice directors

and representatives of commodity groups. One longtime member is a dentist. KMC meets three times a year and sponsors numerous continuing education programs. A biennial conference attracting teachers and Extension agents is held in June. In 1991, for the first time, a conference in the "off' year was held and attended by 65 persons. The keynote speaker was Betty Peterkin of USDA, and a food safety panel was also featured. A monetary "Nutrition Dynamics" award is given each year to the top three winners in a contest to identify the best nutrition projects by a group. Winners have included area nutrition councils, local dietetic associations and Extension homemakers. KNC is now considering proViding scholarships to deserving students. Darlene Forester 120 Erikson Hall University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 405060-0050

Metro D.C. Affiliate of SNE is a diverse group of professionals working in nutrition research, health and nutrition education, public policy and legislation, disease prevention and health promotion, media communications, and food service. The Affiliate strives to improve the overall quality and effectiveness of nutrition education for the public, primarily through a variety of programs designed to keep members informed about current food, nutrition, and consumer issues. Networking opportunities are proVided to members through joint sponsorship of programs with other professional organizations and a career exchange program. In addition, the Affiliate publishes a quarterly newsletter and an annual membership directory. During the past year, Affiliate programs have included: 1) a presentation by a local journalist on working with the media to promote the message of good nutrition; 2) a discussion of new dietary recommendations for children and practical suggestions for implementing them; and 3) a demonstration on modifying recipes to lower fat, sodium, and sugar by a local chef and member of the American Culinary Federation. A major effort of Metro D.C. Board members during the past year has been to define and develop implementation strategies for a long-range plan of action for the Affiliate. One of the top priorities for the coming year will be coordinating local arrangements for SNE's 25th Anniversary Meeting scheduled to be held in Washington in July 1992. Alyson Escobar 12637 Hillmeade Station Drive Bowie, MD 20720

J. of

August 1991

Nutr. Educ. Vol. 23, No.4

Washington State Food and Nutrition Council (WSFNC) has been focusing on the problem of hunger in our state. Two years ago we held a workshop, Hunger in Washington State, and this year we built on the issue with a workshop, Chil-

dren and Families on the Edge. We had over 60 persons in attendance to listen to updates on important legislation, networking, intergenerational programs, and many other topics. We have also been part of a large coalition working to pass

SNE Division Report COALITION BUILDING The Food and Nutrition Extension Educators (FNEE) conducted a special premeeting workshop on the theme of coalition building, and organized a major session on the same topic at the 1991 SNE Annual Meeting in Miami. As many Extension educators continue to emphasize the current national initiative on Food Safety and Quality, coalitions have become an important way to build a successful educational program. The working relationships that are being formed around food safety issues consist of partnerships with other Extension personnel, as well as with people in government agencies and the private sector. The Extension educator's need for skills in interacting with other professionals when designing and carrying out educational programs is being met by USDA-spon-

sored training as well as by workshops such as those offered by SNE and other organizations. In an attempt to increase membership in both FNEE and SNE, a letter was sent to current FNEE members encouraging them to speak to potential members about the advantages of belonging to the Society. In many states there are area or multi-county as well as state-level specialists whose primary function is food and nutrition education. A letter was also sent to these Extension professionals encouraging them to join SNE. By emphasizing the benefits ofFNEE membership it is hoped that more of our colleagues will join us. These benefits include testimony in support of Extension's efforts in nutrition education that was given by SNE at congressional hearings in 1990. The Journal of Nutrition Education always contains articles and new ideas for

147

the "Anti-hunger and Child Nutrition Omnibus Bill." We have further strengthened our community relationships this year. Natalie Gonzalez 2510 97th Avenue Court East Puyallup, WA 98371

making the teaching of nutrition more effective. The SNE annual meeting provides a wealth of information and the opportunity for interacting with people who have similar interests but different methods for accomplishing goals. The forum provided by the annual FNEE workshop is an opportunity for members to voice their opinions about public policy concerns as well as subject matter issues. Although the USDA is currently emphasizing food safety and quality as one of its national initiatives, nutrition issues are still an important part of the basic educational program carried out by the Extension. By meeting and discussing a variety of issues, FNEE members arrive at consensus on important issues. Our collective voice is heard by members of the USDA Extension staff. Such open discussion is likely to result in the resolution of issues to the satisfaction of more people than would be the case if we merely express our individual opinions. SNE and FNEE prOVide the Extension professional with an opportunity that is not available elsewhere.

BARBARA SHANNON APPOINTED ASSOCIATE DEAN JNE is pleased to inform its readers that Dr. Barbara M. Shannon, current SNE President and former Journal Editor, was appointed Associate Dean of the Graduate School at Penn State University effective July 1, 1991. Barbara's research focuses on the study of psychosocial factors that influence eating behavior and the development and evaluation of nutrition education strategies. She has co-authored a college textbook, "Nutrition: An Inquiry into the Issues," and has written more than 50 articles and publications. Among her research projects, she has received funding from organizations such as the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health; The March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation' ' and the Howard Heinz Endowment. Barbara joined Penn State in 1971 as an assistant professor and was named associate professor in 1977, professor in 1983 and Distinguished Professor in 1990. She is an active member of the American Institute of Nutrition and the American Dietetic Association. Her degrees are a B.S. from University of Tennessee, M.S. from University of Illinois and a Ph.D. from Purdue University, which awarded her its Outstanding Alumni service award.