It’s hard to believe that the Annual Meeting is right around the corner. We have an exciting program planned. A special highlight to our program this year is in addition to our awards ceremony; we will be highlighting the work presented at the conference through a video presentation. We invited all presenters of accepted abstracts to submit 2.5 minute videos that show their program, advocacy or intervention featured “in action.” Five videos were chosen to be featured at the awards ceremony. A special “thank you” to our program chair, Ann Middleton, and to Lynn Frederick for their hard work in making this innovative program a reality. Please plan to attend our annual awards banquet on Sunday evening from 6:30 – 8:30 to congratulate our awardees on their accomplishments; to meet our student member Helen Wu, who received the highest score on her abstract; and most importantly to network with friends and colleagues.
I would also like to encourage anyone who is interested in becoming more involved in the Section to attend our business meetings on Saturday from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. and Sunday from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Please go to the APHA website for more detailed information on the activities and program offerings of the Food and Nutrition Section at this year’s Annual Meeting.
At the end of the meeting, members will assume new leadership positions for the coming year. Congratulations to: Sonya Jones – Chair-Elect; Laura Elizabeth Dotson – Secretary-Elect; Laura Bellows and Noel Chavez – Section Councilors; and Joan Trendell – Governing Councilor. Each year in February we have nominations for open leadership positions; we always welcome new leaders. It’s a great way to get involved.
Thanks to the generosity of our members, we are well on our way of meeting our goal of $5,000. We have raised $1,200 since we started our fundraising campaign. It’s not too late for you to donate. We are continuing work with the Fundraising Committee. If you would like to donate, please go to http://www.apha.org/about/donate/landing/ and click on donate. Please be sure to click on the Food and Nutrition Section when making your donation.
Sarah Forrestal has done an excellent job as the FNS newsletter editor and will be transitioning responsibility to Rachel Fisher for 2012. We have made great strides in developing our Section logo and in developing better communication tools to reach each and every member. Thanks to Alyssa Ghirardelli, Patti Risica and the communications team for all of their hard work.
This is my last contribution to the newsletter as chair. I would like to say that it has been a pleasure working with the Food and Nutrition Section. Thank you to all of the members for your continued support, your hard work, and, most of all, your dedication. You make our section great. I look forward to seeing you in Washington, D.C.!
Deirdra Chester
Chair, Food and Nutrition Section
Deirdra.Chester@ars.usda.gov