ADA’s Growing Membership: Let’s Celebrate … and then Repeat … and Repeat …

Abstract

Rebecca S. ReevesView Large Image Figure ViewerDownload (PPT)ADA’s growing membership definitely is a cause to celebrate, but I expect ever-larger membership will become a routine annual occurrence at the “indispensable ADA.” And I hope our increased membership indicates conclusively that ADA is listening to members, responding to (and anticipating) your needs, and offering programs and services that enhance your skills and advance you in your career. Of course more is to come. Renew your membership by May 31, 2006 and be a part of ADA’s exciting transition “from good to great.”ADA’s FutureAs you can see from the chart, ADA’s membership increase is due to significant growth in student members. It’s great to see such a jump in the student category because ADA has devoted substantial time and resources to attracting and retaining this group of members who represent ADA’s future.For example, the Board has approved the formation of ADA’s first Student Council, consisting of all students in CADE-accredited programs who are ADA members. The Student Council is a way for student members to meet, confer, promote involvement in ADA activities, and participate in the Association at the national, affiliate, and district levels. There is a new online newsletter, ADA Student Scoop, and a Web-based Student Council “Community of Interest” that will connect student members nationwide and allow them to share ideas, access relevant education information and useful Web sites, articles, and more.“Reputation Built by Association”ADA has produced an all-new series of member recruitment brochures that put all the advantages and benefits of membership in one location for both current and potential members. Under the theme Reputation Built by Association, these attractive and fact-filled pieces include invitations to membership, summaries of benefits, a guide to obtaining dues reimbursement from your employer, information on earning Continuing Professional Education credit by reading the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, and much more. I believe every current member will be blown away by the vast offerings the “new ADA” is providing.“Make No Little Plans”Those words are attributed to legendary architect Daniel Burnham, some of whose masterpieces are located just blocks from ADA’s Chicago Headquarters. His principle can be applied to ADA as we plan for—and build—an even greater Association. ADA has begun the process of determining the Association’s next strategic plan, which will provide context and direction for our programming and other decisions in the coming years. All members should consider themselves an active part of the strategic planning process, as your input will be needed and solicited, and members will be kept up-to-date on the plan’s development. If you have questions or comments, contact your state affiliate or your professional delegate.To ADA’s new members and returning members alike: I hope it’s clear by now that you are part of an Association that doesn’t make any little plans… and that you couldn’t have picked a better time to belong to ADA. ADA’s growing membership definitely is a cause to celebrate, but I expect ever-larger membership will become a routine annual occurrence at the “indispensable ADA.” And I hope our increased membership indicates conclusively that ADA is listening to members, responding to (and anticipating) your needs, and offering programs and services that enhance your skills and advance you in your career. Of course more is to come. Renew your membership by May 31, 2006 and be a part of ADA’s exciting transition “from good to great.” ADA’s FutureAs you can see from the chart, ADA’s membership increase is due to significant growth in student members. It’s great to see such a jump in the student category because ADA has devoted substantial time and resources to attracting and retaining this group of members who represent ADA’s future.For example, the Board has approved the formation of ADA’s first Student Council, consisting of all students in CADE-accredited programs who are ADA members. The Student Council is a way for student members to meet, confer, promote involvement in ADA activities, and participate in the Association at the national, affiliate, and district levels. There is a new online newsletter, ADA Student Scoop, and a Web-based Student Council “Community of Interest” that will connect student members nationwide and allow them to share ideas, access relevant education information and useful Web sites, articles, and more. As you can see from the chart, ADA’s membership increase is due to significant growth in student members. It’s great to see such a jump in the student category because ADA has devoted substantial time and resources to attracting and retaining this group of members who represent ADA’s future. For example, the Board has approved the formation of ADA’s first Student Council, consisting of all students in CADE-accredited programs who are ADA members. The Student Council is a way for student members to meet, confer, promote involvement in ADA activities, and participate in the Association at the national, affiliate, and district levels. There is a new online newsletter, ADA Student Scoop, and a Web-based Student Council “Community of Interest” that will connect student members nationwide and allow them to share ideas, access relevant education information and useful Web sites, articles, and more. “Reputation Built by Association”ADA has produced an all-new series of member recruitment brochures that put all the advantages and benefits of membership in one location for both current and potential members. Under the theme Reputation Built by Association, these attractive and fact-filled pieces include invitations to membership, summaries of benefits, a guide to obtaining dues reimbursement from your employer, information on earning Continuing Professional Education credit by reading the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, and much more. I believe every current member will be blown away by the vast offerings the “new ADA” is providing. ADA has produced an all-new series of member recruitment brochures that put all the advantages and benefits of membership in one location for both current and potential members. Under the theme Reputation Built by Association, these attractive and fact-filled pieces include invitations to membership, summaries of benefits, a guide to obtaining dues reimbursement from your employer, information on earning Continuing Professional Education credit by reading the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, and much more. I believe every current member will be blown away by the vast offerings the “new ADA” is providing. “Make No Little Plans”Those words are attributed to legendary architect Daniel Burnham, some of whose masterpieces are located just blocks from ADA’s Chicago Headquarters. His principle can be applied to ADA as we plan for—and build—an even greater Association. ADA has begun the process of determining the Association’s next strategic plan, which will provide context and direction for our programming and other decisions in the coming years. All members should consider themselves an active part of the strategic planning process, as your input will be needed and solicited, and members will be kept up-to-date on the plan’s development. If you have questions or comments, contact your state affiliate or your professional delegate.To ADA’s new members and returning members alike: I hope it’s clear by now that you are part of an Association that doesn’t make any little plans… and that you couldn’t have picked a better time to belong to ADA. Those words are attributed to legendary architect Daniel Burnham, some of whose masterpieces are located just blocks from ADA’s Chicago Headquarters. His principle can be applied to ADA as we plan for—and build—an even greater Association. ADA has begun the process of determining the Association’s next strategic plan, which will provide context and direction for our programming and other decisions in the coming years. All members should consider themselves an active part of the strategic planning process, as your input will be needed and solicited, and members will be kept up-to-date on the plan’s development. If you have questions or comments, contact your state affiliate or your professional delegate. To ADA’s new members and returning members alike: I hope it’s clear by now that you are part of an Association that doesn’t make any little plans… and that you couldn’t have picked a better time to belong to ADA.