“Change your thoughts and you change your world.” – Norman Vincent Peale
A Time For Change Reorganization of the Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Martha Rew, President Angela Lemond, President-Elect Meghan Windham, DAL District President’s Council
Objectives Participants will: • Learn about a revision in the Texas Academy organizational structure in order to optimize member value. • Understand current challenges facing districts today. • Review the new regional structure and its member benefits along with new, exciting opportunities for all members. • Detail the timeline for transition from districts to regions.
Current District Organization
Challenges & Opportunities A CALL FOR CHANGE “The world hates change, yet it is the only thing that has brought progress .” – Charles Kettering
Current Challenges • • • • •
18 districts on paper- only a few are thriving BOD reviewing district concerns around the state Lack of leadership, volunteers Excludes members not able to attend meetings Areas lacking minimum number to have a district
Current Challenges • In past, physical meetings were primary avenue to earn continuing education • We have 4,100 Texas Academy members but less than 800 are district members • A myriad of leadership issues – lack of volunteers, repetitive leaders, resignations
Current Challenges Membership challenges: • Inconsistent at times • Low attendance at meetings, although student attendance is up • Lack of volunteers for projects and events – same people always volunteering • Lack of time to attend meetings F2F • Members pay dues but don’t participate
Current Challenges Financial challenges: • Paperwork and documents are confusing • Proper paperwork not filed accurately or on time • Treasurer positions unfilled; not wanting the responsibility • In some instances, money and finances not handled correctly
Academy Affiliate Trends Downsizing! Shifting from districts to regions More inclusive for all members in a region Better branding of Texas Academy members Regional events – CPE, networking brings more members together • Local identity – still remains! • • • • •
Task Force Updates • Task force meetings 2014- present o Current and past district presidents; large and small districts; past Texas Academy presidents; Foundation chair and chair-elect
• Numerous conference calls and email communication • Survey to district boards for suggestions • Recommendations were provided for new affiliate structure • Affiliates already restructured – Minnesota, California, Wisconsin, Florida
New Regional Structure A CALL FOR CHANGE “Change is the law of life and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future .” – John F. Kennedy
New Regional Structure
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North: Panhandle, Lubbock, Wichita Falls
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West: El Paso, West Texas, Big Country
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South: South Texas, Corpus Christi, Rio Grande, Austin
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South East: Houston, Greater North Houston, Mid- East, Central Texas
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North East: North Texas, Dallas, Tarrant, East Texas
Regional Benefits • Sponsorship opportunities better for companies having access to larger meeting attendees • Regional representative to influence annual state meeting • Opportunities for a more interactive Texas Academy website as a one stop shop for members and consumers • Support from Texas Academy Headquarters
Regional Benefits • No dues first year – All Texas Academy members will automatically be part of a region!!! • Multiple ways to earn CPE, free CPE • Virtual meetings • Regions to share CPE • Regional websites housed on Texas Academy website to share information between regions • Regional Directors will have Texas Academy Board Positions with voting rights – direct decision making for their region
Focus Group • Comprised of Rio Grande, South Texas, and Corpus Christi • Provide further input and guidance to enhance structure and feasibility • Will assist with changes to leadership roles/structure, finances and technology/networking components
Regional Leadership • 5 Regions – Elected Positions: • Regional Director (Voting member of Texas Academy Board of Directors) o Encourage current district president-elect to run for Regional Director
• Regional Director-Elect
• For initial special election, the person with most votes will become regional director; second highest votes will become regional director-elect.
Regional Leadership • Appointed Positions for each region: • • • •
CPE Coordinator Networking/Community Events Coordinator Awards Coordinator Scholarship Coordinator
• Regional teams will determine local contacts depending on need.
Districts to Regions • Each region will have its own budget managed at the state level by the Texas Academy Executive Director; regional leadership in control of funds • Plan to be established on how to merge district budgets into the region needed • Task Force members available to answer transition questions for the districts • Productive input needed by members
Transition Timeline A CALL FOR CHANGE “Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.” – Niccolo Machiavelli
Proposed Transition Timeline • Announcement to the districts 11/2/15 • Three week input period by district leadership via Survey Monkey • Task force with revised timeline & specifics based on membership, BOD and focus group feedback • 12/1/15 Update Texas Academy bylaws to reflect new regional structure
Proposed Transition Timeline • 1/2/16 Bylaw approval by Texas BOD, which starts 30-day comment period by state members • 2/1/16 Nominating committee secures nominations for regional positions • 2/15/16 Special election • 3/1/16 Special election results posted • Summer training for newly elected regional leaders!
Action Steps • Ask district board to view this webinar for background information. • Meet with board to discuss transition for your district. • Respond to Survey Monkey within three weeks – we want to hear from you! • Encourage members to view “A Time for Change” webinar (Texas Academy e-blast) • Contact us at any time with questions along the way!
Questions ?
