Dear Colleagues:

Hope December finds you full of cheer for the upcoming holidays. I am sure many of you agree with me that I find December to be the shortest and fastest month. So much to do in addition to our daily activities.

Your colleagues and association were busy during the past month. Here are some of the highlights:

The Florida RD's are at it again getting national recognition for their hard work and contributions to our profession. There are two members of Florida on the ADA ballot:
Kathleen McClusky MS,RD,FADA
Treasurer Elect

Professional Issues Delegate
Consultation and Business Practice
Linda Lockett Brown, MAg, RD
Please support our own Florida RD's. Spread the word and vote for our members.

Clara Augustine is on the ballot for Retired Delegate. This position is voted on by the House of Delegates not the general membership.


In addition we have a number of members that are applying to state Council and Board appointments. We wish them luck. Why are appointments important for our profession? Selection of board and council members depends on a number of variables including where the applicant resides. However, even if applicants are not selected this time around, applying for these positions increases awareness of the RD/LD and promotes our profession. We appreciate member's willingness to serve and hope to see many more apply for these positions.

Sitting on a board or council is advantageous to our profession because it exposes other groups to who we are and what we do. I hear it said often from colleagues and friends from outside our profession that many individuals do not know who we are and what we do.

This brings us back to our 3 R's. Recruitment, retention, and recognition.

Recognition of our members by the community is paramount to sustaining and growing our profession. The community at large needs to be informed about our educational background, scope of practice, abilities and more importantly our contribution to the health and welfare of those we serve and hope to serve.

Members making a difference around our state:
Chris Stapell the Executive Director of the Florida Dietetic Association represented us at the MQA Association Long -Range Planning meeting on November 13th. If you would like to review the outcome of the meeting go to www.eatrightflorida.org members section. Thank you Chris for your hard work on our behalf.

Nadine Pazder our President elect will represent us in an ADA Governance and Board structure conference call on Dec 12,2007. Thanks Nadine for always taking time out of your busy schedule for your colleagues.
Gail Kauwell our Delegate has been busy traveling to the district. She has visited Gainesville, Cypress and the Space Coast. Her future visits include Jan in Orlando, and Feb in Tampa and Pinellas.

The Miami Dietetic Association and FIU are hard at work developing a student mentorship conference entitled "Empowering Today for Leadership Tomorrow". Through the efforts of Juana Burgohy, Monali Zaveri, and Deana Lawrence this event will take place on Friday January 25,2008. For details contact the Miami Dietetic Association. Juana, Deana, and Monali thank you for your insight and dedication to our future.


Nancy Collins was pictured and featured in the ADA Times for her expertise in the area of Litigation. We continue to be amazed by the professionalism and tireless energy that Nancy dedicates to making our profession better. Thank you Nancy for being such an advocate for our profession.

I was recently appointed to ADA Political Action Committee (ADAPAC). I am quite excited about this appointment which starts in January. I will be attending a board orientation meeting on Dec 7 & 8,2008 in Washington D.C.. I have to get my winter coat out of moth balls so wish me mild weather, although seeing snow again might be fun.


FDA Services:

FDA is raffling off an iPod shuffle donated by Chris Stapell. Please go on line and follow the directions on participating in this great fundraiser. An iPod shuffle makes a great holiday gift.

FDA is pleased to announce its second affiliate program for those members who might have moved away but want to stay connected to their friends and colleagues in Florida. Instructions are also on the web site.

Are you in need of nutrition education material in Spanish? FDA has what you need for a nominal price. View the latest in education material at www.eatrightflorida.org

Mark your calendars for July 19-22,2008 for the FDA symposium to be held in my hometown of Boca Raton. This FDA conference promises to be the best yet with exciting speakers and some great social events. I will be happy to clue you all in on the best places to shop (discount of course) and eat while visiting Boca. I look forward to seeing you here!


Quotes from our Colleagues:
I plan to make this a regular feature so please submit your own thoughts or inspiration or that of a colleague.
I leave you with a quote from a colleague that I admire and respect: Sandy Woodruff.
"I think the biggest reason why it is important for our colleagues to build relationships with policy makers is that they really do not know who we are or what we do. They hear lots from nurses, pharmacists, MDs, and other health care professionals, and of course they all know personal trainers and think they are so smart. So what happens when they only hear from these groups and not from us? We get left in the dust and our profession slips away. Especially in view of this new search for "Health Care Innovation". If we are not out there being highly visible and proving our worth we will become obsolete. Look at what is going on with "health coaching. "
Thanks Sandy for your wise words that we all need to heed.

Special thanks to all of you that have dropped me an encouraging line. Please feel free to contact me at lbeseler_fnc@bellsouth.net

May this holiday season be filled with joy and love for all of you and your families. I hope you take the time to enjoy it. On behalf of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director and staff of FDA I wish you all Happy Holidays.


Respectively submitted,
Lucille Beseler