Our association accomplished a lot this past year. Here are some highlights: 

* MDA was the first affiliate to have a policy/procedure for handling requests for positions on public policy matters
* We successfully petitioned the licensure board to liberalize their interpretation of eligible CPEs
* Our association received recognition from ADA for our leadership in reimbursement and public policy
* Our annual budget was balanced and the spring conference produced a positive cash flow
* Members and Board members made visits to legislators in both Washington and Augusta
* We experienced a significant jump in MDA membership
* MDA held a tea in honor of Maine's former First Lady, Karen Baldacci, RD, at the Blaine House last fall
* We held our first FNCE "social" last year in Boston
* MDA began raising funds to send a student to the Public Policy Workshop via an Amazon.com link on our website
* We filled all MDA Board positions and finalized a full set of Board job descriptions
* Our MDA logo was revised and getting some use, including on our updated website.

MDA has many plans for the 2011-2012 year, and the Board is always open to suggestions from our membership. Feel free to get in touch with me or any Board member to make a comment, call our attention to a matter of import to membership, make a suggestion, put forth a name for next year's slate of officers, or to get involved in any of our committees (see the current list of Board members and their emails under the "About" section of our website www.eatrightmaine.org).
 
We value your input!In this next year, we will be calling on our members to become more involved in public policy actions and legislative outreach. We will also be asking for your expertise in promoting ourselves and our services in various ways to allied health professional groups, as well as to the general public.

But it won't be all work and no play! We are planning for some fun social events, increased student and intern involvement, and for more networking and professional opportunities across the state.

Our association is here for you, our members. No matter what your particular professional goals are, it's my hope that MDA's work assists you, inspires and motivates you, provides you with educational and professional opportunities, and most of all, supports you in all your efforts to provide Maine's residents with competent nutrition services. 

Kitty Broihier, MS, RD