The time as your president has been flying as it continues to be a busy year with AKDA.   We are about ready to roll out a few projects that we have been working on that I would like to take some time to share with you.

First, National Nutrition Month is this month! Registered Dietitian day is Wednesday, March 13^th, so let’s celebrate! Why not by being the one to coordinate a RD social in your town! AKDA is purchasing the webinar, “Cancer Prevention - Research-Based Solutions in Your Clients Kitchens” from the Academy. We are offering this 2 CEU webinar for free to you, in the month of March only. I challenge and encourage you to set something up in your town to dine and wine, lunch and learn or watch at the comfort of your desk.

The Public Policy committee has been working hard to put together a letter to introduce us, the nutrition experts, to the state congressmen to let them know that we are their nutrition resource if ever needed for a bill. The committee has divided the dietitians in each state district with their district congressperson.   Please consider meeting with them when they are back home in your district after the 2013 session. Watch for talking points to help you feel more confident meeting with them and the list of district matches from the Public Policy committee.

It is that time of the year again to start considering if you are being called to serve on the AKDA Executive Board as a voting member or nominated position! The Nominating Committee will be contacting you to see if you would like to be placed on the ballot. Last year’s ballot was FULL and was packed with phenomenal dietitian members. My hope for 2013 is that the ballot can be as competitive and full as last year! Positions to consider running for is President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer (for 1 year as Heather Nelson will be leaving this summer with the Air-Force), and Nominating Committee members (2 positions open). There will also be several nominated positions appointed by Tiffany Ricci, our 2013-2014 President; if you are interested in serving on the board in one of these appointed positions, please let Tiffany know you are interested.

Our Awards Chair, Jennie Simpson, is currently recruiting for the yearly dietitian awards: Outstanding Dietitian, Emerging Dietetic Leader and Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year. This year we are also seeking nomination for “Friend of AKDA”. This award will be presented to a corporation, an entity, or an individual (not a dietetic professional) to recognize their significant contributions to the cause of the dietetic profession. Please consider contacting Jennie Simpson with a nomination for any one of these awards!

Lastly I would like to take a moment to share a new happening at the 2013 AKDA Spring Conference. Tiffany Ricci, conference coordinator and president-elect, has added a second day back to the conference, but instead of meeting at the UAA Cuddy Center again, we will meet at the Alaska Zoo! The Zoo will be putting a spin on nutrition education as we will be given a tour behind the scenes of the zoo to learn about the nutrition that is involved with caring for the animals there. You will then have an all day admissions pass to the Zoo as this is set up to be a family event! We hope to see you there for this new addition to the Spring Conference.

What a fast and exciting year but we still have more to accomplish in these next few months (3 to be exact!) Please watch for all these project announcements in the upcoming month. Keep an eye out on our website, www.eatrightak.org, for early bird conference registration soon to come. Hope to see you at the Conference May 3^rd & 4^th!

Until next time be well and prosperous!

Shanna Moeder

AKDA President