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Presidents
Message

A Message From “Lorrie Ahern”
SNAAZ President, 2022

As your 2022 SNAAZ President I am looking forward to working with all our members including the SNAAZ Executive Committee, Patti Bilbrey (President-Elect), Michelle Hall (Vice-President), Jennifer Gordon (Secretary), Gina Logan (Treasurer), and Stephen Protz (Past-President) as well as the rest of our Executive Board.

The last two years we have been faced with many unique challenges.  Each time our members rose to the occasion and did what was is in the best interest of the students they served each day in their programs.  We have conquered the virtual world, curbside feeding, and now we face the new challenges of product and staff shortages.  Each challenge we face our membership embraces with professionalism and heart.

It is exciting to be transitioning back to in-person meetings and events so that we can once again see our colleagues, friends and build new relationships with each other.  I am so proud to be a part of the child nutrition profession as well as SNA and SNAAZ.  I consider it both an honor and a privilege to serve as your President of our association and this amazing group of dedicated people I call my friends.

LORRIE AHERN

2022 SNAAZ PRESIDENT

2021-2022 Strategic Plan Goals

A great alternative of Accordions are Toggles, same
functionality as Accordions except the collapse.

Goal: School nutrition professionals will continually improve their knowledge and skills to administer, manage, deliver, and sustain successful school meal programs.

Objective: Increase individual certifications for Levels 1-4 and SNS

Strategies:

  • Establish clear expectations of each Executive Board members role in developing certification opportunities (per bi-laws).
  • Continue to incorporate sessions that meet all key areas (1-4) topics at conferences, chapter meetings, trainings and online work
  • Create state wide SNS prep-course with study group to provide assistance in test prep
    Provide annual SNS exam

Goal: Policy makers, school officials, parents and school nutrition professionals will rely on SNA as the leading advocate for school nutrition programs.

Objective: Increase efforts to enhance the public’s perception of school nutrition professionals and school nutrition programs.

Strategies:

  • Promote the value and qualification of school nutrition professionals through social media and conference recognitions
  • Promote the quality and nutritional value of school meals through nutrition related articles and images on social media, websites and direct communication with people outside of school nutrition
  • Sharing great accomplishments districts and individual schools are doing. Bring these accomplishments to the forefront with social media, SNAAZ website and recognition at state conferences
  • Continue to support legislative efforts by supporting SNA’s Legislative Action Conference and to visit Arizona representatives on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

Goal: School nutrition programs nationwide will be strengthened through the engagement, leadership, and collaboration among SNA’s members, state associations, the School Nutrition Foundation, allied partners and other stakeholders.

Objective: Increase involvement at chapter and state level

Strategies:

  • Look into implementing a future leaders program for SNAAZ to increase understanding of the process and build confidence in membership to run for office at chapter and state levels
  • Continue to outreach to districts that are not currently active members or participating members to encourage new membership and involvement
  • Explore collaboration opportunities between state association and state agency
  • Evaluate electronic methods to increase opportunities to attend meetings when driving distance is prohibitive to involvement

Goal: SNAAZ will have a financially sustainable funding model with a nimble governance and structure that is aligned with the strategic plan and reflects contemporary business practices.

Objective: Evaluate processes and options to improve efficiencies and communications

Strategies:

  • Evaluate the software and detailed reports to maximize the efficiency of the treasurer position on the board
  • Continue to improve online industry and membership registrations for conferences and sponsorships through the website and improve tracking and accuracy of website sales
  • Explore alternative cloud based online document storage location that is accessible to all board members (ex: google docs)

Goal: SNAAZ will have a financially sustainable funding model with a nimble governance and structure that is aligned with the strategic plan and reflects contemporary business practices.

Objective: Evaluate processes and options to improve efficiencies and communications

Strategies:

  • Evaluate the necessary software to minimize the hours needed and accuracy for the treasurer position on the board
  • Implement all online registrations for both vendors and members for conferences and sponsorships through the website to improve tracking and accuracy
  • Develop a cloud based online document storage location that is accessible to all board members (ex: google docs)

2018-2021 National SNA Strategic Plan

What Our Members Have to Say

We are a state affiliate to the School Nutrition Association (SNA), which represents over 55,000 individuals who have made a commitment to child nutrition.

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