The document summarizes the benefits of joining a professional association for students, including networking, leadership opportunities, scholarships, access to information and job opportunities. It describes the five membership classifications of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, including requirements. It also outlines the governance structure of the Academy, including the roles of the Board of Directors and House of Delegates. State and district dietetic associations are affiliated with the national Academy and support members at local levels.

1. Chapter 8 Online Lecture Notes
Outline and discuss the benefits that a student receives from joining a professional association.
 Networking with other students in the field
 Leadership experiences
 Eligibility for scholarships and awards
 Access to the latest in online and print media in the field
 Access to job opportunities
 Reduced rates at conferences; special rates on credit cards, car rental, and hotels
Compare and contrast Academy membership benefits for students to those of a professional practicing in
the field.
 Provides opportunities for personal and professional growth, leadership, and lasting friendships.
 Whereas one dietitian alone may not feel that he or she can make a difference, the strength of almost
70,000 dietitians can make their voices heard in setting public policy or influencing public opinion.
 The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics plays a key role in influencing issues such as healthcare reform,
food labeling, child nutrition programs, nutrition screening for the elderly, and long-term care.
 The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics provides expert testimony at congressional hearings and
comments on proposed federal and state legislation.
 The Academy also publishes position papers, which outline its stand on a variety of timely, and
sometimes controversial, topics.
 The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’s homepage on the Internet (www.eatright.org) has an
extensive listing of member services and benefits.
 The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics also conducts a number of important programs, campaigns, and
other outreach efforts to promote health and well-being and to position dietetics professionals as
nutrition experts.
List the five classifications of membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and compare the
requirements for each.
1. The student member category is open to any person who meets one of the following criteria:
 Is a student enrolled in an ACEND-accredited dietetics program or supervised practice program who
does not meet requirements for active membership.
 Is a student enrolled in a regionally accredited, postsecondary education program that is non-
ACEND-accredited. This classification is available to students who state their intent to enter an
ACEND-accredited program.
 Is a current Active member returning to school on a full-time basis to complete a baccalaureate or
advanced degree or to complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program (Dietetic
Internship or Coordinated Program). Annual verification is required for this category.
 Student membership lasts 6 years , and dues currently are $50/year.
2. An active member can be any person who has earned the appropriate degree, meets the academic
requirements specified by ACEND, and meets one or more of the following criteria:
 Is a Registered Dietitian; Dietetic Technician, Registered; or has established eligibility to write the
registration examination for dietitians or dietetic technicians administered by the Commission on
Dietetic Registration
 Has completed a baccalaureate degree or a supervised practice program (dietetic internship,
coordinated program, or AP4 program) accredited by ACEND

2.  Is an active member of Dietitians of Canada
 Has earned either a master’s or doctoral degree and holds one degree (baccalaureate, master’s, or
doctoral) in one of the following areas: dietetics, food and nutrition, nutrition, community or public
health nutrition, food science, or foodservice systems management
 Has completed an associate degree program for dietetic technicians approved by ACEND
3. The retired member category can include any current active member who is:
 At least 62 years of age and no longer employed in dietetics practice or education
 Retired on total (permanent) disability
4. The international member category includes any person who has completed formal training in food,
nutrition, or dietetics outside the United States and U.S. territories. Membership in this category requires
verification from the country’s professional dietetics association or regulatory body.
5. Finally, the honorary member category is a special honor awarded to an individual who has made a
notable contribution to the field of nutrition and dietetics and has been invited to be an honorary member
by the Board of Directors of the Academy.
Discuss how the vision statement, mission statement, values, goals, and strategies of the Academy of
Nutrition and Dietetics are connected.
The vision statement of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics helps members understand the role that the
Academy hopes to assume in the future. The mission statement is the role that Academy currently strives to fill
in order to achieve the vision. The values of the Academy serve as a guide to action and a statement of attributes
toward which all dietitians should strive. The 3 strategic goals and 16 strategies of the Academy act as a guide
for the Academy in its activities.
Describe the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics headquarters location and staffing.
The headquarters of the Academy (120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995; 800-877-
1600) houses the paid staff members who carry on the day-to-day business of the Academy. These employees
work in assigned groups that serve to support different aspects of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’s
focus. Also located in the same Chicago location are the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation
(ANDF) and the offices of the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
How is the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics governed, and by whom?
The officers of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics are volunteers who are elected by the membership of the
Academy. Major offices are elected by national ballot; members of particular subgroups such as Dietetic
Practice Groups elect their own officers. The work of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is accomplished
by two major entities: the Board of Directors and the House of Delegates.
What does the Board of Directors do, and who are its members?
The Board of Directors of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics governs the organization. In this role, the
Board of Directors does the following:
 Sets and monitors strategic direction
 Oversees fiscal planning
 Provides leadership for professional initiatives
 Selects, supports, and assesses the chief executive officer and conducts an annual performance appraisal
 Appoints persons to represent the Academy

3.  Establishes guidelines and policies for appeals, publications, awards, and honors
 Administers and enforces the professional Code of Ethics in conjunction with CDR and the House of
Delegates
 Exercises such powers and performs all lawful acts permitted or required under the Illinois Not-for-
Profit
Corporation Act
Members include the following:
 President, elected by the general membership (1-year term)
 President-Elect, elected by the general membership (1-year term)
 Past-President (l-year term)
 Treasurer, elected by the general membership (2-year term)
 Three Directors at Large, elected by the general membership (3-year term)
 Speaker of the House of Delegates
 Speaker-Elect of the House of Delegates
 Four House of Delegates Directors, elected by the House of Delegates (2-year term)
 One Young Member
 Two Public Members, appointed by the Board of Directors (2-year term)
 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation Chair, elected by the Foundation (1-year term)
 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics CEO (nonvoting)
What are the functions of the House of Delegates, and who are its members?
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics House of Delegates (HOD) is the deliberative body of the Academy,
acting as the voice of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics members. The House of Delegates governs the
profession and develops policy on major professional issues. In its role of governing the profession, the House
of Delegates does the following:
 Monitors and evaluates trends affecting the profession
 Monitors member issues and mega issues, and the resulting actions
 Reviews, debates, and approves professional standards including standards of education and practice
 Adopts and revises with the CDR a Code of Ethics for dietetics practitioners, disciplinary
procedures for unethical conduct, and reinstatement conditions
 Provides direction for quality management in dietetics practice
 Identifies and develops position statements
 Assists with recruitment and retention efforts related to leadership development
 Serves as the voice of the members of the profession
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics House of Delegates has 100 members:
 66 Affiliate Delegates: Elected by the affiliate members and representing the 53 affiliate dietetic
associations
 18 Professional Issues Delegates: Represent the 29 dietetic practice groups and are elected by the
general Academy membership
 10 At-Large Delegates: One delegate representing CADE, one delegate representing CDR, one delegate
representing student members, two delegates representing DTRs, one delegate representing retired
members, one delegate representing members under 30 years of age, and three delegates-at-large
representing the broad membership
 6 House of Delegates Directors: Comprising the House of Delegates Leadership Team, who are also
members of the Academy Board of Directors

4. What is the relationship of the state affiliates and district dietetic associations to the Academy of
Nutrition and Dietetics?
Each state plus the District of Columbia has its own state dietetic association affiliated with the Academy of
Nutrition and Dietetics. When an individual joins the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a percentage of his or
her dues is rebated to the state dietetic association with which he or she wishes to affiliate. Although most
individuals are members of the affiliate dietetic association of the state in which they live or work, a 1998
bylaws amendment now allows individuals the option to designate any state dietetic association for their
membership. State dietetic associations elect their own officers and host their own meetings once or twice a
year.
Each state association is made up of district dietetic associations that serve the needs of dietitians in specific
geographic areas within the state. There are currently approximately 230 district associations in the United
States. District associations may cover a single metropolitan area or several counties. Membership in district
associations is not automatic. These groups receive no rebates from the national level and typically charge a
separate membership fee to support their programming efforts.
What is the purpose of the DPGs and the MIGs, and who are members of these two groups?
Dietetic practice groups (DPGs) include individuals who have a common interest in a particular area of dietetics
practice, regardless of membership classification or employment status. Anyone with an interest in the
particular area of practice can join the group and may join as many DPGs as desired. A dietetic practice group
may be formed when at least 300 members petition the House of Delegates Council on Professional Issues to
form such a group.
Member interest groups (MIGs) are formed to provide a way for members with common interests, issues, or
backgrounds to connect. Unlike the affiliate, district, and DPG groups, the MIGs are not based on practice or
geographical location.