WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?
Advocacy Evolvement: The Academy of
Nutrition and Dietetics’ Public Policy Workshop
BY JEANNE BLANKENSHIP, MS, RD
With more than 72,000 members, the
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (
formerly the American Dietetic Association)
is the largest food and nutrition association in America. As experts in food, nutrition and health, Academy members can
advance the future of the profession of
dietetics and improve the nutritional status of Americans by forming partnerships
with federal leaders and lawmakers to
influence public policy. To arm members
with the knowledge and skills they need
to communicate with their local, state
and federal representation, the Academy created the annual Public Policy
Workshop in the Washington, D.C., area
almost four decades ago.
Public policy has the power to protect
and advance the dietetics profession
through nutrition-focused legislation. The
Public Policy Workshop offers an interactive format that actively engages attendees in learning about national nutrition
issues and important legislation. Participants also learn how to navigate the
evolving public policy landscape while
developing their messaging and communications skills. The workshop ends with
an advocacy day on Capitol Hill during
which participants meet with lawmakers. Each year’s event provides members
with the opportunity to hear from expert
speakers, improve communication skills
and network with other grassroots leaders.
In the early 1970s, the public started
becoming more interested in nutrition-related issues, and the Academy’s legislative role continued to grow. Therefore,
Academy members were spending more
time in Washington, D.C., lobbying members of Congress and testifying before
committees. As a result, the Academy
launched its first legislative workshop
in 1973 to inform members about nutrition and food legislation and to develop
skills to influence policy change. That
first meeting, and all workshops since,
included work sessions, discussions and
meetings with members of Congress.
As the nutritional health of Americans
continues to gain attention in local, state
and federal government, the Academy
wants to continue providing its members
with the knowledge and skills they need
to work and develop relationships with
legislators, both on Capitol Hill and in
their home states. Since its first workshop, therefore, the Academy of Nutrition
and Dietetics has evolved its advocacy
structure to include public policy panel
leaders from each affiliate. In addition
to training general members, the Public
Policy Workshop offers a chance to pull
together the public policy panel leaders
to strengthen their efforts in taking messages back to their states.
The Academy continually evaluates
how to most effectively and efficiently
engage membership. To this end, when
individuals and organizations decreased
travel and meeting budgets due to
the weakened economy, the Academy
changed the Public Policy Workshop to
an online virtual meeting in 2009 and
2010. While this new format was well
received, both members and the Academy ultimately determined that, because
a large portion of the program focuses on
face-to-face interaction with lawmakers,
it was most effective to return to the live
format. The 2011 attendance proved that
this is the preferred format.
Here are just a few comments from
previous attendees:
• "I consider this workshop a necessity to
grow in the ever-changing public policy
landscape."
• "The peer-to-peer learning and networking with member grassroots policy
leaders was invaluable."
• "The speakers and workshop presenters were right on target; they shared a
wealth of knowledge and experiences."
Furthermore, as more members
become familiar with the public policy
process and engage lawmakers in food
and nutrition issues, the Academy is seeing continued integration of its recommendations into bills and laws. This is a
result of members attending the Public
Policy Workshop and gaining the knowledge and skills they need to most effectively connect with their representatives.
In the last year alone, registered dietitians have influenced decisions on school
nutrition standards, food labeling, the
2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
and breastfeeding guidelines. None of
this would be possible without the grassroots efforts of members and the skills
they have learned by attending events
such as the Public Policy Workshop.
Registered dietitians are helping Americans lead healthier lives through food
and nutrition. Therefore, Academy members are the most appropriate professionals to be at the table when nutritional
legislation and guidelines are being
discussed. The Public Policy Workshop
continues to serve as an excellent tool for
teaching members to communicate their
messages in the aggressive, fast-paced
government environment.
Note: The Academy’s 2012 Public Policy
Workshop took place April 15-17 at the Crystal
Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Va.
Jeanne Blankenship, MS, RD, is vice president,
policy initiatives and advocacy, for the Academy
of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American
Dietetic Association). She may be reached at
govaffairs@eatright.org.
