Delegates Working for Members - What's It All About?

Posted Nov 2007

HOD Vision Statement: “The House of Delegates, as the voice of members, governs the profession and develops policy on major professional issues."

To govern the profession of dietetics, the HOD engages in the following activities:

• Monitors and evaluates trends affecting the profession,
• Monitors member issues and mega issues, and the resulting actions,
• Approves standards of education and standards of practice,
• Reviews, debates, and approves professional standards,
• Establishes the size and structure of the House,
• Adopts and revises with the Commission on Dietetic Registration a code of ethics for dietetics practitioners, disciplinary procedures for unethical conduct, and reinstatement conditions,
• Makes recommendations on standards, qualifications, and other issues related to credentialing to the Commission on Dietetic Registration,
• Makes recommendations on accreditation, approval and related issues to the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education,
• Provides direction for quality management in dietetics practice,
• Identifies and develops position statements,
• Provides oversight to ADA and affiliate bylaws and,
• Assists with recruitment and retention efforts related to leadership development.

The HOD includes (total number of delegates = 98 as of June 1, 2007):

• 64 Affiliate Delegates are elected by members of the 53 affiliate dietetic associations,
• 18 Professional Issues Delegates are elected by the general ADA membership and represent broad areas of practice (education, research, clinical, community, consultation & business practice, and management) and are linked with the 29 dietetic practice groups (DPGs),
• 10 At-Large Delegates:
  
  

  One delegate represent CADE (appointed by CADE)

  One delegate represent CDR (appointed by CDR)

  One delegate represent student members (elected by the Student Council Advisory Committee)

  Two delegates represent DTRs (elected nationally)

  One delegate represent retired members (elected by HOD)

  One delegate represent members under 30 years of age (elected by HOD)

  Three delegates represent the broad membership (elected by the HOD)

• 6 HOD Directors comprise the House Leadership Team (HLT), including the Speaker and Speaker-elect, elected by the membership.  They are members of the ADA Board of Directors (BOD).
  

Responsibilities of a delegate:

• Interact with members to identify issues important to the membership
• Identify professional issues affecting dietetics practice and be knowledgeable about these issues
• Participate in the discussions of the House of Delegates to provide direction on member and professional issues
• Communicate member and professional issues to the HOD Leadership Team
• Contribute to trend identification and strategic planning
• Inform members about the Association and HOD initiatives and programs.

ADA members can expect delegates to:

• Provide regular updates on HOD and ADA activities
• Request input on issues being discussed by HOD
• Request identification of trends and issues affecting the profession
• Identify potential members for leadership roles with the Association
• Assist accessing information from ADA
• Assist submitting issues or concerns about the profession or Association.

ADA members can support the delegate by:

• Reviewing electronic and/or written information about ADA and HOD regularly
• Providing input to issues being discussed by HOD
• Identifying trends and issues affecting the profession
• Sharing knowledge of HOD and ADA activities with others

Communication to and from your delegate - The delegate

• wants to hear from members
• has information to share with members
• wants your ideas, concerns and issues
• needs to know the best method for communication with members.

 

 

To find more information on ADA and the work of the HOD and BOD, visit the ADA Web site at www.eatright.org/governance.  

 

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