Economic Conditions and ADA's Response — A message from ADA President Martin M. Yadrick, MS, MBA, RD, FADA

November 17, 2008


To my fellow members of the American Dietetic Association:

With Thanksgiving rapidly approaching, I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to each and every ADA member for your support of, dedication to, and confidence in the American Dietetic Association, particularly during this momentous year. Membership in ADA grew in the past fiscal year for the fourth consecutive year, and is now at its highest point since the late 1990s.

I would especially like to thank you for your support of ADA during the economic challenges that now face us. ADA’s overall financial health is good; still, it is important that we take steps to protect against potential future effects of an extended decline in the general economy. ADA’s Board of Directors, working with the headquarters staff, has reviewed and identified opportunities to reduce Association expenses for the current fiscal year. This is prudent, given the Board’s responsibility to protect the assets and the long-term financial viability of the Association and all its organizational units.

The Board has decided to reduce expenses wherever possible related to transportation, housing, per diem, foodservice, audiovisual and printing. ADA will restructure face-to-face committee, task force and workgroup meetings, holding them via conference call or other electronic technology (teleseminar or webinar).  Examples of this include ADA’s House of Delegates Spring 2009 Meeting and ADA’s 2009 Public Policy Workshop. With very few exceptions, all ADA meetings through the end of the current fiscal year have been restructured in this manner. We realize that some of you may be disappointed in this news, yet we feel that it is the right course of action at this time. Our personal sacrifices in the short-term are for the good of the Association in the long-term.

Please know ADA is doing all we can to confront our challenges and to emerge stronger than ever before. With your help and your support, we will do just that.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Sincerely,

Martin M. Yadrick, MS, MBA, RD, FADA
President, American Dietetic Association
adapresident@eatright.org