PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

The last quarter of this year was quite busy, starting with the LAC in Tallahassee and a successful visit with the Florida legislators. Guest speaker, Cathy Brewton, Coordinator of the Obesity Program, Florida Department of Health, gave an update on the Governor’s Task Force on Obesity and our Keynote Speaker, Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall, Florida Representative (Miami), spoke of her memories of school food.

FSFSA responded to the invitation by School Superintendent, John Padget to assist in evaluating Monroe County’s Food Service Program. A team was assembled, including Sheila Sheridan, Cathy McGinn, Carolyn Morrow, Rita Stramer and myself. The team divided its recommendations into two categories: nutrition integrity and meal participation. A special thank you goes out to the team for volunteering their time and lending their professional skills.

If you missed the 54th Annual FSFSA Conference, you missed a blast! This year’s conference was full of energy and excitement. I hope you all had as much fun as I did, participating in the major events and seeing everyone in our dedicated membership. As promised, we had a variety of innovative sessions covering key areas of interest, such as safety, membership, certification, self-defense, healthy vending, scholarships, and childhood obesity. Thanks to all the presenters who gave their time to educate and inspire FSFSA members.

The General Session began with entertainment from the Lee Middle School Jazz Band and a proclamation was presented from Orange County. Phyllis Hodges, Southeast Regional Director of ASFSA, gave an update on ASFSA activities and this year’s conference in Indianapolis. Our Keynote Speaker, Les Brown gave an inspirational speech entitled “It’s Possible,” providing us with tools to move ourselves towards victory in our professional and personal lives. Thank you to our Marketing Chair, Roy Pistone, who helped distribute $4000 worth of raffle prizes and gifts donated by our industry members.

It was exciting to reward Presidents who “Stepped Up” throughout the year with a gold, silver, or bronze medallion at the President/President-Elect breakfast. It was heartwarming to hear the successful stories each district shared using this year’s initiatives.

You could tell from the Mardi-Gras flavor that the food show was going to be a fun experience. Special thanks go out to our Sustaining Members for their continued support. The festivities escalated with Friday’s Mardi Gras Party. This event was particularly special because Jeanie Perez, sponsor of this year’s event, was able to attend just 3 weeks after surgery. We wish her a continued, speedy recovery.

Franco Harris, our special guest at the awards ceremony, shared with members some of the highlights of his professional football career and how it filtered over into his business career. Judy Craig and Judy Adamson were the champions in overseeing this event. Special congratulations to all of our award winners.

The installation was a fun event with a roast given in my honor. Bill Latham, Sustaining Member Representative did a great job as MC. President-Elect, Art Dunham concluded the evening by introducing his theme on food safety.

In my travels across Florida, I met so many wonderful people, creating new relationships and renewing others. I have enjoyed your company at conferences and region meetings. Your phone calls, emails, cards and letters have all provided me with memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Thank you for all your contributions. The knowledge that I received will help me to better serve my district and state association.

I am especially grateful to my Executive Board, Committee Members, Executive Director, Judy Laster, and staff, the state’s District Directors, each chapter president, my
colleagues and my friends, who have worked together with me for these last two years.

FSFSA plays an invaluable role in this state, providing leadership in bringing the child nutrition message, not only to those that make and implement policy and create laws, but also directly to the people that will benefit most from our mission, the children. I have total confidence that FSFSA will continue to flourish throughout the coming years.

By all of us coming together, we create a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. Everything that we have accomplished, we achieved together. Each individual’s input has made us a stronger association, and has shown the state and this nation that we are a solid body, with one goal--to make things better for generations to come.

I am honored to have been given the privilege of serving as President of this association and to have been surrounded by the wonderful team that worked together and established the FSFSA legacy for 2003-2004. Thank you for many wonderful memories that you have given me throughout the year.

Now we have a new challenge, let’s keep on working together with Art Dunham, our incoming President and the new Executive Board and move our accomplishments to the next level. Thank you for “Stepping Out” with me to Renew, Retrain, and Rebuild into tomorrow.


Samuel C. Jackson
FSFSA President
 

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