• Mary Jane Cardarelle-Hermans, SNS – President
• Jeff Cardarelle-Hermans – President Elect
• Donna McLeod – Secretary
• Elaine Wells – Treasurer
• Jacque Allen – Certification Chair
• Joey Termaat – Membership Chair
• Linda Pardy - Legislative Chair
• Jan Baither – Scholarship and Awards Chair
• Jerome Poole – Silver Circle Chair
• Sandy Ford, SNS – Chapter Advisor

In July, the Chapter members met and elected a new board of directors. The new board brings to the group an enthusiasm and zest that has already showed benefits. At the district Back to School retreat, the chapter sponsored round table discussions on membership, fund raising, meeting topics, marketing and opportunities for training and education that are included in your association benefits. They signed up 5 new state and national members and sparked curiosity in a number of non-members.

Jacque Allen, an association member and one of our cafeteria managers earned the Level 3 Certification last year. We are happy that she is this years Certification Chair.

Donna McLeod, cafeteria manager and Chapter Secretary, has agreed to be a mentor to a new manager. In our district, new managers are linked to mentors and are willing to teach and help them through their first year as managers. Donna and other mentors are inspiring, teaching and helping in any way they can.

The Chapter completed fund raising efforts by working at Raymond James Stadium. Jeff Cardarelle-Hermans, cafeteria manager and Chapter President-Elect and Elaine Wells, cafeteria manager and Chapter Treasurer worked hard organizing and signing up volunteers. Over 40 people signed up to volunteer. Because we are food service professionals, we were given a “restaurant” assignment. The workers from the first game were given high marks for their professionalism and their willingness to jump right into the tasks to be done.

Our September Chapter meeting featured guest speaker “Paul DeClark” who taught us about self defense techniques. We learned how to have a watchful eye and to always be prepared to defend ourselves. Manager, Jacque Allen, entertained us by helping Paul demonstrate how to escape if attacked/abducted. We learned about eye gouging, nose punching, groin kicking, biting, choking, arm grabbing and much more. According to Paul, “Your goal is always to escape.”

Thirty three “Vote for Sandy” t-shirts emerged from the vans in New Port Richey for the fall Regional Conference. Manatee County sent three times as many this year as last year. This is just a sign of the energy coming from the chapter leadership. The day long event was thoroughly enjoyed by our participants. Managers, Donna McLeod and Jan Baither, created a beautiful display showing what school food service was like in the 90’s. Many new friendships were formed and new ideas learned. Thanks to Pasco County for hosting such a successful event.

The chapter actively supported the campaign for our own Sandy Ford who ran for SNA Vice President. Through fund raising efforts, we covered the costs of a postcard mailing to other key states. We wanted Sandy to reach her goal of getting 6000 members to vote!

At a recent Board meeting, we decided that a portion of the money we raised would be used to “Adopt” a family in need at Christmas and make a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

On November 2nd, Nolan middle school’s SWAC team participated in a Fuel Up To Play 60 wellness event. Retired Tampa Bay Buccaneer football player, Derek Brooks was the guest speaker at the assembly. SWAC members had fun getting autographs from and pictures taken with Mr. Brooks.

Our November meeting featured guest speaker, Deputy Fifield, who did an Identity Theft presentation. We also set up a voting booth for the National Elections. We discussed who was on the ballot, what they would bring to our industry and then voted.

Sandy Ford found out she won the election on November 16th. She will be the new SNA Vice-President. We couldn’t be more excited. SNA is lucky to have this great leader to add to their team. .

We honored our retirees and celebrated the revival of our association at our December celebration/meeting. We hired Nashville Recording Artist, Duane Dee, to play music and entertain us. Everyone brought a dish to pass. Retirees were all presented with a Poinsettia. We raffled door prizes and gift cards at the event. Everybody had a great time.

Jerome Poole, our Silver Circle Chair, gathered the names and years of service for our current members. Because of his effort, Elaine Wells and Linda Pardy will be receiving the twenty-five year service award. Jerome Poole will be receiving the thirty year service award and Lucinda Paige will be receiving the thirty-five year service award. Also, we recently found out that five of our retirees have agreed to become state and local members. Way to go Silver Circle Committee.

The other service award that we will be receiving this year is the membership award. We are thrilled that the Manatee County Food and Nutrition District Office has 100% membership at the national, state and local level.

The board of directors has set a goal of having at least one member in every school by the end of the school year. Currently we have 28 national members, 31 state members and 45 local members

In January, members applying for FSNA program awards, along with Jan Baither, Scholarship and Award Chair and other executive board members got together to finalize award applications and binders. Elaine Wells, treasurer and cafeteria manager, applied for the Super School Award. Jean Katsihtis, cafeteria manager, applied for the Nutrition Award. Jacque Allen, Certification Chair and cafeteria manager, was nominated for the Outstanding Manager of the Year Award. Mary Jane Cardarelle-Hermans, President and cafeteria manager, was nominated for the Leadership Award.

In February, 5 board members attended the 33rd Annual Legislative Action Caucus presented by the Florida School Nutrition Association. They learned about how a bill becomes a law, current FSNA legislative issues and then visited with our state Senators and Representatives.

The energy is catching - good things are happening. It has been such an exciting school year for the Manatee County School Nutrition Association. We feel like we finally have arrived. We are not done yet – watch for more happenings as we move into spring!