A PERPLEXING DECLINE IN ACTIVE memberships hit associations across the spectrum in
the late 1990s, but by the mid-2000s, against the odds of a sluggish economy and continued
struggles in other organizations, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Until January 2012, the Academy was known was the American Dietetic Association; throughout
this document, it will be called the Academy. had a resurgence.
1
The subsequent increase in membership has climbed steadily in the years since. Is
there any one component at the Academy to be highlighted as responsible for this turnaround?
Perhaps not, but there is one functional networking unit—the affiliates, dietetic
practice groups (DPGs), and member interest groups (MIGs)—that certainly has earned
a fair amount of credit for maintaining an engaged and productive membership of dietetics
practitioners. That these groups are a part of the pre-1990s history of the Academy
should not detract from its spotlight as a harbinger for member satisfaction. Just
as the Academy began to make major changes throughout the 2000s—restructuring its
relationship with affiliates, modifying its leadership structure to give DPGs a stronger
voice in governance, and creating an officially recognized meeting space for practitioners
based on cultural markers—a feeling of community and connectedness was emerging in
the 21st century as one of the greatest needs among professionals at large.
2
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Biography
K. Stein is a freelance writer, a consultant editor for the Nutrition Care Manual, and a former editor of the Journal, Traverse City, MI.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 23, 2013
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© 2013 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
