Leadership is both an art and a skill.  Kansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recognizes the responsibility to train their volunteers and to empower them to successfully complete their roles within the organization.

A Leadership Orientation or Retreat is offered annually to bring the volunteers and elected officers together for team building and strategic planning.  Each member is encouraged to embrace their role and to become part of the dynamic team.

Each year, KSAND sponsors the President Elect's attendance at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Leadership Institute.  The Leadership Institute supports the Academy's commitment to develop its members by ensuring they embody a leadership mindset for innovation, adaptability, empowerment and risk-taking.

Interested in becoming involved? Email Jennifer Morris at President@eatrightks.org

On Saturday June 9^th, 2018, outgoing and incoming board members gathered at Locked Manhattan, where we tested our communication skills by working together to escape the puzzling locked rooms. Unfortunately, none of the three teams successfully escaped.  However, individual abilities and ideas positively contributed to the unique makeup of the teams.  Collectively the team was greater because of each of the individual’s contributions.  The group I was in actively listened when another member had an idea, asked for help by utilizing our resources (3 clues for escape), and expressed positive reinforcement and gratitude when we made headway in our puzzle.  Although no groups escaped, I’m confident effective communication skills, including talking and listening, were enhanced.

Following Locked Manhattan, we walked to AJ’s NY Pizzeria for lunch.  Next, we walked to Manhattan Public Library to further practice our communication skills in a partner Lego Build Challenge.  Partners sat back-to-back, each with a baggie of the same six legos.  Partner one built a structure and then instructed partner two to build the same.  To finish the day, we conducted our board orientation and used our effective communication to hold our last board meeting of the year.