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For the list of the current Leadership Team, you may visit
http://www.eatrightoverseas.org/html/contact_us.html
Who do I contact to volunteer for AODA?
- For a list of available positions, to complete a volunteer form, or for additional information, please contact our Nominating Committee Chair at NCC@EatRightOverseas.org
- You may also indicate that you would like to volunteer in our new member survey or annual member surveys
- Or you may also contact additional members of the leadership team for specific position-related questions
7. Elections and Voting
What if I want to run for an AODA election, what are the requirements?
- You must be an AODA member
- You must also be an AODA member with regular access to electronic mail
- Note: AODA Supporters are not entitled to run for AODA elected positions
- Note: International members are eligible to hold elected office at the affiliate level (as in AODA). However, they are not entitled to have an ADA elected position.
Are all members allowed to vote in the ADA and AODA elections?
- AODA members: Are allowed to vote in both ADA national elections AND AODA elections
- AODA Supporters: Are allowed to vote in ADA national elections BUT NOT entitled to a vote in the AODA elections.
- International members: Are allowed to vote in their affiliate elections (as in AODA), BUT NOT eligible to vote in the ADA national elections.
How can I be appointed for an appointed position?
You can nominate yourself or someone else for an appointed position. An application must be completed. Appointed leadership team positions are approved by the AODA Board members. Committee members are appointed by the corresponding Committee Chairs.
8. Relocating
What happens when I move back to the Unites States?
ADA members are now able to choose their affiliates. You can choose:
- To remain an AODA member (by selecting AODA as your affiliate) with full member benefits, including voting and serving as elected leadership positions
- Or you can choose another affiliate (One of the 50 US States, DC or Puerto Rico) and become an AODA Supporter.
What happens if I move to another country?
You can retain your same membership category. When moving, be sure to add ADA to your list of address changes to continue to receive your member benefits. AODA is not able to make address or personal information changes for its members.
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9. Change of Address or Personal Information
How do I change my personal information with ADA?
There are several ways to do this:
a) You can update your information online through the ADA website
http://www.eatright.org/members/login.aspx.
- Log in. Enter your "ID number and password"
- Takes you to the ADA Member Center page
- On the bottom left corner, scroll down to MyADA Quicklinks. Click on "MyProfile - Online Profile". Under the blue tab named MY Profile, click on "Edit Contact information". Then on the top left corner, click on "Update Contact Info".
- It will take you to your profile page. Make your own updates
- Then click on "Accept"
b) You can also update your information by e-mailing Member Services at membrshp@eatright.org
c) Or calling or 800-877-1600 ext. 5000 (ADA offices in USA)
Remember: Incorrect information in the ADA database may result in not receiving member benefits and valuable information. AODA cannot update member data in the ADA database.
10. Working Overseas
I am interested in working overseas, what do I do?
First, you must really define your goals and make a plan on how to get there. If your goal is solely to work abroad, you might have to work outside of dietetics. But if your goal is to work abroad in dietetics, you have to map out what skills you need to be able to offer something to your potential employer (learn the culture and language, and maybe redo the internship in that country, etc.).
Working abroad is the number one question ADA members living in the US have. The challenge is that countries have different professional requirements. So if you have a particular country in mind, AODA can connect you to the Country Representative (CR) for that country, if we have one. AODA has approximately 40 CRs covering the whole globe so AODA does not have representatives for all countries.
Think of a foreign trained dietitian trying to find work in the US. You are in the same predicament in another country.
Another way of getting opportunities to work abroad is to find an organization in the USA that has affiliations outside the USA (US Department of State, Women Infant and Children-Overseas Program, UN, USAID, WHO, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs including World Vision, CARE, and International Red Cross), Peace Corps, Academia with International programs, the USA military (as sometimes they station professionals overseas), Program Directors for HIV, Program managers at US Embassies (submit program of work for projects), to mention some. Then find opportunities globally. You might have to step out of your comfort zone and learn how to write grant proposals for NGOs and offer services outside of dietetics.
Do you just want to work abroad? It is very competitive. Think of what employers are looking for In some countries, dietetics is not as recognized as in USA. Are you willing to work in that environment and maybe improve how the dietetics profession is perceived in that country? It is a very tall order. You have to have skills to offer the employer. So at this time you need to expand your portfolio and develop skills to offer, even learning how to write a good resume, language, developing your clinical skills.
If you are a member of AODA, you can access our MemberNet using your ADA number and e-mail the appropriate Country Representative if you have further questions. You might also want to check on our Country Information sheet on the AODA website.
What are some other ideas about finding work abroad (avenues to pursue)?
- Setting up community nutrition programs
How do you factor in culture? Make your programs culturally sensitive. How do you educate in nutrition when people have little baseline knowledge? This is a very important topic. Although not in a dietitian capacity, sometimes you might work with programs in assessing other health programs and what you can do to assist them and/or what you can do to work together.
Try to start with where they are at and plan the steps how you will take them to your final goal, whatever it is.
You also need to educate yourself of the local ways. Knowing about the culture and being culturally sensitive are two different things. So you can only really empathize and only try very hard to understand why they do what they do and is it because of their culture and upbringing. For more information on this subject, you might want to check an article in JADA on culture.
- Developing culture specific education materials
Try to find out the country specific organizations, that might be like the version of the National Institute of Health or if they have an ADA equivalent.
Start with what they have as existing information before 'reinventing the wheel'.
Network with local dietetic professionals and see what they use.
- Sharing of experiences
This includes where you have worked, what experiences or knowledge skills were gained, what is your opinion about the different experiences...and more. This together might have given you a well rounded perspective of how to put a program together, resourcing, etc. Be persistent and think of innovative things to implement.
- Getting CPE experience abroad
It pertains to what can you do besides self-study. There are so many on line opportunities now.
- Advice on networking
Have a business card to pass on. If you do not have a work position, have one as AODA CR for your country (if it applies) or another organization that will hold credibility.
Try to find network opportunities with health organizations. This may not be limited to US organizations in the country, local health organizations, health NGOs, etc.
You might also want to start as a volunteer until you can find a paid position then they already know you.
- How should volunteering fit in to a career
Networking, as it may open many different opportunities.
Prepare a portfolio/prospectus of what you can offer them (whoever them is, future employers, customers, clients, professional colleagues, etc.)
Be clear in your mind in what your goals are, and what you are trying to achieve.
Volunteering has been a critical part of professional development for many.
And don't forget, the knowledge that you have a voice and make a difference in your profession!
What are some possible website addresses to find nutrition-related jobs?
There are some websites that have been known to have offered nutrition-related jobs.
These include:
USAjobs.com (believed to be for military civilian jobs)
nutritionjobs.com (has previously offered WIC positions)
Other International Nutrition Organizations that may post job openings:
http://www.eatrightoverseas.org/ImagePDF/List_NutrAssocOrgs2009_06.pdf
11. Student Information
Can members join a State Affiliate while they are in the USA on a student VISA?
Yes all ADA members may join one affiliate (One of the 50 States, D.C., Puerto Rico, or Overseas) as part of their ADA membership. As long as the person qualifies for ADA membership, they can choose whatever state affiliate they would like. If you do choose a different Affiliate, remember to join AODA as a Supporter member!
Can Student ADA Members hold office at the state affiliate level?
Student members cannot hold elected position (board positions) in affiliates or nationally but they can hold appointed positions.
What are the eligibility requirements to become a Registered Dietitian (RD) credentialed by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) in the United States and which countries have a reciprocity agreement with the Commission on Dietetic Registration?
http://www.cdrnet.org/certifications/rddtr/pathwaysrd.htm
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12. ADA Journals
What do I do if I am not receiving my ADA journals?
- Make sure your address and information in the ADA database is correct and updated
- If your address is correct, then you may contact the ADA Membership Services at membershp@eatright.org to assist you in locating the problem.
What do I do with my journals after I'm done with them?
Contact the Country Representative of Sweden who will then match you with a nutrition organization in a developing country that needs them Sweden@EatrightOverseas.org
13. ADA House of Delegate?
What does our AODA Delegate do?
The AODA delegate brings to HOD the views, experiences and needs of RDs around the world. The delegate communicates to members the issues to be discussed, asks for comments and forwards them to ADA. The decisions and conclusions are then delivered back to AODA members ADA however, is not involved in the international professional scene. But it recognizes and follows the international professionalism and innovations to the profession.
14. What is the AODA LEAD list serve mentorship program?
It is a program planned to be a forum for nutrition professionals to act as mentor/mentee and have informal exchange of information. This will be a way to get a perspective from others who have other experiences in the same nutrition areas around the globe. It is also a great opportunity to connect to other colleagues with the same interests.
You may volunteer to be a protégé if you are interested in working with a mentor. As a protégé, you need to ask yourself about your expectations and/or what you are hoping to achieve. What your goals are?
15. Commission on Accreditation for Dietetic Education (CADE)
Information of some worldwide universities for ADA-accredited programs
Internationally, the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetic Education (CADE) has approved one university in Mexico. There are several others worldwide universities that are actively interested or going through the initial accreditation procedures.
- The University in Al Ain in United Arab Emirates is the university closest to the accreditation approval.
- Jordan University in Amman is interested in accreditation.
- Qatar University in Dhoha is taking the professional steps to begin the process.
- Sharjah University in Sharjah United Arab Emirates is beginning a program with McMasters University. There has been recent information that they were not considering an internship program, therefore they probably would not be eligible for CADE accreditation.
- Tufts University has a Friedman program run out of Boston which now has a Master's program in nutrition policy and development. It is taught physically in Ras Al Kamah, United Arab Emirates 3-4 times a year, with the remainder of the program completed with an internet venue.
- Saudi has also a program which is not currently pursuing CADE accreditation.
- Zayed University in Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates has a nutrition program. Its graduates are nutritionists, not clinical dietitians. This university is not seeking CADE approval at this time. However they have discussed it with the University Administration for application consideration.
- American University of Beirut has a dietetics program. However, they are not seeking CADE accreditation at this moment. Its graduates are respected in the region.
All dietetic and medical programs have English as the business language. Therefore, it is not necessary to speak Arabic.
For additional and current specific information on accreditation, please visit the ADA's webpage at http://www.eatright.org/students/education/accreditedprograms.aspx
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