In the past few weeks, I have had several inquiries about clarifying the meaning of these acronyms. Please bear with me in the length of this article, but many of you have asked for this information. I am hoping that a little bit of history about the “MyAADE Network” will help explain these terms. “MyAADE Network” (known further in this article as the Network) is a membership web-based connection and resource that was introduced preliminarily, in certain areas around the country, in August 2010. Full access for all AADE Members began in January 2011. The initial goal of the Network is to help AADE Members network locally, around their own States, and across the country. This online portal offers both administrative tools and member community tools. Members can communicate with other AADE Members about issues, share ideas, photos and stories, ask questions, and create instant “meet-ups”, by using the “Discussions” links and the Member-only social Networking site. Meet-ups can allow Members to get together in person to continue a conversation. For one dues fee, Members have web access that includes unlimited Communities of Interest (COI), Local Networking Groups (LNG), State Coordinating Body (CB) information, and Educator resources.
A Coordinating Body (CB), a state “Chapter”, is a Team of peers from around the state who together identify the priorities for meeting Members needs (why and what), set the course for activities within the state (how), allocate funds, and serve as the primary contact to and from the national organization, AADE. For 2013, your Missouri CB Team Members are: Mary Lawrence, MSN, RN, CDE, Chair (St Louis); Sharla Fischer, LD, RD, CDE, interim Finance Chair (St Louis); Chuck Termini, BS Pharm, RPh, Web Administrator/Publicity (Kansas City); and Nancy Trebilcock, BSN, RN, CDE, Past Chair/Board Representative (St Louis). Most of your CB Team has been in place since its inception! If you receive an email marked: MOCB.annc@lists.myaade.org, it is an announcement from a Missouri CB Leader. If you receive an email marked: MOCB@lists.myaade.org, it is a discussion thread to Missouri Members, but you need to subscribe to be included in these state-wide discussions. To better serve you, we need Representatives from all over the State; you do not need to be an LNG Member to be on the CB Board. Your CB Board welcomes your input and participation!
Local Networking Groups (LNG) were formerly known as "chapters" of AADE. Currently, there are 2 LNGs in Missouri: KCMADE/the KC LNG = Kansas City Mo Assoc Diabetes Educators; SLADE/St Louis LNG = St Louis Assoc Diabetes Educators; in the past, there was a central MO chapter but it dissolved & is still listed on the MO state page of the MyAADE Network; the chapters have been around for many years......St Louis was the very first one in 1975! The Board Members for the KC LNG include Deb McConville, AP, RN, BC, CDE, APRN, Chair; Sharon Sprenkel, MSN, AP, RN, CDE, APRN, Finance Chair; and Melissa McGuire, LD, RD, CDE, Web Administrator; and several Members of a Professional Development Committee. The KC LNG is unique in that it has several Members from the adjacent state of Kansas! The St Louis LNG Board Members are: Bev Hoff, BSN, CDE, RN, RD, Chair; Tricia Green, MSN, RN, CDE, NP, Finance Chair; Melody Fox, RN, CDE, Web Administrator; and Nancy Trebilcock, BSN, RN, CDE, Past LNG Chair. The LNGs need help in the areas of Advocacy, Professional Development, and various Committees. Emails to/from the LNGs will be marked as: SLADE@lists.myaade.org or KCMADE@lists.myaade.org. Perhaps, its time for a few of you to start a new LNG in your area! You can adjust the settings in your subscriber’s profile to regulate how often you receive the emails: with each message sent or batch them for once daily, etc.
The purpose of AADE’s Communities of Interest (COI) (formerly known as SPG, Specialty Practice Group) is to facilitate the professional development and collaboration of AADE members with common interest in specialized areas and functions of diabetes self-management Education and training. The Community does not deliver "products," but rather is focused on knowledge management. AADE members have the ability to subscribe to as many of the 21 COIs as they choose, including insulin pump therapy, Hispanic/Latino American, African American, inpatient management, office & clinic based, pharmacy.
Some of the communications you received in the past, may have been confusing, because many were issued by me as a Missouri CB Chair, and some as the St Louis LNG Chair; so there may have been times that you missed out on certain notices, according to the way you are subscribed. Please consider sharing your talents, expertise, and time, not only to further enhance and promote the role of diabetes Educators, but also to add to your professional resume, and to meet colleagues from around the State, as well as from around the Country.
Thank you for your time and support!
Nancy Trebilcock, BSN, RN, CDE;
MO CB Rep;
nancytcde@hotmail.com.