Happy spring, AADE-Oregon and Idaho members and friends.
This post is to introduce our vision for our organization for 2018-19. Our three new co-leaders (Kelly Chambers, Tara Moomey and Kathy Schwab) attended training in Chicago in early January and met with Coordinating Body (CB) leaders from across the country to learn about how to best connect our members with each other and with all of the benefits offered by AADE.
Our primary focus in Oregon has been our annual conference, and we are proud of our uninterrupted 32 year conference history. We also have long standing Local Networking Groups (LNGs) in Medford, Bend, Salem, and Hood River. We are identifying ways to expand opportunities for diabetes educators to meet throughout the year, and plan to introduce one or more LNGs in the Portland area later in 2018.
We want to build the infrastructure and support for ongoing dialogue, education, and problem solving among members. Diabetes educators face similar challenges across the state, and together, we can find and share solutions, as we innovate to thrive in the changing health care landscape.
Knowing it can be difficult to physically get together, we also want to expand outreach through electronic means. You will soon receive a survey asking about your social media use and preferred communication platforms. Please respond to the survey when you receive it, so that we have the best feedback to design content and activities that meet your needs.
As new leaders, we are taking a fresh look at the needs of our membership, and refining the vision for the Oregon CB. We will reach out to you regularly throughout 2018 to invite your feedback and ideas for how we can best serve you.
YOU can also be part of AADE-Oregon! Are you interested in grant writing, writing blogs, editing blogs, coordinating/organizing, or helping at the annual conference? If so, we have opportunities for you to share your expertise with varying levels of time commitment to suit your availability. Whether it’s as little as one time for a few hours, or a committee assignment, or a formal leadership role with AADE OR, we can find a match for you! Please email Melissa Weismiller with your area of interest, if known, or she would be happy to discuss opportunities with you.