UPDATE FROM OCTOBER 2011 A.S.P.E.N. BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING AND LEADERSHIP RETREAT 

This past October 28-30, A.S.P.E.N. leaders gathered in Ellicott City, Maryland for a Board of Directors Meeting and Leadership Retreat. We are pleased to share with you highlights from the discussions.

A.S.P.E.N. BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING 

As they do each Fall, the Board of Directors gathered to review current strategic issues. This meeting included:

•     Approval of the Fiscal Year 2012 Budget 

The Board approved the FY12 budget and reviewed current financial data. 

 •     Discussion of several strategic priorities 

o   Malnutrition efforts

o   Parenteral nutrition safety

o   Parenteral nutrition drug shortages

As a result of these discussions, A.S.P.E.N. will transition the current Malnutrition TaskForce into standing Malnutrition Committee. This group will oversee A.S.P.E.N.’s efforts in this important area. We will also be creating a Parenteral Nutrition Safety Task Force. A Parenteral Nutrition Drug Shortage Sub-committee is already in place, chaired by Beverly Holcombe, PharmD, as part of A.S.P.E.N.’s Clinical Practice Committee.

•     New Corporate Partner Scientific Advisory Council 

The Board established this new group to encourage communication between A.S.P.E.N. and the scientific members of industry, allow for collaboration on clinical and public policy issues, and to enhance the sense of community for corporate scientific members. Operationalization of this initiative is currently underway.

•     Review of the Strategic Plan 

As occurs at each face-to-face meeting, the Board reviewed the strategic plan. A new version, which will include the updates on initiatives noted here, will be distributed following formal approval by the Board.  

•     Establishment of an A.S.P.E.N. Fellows Designation 

The Board approved a recommendation from the Fellows Task Force, chaired by Dr. Tom Jaksic, to establish an A.S.P.E.N. Fellows designation, FASPEN.  Members of the Board of Advisors who are active A.S.P.E.N. members will receive this designation in the first year. A Fellows Selection Committee, which for 2012 will be comprised of a subset of these individuals, will handle the selection process for the 2013 class. 

•     Endorsement of the International Guidelines for Nutrition Support in  

        Pancreatitis  

The International Consensus Guideline Committee developed guidelines for nutrition support in pancreatitis. The Board approved endorsement of these, and the guidelines will be co-published in JPEN and Clinical Nutrition.

2011 LEADERSHIP RETREAT 

For the first time since 2006, A.S.P.E.N. held a leadership retreat to bring together more than 50 Board members, committee and task force chairs, section chairs, and chapter leaders.  Goals for the 2011 retreat included:

•     To create a community of A.S.P.E.N. leaders

•     To generate loyalty and commitment to A.S.P.E.N. among appointed leaders

•     To align volunteer leaders and groups with the organization’s strategy

•     To strengthen leadership capabilities among A.S.P.E.N. leaders

The tone of the group was open, enthusiastic and dedicated to these goals. Discussions included:

•     Review of Membership Survey 

Vice-President Ainsley Malone, MS, RD led the group through a discussion about the results of our most recent membership survey. Conversations included areas where data could inform or work, or where more data is needed.   

•     A.S.P.E.N.’s Approach to Strategic Planning 

A.S.P.E.N. Chief Executive Officer Debra BenAvram, CAE shared an overview of how the Board approaches strategic planning. An important concept is that the plan is considered a living strategy which the Board reviews and updates at every face-to-face meeting.

•     Overview of Current Strategy 

President Jay Mirtallo, MS, RPh reviewed the seven goals within the current strategic plan, and highlighted major efforts within each area. Attendees then discussed each strategic area and made recommendations for adjustments. Emphasis was placed on growing the chapters and section programs, as well as highlighting the current clinical priorities surrounding malnutrition, parenteral safety and drug shortages.  

•     Leadership Skills Breakouts 

Four breakouts were offered for skill development in key areas:

o   Chapter management: led by Jennifer Wooley, MS, RD, CNSD and

     Deborah Timmons

o   Interdisciplinary leadership: led by Charlene Compher, PhD, RD

o   Mentoring: led by Beth Lyman, MSN, RN

o   Developing action plans: led by Marion Winkler, PhD, RD

 The Board will evaluate the success of the retreat and determine how frequently to hold similar events in the future.