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REGISTER TODAY FOR OUR 2018 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Registration is now open for the premier annual gathering of Meals on Wheels professionals this August 28-30 in the heart of Charlotte, NC's bustling uptown district. Together as a network, we'll focus on the crucial elements, disciplines and conversations needed to achieve long-term success for you, your program and for the future of the Meals on Wheels movement. You won't want to miss it!

REGISTER TODAY!

Discounted Full Registration – covering all meals, sessions and networking events Tuesday, August 28 through Thursday, August 30 – is now available until July 1, 2018. Additional discounts apply when you register along with one or more colleagues. Act now – space is limited! 

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*Two or more registrants from the same program, if registered together
REGISTER NOW

Note: Conference Registration is now processed within the MY MEMBERSHIP section of Member Central and you must be logged in to access Member-only pricing. If you have yet to log in to the new Member Central for the first time, you must do so prior to registering. Follow instructions here.

For additional support, download our Conference Registration User Guide or call us at 1-888-998-6325. We will be happy to walk you through it.

COME EARLY TO ATTEND ONE OF OUR PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS

 
New this year, we are offering two concurrent Pre-Conference Intensive Workshops from 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. EDT on Monday, August 27. Both are designed to kick-start learning and enhance your 2018 Conference experience. An additional registration fee is required to attend and space is limited.

REFOCUSING ON SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH TO STRENGTHEN CLIENT IMPACT (NRCNA) - $50 

Assuring the health and well-being of older adults often requires a comprehensive, multipronged approach. Research has shown that more than 75% of health is determined by a combination of factors outside of the realm of medical care. Increasingly, these social determinants of health have been recognized as critical to the health of vulnerable populations. Senior nutrition programs have a long history of addressing non-medical needs for community-dwelling older adults, and thus are well-positioned to provide the nutritional, social, and environmental services that mitigate the health challenges that affect this population. Join the National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging (NRCNA) for this Pre-Conference Intensive Workshop that will introduce you to this social determinants of health framework and the implications for senior nutrition programs. You will have the opportunity to both learn from subject matter experts and network with peers to gain insight into how you can better align your services to address the non-medical needs of the seniors you serve.

A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO HEALTHCARE - $50

Are you looking to gain a better understanding of the win-win opportunities for Meals on Wheels providers in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment? Join experts in the field for an introductory crash course that will provide you with the foundational knowledge needed to explore one of Meals on Wheels America's top strategic initiatives. If you're interested in attending Healthcare sessions throughout the Conference, and are looking to get up to speed or refresh on the basics quickly, you won't want to miss this Pre-Conference Intensive Workshop!

REGISTER NOW

You can also add a Pre-Conference Workshop registration to your cart at check out.

 
BOOK YOUR STAY TODAY

 With discounted rooms starting at just $159 per night, The Westin Charlotte offers a relaxed hotel retreat in the heart of the city's bustling uptown district. Our discounted group rates are available for stays between Saturday, August 25 and Saturday, September 1, so you can extend your trip to Charlotte before or after the scheduled Conference events. 

Book today via our group rate webpage or by calling 1-866-837-4148. In order to receive the special group rate over the phone, you must mention that you are with the Meals on Wheels Annual Conference. 
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Space is limited and our group rate will expire on July 26, 2018 if the room block hasn't filled prior. 

If you have any questions about your Conference experience, please feel free to contact us at membership@mealsonwheelsamerica.org. 

We look forward to seeing you in the Queen City!

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  EXCITING PARTNERSHIPS AMPLIFYING THE “AMERICA, LET’S DO LUNCH” MESSAGE

The world’s biggest ridesharing company. One of the most popular podcasts on the market. Building on the launch of the new PSAs in March, “America, Let’s Do Lunch” continues to attract incredible partnerships to spread the word about Meals on Wheels and recruit new volunteers across the country.

As the campaign nears 100,000 new volunteer sign-ups, Uber and the hit podcast HowStuffWorks have both given our messages a huge boost. The ride-hailing company launched an in-app billboard promoting “America, Let’s Do Lunch” and encouraged users to sign-up to volunteer in their communities. During the two-week promotion that ends Thursday, May 3, all riders in the U.S. can view the message in the app while on a trip, bringing the campaign to potentially millions of viewers and, hopefully, new recruits.

Meanwhile, in the audio space, one of the most popular podcasts in the world – HowStuffWorks – responded to our call to inspire new volunteers by releasing an in-depth, 51-minute episode entirely devoted to Meals on Wheels. The podcast itself and additional promotion that the group will be doing online is expected to garner another five million exposures for the Meals on Wheels message.  Listen to the podcast itself here, and share their tweet promoting it here.

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Keep an eye out for more exciting, high-profile partnerships ahead!

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2018 MARCH FOR MEALS RESULTS ARE IN

Our 2018 March for Meals Results Survey, which closed Friday, April 13, sought to quantify our network-wide results and collect feedback on our tools and resources so that we can continue to meet your needs for years to come. Thanks to everyone who contributed! 

Here's what we learned from 191 respondents from coast to coast:
 
 

307

CELEBRATIONS REGISTERED

$1,096,886

RAISED

 

1,982

COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS ENLISTED

1,915

VOLUNTEERS RECRUITED

69% of survey respondents have participated for at least 5 years

REASONS FOR PARTICIPATING:

To raise awareness in the community (95%)
To leverage Community Champions  (73%)
To participate in a national campaign (72%)
To form partnerships (69%)
To recruit volunteers (64%)
To raise funding (62%)

SINGLE MOST SUCCESSFUL ACTIVITY:

Relationship Building (39%)
Publicity/PR (33%)
Fundraising (23%)
Volunteer Recruitment (5%)

98% of survey respondents plan to participate again next year

 
Congratulations on another successful year! We look forward to considering all of the feedback submitted as we set plans in motion for the 2019 March for Meals celebration. As always, we seek to provide turnkey campaigns and resources that enable you serve more seniors in your communities.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

  
Caldwell Meals on Wheels, Caldwell, ID
Cherokee County Senior Services, Canton, GA
San Pedro Meals On Wheels, San Pedro, CA   

 

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

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NEW REPORT CONFIRMS THE IMPACT OF HOME-DELIVERED MEALS ON HEALTHCARE COSTS

A recently published study in Health Affairs showed a positive association between receiving meal delivery and lowering the costs of healthcare services among Medicare-Medicaid dual eligible individuals. This study expands a body of research that yields solid evidence that nutrition and other social determinants of health are crucial to improving overall health and well-being and saving on healthcare costs.

Findings from Meals on Wheels America’s More Than a Meal Randomized Control Pilot Study provide more insights on how and why home-delivered meals can help keep seniors in their homes and out of far more expensive healthcare settings like nursing homes and emergency rooms, mirroring the evidence shown by the Health Affairs study.

The Health Affairs study also highlights the importance of bridging the gaps between healthcare providers and home- and community-based programs and is a critical step toward quantifying the true value of home-delivered meals.

Read the full report here and Meals on Wheels America’s statement about this report here. 
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9 STRATEGIES TO CONVERT YOUR WEBSITE INTO A FUNDRAISING TOOL

Are you making use of tools such as donation buttons and donor testimonials on your website? In many cases, your website is the first interaction that a potential donor will have with your program. This quick read from digital fundraising firm Salsa Labs will help you consider different approaches that you can implement to take your fundraising efforts to the next level. 
LEARN MORE

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CHECK OUT THIS OLDER ADULT MALNUTRITION VIRTUAL CONFERENCE

Join Healthy Aging on Tuesday, May 22 for an afternoon of exploring malnutrition from multiple unique perspectives at the Older Adult Malnutrition: An Interdisciplinary Approach Virtual Conference. Hear from 12 leading, interdisciplinary experts about approaches to treating malnutrition in acute, sub-acute and community settings from 12:00 - 4:30 p.m. EDT.  Experiences and ideas from two Meals on Wheels America Member programs will be presented during separate sessions described below.

Part 1A – Section 3: Together in Care

Delivered by Stephanie Archer‐Smith of Meals on Wheels America Member program Meals on Wheels Central Maryland.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the process to create a model for transition of care that leverages community-based resources; 
  • Identify how to use technology to identify patients’ social and health needs, gather data and monitor progress; and
  • List and discuss different strategies and approaches to fund transition of care services. 

Part 1B – Section 1: The Most Common Nutrition Diagnoses in the Homebound and Chronically Ill: A Retrospective Analysis of PES Statements

Delivered by Denise Blevins, MS, RDN, LD of Meals on Wheels America Member program Meals on Wheels Tarrant County

At the end of the session, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the need for PES statements when serving homebound and chronically ill clients at risk of malnutrition;
  • Identify the most common problems and etiologies found in over 1,400 clients during one year (2015‐2016); and 
  • Predict the benefits of utilizing and sharing PES Statements to reduce malnutrition.  

Participating in the conference is free for Healthy Aging Members or $50 ($25 per session) for non- members. 
LEARN MORE

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OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON OAA CHANGES

The Administration on Community Living (ACL) is seeking public input on proposed revisions to the existing data collection materials for the State Program Report (SPR) For State Units on Aging (Older Americans Act Titles III and VII (Chapters 3 and 4). The proposed revisions include reductions in the data that is currently collected from across the Aging Network in an effort to allow for more efficient reporting, among other things.

If your program receives funding through the Older Americans Act (OAA), we encourage you to submit written comments on this proposal. Comments must be submitted by May 2, 2018 and can be sent via:

  • Email to: OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for ACL
  • Fax to 202.395.5806, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for ACL; or
  • Mail to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, New Executive Office Bldg., 725 17th St. NW, Rm. 10235, Washington, DC 20503, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for ACL

ASSOCIATION UPDATES

2018 OLDER AMERICANS MONTH ENCOURAGES SENIORS TO ENGAGE AT EVERY AGE: TAKE PART

Meals on Wheels America will be joining the Administration for Community Living’s (ACL) annual Older Americans Month celebration next week! Each year, beginning May 1, we join forces with other aging organizations to celebrate older Americans and their contributions to our economy, politics and the arts, and to raise awareness about the issues facing seniors nationwide. This year’s theme – Engage at Every Age – emphasizes that no one is too old to take part in activities that enrich physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and celebrates how older adults make a difference in our communities.

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ADVOCATE WITH US

Older Americans Month is the perfect time to show your Members of Congress the value of Meals on Wheels programs and the important work you do day in and day out to keep our nation’s seniors happy, healthy and independent. To fully leverage this special month, keep an eye out for a Meals on Wheels America Member toolkit and a variety of advocacy resources so you can join the effort to speak out for older Americans. Resources coming soon! Plus, Members of Congress will also be in their home states and districts the first and last weeks in May. These are great opportunities to invite them to visit your programs, deliver meals to their constituents and experience firsthand the difference you're making every day.

CELEBRATE WITH US

To join in the celebration and help promote initiatives supporting older Americans who are “engaging at every age” all across the country, visit the Older Americans Month website where you will find information on how to participate and access outreach tools that include: logos, social media, posters, info sheets, sample proclamations, activity ideas and more! 

You can further support your Older Americans Month activities by exploring the following resources that we found helpful. They’re all free to order in bulk from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) Office for Older Americans, which makes it easy to share them with the seniors you serve.

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Visit consumerfinance.gov/olderamericans for more resources to share during Older Americans month.

MEMBER OPPORTUNITIES & BENEFITS

NEW FUNCTIONALITY! MANAGE YOUR MEMBERSHIP THROUGH MEMBER CENTRAL 

Since our relaunch of Member Central earlier this year, more than 900 individuals have logged in to the new Member-only online portal to check out all of the benefits and resources available. And, earlier this month, we introduced some enhancements to the MY MEMBERSHIP section of the site to provide Principal Members – the primary contact for each Member organization – the ability to edit or update:

  • general contact information for their organization
  • zip codes that define their service areas
  • organization demographics required at renewal
  • a roster of staff members who can access benefits

Keeping this important information up to date will enable us to better serve your organization, seniors in need of your services and the network at large.

To access this information, simply log in to Member Central, click on the MY MEMBERSHIP section in the top navigation bar and select ORGANIZATION INFO in the left toolbar.

Download our Member Central User Guide to learn more about how to navigate this section of the site.

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NOT THE PRINCIPAL MEMBER? You can still view your organization's information in the MY MEMBERSHIP section and edit your individual information under MY PROFILE. If you see information tied to your organization's record that should be updated, we encourage you to notify your Principal Member.

To change the Principal Member of your organization, simply contact us at 888-998-6325 or membership@mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

HAVEN'T LOGGED IN TO THE NEW MEMBER CENTRAL YET?


You must log in to Member Central in order to access the MY MEMBERSHIP section and the rest of the benefits and resources available. If you haven’t done so and set up your new login and password since we made the transition to the new site in early January, follow these simple steps to unlock your account:

  1. GO TO THE MEMBER CENTRAL LOGIN PAGE
  2. INPUT YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AT WHICH YOU'RE RECEIVING THIS MESSAGE (This will act as your "username" now and moving forward.)
  3. INPUT MOW2018 AS YOUR TEMPORARY PASSWORD (Please note this is case sensitive.)
  4. CLICK THE "LOG IN" BUTTON TO SUBMIT
  5. CREATE A NEW PASSWORD

 
Once you've created a new password, you'll be redirected to the Member Central homepage and free to browse the site. We recommend that you bookmark www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/member-central so that you can return easily and often.

HAVING TROUBLE? Contact our Membership Team at membership@mealsonwheelsamerica.org or 888-998-6325 for further assistance.


Thank you for taking a few moments to move forward with us and improve your Member experience!
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2018 MEALS ON WHEELS LOVES PETS GRANTS: GRANT CYCLE OPENING


Meals on Wheels Loves Pets​ grants are designed to support Members with their existing pet programs or help them start new ones. For the 11th year, we will be providing needs-based awards of up to $2,500 to eligible Member programs, thanks to funding from Banfield Charitable Trust.

The applications period for the 2018 grant cycle will open in our Online Grants System next Friday, May 4.

In an effort to encourage sustainability, Meals on Wheels Loves Pets grants will match funds raised up to $2,500 for applicants with pet assistance programs that have been in existence for longer than one year. The funds need to have been raised between January 1, 2018 and the time you submit your application. Existing programs that do not have fundraising amounts will not receive pets grants. View this free webinar to learn more about the 2018 Meals on Wheels Loves Pets grant. We encourage you to reach out to the Pet Advisory Council if you’d like some guidance on applying.

KEYS TO SUCCESS FROM THE MEALS ON WHEELS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

TOPIC OF THE MONTH: BOOSTING EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT THROUGH RECOGNITION

According to Gallup, 70% of employees do not feel engaged at work. This is a considerable number of workers who have a significant impact on the success of many organizations, possibly even yours! One of the easiest ways to increase employee engagement is through employee recognition.

Thank You

Gallup found that one in three workers felt they received recognition for doing good work (in the previous week) and many reported that their best efforts are not noticed. Meanwhile, there seems to be a strong correlation between engagement and recognition as Forbes found that 80% of employees in the U.S. who receive strong recognition are highly engaged in their jobs.

All of us have had a time when we felt appreciated. Maybe it was a small compliment about your ambition or maybe you were recognized and rewarded in front of your peers for your leadership skills. No matter how big or small, receiving recognition has an impact on employee engagement which in turn impacts performance.

Are you already recognizing your employees? Maybe you are doing a great job through an Employee of the Month or similar program. Try to think further outside of the box. Everyone has their own preference about how they would like to be acknowledged, so it is important to personalize recognition. Maybe one employee doesn’t like to be publicly recognized and a simple “thank you” note would make them feel appreciated just as much as another employee who prefers more public recognition. Instead of announcing an Employee of the Month, you can recognize your newest employee for learning and applying that new skill to their work. This will encourage a culture of learning and, ultimately, impact performance.

While you consider the options, take a look at a few articles that will aid you in assessing the opportunities.

Why Happy Employees Are 12% More Productive
9 Employee Engagement Archetypes
40 Employee Recognition Ideas for Your Staff
How to Provide Great Feedback When You are Not in Charge
What Great Managers Do to Engage Employees
Employee Appreciation eCards


STAY CONNECTED

It's easy to engage with the Meals on Wheels Leadership Academy outside of the virtual classroom! Simply join our Linkedin Discussion Group and/or follow @MOWAcademy on Twitter.

YOUR LEARNING TEAM

We're here to ensure you're getting the most out of the learning opportunities offered by Meals on Wheels America! If you have questions or suggestions about learning events, feel free to contact academy@mealsonwheelsamerica.org or reach out directly using the contact information below.

Magda Hagerman-Apol

Magda Hageman-Apol
Vice President, Education and Training
magda@mealsonwheelsamerica.org

Sharron Corle

Sharron Corle
Professional Development Director
sharron@mealsonwheelsamerica.org

Sammi Heffron

Sammi Heffron
Education and Training Administrator
sammi@mealsonwheelsamerica.org

DON'T MISS OUT ON A VIRTUAL CONVERSATION WITH MEMBER PROGRAMS OF YOUR SIZE

Are you looking to hear fresh ideas and best practices from fellow Members? 

All Meals on Wheels America Members from small- or medium-sized programs are invited to join us for a virtual gathering to hear fresh ideas and best practices on a number of current topics. Each meeting will also feature updates from Meals on Wheels America staff on key areas of importance to your program, such as advocacy and fundraising.
 
We welcome your participation, even if you were unable to attend the first meeting at the 2017 Annual Conference in Denver! 
 

SMALL MEMBER PROGRAM COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

Wednesday, May 2 from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. EDT 
Open to programs with senior nutrition budgets of less than $500,000
REGISTER NOW
 

MEDIUM MEMBER PROGRAM COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

Thursday, May 3 from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. EDT 
Open to programs with senior nutrition budgets of $500,000 to $2,000,000
REGISTER NOW
 
These Communities of Practice are driven by Members, so if you have any suggestions or recommendations, please contact us at membership@mealsonwheelsamerica.org.
 

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GETTING SMART(ER) WITH THE NRCNA – WEBINAR, MAY 9

Introducing the new and improved National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging (NRCNA)! The NRCNA, hosted by Meals on Wheels America through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living, aims to modernize the provision of senior nutrition services by offering a range of contemporary resources on nutrition, aging, healthcare integration, innovative program practices and much more. This online portal has undergone a revitalization and now features a fresh new interface, customized search features and more. Join us for this free webinar on May 9 at 3:30 p.m. ET to gain a first look at the newly revamped NRCNA online portal, and learn how this resource can support your work through improved access to innovative tools and resources. 
 
IN THIS WEBINAR, YOU WILL:

  • Become familiar with the topical resource collections available on the NRCNA online portal;
  • Understand how to use both simple and advanced search techniques to locate resources in the NRCNA online library; and
  • Gain insight into the training offerings for nutrition and aging services professionals across the Aging Network.

WEBINAR: Getting Smart(er) With the NRCNA
PRESENTER: Uche Akobundu, Director of the National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging and Senior Director, Nutrition Strategy, Meals on Wheels America 
WHEN: Wednesday, May 9, 2018 
TIME: 3:30 - 4:00 p.m. EDT
FEE: FREE
REGISTER NOW
Hosted by Meals on Wheels America as part of a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living, the National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging (NRCNA) is designed to build the capacity of the aging services network to provide nutrition services for both current and future older adult populations integrated into a home- and community-based service system and provide training and technical assistance to the aging network regarding nutrition services. To learn more, visit www.nutritionandaging.org.

UNLEASH YOUR NONPROFIT BOARD: SOCIAL MEDIA & ONLINE MEDIA ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS – WEBINAR, MAY 17

Are your board members fully optimizing all of the online tools and social media available? Digital skills are a fundamental part of nonprofit communications, so it is essential that you integrate digital across the entire organization and into every area of your program’s business model, including board engagement. Join Meals on Wheels America and nonprofit management expert Jeanne Allen on Thursday, May 17 at 3:30 p.m. EDT to pick up some tips on how to move your board towards using more online tools and social media. You will walk away with a plan for how to effectively incorporate your board members as key facilitators in your digital strategy.

IN THIS WEBINAR YOU WILL:

  • Match board responsibilities with different social media and online platforms;
  • Identify first steps for your board to engage; and
  • Create a board culture of continuous learning and experimenting.

WEBINAR: Unleash Your Nonprofit Board: Social Media & Online Engagement Strategies for Success
PRESENTER: Jeanne Allen, Principle Jeanne Allen Consulting
DATE: Thursday, May 17, 2018
TIME: 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. EDT
FEE: Free
REGISTER NOW