The Minnesota School Nutrition Association (MSNA) is excited to announce the outcome of the 2023 Board Member Election! The election occurred May 28 through June 11, and MSNA thanks those who voted for their participation. MSNA also thanks those who put their names forward to be considered for a Board position.

 Meet Your New Board Members

 Vice President 

     Glen Ritter, St. Michael-Albertville District 885 

Leadership Development Committee (LDC) 

     Amy Kimmel, Spring Lake Park School District

These positions will begin their terms in August 2023. Board Members will be installed on Wednesday, August 9th at the Annual Conference in St. Cloud. Learn more about Glen and Amy below!

"I have been working in School Nutrition for 19 years, and the part I love the most is helping to make an impact on the health of our students. Instilling healthy eating habits will carry over into adulthood. I use this passion to lead and inspire my staff in the St. Michael-Albertville school district. I would like the opportunities to share this passion with other members of MSNA."

Goals:

1. Increase MSNA membership overall.
2. Increase the number of members with certificates.
3. Inspire members to positively impact the future health of Minnesota students.

“Leadership is more than checking a box on a to-do list. It's a choice I make each day. One that is intentional and serves as a reminder that I'm, 'ridiculously in charge.'” This is taken from the book, “Boundaries for Leaders” by Henry Cloud, and to whom I credit throughout my own leadership story going on 23 years. I'm proud to be an employee and leader for the past 13 years with Spring Lake Park Schools. As a member of the district leadership team, I made a commitment to align my work of which I wear many hats, with the district's purpose, “High Expectations. High Achievement for all. No Excuses.” Over the years, I've cultivated its meaning, developed it into a practice, and set it as my standard in how I plan for my department and lead my team of 40 employees.

During my tenure, I set my own personal leadership goal using a tool called personal transition and development. This tool brought awareness to what skills and characteristics I needed to learn and grow for overall success of my team and department. What I discovered was I lacked courage. Thus began my journey about courage, and this is what I found: Leadership absent courage is a farce. It takes courage to break from the norm. Challenge the status quo. Seek new opportunities. Cut losses. Make the tough decision. Listen rather than speak. Admit my faults. Forgive the fault of others. Accept failure. Remain true to my core values.

Each day I have to choose how I want to lead, but regardless of my choice, I'm still ridiculously in charge. It's my goal each day to have the strength and conviction to lead with courage, by doing the right thing when it would just be easier to the things right."

Thank you to those who voted in the MSNA Election. Voting is not just a right, but a responsibility that shapes the future of this association.

If you have any questions, please contact MSNA at [email protected] at 320-251-2344.