Colorado Dietetic Association

Colorado Dietetic Association

State Media Representative

Application Criteria and Instructions

Application Deadline: September 4, 2007

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Thank you for your interest in serving as the Colorado Dietetic Association (CDA) State Media Representative.

The CDA State Media Representative serves as spokesperson for CDA and is instrumental in bringing CDA’s messages of healthful eating and nutrition to thousands of Coloradans in every form of news media—print, broadcast and electronic.

The CDA State Media Representative advances CDA’s mission and goals; increases the public’s knowledge of food, nutrition and health; establishes the registered dietitian as the public’s best source of nutrition information; and increases the overall visibility of the dietetics profession and CDA.

Please review the enclosed information, complete the attached application and return it by Tuesday, September 4, 2007 to:

Colorado Dietetic Association

1805 Bellaire Street, Suite 305

Denver, CO 80222

Applicants will be contacted to confirm receipt of their application, and interviews with selected candidates will be scheduled the weeks of September 17 and September 24.

CDA State Media Representative

Application Criteria and Instructions

All CDA State Media Representative applicants must:

·  Be an ADA and CDA member

·  Have been an RD for at least 3 years (advanced degree and/or specialty certification desirable but not required).

·  Experience working with the news media (television, radio, print and electronic) desired.

·  Possess and demonstrate strong communication skills and a positive demeanor.

·  Be knowledgeable in food and nutrition science, current food and nutrition topics, ADA position statements and two or three areas of expertise.

·  Be free of conflicts of interest

·  Have sufficient flexibility in his or her work schedule to permit media training, interviews (often on short notice), preparation time and occasional travel.

·  Promote, support and attend state, district or national Association activities.

·  Maintain a working fax machine and a valid e-mail address.

If you are selected to be CDA State Media Representative, you will be accepting a two-year term, beginning October 1, 2007, and ending September 30, 2009. Accepting the position signifies your willingness to comply with the performance guidelines and evaluation criteria outlined below.

CDA State Media Representative performance guidelines and evaluation criteria include the following:

Professional work ethic

·  Demonstrate integrity in all professional and personal actions supporting ADA’s code of ethics.

·  Project a positive professional image and attitude.

·  Provide – and when necessary, seek out – accurate information when acting as a source for the media, the public and CDA members or any other audience.

·  Avoid conflicts of interest and promotion of self and business.

·  Do not endorse products or services.

Avoid any conflict of interest

It shall be a conflict of interest for the CDA State Media Representative to:

·  Be a media spokesperson for or endorse any company, product or service.

·  Knowingly distribute false or misleading information.

·  Be quoted in industry press releases.

·  Appear in satellite media tours and video news releases for any other organization.

·  Accept any invitation to a media training, industry briefing or any similar event that is not authorized or sanctioned by CDA or ADA.

·  Accept remuneration for work as a CDA State Media Representative.

Media interviews

·  Always identify self as a registered dietitian and a Colorado Dietetic Association Spokesperson.

·  Consistently position the registered dietitian as the authority on food and nutrition.

·  Convey CDA’s and ADA’s positive food and nutrition philosophies and messages.

·  Work to improve the quality of media interviews.

·  Provide correct, clear, concise answers.

·  Maintain a steady level of media activity throughout the year.

·  Complete at least 12 media placements per year.

·  Initiate print and broadcast news stories.

·  Respond to last-minute media requests (schedule permitting).

Assignments

·  Follow through and complete assignments promptly.

·  Submit media activity report to the CDA Public Relations Team Chair before each board meeting.

·  Share information and special areas of expertise with fellow Spokespeople and State Media Representatives.

·  Will act as public face and spokesperson for special CDA projects such as PR for Simply Colorado cookbooks or National Nutrition Month.

·  Complete a yearly evaluation with the CDA Marketing and Public Relations Team Leaders.

CDA will provide the State Media Representative with:

·  Submission for advanced level media training from ADA when offered.

·  An annual budget which will be used for reimbursement as appropriate for expenses such as special training sessions, meetings, interview props, long-distance phone calls, local transportation.

·  Supplies and materials as needed for media relations.

Colorado Dietetic Association

State Media Representative

Application Packet

Please follow these format guidelines in preparing your application:

·  Use 8 ½” x 11” paper.

·  No staples.

·  Photocopy magazine or newspaper articles.

·  Do not use any folders or binders.

·  Wrap videos, tapes or CDs/DVDs to prevent damage.

All application packets must include:

1. Completed application form

2. Two letters of recommendation:

·  One from a peer familiar with your work.

·  One from your employer which includes a statement in support of your time spent on State Media Representative activities and interviews. If you are self-employed, include another letter from a peer familiar with your work.

3. Current resume (please include address, phone, fax and e-mail)

4. Recent head shot

Photos will not be returned.

5. One to two examples of news media interviews you have conducted within the past two years, an example of a TV or radio interview is desired.

·  Print or Web articles in which you were quoted (not articles authored by you).

·  Audio tapes or CDs of radio interviews

·  VHS, CD or DVD of a television interview.

Video and audio materials will be returned.

Colorado Dietetic Association State Media Representative

Application

Please type on this form or attach another sheet.

Why do you want to be CDA State Media Representative?

Describe in detail how you meet the State Media Representative qualifications. In particular, discuss your experiences working with the news media and your recent media activities.

Describe your areas of specialty and why you believe they make you a knowledgeable resource for the media and consumers.

Describe the extent of your participation in state, district or national Association activities.

Describe how you meet CDA’s State Media Representative conflict-of-interest requirements.

Optional: Please discuss any other factors, attributes, qualifications or activities that would

make you an effective CDA State Media Representative.