Sponsored Meetings for ADA Media Spokespeople Policy

Sponsored Meetings for ADA Media Spokespeople Policy

Approved:  June 27, 2004

POLICY:

In accordance with ADA’s vision that its members be recognized as the most valued source of food and nutrition services, the American Dietetic Association has a policy of open, proactive and highly professional communication with the nation’s news media. ADA aims to be the public’s and the news media’s top resource for the most accurate, credible, objective and timely food and nutrition information.

Participation in Industry Sponsored Briefings and Training Events

The ADA Spokespersons Program is one of ADA’s most important and valued programs.  It is an Association organizational asset that is highly respected and well known to the food and nutrition media in the United States.  The renown the Program enjoys is the result of ADA’s more than two decades of work in developing it and the skilled and dedicated efforts of hundreds of member volunteers during those years.

ADA has an obligation to protect this asset.  This is particularly important when third party organizations offers to organize, finance and host events for the Spokespersons Program.  If ADA accepts such an offer, ADA will in its discretion require that the organizer respect ADA’s investment in developing this  Association asset by paying a fee to ADA.

ADA may turn down a third-party offer to organize a Spokespersons Program event.  In the absence of ADA acceptance and approval of such an event, ADA expects that third parties will not circumvent ADA’s rights to manage its Spokesperson Program by direct invitations to a significant number of Spokespersons and by informing other invitees and guests that ADA Spokespersons will be attending the event. 

Spokesperson attendance at industry sponsored briefing and training events requires prior approval by ADA.

For purposes of this policy, trade associations that are organized as not-for profit associations or quasi-governmental entities that seek to promote or represent a particular product or service shall be considered an “Industry.” A business entity organized as a foundation or that has received a 501(c) (3) designation from the IRS will not automatically be excluded from the application of this policy.

Philanthropic and other non-commercial sponsored events are not governed by this policy as long as attendance is not perceived as Spokesperson representation on behalf of ADA.  When in doubt, the Spokesperson shall consult with ADA’s Public Relations Director.

  • Industry briefings and training opportunities for ADA Spokespersons that are not initiated and totally funded by ADA must be presented to ADA in writing for review and approval. The proposed training shall support ADA’s strategic direction, positions and philosophy.  The organizer or sponsor will be required to  pay a briefing or training event fee to ADA in addition to all direct expenses of the training.

  • The sponsor or organizer must receive written approval in advance from the ADA for the location, program, topics, presenters and all individuals who will be invited to speak, attend, participate or observe in advance of the meeting. The ADA reserves the right to accept or reject the program, or any individual or aspect of the program. 

  • The sponsor or organizer of the event for the ADA Spokesperson Program will work with ADA’s Public Relations Team in organizing the program and selecting the location, along with ADA Spokesperson as appropriate. Proposed locations will be reviewed by ADA for suitability and ease of travel from all parts of the country. The programs shall occur within the United States unless there is a documented need that this training can only occur in the setting chosen. Such a location should be discussed with the ADA well in advance so that alternatives can be considered. If an event is approved for outside the United States, then the sponsor or organizer should  include involvement with the appropriate governmental agencies in that country, with the national dietetic association, if one exists in that country, and with the American Overseas Dietetic Association, if members are present in that area. 

An ADA Spokesperson who attends an industry sponsored briefing or training event that was not planned and sanctioned under these procedures will be considered in violation of the Spokesperson Program’s conflict of interest policy.  An ADA Spokesperson who violates this policy shall be advised by ADA’s Public Relations Director and will be given the opportunity to respond to the violation and remove the conflict.  The response will be reviewed by Board of Directors’ Executive Committee.  If a conflict exists and is not resolved within 30 days, the person shall be removed from the Program by written communication from the Executive Committee.