AFDO resolutions
Each year prior to the AFDO Annual Educational Conference, resolutions are submitted to the AFDO Board of Directors for consideration.
It is through this process that members, committees and regional affiliate associations surface concerns, and suggested action, relating to legislative, regulatory and technical issues as they apply to foods, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices and consumer product safety issues.
All resolutions reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors are presented to the membership during the Annual Business meeting on Wednesday for consideration and vote for adoption.
After the annual conference actions are taken to carry out those resolutions adopted by the membership. These actions may include referral to one of the federal agencies for consideration, letters to Congress or to other organizations, or referral to the appropriate AFDO committee (i.e., development of an AFDO position paper, model code or other action).
In case you are not familiar with our Resolution Process, here it is in a nutshell:
Step 1
Fill out the Resolutions template
Step 2
Send your resolution using our submission form:
Proposed resolutions are forwarded to the Committee Chair from an AFDO Affiliate, AFDO Committee, or a voting member of AFDO. The Resolutions Committee vets the proposed resolution and may make revisions, but only with the consent of the originator. These are then submitted to the AFDO Board for their consideration. Irrespective of the views of the Board, whether positive or negative, the resolutions go to the membership at the Annual Conference for a vote. The Board has the latitude to make revisions, but again only with the consent of the originator. The Board also makes a recommendation to the membership. The Board may also consider the issue important enough to take immediate action, such as submission of a letter to FDA, USDA, etc. to speed up the resolution of the issue, rather than waiting for the Annual Conference.
When drafting a good resolution, one should have a good knowledge of the topic and have a solution in mind to whatever the problem may be that has driven you to believe an AFDO resolution will get the job done, or at least stimulate action on a topic. You should be as succinct as possible. Each idea or concept within the resolution should be brief and to the point, beginning with “Whereas,” and each ending with a comma, and the word “and.” Example: “Whereas, there is a problem with the cleaning and sanitizing of ice tea dispensers in retail food establishments, and…”
Finally, when you reach your last “Whereas,” the next to the last idea should end with “…therefore be it.” Then, the last idea beginning with “Resolved, that…….” Example: “Whereas, since neither FDA nor the National Restaurant Association has issued explicit instructions for a sanitizing procedure or timetable, therefore be it,” and the final paragraph beginning with “Resolved, that AFDO request both FDA and NRA to develop and disseminate such procedures to establish a uniform enforcement tool throughout the U.S.”
As long as you have an idea that is national in scope, a solution for the problem, and articulate this in your resolution, there is a good chance that AFDO will move on your proposal and that you will actually have an impact on food safety at the national level!
All resolutions
