Common Membership Questions

1. Why did I already receive a bill from AHF?
   
   • Your membership in ASHFSA and/or HFM was rolled over to AHF. The bill you received was to cover your membership for part of the year and get you on the same billing cycle as everyone else, which is August 1 – July 31.
   
   
2. What if I do not pay this bill at this time?
   
   • Not paying this bill will not penalize you or make you inactive in AHF. You will be re-billed in approximately three month increments until it is received.
   
   
3. How many members are expected to be in AHF?
   
   • As of October 1, 2009, there are 1,100 AHF members. However, this number is expected to increase to more than 1,700— 400 business partners and 1,300 operators.
   
   
4. What if I did not receive a bill yet?
   
   • If you did not receive a bill you were not considered an active member of ASHFSA and/or HFM or your membership was already current through July 31, 2010. If you were not considered active, you may fill out the membership form on this website or contact Lauren Schott at 888-528-9552. If your membership was already active through July 31, 2010, then you will be receiving a letter shortly that explains items about the AHF membership.
   
   
5. I don't understand why I received a prorated bill. I just paid my dues in ASHFSA and/or HFM.
   
   • Your dues will be rolled in AHF and the prorated bill you received will make your membership valid through July 31, 2010.
   
   
6. Do I have to pay the fee for the scholarship fund?
   
   • No, but we ask you to remember that the fund is the only way many operators are able to attend conference. It is purely a donation to that fund. Please consider giving.
   
   
7. How will I be able to access the Members Only Section on the website?
   
   • If you are a current AHF member, your access information should have been sent to you already. However, if you need assistance, please contact lschott@healthcarefoodservice.org.
   
   
8. Can I still access the ASHFSA and/or HFM websites if I was previously a member?
   
   • No. Both website have been taken down with the launch of this site.
   
   
9. Will the Professional Recognition Program through ASHFSA still be offered?
   
   • The Professional Recognition is a program that many people have indicated they would like to see continued, so we plan to offer a similar program through AHF.
   
   
10. What impact will the consolidation have on the affiliations ASHFSA and HFM have with other organizations (e.g., the ADA)?
    
    • AHF will be THE ONLY healthcare foodservice association of its kind… larger in numbers and greater in strength. We can anticipate with confidence that all other food/foodservice associations, including the ADA, NRA, NACUFS, WFF, SFM, and more which ASHFSA and HFM may have written or verbal alliances with, including reciprocal advertising, comp registrations, etc., will continue.
    
    
11. What will happen to the current ASHFSA Chapters? What will happen to HFM's Networking meetings?
    
    • One of our immediate goals is to transition all existing ASHFSA chapters into the new organization, under the new mission and vision. Once HFM and ASHFSA members are working together in the regions on education and programming, there will be no need for additional networking meetings. This will all be structured under existing and emerging chapters.
    
    
12. Will contractors be eligible for membership at the chapter level?
    
    • Chapter membership eligibility is currently being determined by the AHF Board of Directors in consultation with the Chapter Board of Advisors.
    
    
13. Will all members of the new organization be encouraged to belong to and participate in the chapters?
    
    • Yes. Be sure to visit our chapter pages for more information.
    
    

If you have a question that has not been answered on this sheet, please email it to Sarah Wingfield at AHF Headquarters at swingfield@healthcarefoodservice.org. Thank you!