2008 ADAA Delegate's Report

2008 ADAA Delegates Report

On October 16th the 1st House of Delegate convened with a welcome from Rhonda Lane of Texas, the 9th District Trustee. The San Antonio College Dental Assisting Students were welcomed by the house as special guests. President Kimberly Bland welcomed special guests including Major General Cerf of the Army Dental Command, Col. Wong of DENCOM and Col. David Richardson of the USAF. All brought greeting from their respected branched of the service. For those of you who may not be aware, the US Army and the USAF are partners of the ADAA and their dental assistants are members. The Navy is currently working to get on board as well. The ADAA provides the majority of CE training for these soldier dental assistants. Angela Mancuso of Henry Schein and ADAAF Chair spoke on how the funds donated to the Foundation go toward education including the CEs that are provided through the ADAA both in the Journal and for purchase. This year’s goal from the silent and live auctions will be $55K. Angela Swatts, awards chair announced the winners of the Sunstar America Pride Award, the Loyalty Award, ADAA Journal Award, Membership Award and the Juliette Southard Student Award.

Shelly Douglas, ADAA Secretary read correspondence. BOT report read. New election rules were adopted.

President Bland read the nominations for the following offices:

President Elect, Angela Swatts, CDA, EFDA

Vice President, Natalie Kaweckyi, RDARF, CDA, CDPMA, COA, COMSA, MADAA, BA

Secretary, Claudia Pohl, CDA, RDA, BVEd, FADAA

2nd District Trustee, Susan Camizzi

6th District Trustee, Cathleen Meyer-Butler, CDA, OMSAA

9th District Trustee, Rhonda Lane, BS, CDA, RDA

Kim Arnie was nominated from the floor to take the position of 3rd District Trustee. After the nominations were read, each candidate read their position statement for the House.

The House was recessed until Saturday, October 18th.

Reference Committees:

Bylaws:

2008 Proposed Amendments to the ADAA Bylaws

Amendment #1

Article VIII – Trustees and Districts, Section 1. Trustee Districts.

The change was in the wording from an additional trustee district called Army Federal Services District to “There shall be 2 additional trustee districts called Army Federal Services District and the Air Force Federal Services District representing the ADAA members from the United States Federal Services Membership Classification”. (There will be a third added once the Navy becomes fully involved.) Additionally an addendum was made stating in the event of a vacancy in the office of Federal District Trustee, the President after consultation with the Executive Committee shall appoint a qualified member within the district to serve as a trustee for the unexpired portion of the three year term.

Rationale: Both of the current branches of the military within the Federal District of the ADAA bring different opinions and concerns and would best be represented from each branch.

Amendment #2

Article XI – Councils. Section 1. Councils

Allied Health Relations to be removed from the list of current councils appointed by the President and the BOT. It has been amended to read:

There shall be the following Councils appointed by the President and approved BOT: Membership, Annual Conference, Awards and Scholarships, Education, Governance, Legislation, Strategic Planning, Finance, and Fellowship and Mastership.

Rationale: Due to the efficiency and effectiveness, the working Council would better serve the Association if this group functioned as a component of the Council on Legislation.

Finance: The budget was presented to the reference committee. The biggest discussion was regarding increasing the dues of active members beginning in 2009 by $5.00 and $10.00 for students. There was discussion regarding the hardship on students especially with the price of gas and many students not being able to put gas in their cars to get to school. The reference committee recommended only a $5.00 increase for student members.

Resolutions:

Proposed Resolution on National Minimum Standard for Dental Assistant Radiographers:

This would allow that once dental assistants are certified to take radiographs in one state that if they moved to another state they would not have to recertify in the new state.

Friday, October 16th

Caucuses & Balloting

Items discussed in Caucus:

1.ADAA to meet with Navy post convention for contract similar to that with Army and Air Force

2.Marketing contract with MGI to be extended another 6 months

3.New DVD for the Association being produced

4.Newsletter geared toward the Business Assistant coming out

5.All officers from the state of Colorado have resigned. ADAA President Bland has appointed a President Pro Tem until new elections can be held.

6.Please use the CE that is included in your Journal.

Balloting for officers and District Trustees were held by District.

Leadership Forum:

Lead by Linda Miles to recognize styles (defining leaders) and relieve the fear of being a leader. A leader has the ability to empower other people to willing do what they wouldn’t normally do. Leaders see things as they are then see them better. You can delegate authority but not responsibility. Change is inevitable for growth. Change has no respect for tradition. Group was broken into working groups by the DISC profile. Each group then came up with suggestions on how to combat the Association’s largest challenge, retaining members.

Membership Forum:

Local societies are slowly dying. It was suggested that someone from each local society step up and become an Ambassador. Concept: Bring together groups to look at the current challenges and define direction. Directives: Invest in issues that involve the needs of dental assistants. Analyze current membership.

Objectives of Vision:

Improve ADAA offerings to the dental assistant and member needs.

Improve alliance between ADAA and other organized dentistry

Increase member participation

o Increase retention

o Look at professional diversity/demographics

o Increase public awareness/recognition

o Increase membership

We have been leadership driven and this needs to change to being member driven. Proposed structural changes include designations:

AC - Active Clinical

AA – Practice Managers/Administrators

AT – Active Dental Trade

AE – Active Dental Educator

FD – Federal District Member

These members would be eligible to hold office and delegate status.

Student member category would remain unchanged.

Recognition of “membership milestones” with awards and other recognition rather than with a separate category. Establish an “Alumni Member” designation with reduced dues, limited activity government activities and selected benefits to include publications.

Institute “Student Leagues”. A leadership template for schools. They would elect their own officers, run their own meetings, set their own league goals with ADAA suggested activities. Also along the lines of student members, institute mentorship programs pairing students with experienced assistants. This will also allow for better accountability and provide a sounding board for students.

Governance Changes:

Restructure districts from 12 to 8

Establish 4 professional sections:

o Clinical

o Dental Practice Management

o Dental Trade

o Educators

8 Trustees, 4 Trustees at Large representing each group and 1 Student Liaison (Current AS1/AS2)

Student Liaison would have previous experience with the ADAA Student League and would serve a 2 year term elected by students and recent graduates.

Bipartite Structure: State or Territorial Associations. Locals would function as study clubs as a committee under the state. Would not have to establish officers, rules of governance or bank accounts.

These are only suggestions for possible changes. There will need to be proposals within each state and district and suggest alternate ideas. Decisions will be made during forums over the next 1-2 years as to what avenues to pursue. It will begin with the process of adopting changes through bylaws amendments. We must be member, not leadership driven.

October 18th 2nd House of Delegates:

President Bland reconvened the House. A letter of greeting was sent by Dr. Mark Feldman, President of the ADA. The ADA is a co-sponsor of DARW.

Election results were read. All those running for office ran unopposed so results were as reported during the 1st House.

Larry Sepin, Executive Director of the ADAA gave an update of the new ADAA:

6529 Active members (not including student, military, life, retired)

Marketing firm, MGI has energized new member recruitment, opened new markets, increase membership revenue and reinstated former members.

1st 6 months 450 new members. Over the next 6 months goal is 600 new members. There will no longer be any discounts for new members. Looking at a debit system for dues. Our very existence depends on membership. Cannot get legislation passed without more voices.

Resolution on National Minimum Standard for Dental Assistant Radiographs passed after discussion and two failed motions to send back to committee for further consideration and wording change.

Student member increase of $10 amended to be increased only by $5.00 – passed

Increase Active member dues 5.00 – passed

Bylaws amendments passed.

Wreathes for fallen soldiers available for $15 each to be placed at Arlington National Cemetery on December 13th. There is an ADAA link for donations through www.wreathesacrossamerica.org.

With no further business, President Kimberly Bland adjourned the meeting.

Respectfully submitted by

Lori Paschall, CDA

President, SCDAA