How do you connect what’s happening with ASDA at the national level to what you’re doing within your chapter and district? If you’re attending Annual Session 2019, you’re already taking the first step toward bridging that gap. Held Feb. 27 – March 2 in Pittsburgh — the “City of Bridges” — Annual Session will help you build a pathway toward future success and connections between your peer and national ASDA communities.
Networking and education
Dental students from all over the country will be in attendance, all with the goal to push ASDA forward and learn something new. And there are many opportunities to meet someone new, too, whether it’s during breakfast, lunch or the Dental Expo, the chapter idea exchanges or the President’s Gala. Attendees also will have the opportunity to learn about emerging trends in dental technologies during the breakout sessions on Saturday, March 2.
Gold Crown Awards
The accomplishments of your dental student colleagues are recognized during the Gold Crown Awards ceremony in the categories of media, chapter achievement and Delegate of the Year. This is the perfect time to get a firsthand look at how ASDA members across the country are excelling and achieving their goals.
Policy-making process
Make sure you’re prepared to be part of the deliberative body that elects the association’s leaders and to share your voice as new policy is set. Whether or not you actually attend Annual Session, it’s important for all ASDA members to read up on the candidates and proposed policy changes that will affect your organization for years to come.
You don’t have to be a policy expert to have your voice heard. Here’s how you can participate in this process.
- Review resolutions. A resolution is a formal request or action that is presented to the House of Delegates for consideration. Resolutions submitted by the initial deadline were reviewed by the ASDA Board of Trustees.
- Submit a resolution. If you didn’t make the initial deadline for resolutions but still want delegates to discuss a timely or relevant issue, there’s still time. Resolutions can be submitted via email until 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28. These resolutions will not be reviewed by the Board of Trustees and will go straight to the Reference Committee. Resolutions will be debated and voted on by delegates on the final day of Annual Session.
- Provide testimony. The Reference Committee Open Hearing gives all attendees the opportunity to share their opinions on this year’s resolutions.
ASDA leadership
The Board of Trustees is ASDA’s governing body and is responsible for administration and management of the association. ASDA’s officers and trustees are elected at Annual Session. Be sure to review this year’s candidates for the Executive Committee and the Speaker of the House.
At Annual Session, you also will elect your district’s representation by attending your district caucus. Your elected trustee will serve on the national ASDA Board of Trustees.
P.S.: Once Annual Session business is done, squeeze in some time to explore the event’s host city. The city guide in the January 2019 issue of Contour magazine gives you Pittsburgh’s must-see landmarks, restaurants and more.
