Council on New and Younger Members Report
Dr. Mai Tran Ferrara
The Council held a meeting February 7, 2007 at the JW Marriott Resort in Las Vegas, in conjunction with the AAO Technology Conference. Since only three members of the current Council will continue, CONYM planned an informal meeting with the Council's new members preceding the New Orthodontist Conference at the 2008 Annual Session for an opportunity to learn more about the council and meet the other new members. The Council would like to see more promotion of this new program so that the AAO membership is aware of its existence. Several ideas were discussed, and AAO staff will work with Dr. Gaylord and the Marketing Department to put them into action wherever possible. It was also suggested that the members of CONYM work with their constituent organizations to promote the child care program.
The Council continues to provide articles and information for this quarterly electronic publication. Each council member is asked to contribute an article during the course of the year. Since the majority of the Council's members will rotate off in May, including the current New and Younger Members Online newsletter (NYMO) Editor, a new Editor will be appointed in June from among the new Council members. As in the past, staff will work closely with the Editor regarding the content of the newsletter.
The Council-sponsored program at the 2008 AAO Annual Session will continue the format of a 3-hour lecture/ Q&A session followed by a 1-hour reception to include the speaker, members of the Council, and Conference attendees. This year's speaker is Larry Mathis, who is a financial consultant serving dentists and dental specialists. The Council has submitted a motion to the February Board to allow spouses of Conference attendees to purchase a ticket to the event, because spouses of younger members are sometimes also their office managers, and the practice management information provided at this Conference could be helpful to both.
The Council has submitted a motion to the February Board that Dr. Bryan Nakfoor, currently a resident member of CONYM, be appointed to represent the AAO at the 2008 ADA New Dentist Conference in June. The Council members reviewed the Communications Audit Action Plan and the charges to the Council in the AAO Strategic Plan. Their thoughts and input on both will be reported in the appropriate venues.