President William Spruill ’ s Address to the House of Delegates
III . Our Annual session , two full days , will be new this year . It is “ right-sized ” and I applaud the House for the decision . I am excited with all that is planned . Given the constraints of the venue , we are doing exceedingly well with the transition . I am asking the 2011 House to stay the course with the annual meeting format for the next few years and not propose any changes this session .
You should know that the Friday evening social event requires significant outside financial support and can be a strain on the fundraising abilities of the committee charged to plan the event . Further , it always seemed odd to me that we would throw a party that our most dedicated delegates , those serving on reference committees , cannot attend . This year we will have a night of receptions open to all delegates and members present . There will be abundant opportunity for camaraderie and collegiality at the Pitt Reception 4:30 to 6:30 , the PADPAC Reception 6:30 to 7:30 , then a dessert reception sponsored by Temple . At the PADPAC reception we will present the Outstanding Legislator Award to Sen . Orie and Rep . Pashinski for their sponsorship of Act 19 , our EFDA Bill . I expect to see all of you there to honor them and sow the seeds for future legislative successes .
Our contract with the Hotel is complete in 2013 . The Hotel Hershey is a resort hotel not a convention venue . The PDA is a significant customer and the hotel staff love to have us . They have admitted to me how shocked they are at how much chocolate we dentists eat in the brief time that we are there . But the Hotel Hershey is an expensive venue and it is cost prohibitive to provide electric at each delegates ’ place so we can conduct our business electronically . There are many newer venues in the mid-state and we should explore these opportunities . For our Annual Session 2013 and beyond , I encourage the board to conduct a comprehensive assessment of our needs so our staff can research other appropriate venues in preparation for decision making about our annual gathering .
My long-term vision is that the Pennsylvania Dental Association will have a two-day , statewide meeting in an appropriate venue that is revenue neutral . I believe we should set a goal for 2014 or 2015 for a day of meaningful , broad-appeal CE
Dr . Spruill shares a laugh with Third District trustee Dr . D . Scott Aldinger .
20 July / August 2011 • Pennsylvania Dental Journal