146TH ANNUAL SESSION
President Dr . R . Donald Hoffman ’ s
REPORT TO THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES
Metamorphosis : met · a · mor · pho · sis met-uh-mawr-fuh-sis 1 . A profound change in the form , structure , or substance ; 2 . Any complete change in appearance , character , circumstances ; 3 . A form resulting from any such change .
After the brilliant light and intensive energy of summer , the natural world cools and contracts . The dimming days of autumn are all too soon followed by the descent into the dark months . In January frigid masses of North Pole air spun south . In addition to sub-zero temperatures , disruption of travel and general misery , a new phrase , Polar Vortex , was introduced to describe extreme winter weather . Winter brings powerful storms , but also radiant clear days with azure skies and deep vistas . Unlike most animals , human activity seems to increase as the temperature drops . As the fall progressed to winter , all manner of hustle and bustle occurred at 3501 North Front Street .
Organizational Restructuring
In April 2013 , the PDA House of Delegates passed HD 13-09 which directed that a “ Governance Task Force be appointed … in order to assist in the transition to a new governance structure .” From this resolution , GTF 2.0 , chaired by Dr . D . Scott Aldinger ( 3 ), was established . Parallel with this effort , as directed by HD 13-10 , HD 13-11 , HD 13-12 and HD 13-13 , Speaker Korch ( 7 ) worked with the Bylaws Committee and established the “ District Select Bylaws Review Group ” to “ craft the bylaw changes necessary to implement ” the governance model proposed by the 2013 Reference Committee on Organizational Affairs . Over the past months , both groups have worked assiduously to fulfill their charge .
As the country adjusts to the New Normal economics of the post 2009 Great Recession era , it is becoming increasingly obvious that organizations , be they your local Rotary or Lions Club , golf course , or any other organization , cannot continue to conduct business as they did in the
2000 ’ s or before . Even a casual review of the membership trend data provided by Ms . Donlin or the financial data provided by Treasurer Selcher ( 5 ) shows that there is a need for the PDA to change its governance and operational models . The pressing issues facing dentistry require the PDA to be a strong advocate for dentistry , facilitated by a strong financial foundation , without being compromised by cutting valuable member programs or by forgetting who we are and what we value as a profession . While you may or may not approve of all , or parts , of the restructuring reports that will be put forth at this year ’ s Annual Session , the need for the PDA to change is evident . I urge you to approach this process with an open mind , work towards compromise , and develop a governance structure that will take the PDA into the future . Your deliberations on a new governance model for the PDA cannot afford to experience the unwillingness to compromise that is so prevalent today in D . C .
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