Impressions
2020 ADA Annual Meeting : 5 Days in Orlando from Anywhere
by Dr . Stephen T . Radack III , Editor
As you may have read in my editorial in the September / October issue or the ADA News , you already know the ADA Annual meeting , both the House of Delegates and the scientific meeting , were moved from in person in Orlando to a virtual meeting several months ago . I am sure most folks who have attended an ADA Annual Meeting wondered how this could ever be executed .
The education , entertainment and exhibit floor would seem to be the easiest elements to translate in this new era of virtual meetings , but having a governance meeting with well over 500 members in attendance , well that seemed to be a whole different story . Other associations had already moved to a virtual annual meeting this year , so there were successful models for ADA to follow . As a member of PDA ’ s delegation , I wondered how voting on the various resolutions and election of the new officers would occur . Consider that House members were scattered in all 50 states across 6 times zones . It would seem to be a logistical nightmare and one I am sure most previous Speakers of the House would be happy not to have to preside over . All meetings were going to be on Zoom and voting by the delegates would take place using the Lumi voting platform . Alternate delegates and guests would be only be able to view a live stream of the proceedings and have no input .
The meeting started on Thursday this year compared to the usual Friday in-person start , and as 10:30 EST approached you could sense the excitement in members of our delegation , as the first messages stated coming at 8:50 . Since we were not all together and unable communicate in person , we used a group text on WhatsApp . The first or opening meeting usually is the time for the president , treasurer , and executive director to address the House and for the nominations of officers and their speeches . This year they were all done virtually . I believe the speaker , president-elect , treasurer and executive director were all in Chicago , but Dr . Gehani addressed the delegation from his home in New York . This meeting is always the finale for the president and a time to conclude their year . Dr . Gehani has had a most unusual year and this was no different . It was a little sad not to see him up on the dais addressing us in a large ballroom filled with members and guests . He and the other speaker did a great job . The technology worked the way it was supposed to .
Later that afternoon the reference committee hearings would begin . These are usually held in a ballroom with plenty of seating and a dais in the front , with several microphones in the center aisle to allow testimony on the various resolutions that committee will be deliberating on . Depending on the issue , the population of the room is sometimes filled to capacity and or sometimes very sparse .
It was strange once the virtual reference committee started on Zoom . You could see the members of the reference committee on your screen like Hollywood Squares or the Brady Bunch , but you had no idea how many people were actually “ present in the room .” To testify to an issue , you would have to raise your hand in Zoom and wait for the moderator to call on you , unmute you , and then you would have to unmute yourself . You would either be speaking PRO or CON for the resolution . I think the entire delegation was concerned how this would all work , but the moderator was absolutely fantastic . She was patient , polite and made sure the members got their chance to testify just as if we were there in person . Thursday ’ s two sessions ran from 3:00-6:15 , but ended up going over slightly . Friday , the hearings started at 10:30 a . m . and lasted until 3:00 p . m . Even though we weren ’ t there in person , the PDA delegation was communicating constantly through the group text on WhatsApp . This was very helpful making sure folks in our group would be ready to testify when a resolution was brought up . The texts were also great for a smile or a chuckle as some of the hearings went on and on .
We got a break from the ADA meeting on Saturday and that allowed us to be a part of the PDA Virtual Business Meeting from 11:00 a . m . -12:30 p . m . This was originally supposed to be held at Pennsylvania ’ s Dental Meeting in April in the Poconos . This was a great way for any member to participate and get to hear immediate past president , Dr . Charlie Incalcaterra , wrap up his year , and get updates from our president , ADA trustee , and executive director , and participate in the PDAIS shareholders meeting .
Sunday it was back to ADA business as our Third District would have its all-day caucus meeting from 7:30 a . m . -3:30 p . m . During this GoToMeeting we would at least be all able to see each other . The group would review every resolution again after the reference committees had made their recommendations . This also gave our delegation a chance to make amendments or other changes we wanted to see before the final resolution was passed Monday . We would also get to hear from the three candidates for president-elect and two for 2 nd vice president and ask them questions . As with everything so far at this meeting , it was just different not being all together in the same room
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 5