We have been very busy rebuilding our political action committee via our long-term strategy . One of the primary ways to increase the PAC is to obtain greater buy-in from PDA leaders .
The last three PDA presidents have contributed at the President ’ s Club level ($ 2,500 ). Drs . Jim Boyle , Charles Incalcaterra and James Tauberg have all shown they understand the importance of a robust and efficient PAC . Current president Dr . Gary Davis wanted to keep the streak going and made his President ’ s Club contribution at the PDA Leadership Conference while calling on his colleagues to “ walk the walk ” as he does . Continuing the quest for excellence , our outgoing ADA Trustee and former PDA President Dr . Linda Himmelberger continues to set the standard and lead by example as she joins the President ’ s Club contribution level . That ’ s a trend so superior that in a poker tournament it would be illegal . Any competitor showing five of a kind would be unstoppable . Thank you all very , very much ! Future PDA presidents should keep the trend going for many years to come . If they do there ’ s no limit to what our PDA can achieve .
Dr . Jim Boyle Dr . Charles Incalcaterra Dr . Linda Himmelberger Dr . James Tauberg Dr . Gary Davis
Dr . Boyle has gone above and beyond and contributed at the President ’ s Club level for three years in a row . Dr . Tauberg has likewise set an example of dedication and service by contributing at the President ’ s Club level twice . This level of contributions is unprecedented . We ’ ve received more President ’ s Club contributions in the last three years than in the entirely of PDA ’ s 150-year existence .
You don ’ t have to be PDA President to contribute at the President ’ s Club level . There is only one president per year , but any member can really help his or her colleagues and profession by contributing at the President ’ s Club level . One tremendous example of that fact is Dr . Joseph Graver . He has contributed at the President ’ s Club level to encourage all of you to follow his example .
You don ’ t have to contribute at the President ’ s Club level to make a difference . Your personal contribution , of any amount , makes a tremendous difference . The larger the PAC the more imPACt we can have across the entire state . You can contribute in one lump sum or in installments ; we can accommodate your personal , unique situation . It ’ s easy to do and helps you and your profession in the short and long term .
If every PDA member contributed , we would be nearly unstoppable . We are the most experienced and most trusted voice when it comes to dentistry and oral health . We need to be present at every legislative event we can manage as this “ shows the flag ” and brings PDA and dentistry to the front of everyone ’ s mind .
Thank you to those PDA members who have already contributed for 2021 for your generosity and thoughtfulness . Member contributions – whether of time , money or both – are truly the lifeblood of organized dentistry . Our success is due to your efforts .
In-person lobbying is back after a yearlong hiatus . PDA members and staff have been actively creating opportunities to press your legislative and regulatory agenda . Since the Pennsylvania General Assembly is on summer recess as I write this and we couldn ’ t meet with legislators in Harrisburg , we met with them in their home districts and at their summer fundraisers .
A number of PDA dentists went the extra mile and took time out of their days and evenings to meet and lobby their elected state officials . Thanks to them we continue to build support and momentum in order to move Assignment of Benefits ( AoB ) through the legislative process .
In addition to contributing to PADPAC for 2022 , please think seriously about being a Contact Dentist for your state senator and / or state representative . It ’ s actually fun and rewarding . Most legislators are friendly and truly want to get to know their constituents . You are the subject matter expert who can be a valued resource for them . PDA ’ s Government Relations department can bring you up to speed on any issue very quickly , give you talking points and help you to showcase your personal story to have the most impact and build the best relationship with your state elected officials .
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 11