Alpha Omega's Unsung Heroes

The greatest part of Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity is our people. On Twitter, this week, on January 24th, @OnlineMktgByron tweeted the following quote that is so incredibly relevant to Alpha Omega, “Institutions are only as good as the people who are committed to them.” There are so many wonderful individuals that are Fraters, that I’ve decided in this blog to dedicate it to some of our “unsung heroes.” This is only a sampling of some of those heroes who I have had the pleasure of being in contact with this week. As I meet others this year, so will you.
If you have the opportunity at any time to come into contact with any of the following people, please take the opportunity to thank them from all of Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity:

Gary Scharoff- A second generation Alpha Omegan, Gary has tirelessly served Alpha Omega for many years, in many positions. Behind the scenes, Gary has maintained our website, overseen the AO Exchange, efficiently transmitted our E-Blasts, and always been available to anyone that has any type of technical question. He has made himself available both day and night, and responds to e-mails as well as requests almost immediately. Sometimes it seems like Gary answers my questions, or gets something done, almost before he’s asked. His attention to detail and dedication to this Fraternity is something that we all take for granted, and I want to recognize Gary for all his efforts and hard work.

Jamie Feldman- Another second generation Alpha Omegan, Jamie seems to always be there whenever he is needed or asked. On the recent cruise convention, Jamie spent many hours taking professional quality pictures, and is hard at work putting together a DVD of the convention. Jamie puts together the AO Now E-Newsletter, and works steadfastly to enhance the Fraternity’s communication abilities. At home in Detroit, Jamie has served for several years as Regent, and works as a liaison between his chapter and International. Everyone who meets Jamie realize his friendliness, sincerity and warmth, and Alpha Omega is so lucky to have him!

Andrea Heckler- Although she very recently gave birth to a baby girl(a future AO President?), Andrea continues as a Co-Chair of the very important Student Activities Committee (SAC), making phone calls and sending e-mails to help coordinate this action-oriented committee which oversees and enhances our student member’s Alpha Omega experience. Andrea demonstrates that dedicated individuals are fabulous multi-taskers, and that dedicated fraters seem to always go “above and beyond.”

Andrew Rutman- For many years, Andrew has held multiple positions within Alpha Omega, both as Treasurer of the Queensboro/ Nassau chapter as well as Regent overseeing the chapters in the New York City/ Long Island area. Although Alpha Omega International Fraternity has not officially had the position of Regent in many years, Andrew has served as Regent of what was formerly known as Regency 3, working diligently to coordinate activities between the various alumni and student chapters in the area. Andrew has also served as a liaison between International and the New York area, and is a stellar example of why I feel it is so essential that Alpha Omega International Fraternity reinstate the position of Regent. Although rarely formerly recognized or acknowledged, I consider it both an honor and a privilege to call Andrew my friend!

Andy Lasky- Another of our unheralded Fraters, Andy works tirelessly for the Alpha Omega Foundation, and for his local chapter. Andy was the first frater to contact me, and tell me that he would volunteer to serve in any job or position that I needed him. Andy has been active Frater for well over 30 years, a regular convention goer, and has always been someone that the Fraternity can count on. Thank you., Andy.

Brian Miller- One of the fabulous unrelated Millers from the Boston area, Brian has been the “go-to guy” for locating great scientific speakers and programs for the Boston chapter’s heralded Brandeis Lecture. Brian goes about being a terrific, dedicated Frater quietly and unassumably, and is always there for Alpha Omega. Brian has been a regular convention goer for years, and is someone that it has been my pleasure to know since my student days. This year’s lecture is being given October 15th, with our Honorary Member and Corporate Member of our Board of Directors Steve Anderson as the speaker. If you ever have the opportunity to listen to Steve Anderson, or go to a Brandeis Lecture, I highly recommend both. This year, the SAC Committee has tentatively scheduled the Student/ Alumni Leadership weekend October 16-17, so that they might be able to piggy-back this event.

This is only a very partial listing and thank you to our Fraternity’s “unsung heroes.” Whenever you might see any of them, thank them for all they’ve done. I personally thank all of them, as well as all Fraters who donate their time and effort in the Fraternity’s behalf.