Cruise Convention Reflections

January 15, 2010
It’s unbelievable that it’s been almost two weeks since I returned from the fabulous Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity convention. I’ve spent lots of time since the convention organizing things so I can achieve my mission for the year. I am dedicating 2010 as the “Year for Our Members.” We have made great progress toward providing more and better service and benefits to our members, and I urge you to “stay tuned” for some exciting news and information about the benefits of belonging. We are discussing ways that the International Officers Administrative Committee and the Board of Directors can more effectively work with local leaders to make Alpha Omega more relevant, and more of a priority to our fraters. I truly believe that my many nightly e-mails and telephone calls, as well as several conference calls, have been extremely productive for Alpha Omega. I pledge to use conference calls, webinars, e-meetings, etc., to further outreach to Alpha Omega’s leaders. Under the energetic leadership of Michael Teitelbaum of New York, we are actively getting more fraters involved with our AO Exchange, so that Fraters from around the world can interact in an informal, fraternal manner. We are going to enhance our use of various social media, to broaden our reach and visibility to the generations that use social media communication extensively. This year is going to be an important, growing year for Alpha Omega!
The first ever Alpha Omega convention on a cruise was a great success. We all had lots of fun. Our Admin Committee met on December 24th, and accomplished a lot, by thoroughly discussing all issues, ideas, and challenges we foresaw facing the Fraternity. On a personal note, my family and I spent that evening celebrating my husband, Richard Brody’s birthday, an event he has celebrated at more than 35 Alpha Omega International Conventions. Your Board of Directors held important discussions at their meeting on December 25th, and the Alpha Omega Foundation held its Foundation meeting on December 26th. Despite the challenging economy, I am thrilled to report that the AO Foundation once again gave out grants exceeding $100,000. When my mother, sister and brother-in-law, as well as friends of 35 years, Andy and Pam Ponichtera (an AO dentist in West Hartford, CT) joined us on December 26th, I felt truly honored to be joined by both my actual family, as well as my AO family.
Then, on December 27th, the actual Convention began aboard the Carnival Valor. For the first time ever, Alpha Omega held its convention on a cruise , and thanks to the hard work of many, notably Lisa and Bruce Braverman, and Michelle and Roger Spott, the convention was a smashing success. In addition to the great many activities always offered on a cruise, Alpha Omega convention attendees attended two private Cocktail parties, received welcome treats in their cabins, had our own Dining Room, and many other great perks. I had the pleasure of meeting many first time convention goers and we had a substantial representation of Fraters from “across the pond”. They actually came from across both ponds, from South Africa, Australia, France, England,and New Zealand. Continuing Education was available via a dedicated channel on each stateroom’s television, 24 hours a day and a live program of “Dental Pearls” was held shipboard. Last week, I blogged my Installation speech that I presented to those on the cruise (on January 2nd ). It was truly an honor and an emotional highlight for me to be installed as Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity’s International President for 2010.
It is impossible to describe the uniqueness of an Alpha Omega Convention, unless you’ve actually attended one. Those who attend invariably return, and often become more involved and committed fraters. Attending a Convention gives one the opportunity to see and understand the Alpha Omega “bigger picture.” I urge you to attend our next International Convention, scheduled December 25th, 2010 to January 1st, 2011, at the lovely Hyatt Regency Mission Bay in San Diego California. This Convention promises to be great, with many exciting activities planned, including a fabulous Spouses Champagne Brunch Cruise in San Diego Harbor, an evening dinner reception and event aboard the USS Midway, a great Continuing Education program, fun New Year’s Eve celebration, a GOHI service project, our formal Honor’s Night (honoring both our Officers, and giving our prestigious Achievement Medal Award to Stan Bergman (Henry Schein Corp.)), several Leadership training activities, important Business Meetings, and nightly themed hospitalities in the Presidential Suite and cocktail parties. Our Marshal Bob Simon and Spouses Marshal Larry Vinegar have been hard at work preparing a great time for all. Go to our www.ao.org website, and click-on 2010 Convention for more details. (By the way, Alpha Omega has secured an unbelievable nightly hotel rate of only $149 for our Fraters- about half the hotel’s listed rate). How could there be a better way to enjoy the holidays, receive CE credits, and go to a great locale, than to join The Alpha Omega Family at the 2010 San Diego Convention?