Inspiring People I've Spoken To This Week

How proud it makes me to be Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity's International President when representing our fraternity I have the opportunity to speak to some fabulous, inspiring individuals. Some of the inspiring people I spoke to this week include:

(1)Dr. Irvin Silverstein of San Diego, California- This Trudi Birger Humanitarian Award Winner is an AMAZING individual. His endless energy in providing humanitarian work is exemplary, as is his program of training pre -dental college students to work in dental clinics, serving the under- served. Through this program, Dr. Silverstein has 150 of his volunteers seriously consider a career in dentistry, and over the years 137 have gone onto dental school. This week Irvin was busily preparing supplies to be sent to Haiti as part of the relief effort. He is a man that not only makes one proud to be a dentist, but especially proud to be a fellow frater.He walks the walk...
(2) Dr. Rachel Davis of Louisville KY- This second generation Alpha Omegan, in practice with her father (who on the recent cruise convention told me how much he loved redheads- NOTE: Rachel, her mother and I have red hair), is a recipient of the Young Alumnus Award. Her energy, enthusiasm, and attention to detail is immediately evident. Active on several committees, including as Co-Chair of the SAC (Student Activities Committee) and the Young Alumni Committee, Rachel has been busy identifying and speaking to enthusiastic, talented young fraters, and getting them involved on her committees. She has also been busy planning my visitation to Louisville in April, where I will be giving leadership training to both the students and the alumni.
(3) Dr. Joel Schaumburg of Detroit MI- This is one PIP who still shows his enthusiasm and excitement for the fraternity, and is very active in his chapter. He has been one of the Co- Coordinators of my weekend visitation to Detroit in April, where a fraternal and learning weekend program is being planned.
(4) Steve Kess- One of our Corporate Board Members, has been actively working to increase and improve the membership benefits for our fraters, and has been very helpful in developing our Corporate Advisory Committee. This committee will be meeting in Chicago during the Mid Winter Meeting. Steve has also been very helpful in coordinating with us Haitian relief efforts, as Henry Schein Corp. has the Henry Schein Care Foundation, which has already been active in raising and committing funds and supplies for Haitian relief. Steve is a terrific partner for Alpha Omega, and we are very fortunate to have him and the Henry Schein Corp. as allies and friends.
(5) Ben Williamowsky- Everyone knows what a wonderful man PIP Ben is, but this week, he and I have been actively discussing a coordinated and dedicated Fraternity/ Foundation appeal for Haitian relief. It is only fitting that an organization with a base of Judaic values be actively involved at this hour of need for Haiti, by providing Tzedakah, and offering Tikun Olam. By now, those of you who receive Alpha Omega International Fraternity's E-BLAST have receive an e-mail regarding the joint effort of the fraternity and foundation. I am very proud of how quickly we worked together!
(6) Every present or past Alpha Omega frater in the San Diego area, that I had the pleasure to speak to this week .I sent them snail mail, an e-mail and a follow up phone call to invite them for a Shabbat dinner with the Admin Committee at the end of the month. We are going to San Diego for our Admin Committee meeting, as well as a site visitation in advance of December's San Diego International Convention at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay. I was very pleased that these fraters still cared very deeply for Alpha Omega, and were anxious to get re-involved.
(7) Sunday was spent making new Frater Friends at the AO NYC Alumni/Student Brunch. Many old AO Friends were there as well as the leadership of NYU and Columbia.See my Face book page for pictures.
This is just a brief sampling of some of my inspiring conversations of this past week. My many other telephone calls and e-mails continued to fuel my enthusiasm and love for Alpha Omega.