SNOW, SNOW, SNOW- But this is no "snow job"

Let me begin this week’s blog by thanking all of you who are reading the blog, and especially those of you who have sent me comments and suggestions. I decided to do a weekly blog during my Presidential year in order to enhance communication with Fraters, and not to be any type of substitute for our more formal communications including our website, AO Now, our printed journals, etc. The advantage of a blog is that it can disseminate information quickly and casually. Dictionary.com defines a blog as an “online diary or personal journal,” and that is precisely what I hope to accomplish with this blog. My blog will permit Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity’s members to read about what I consider relevant and timely thoughts, as well as issues that might be timely. In order to keep this as timely as possible, I am writing this on Thursday evenings, so that our members will have the opportunity to read my latest “ramblings.” Because of that, it is important to understand that, almost by definition, a blog is not intended to be highly polished or edited - - think of my blog as my weekly AO diary for the age of technology.
These past two weeks certainly were “all about the snow.” First, there was the snowstorm that hit the Middle Atlantic States, particularly from the DC area to the Carolinas, on January 30th. My vivid image of that snowstorm was watching our International Treasurer David Schneider struggling to try to get flights home (for his birthday celebration) from our Admin meetings in San Diego. Fortunately, David got home safely, but not without a lot of angst. Then the first of the two Middle Atlantic snowstorms hit last week, bombarding the areas around Philadelphia, Southern NJ, and the Washington DC area. Record or near-record snowfalls hit in these areas, paralyzing the Washington DC area, and even closing down our US government federal offices. We were all very deeply worried about our fraters in the DC area, and were concerned for their well-being. Some examples included: Our AO Foundation Chair, Sam Blum had no heat or electric for 13+ hours, and was snowed-in; David Schneider ‘s lack of heat and electricity forced he and his family to temporarily move into a hotel (and he was fortunate to find a room); and Ben Williamowsky, who reported being “safe, but not shoveled or plowed, but had plenty of toilet paper as instructed by the TV news.” I am glad to let you know that they are all well. We, in Long Island, NY, were very fortunate about this second storm, but not as lucky when it came to the storm a few days later. While we got snow this time, it was certainly not as bad as elsewhere, nor as bad as forecast, and we luckily avoided getting the blizzard that we were told to expect. This e-mail and phone communication with our stranded fraters points to our Fraternalism. When I stayed home for one day when we got our snowstorm, and had no place to go, it was wonderful to read a great AO exchange discussion that was better than many CE courses I’ve attended. There’s a great example of our Professionalism, because we were able to take advantage of the expertise of several of our knowledgeable clinicians. With that in mind, International Editor Fred Margolis is always looking for great clinicians as contributors for the Alpha Omegan (contact Fred at: kidzdr@comcast.net).
In updating our records and trying to improve our member outreach, we realized that we needed some help in locating certain information about some of our Israeli fraters. Although currently serving in the Israeli Army, and no longer a student, Vladi Dvoyris stepped forward and helped in that effort. His e-mails now come from his army post. That is real commitment!
Our Global Oral Health Initiative (GOHI) is something that we are proud to point to as an example of our commitment to the Judaic value of “tikun olam” (healing the world). With that in mind, our fraters in the Washington DC area are conducting an Oral Cancer screening program. Kudos to these fraters, their worthwhile project, and commitment! I am sure that there are many other chapters doing many similar projects, and I would urge them to publicize them so that others follow suit. Please forward any GOHI project information or reports to Fred Margolis, who is gathering data for a future Alpha Omegan issue.
Our new ISR’s Whitney Mostafiz and Matt Rossen, along with our fabulous Student Activities Committee (SAC), have been very busy contacting individuals and chapters, organizing efforts, and reaching out in any way they can. I urge all alumni to reach out to the students in your area, and urge all students to reach out to your local alumni. Remember that we are in this together!
I am really pleased to let you know that the latest Convention flowsheet for the San Diego convention is now available on the www.ao.org website. You can register, see the flow sheet, and even see the Optional Tours available on that site. If you’ve never been to an AO convention, you’re missing something. This year’s convention is a fun-packed, CE loaded, event driven, value-oriented convention, where you’ll get to meet and greet fraters from around the world! I hope to see many of you there!
This weekend, I am doing something very “un-AO-ish.” Richard and I are heading to Boston to celebrate my brother-in-law Mike’s 60th birthday. Yes, this is the same brother-in-law who attended our cruise convention. Thank you to all the cruise-going Alpha Omegans for being so kind, warm and hospitable to my family during the convention. My brother-in-law, who lives around the block from us, recently underwent major surgery - - again thanks to all who expressed well wishes for his recovery.
My third brother-in-law, from Rockville, Maryland, very recently retired, and since he’s retired, the DC area has had three major snow storms. We always said it would be a cold day in H_ _ _ when he retired. Sorry Washington DC area for inadvertently wishing this weather on you!
Our corporate partner, Henry Schein, has arranged for us to take advantage of free webinars that they are sponsoring, to allow us to take advantage of an additional way to communicate, and to introduce member benefits and 2010 projects. Chapter Officers and leaders should save the date of March 23th at 8PM EST, and AO student leaders should reserve March 16rd at 9PM EST. These webinars will be an interactive opportunity to evolve AO even more. More complete details to follow!
As International President for 2010, I have declared this “The Year For Our Members.” These are not simply empty words, but a commitment on my part, and on your fraternity’s part, to build upon what we have done in the past, but enhance it for our members benefit. I hope, in the not too distant future, to be able to inform you of innovative and enhanced benefits, and to further demonstrate Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity’s commitment to our Fraters ---- YOU!
I welcome any questions, comments, suggestions, or sharing of ideas, through either the AO exchange, by telephone, or by e-mail to me at csberkman@aol.com. If we all work together, AO’s potential is limitless!