Volunteers are Alpha Omega's Foot Soldiers

In my blog last week, I gave an overview of the important work done by some of our committees, specifically Achievement Medal and the various other awards committees. Any member can nominate an individual for the awards mentioned last week. Like most organizations, Alpha Omega depends on the dedication and hard work of its volunteers, in coordination with our Headquarters staff. Therefore, this week, I want to give an overview of some of our other international committees.
Our Communications Committee oversees written and electronic communications. The committee is chaired by the International Editor, who oversees and monitors communications. Written communication includes the Alpha Omegan, AO Now, and Articulator. Fred Margolis, in his third year as International Editor, has been the Editor of the Alpha Omegan, and has had oversight regarding the other two publications. Recently, our Executive Director Marty Zimmerman, with the oversight of both Fred and International Secretary Marcy Schwartzman, has taken over the production of the AO Now. Shawn Groyeski is editor of Articulator, which is the student publication, and this year Articulator was distributed electronically to our entire membership. In addition, this committee is involved with our website, data base updating, and evaluating and recommending any technologies that might enhance member communication. Gary Scharoff has diligently served as our Webmaster for several years, spending countless hours, communicating with the Administrative Committee and our Headquarters office, to best serve our fraternity’s internet needs. I want to thank our immediate Past Editor and I.P.I.P. Dan Uditsky, as well as PIP Steve Braunstein (International Editor prior to Dan) for all their efforts and stepping up to assist Fred this year.
Our Continuing Education Committee is responsible for assisting chapters’ foster professional excellence. Our Corporate Board Member (and Honorary Member) Steve Anderson has generously donated his time and efforts to provide fantastic sessions in Seattle this past spring, and an upcoming one in Boston on October 15th. In both cases, these were done on the same weekend as our Leadership Seminars. Co-chairmen Michael Szikman and Avi Wurman lead this important committee, whose goals include: encouraging participation in these programs; encouraging chapters to update Headquarters on their continuing ed programs; work with the Convention Committee, as needed, to coordinate CE at the International Convention; work with SAC to obtain information for post-graduate directory. This committee, in conjunction with Headquarters, is responsible for applications and certifications from the ADA, CERP, and the AGD PACE programs.
A new feature on our Website offers fraters seeking associates, as well as individuals seeking to associate, an enhanced method to learn of Associate opportunities. If you are either looking for an Associate, or looking to Associate, please contact Gary Scharoff at: gms@pipeline.com, for details.
No organization can exist without fiscal oversight and stability.
Alpha Omega is very fortunate that our International Treasurer David Schneider is following the excellent example of our previous International Treasurer, International President- Elect Michael Tenenbaum, in his tenaciousness, attention to detail, and fiscal responsibility. The International Treasurer chairs the Finance Committee, which reviews all financial matters, and provides input and recommendation in the creation and implementation of a meaningful budget.
A subcommittee of the Finance Committee, our Convention Subcommittee is co-chaired by International Treasurer David Schneider and Convention Representative Avi Wurman. Under the supervision of the Convention Representative, this committee explores various aspects related to Convention, including future site selection. The Convention Representative and International Treasurer are also intimately involved with present Convention details.
Non-Dues Revenue Subcommittee Chairman Alan Moltz has worked diligently investigating and recommending programs that might benefit both the Fraternity and our members. Currently, on our Website, you will notice Demand Force’s Banner. Look forward to web seminars regarding practice management that Demand Force will be offering to our members in the coming summer months. Another corporate partner who is offering a great member benefit is Chemlog, who will be offering valuable courses free to our members. Look for details to follow and check the web site oftern, AO.org.

I have previously discussed how Alpha Omega is, in many ways, like one big family, or like the 6 Degrees of Separation game. This week I received a pleasant phone call from Montreal Frater, Dr. Edward Slopcoff, to let me know how excited he was that Alpha Omega International finally has a female International President. Dr. Slopcoff reminisced about his and others efforts in the 1960’s to encourage AO to accept female fraters. Previously, Jamie Feldman had told me about his similar memories regarding this issue. The incredible thing is that Dr. Slopcoff stated that he was particularly excited because his past student, Murray Miller, was this year’s Meritorious Service Award recipient. Since I first met Murray when I was a student at Tufts, and we have been close ever since, this 6 degrees of separation actually turned out to be only one degree of separation.
We must all remember that one of the things that make AO unique is our “extended family,” or fraternal aspect. One of the reasons that I feel so strongly about encouraging fraters to go to Convention is to feel “first hand” what the AO experience is really all about. We can talk about it as much as we want, but the only way for someone to understand what it means, is to witness it firsthand. Marshal Bob Simon and his committee have arranged for a memorable, value- packed, event- driven, CE loaded, fun convention at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay in San Diego from December 25, 2010 to January 1, 2011. Everything is all set - - all we need is you to attend and encourage other to also. Go to the Convention Website at: www.aosunnydays2010.ao.org to get details and to register.
As we head into the Memorial Day weekend, I wish all of you a safe, wonderful, meaningful and relaxing long weekend. I will be at my local parade to support the troops, how about you?

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