The Incredible AO World

THE INCREDIBLE AO WORLD
I just got off the incredible Webinar sponsored by Demandforce, our new corporate partner, exclusively for Alpha Omega members. BOD Member Mike Stern reviewed his experiences in using Demandforce in his practice. Those that watched this well attended Webinar had the opportunity to gather meaningful information about an exciting member benefit. For those that were unable to attend the Webinar, it has been archived for future reference. Demandforce has committed to conducting quarterly Webinars for our members, and we are looking forward to a mutually beneficial relationship with them.
The world of Alpha Omega often seems to be a variation of the “Six Degrees of Separation” theme, as I have often stated. In my past two blogs, I wrote about the great work being done in Jerusalem by D.V.I. This year, D.V.I. is celebrating its 30th Anniversary, and the American Friends of D.V.I. Is honoring, among others, Steve Kess (our Corporate Board Member and executive of Henry Schein), at their dinner on November 28th in NYC, during the Greater NY Dental Meeting. If you will be in NY around that time, D.V.I. is certainly most deserving of your support, and Steve Kess deserves our support for what he has done for AO and DVI, as well as what Schein has done for so many worthwhile charitable endeavors.
Many of the Alpha Omega Gamma Chapter members (at Tufts) will be participating in a mission trip to the Dominican Republic this August, for their second annual mission trip. This trip is the finest tradition of our GOHI tradition, which emphasizes tzedaka and tikun olam. Please contact Marshall Knauer (fund-raising chair for Gamma Chapter) at marshk716@gmail.com or Dr. Steven Spitz (drspitz@smileboston.com) for additional info, or to help. I am personally very proud of the Gamma members, because when I was at Gamma as a student at Tufts, we conducted a fundraiser that raised enough money ($1000) to make Gamma a Founder of the Hebrew University Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Founded by Alpha Omega Fraternity, and I was thrilled to see our plaque on the dental school dedication wall when visited. More “6 Degrees!”
On the “6 Degrees” theme, our GOHI Corporate Advisory Board Committee chair, Steve Kess recommended that we produce a methodology to bring GOHI to the next level, by having corporate sponsors (including Henry Schein, SS White, Kurary, Captek, and Huraeres) fund the GOHI Challenge Grant, for chapters to start creating and implementing a GOHI project, and sharing the idea with others, in order to make it far more duplicatable. This program will enable two matching grants and two initiation grants annually for at least the next 3 years. Please contact our Headquarters Office at headquarters@ao.org and have the GOHI Challenge Grant Information and Grant Request Form, to get full details and to apply.
This year’s International Student Representatives, Whitney Mostafiz and Matt Rossen have been energetically leading our student members. They have been encouraging our student chapters to “lead by example” by raising funds for a Global Oral Health Initiative. They are also encouraging students to arrange to come to San Diego for this year’s International Convention. At this year’s Convention, as part of the Continuing Education program, we are holding the first- ever student Poster Presentation Contest, with cash prizes being awarded. Contact Whitney at Whitney.Mostafiz@gmail.com for any additional information.
Our Fall Leadership Seminar is being held in Boston from October 15-17th. Corporate Board Member Steve Anderson will be conducting a fabulous full day seminar on October `15th, and we will then have a great Leadership Seminar the rest of the weekend. Boston’s Brian Miller is one of the “masters” of organizing scientific seminars, and has been organizing Boston’s renowned seminars for many years.
As if there wasn’t enough reason already to be excited about the upcoming International Convention in San Diego, we have once again secured Candi to run our Children’s Convention. Candi has coordinated AO Children’s Conventions for many years, and parents are always thrilled and happy with her attention to detail, etc. Between the great Continuing Ed being planned, great schedule and program planned by Marshal Bob Simon and his committee, great events, fabulous hotel rate at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay (amazingly low $149 per night room rate), Fun Foundation nights, golf, unbelievable events planned (including evening on the USS Midway and Spouses Function on Hornblower Cruises), this is a Convention to be at! Go to: aosunnydays2010.ao.org, for additional information and to register.
Our mid-year Admin, Board of Directors and Foundation Meetings are coming up next week in Ft Lauderdale. We are also looking forward to our Shabbat Dinner with some of the local Ft Lauderdale area fraters.
There is so much available for everyone at Alpha Omega. Each of us has different interests, priorities, etc. Alpha Omega is here to accomplish its important missions, honor the sides and base of our triangle, and serve the needs of our members. We look forward to everyone’s involvement, and together, we can assure AO’s continued greatness and relevancy.


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