There are many reasons that I have decided to visit certain areas or certain chapters. Sometimes my Presidential visitation has been because the local chapter leaders want Alpha Omega’s International President to preside over some event, feeling that appearance might help the local chapter. At other times, visitations are made for specific purposes, such as having conversations with Deans, meeting with corporate sponsors, attending a specific meeting or event, meeting with local fraters and hopefully imparting an International “flavor” to them, meeting and greeting fraters to open up additional avenues of communication, etc.
Our Hartford Alumni Chapter has suffered from some of the same challenges that several other alumni chapters have also faced. At one time a chapter with over 100 fraters, the chapter today still exists, but has very little activity. For many years, Bill Sherman has been the “face’ of the chapter, having served in many capacities including Regent. Bill and his wife, Sam, have been regulars at International Conventions, and consistent supporters of the AO Foundation. Fortunately, Paula Stern has been acting as Chapter Treasurer for several years. Robin Santiago is further proof of the fact that Alpha Omega is “family,” as Robin’s father; Howard Mark is a former Regent, and long-time Alpha Omegan. All of us who know Robin are very proud of the fact that she will become President of the Connecticut State Dental Association (CSDA) on October 16, my birthday. Robin has been coordinating Continuing Education for the CSDA. I wanted to try to “jump-start” the Hartford chapter, and personally sent out by e-mail and “snail mail” invitations to an Appetizers and Cocktails get-together late in the afternoon on Thursday of the CSDA Annual Meeting, held at the Mohegan Sun, in Uncasville, CT. Since the chapter had nearly no activity in some time, and I was not at all sure how many would attend, I made the get-together casual, and held it at Margaritaville at the Mohegan Sun. The approximately twenty people that attended still had strong feelings for Alpha Omega, and we had great conversations about what was happening today with Alpha Omega. Several indicated interest in the Steve Anderson seminar in Boston on October 15th. We also discussed the International Convention in San Diego in December. We spoke about how we would all try to help the members of this chapter get more information about Boston Alumni chapter activities, as well as International events and happenings, and all that attended thought it would be great to have another get-together at the CSDA 2011 meeting.
It was great to see a young couple who originally lived in Detroit stop by the get-together. David Fenton is presently an Oral Surgery Resident while his wife Jodi Levy is in General Practice in Manchester CT. The two of them spoke glowingly of their wonderful remembrances with the Detroit Alumni Chapter fraters while they were there. David was pleasantly surprised to see one of his professors, Dr. Judd Fink and his wife Becky already at the Get- Together when he arrived. Our dear friend, Andy Ponichtera, who was once in charge of Graduate Prosthodontics at U.Conn, and his wife Pam, was glad to rekindle some of his long-time relationships with several of the attendees. Andy and Pam enjoyed attending the Cruise Convention this past year so much, that they are considering attending again this coming year. Norman Katzoff stopped by, and was glad to see Alpha Omega doing something at the CSDA meeting. Even one of our fraters from Virginia, Frederick Krochmal, who was attending the CSDA meeting and saw one of our signs, stopped by and made new “friends” from Connecticut. All important things begin with my first personal step, and I am hopeful that this get- together was an important step toward some sort of revitalization in the Hartford area.
Our active Boston alumni chapter member and Dean of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine Bruce Donoff, and his wife, Madelyn, former Chair of the Boston chapter of Hadassah, will be the honorees at the 25th Anniversary celebration of the Jerusalem Dental Center for Children, on June 13th at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline MA. This clinic has been providing much needed dental care at significantly reduced fees for a population which otherwise would not be served.
The Board of Directors of Alpha Omega International Fraternity held their monthly conference call on Monday evening. Your Board has been working diligently to enhance communication and improve member benefits. Many topics were discussed including GOHI and the proposed GOHI Grants Program; the Leadership Seminar in Boston in October 15-16; and the International Convention in San Diego from December 25th to January 1st.
As always, please feel free to contact me at any time with any ideas, concepts, feedback, or concerns.
PLEASE VISIT: www.AmericasToothfairy.org for TOMORROW's SMILE UPDATES & OPPORTUNITIES
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
ALPHA OMEGA INTERNATIONAL DENTAL FRATERNITY- Across the Pond + Back Again!
ALPHA OMEGA INTERNATIONAL FRATERNITY- Across the Pond + Back Again!
After spending the whole day in my office last Wednesday, I boarded my flight from JFK International Airport to go “across the pond” to spend some time with our London fraters. For weeks, I was unsure if Trans-Atlantic flights would be traveling, because of the volcanic ash covering much of the Continent. However, as a sign that “it was meant to be,” the skies cleared and European flights resumed a few days before my departure. Arriving early Thursday morning (yet still later than scheduled), the “one and only” PIP John Wolfe picked me up at London’s Heathrow, and drove me to my hotel to settle in. I have known John and Linda for many years, and was fortunate to have been the Chair of the Board of Trustees when John served as a Trustee (prior to serving as the first International President from Europe). After settling in, John and I “caught up” and visited some nearby Roman ruins. I enjoyed having lunch with Linda and John at an old watermill restaurant.
Thursday night, I was hosted for dinner at the home of Adrian Mullish, his wife Cheryl and their children. For a dessert, Adrian, who serves as the London Chapter Council Chairperson, hosted a meeting with the London Chapter Council and the London Charitable Trust (Note: the London Charitable Trust is the London Chapter’s philanthropic arm). London Charitable Trust’s Chair, Professor Dr. Andrew Eder, should be extremely proud of the many accomplishments of the London Charitable Trust, including supporting an Israeli clinic, funding a chair at the Tree Top Dental Clinic (for special needs children), donating an ambulance in Israel, support of both Israeli Dental schools, etc. We had a very good and productive meeting, and I was asked to discuss what other chapters do in terms of Professionalism, Fraternalism and Judaism. The emphasis of the London Chapter has generally been professionalism and Judaic values (particularly Tzedaka and Tikun Olam), and we had an interesting discussion on perhaps adding a little more social (fraternal/ family) activities.
The London chapter started in 1969, and in 1970, the US Ambassador to England, Mr. Annenberg had discomfort from a periodontal problem. He visited an Alpha Omegan periodontist, Dr. John Zamit, who alleviated Mr. Annenberg’s dental problem, and after a discussion, Dr. Zamit convinced Mr. Annenberg to provide “seed money” to create an annual lecture, where an American lecturer would be brought over to do a scientific seminar (remember, that was a very big deal in 1970!). The first two speakers were Morty Amsterdam and D. Walter Cohen. The initial seed money ran out after ten years, and the London chapter continued to hold the annual full day lecture, as the culmination of their full year scientific programs (the other programs take place in the evening).
A trade show is held in conjunction with the Annenberg meeting, and Trade Show Chair Veronica Morris works very hard organizing the details of the trade show. Aron Marcus, their treasurer, was watching the finances while his associate Sarah Cohen, just back from maternity leave ,enjoyed the program and our AO chat. The funds that are made as a result of the lecture fees and the exhibitor support help support the worthwhile endeavors of the London Charitable Trust.
Many felt getting to the Annenberg Lecture was of paramount importance. Dr Michael Zybutz, a periodontist and active AO was a sponsor displaying his New Perio Software, Panda. He said he had to be there to support AO. Luke Barnett, Director of Luke Dental Lab had to brave the volcanic ash and escape the North Pole in Norway by van and ferry just to get to the Annenberg day .Being with his AO friends was that important. I expressed my appreciation to all the sponsors for their support of AO events.
I had the pleasure of seeing a number of people I know, and getting to know many that we now considers friends. My friends Morris Fine (next year’s Chair) and Joe Rich (a Past Chair) have been to International Conventions. Ed Scher, Joe Laps and Mike Sulton are seriously considering attending this year’s Convention, as well as Joe Rich (from Manchester, a past President of the BDA) Since Michael Sultan just ran and finished the London Marathon, he said if we have a Marathon, he’ll definitely be there! Arnie Kosiner, who sat next to me at the lecture, kindly, explained all the “ins and outs” of AO London, and dentistry in the U.K. Matt Zizmor from the Boston chapter attended the Annenberg again this year, as he had attended European regency meeting in Baden Baden. Matt enjoys combining travel with professional enrichment, and fraternalism!
Linda and John hosted me for Shabbat dinner as only the Wolfe’s can. Their genuine warmth and kindness comes through in everything they do! In addition to me, the Wolfe’s also hosted Matthew Zizmor and Elizabeth, as well as Simon Stern, a nice AO dentist, who is a Resident at a local hospital in Oral Surgery. Simon is very enthusiastic, and seemed to get the bigger picture about Alpha Omega as a result of our conversations.
There were many other wonderful and kind London Fraters, who treated me warmly and made me feel welcome. The day before I left, I went to downtown London, and visited the National Gallery and the show Enron. Sunday, Adrian Mullish picked me up and brought me back to Heathrow for my flight back to New York.
Many exciting things were occurring on this side of the Pond at the same time. On Friday, in Seattle, Steve Anderson gave a great full day seminar, and on Saturday Mike Tenenbaum coordinated the Leadership Seminar, led by our Executive Director Marty Zimmerman. Feedback on both parts of the weekend have been superb, and if you were unable to make it to Seattle, a similar weekend of Steve Anderson giving a seminar Friday, followed by a Leadership Seminar on Saturday, will be held on the East Coast, in Boston, on October 15th- 17th. If you are interested in leadership, going to a Leadership Seminar is an important step for both alumni and students!
This week, I received an e-mail from PIP Bud Krasne, informing me of the South Florida chapter’s sponsorship of two awards to graduating students from their dental school. Buddy thinks it would be a great idea for other chapters to something like this in their local area, and I know, for example, that Boston alumni chapter has been doing this with the three dental schools in Boston area, and Detroit does this with their two dental schools. I am sure that several other chapters do this as well, and I think Buddy’s idea of publicizing this involvement is an excellent one! This would be a great local project! In addition, one of the new member benefit programs we are contemplating would help to begin the funding a Student Scholarship. Louisville has one for their students in need.
Everywhere I have been, I have been discussing many aspects of Alpha Omega, and encouraging fraters to attend the next AO International Convention in San Diego from December 25th to January 1st. If you are a regular Convention attendee, I look forward to seeing you again this year. If you have ever gone to Convention, please consider coming back this year, and if you have never attended an AO Convention, you don’t fully understand the scope of Alpha Omega, until you come to a Convention. Marshal Bob Simon and his committee have been working diligently to arrange a memorable, value-packed, event-driven, Fraternal, Professional and Tzedaka- related program. Plan to arrive Dec 24 so you can participate in our group GOHI project on Dec 25. Information is available at: aosunnydays2010.ao.org.
I’m off this week to the Connecticut Dental Association (CDA) meeting, where I hope to create some additional excitement and awareness in the area. If you will be there, come to Margaritaville on Thursday for some appetizers and a cocktail, between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM.
If we all speak to one person who becomes involved again in AO, just imagine what Alpha Omega can accomplish!
PLEASE VISIT: www.AmericasToothfairy.org for TOMORROW's SMILE UPDATES & OPPORTUNITIES
After spending the whole day in my office last Wednesday, I boarded my flight from JFK International Airport to go “across the pond” to spend some time with our London fraters. For weeks, I was unsure if Trans-Atlantic flights would be traveling, because of the volcanic ash covering much of the Continent. However, as a sign that “it was meant to be,” the skies cleared and European flights resumed a few days before my departure. Arriving early Thursday morning (yet still later than scheduled), the “one and only” PIP John Wolfe picked me up at London’s Heathrow, and drove me to my hotel to settle in. I have known John and Linda for many years, and was fortunate to have been the Chair of the Board of Trustees when John served as a Trustee (prior to serving as the first International President from Europe). After settling in, John and I “caught up” and visited some nearby Roman ruins. I enjoyed having lunch with Linda and John at an old watermill restaurant.
Thursday night, I was hosted for dinner at the home of Adrian Mullish, his wife Cheryl and their children. For a dessert, Adrian, who serves as the London Chapter Council Chairperson, hosted a meeting with the London Chapter Council and the London Charitable Trust (Note: the London Charitable Trust is the London Chapter’s philanthropic arm). London Charitable Trust’s Chair, Professor Dr. Andrew Eder, should be extremely proud of the many accomplishments of the London Charitable Trust, including supporting an Israeli clinic, funding a chair at the Tree Top Dental Clinic (for special needs children), donating an ambulance in Israel, support of both Israeli Dental schools, etc. We had a very good and productive meeting, and I was asked to discuss what other chapters do in terms of Professionalism, Fraternalism and Judaism. The emphasis of the London Chapter has generally been professionalism and Judaic values (particularly Tzedaka and Tikun Olam), and we had an interesting discussion on perhaps adding a little more social (fraternal/ family) activities.
The London chapter started in 1969, and in 1970, the US Ambassador to England, Mr. Annenberg had discomfort from a periodontal problem. He visited an Alpha Omegan periodontist, Dr. John Zamit, who alleviated Mr. Annenberg’s dental problem, and after a discussion, Dr. Zamit convinced Mr. Annenberg to provide “seed money” to create an annual lecture, where an American lecturer would be brought over to do a scientific seminar (remember, that was a very big deal in 1970!). The first two speakers were Morty Amsterdam and D. Walter Cohen. The initial seed money ran out after ten years, and the London chapter continued to hold the annual full day lecture, as the culmination of their full year scientific programs (the other programs take place in the evening).
A trade show is held in conjunction with the Annenberg meeting, and Trade Show Chair Veronica Morris works very hard organizing the details of the trade show. Aron Marcus, their treasurer, was watching the finances while his associate Sarah Cohen, just back from maternity leave ,enjoyed the program and our AO chat. The funds that are made as a result of the lecture fees and the exhibitor support help support the worthwhile endeavors of the London Charitable Trust.
Many felt getting to the Annenberg Lecture was of paramount importance. Dr Michael Zybutz, a periodontist and active AO was a sponsor displaying his New Perio Software, Panda. He said he had to be there to support AO. Luke Barnett, Director of Luke Dental Lab had to brave the volcanic ash and escape the North Pole in Norway by van and ferry just to get to the Annenberg day .Being with his AO friends was that important. I expressed my appreciation to all the sponsors for their support of AO events.
I had the pleasure of seeing a number of people I know, and getting to know many that we now considers friends. My friends Morris Fine (next year’s Chair) and Joe Rich (a Past Chair) have been to International Conventions. Ed Scher, Joe Laps and Mike Sulton are seriously considering attending this year’s Convention, as well as Joe Rich (from Manchester, a past President of the BDA) Since Michael Sultan just ran and finished the London Marathon, he said if we have a Marathon, he’ll definitely be there! Arnie Kosiner, who sat next to me at the lecture, kindly, explained all the “ins and outs” of AO London, and dentistry in the U.K. Matt Zizmor from the Boston chapter attended the Annenberg again this year, as he had attended European regency meeting in Baden Baden. Matt enjoys combining travel with professional enrichment, and fraternalism!
Linda and John hosted me for Shabbat dinner as only the Wolfe’s can. Their genuine warmth and kindness comes through in everything they do! In addition to me, the Wolfe’s also hosted Matthew Zizmor and Elizabeth, as well as Simon Stern, a nice AO dentist, who is a Resident at a local hospital in Oral Surgery. Simon is very enthusiastic, and seemed to get the bigger picture about Alpha Omega as a result of our conversations.
There were many other wonderful and kind London Fraters, who treated me warmly and made me feel welcome. The day before I left, I went to downtown London, and visited the National Gallery and the show Enron. Sunday, Adrian Mullish picked me up and brought me back to Heathrow for my flight back to New York.
Many exciting things were occurring on this side of the Pond at the same time. On Friday, in Seattle, Steve Anderson gave a great full day seminar, and on Saturday Mike Tenenbaum coordinated the Leadership Seminar, led by our Executive Director Marty Zimmerman. Feedback on both parts of the weekend have been superb, and if you were unable to make it to Seattle, a similar weekend of Steve Anderson giving a seminar Friday, followed by a Leadership Seminar on Saturday, will be held on the East Coast, in Boston, on October 15th- 17th. If you are interested in leadership, going to a Leadership Seminar is an important step for both alumni and students!
This week, I received an e-mail from PIP Bud Krasne, informing me of the South Florida chapter’s sponsorship of two awards to graduating students from their dental school. Buddy thinks it would be a great idea for other chapters to something like this in their local area, and I know, for example, that Boston alumni chapter has been doing this with the three dental schools in Boston area, and Detroit does this with their two dental schools. I am sure that several other chapters do this as well, and I think Buddy’s idea of publicizing this involvement is an excellent one! This would be a great local project! In addition, one of the new member benefit programs we are contemplating would help to begin the funding a Student Scholarship. Louisville has one for their students in need.
Everywhere I have been, I have been discussing many aspects of Alpha Omega, and encouraging fraters to attend the next AO International Convention in San Diego from December 25th to January 1st. If you are a regular Convention attendee, I look forward to seeing you again this year. If you have ever gone to Convention, please consider coming back this year, and if you have never attended an AO Convention, you don’t fully understand the scope of Alpha Omega, until you come to a Convention. Marshal Bob Simon and his committee have been working diligently to arrange a memorable, value-packed, event-driven, Fraternal, Professional and Tzedaka- related program. Plan to arrive Dec 24 so you can participate in our group GOHI project on Dec 25. Information is available at: aosunnydays2010.ao.org.
I’m off this week to the Connecticut Dental Association (CDA) meeting, where I hope to create some additional excitement and awareness in the area. If you will be there, come to Margaritaville on Thursday for some appetizers and a cocktail, between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM.
If we all speak to one person who becomes involved again in AO, just imagine what Alpha Omega can accomplish!
PLEASE VISIT: www.AmericasToothfairy.org for TOMORROW's SMILE UPDATES & OPPORTUNITIES
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Feeling the warmth in Motown
FEELING THE WARMTH IN MOTOWN
After working all day in my office this past Thursday, Richard and I took a Delta Airlines flight to Detroit. Marv Sonne was at the airport waiting for us, and drove us to our host home at Chateau Schaumburg. Even though we arrived at Chateau Schaumburg after ten o’clock, Ellie and Joel had a delicious platter of selected delicious cheeses and wines ready to greet us. Marv stayed about a half hour, and then left to get home to Fran while they were both awake. Ellie and Joel Schaumburg were our hosts for the weekend, sharing their home, putting us up, and showing us warmth as only they can.
The next morning, Joel drove us to the Vista Tech Center at Schoolcraft College. The Detroit Chapter had Richard Brody as their speaker for their Spring Seminar, a full-day seminar called, “Getting the ‘Yes’ in Any Situation - - Professional, Fraternal and Professional Relationships” that ran until about 4:00 PM. The seminar was so well received that Joel commented on how unusual it was for there to be as many people in the audience after lunch as before lunch. While an interactive demonstration was being shown on getting out one’s comfort zone, and getting to know things about someone we meet, we all learned all about Frater Daniel Lipnick, and we will all remember him as a result of this exercise. While, obviously, I have heard Richard numerous times, the group seemed to enjoy both the content as well as the interactive content.
Fraternalism abounded as a group of fraters joined us at an excellent local restaurant for Shabbat dinner. The Detroit fraters are a close group, obviously truly liking each other. What was really great that while some fraters attended all the events over the weekend, others attended one or two events.
After taking us to a delicious breakfast at Woody’s on Saturday morning, Ellie and Joel took us to the unique Henry Ford Museum and to Greenfield Village. We had a fabulous time with this fun loving couple, and we all totally enjoyed our authentic late 1800’s lunch at a restaurant in the Village.
After returning home for a short rest, we soon left for another great Alpha Omega event, where a number of fraters and their spouses met at a different local restaurant, and thoroughly enjoyed each others company. We talked AO, the convention and family both AO and otherwise.
Sunday morning, we attended the Spring Paid- Up Brunch and Installation of Officers. I had the honor of helping in the Installation of Detroit’s chapter officers, and presenting 50 year pins to: Henry Citron, Donald Gale, Arnold Golnick, Lawrence Haber, Robert Lavine, Jerome Lesson and Eugene Smoler. I was honored to address the group with my vision for AO, and my goal of making this year truly, “The Year for Our Members.” It was gratifying that so many Detroit members are planning on attending the Convention in San Diego, and I hope many of you do too! Info regarding the convention is available at: aosunnydays2010.ao.org. I enjoyed meeting the Alpha Nu President Jonathan Blattand and Adam Garfinkle Chi Chapter President and their members. The event was presided over by outgoing President Marc Dwoskin, who served in that capacity for the past two years. The Detroit Chapter is indeed fortunate that Marvin Sonne has agreed to once again serve as the chapter President for the next two years. How could any chapter be in better hands? The function ended with a one-hour Keynote presentation by Richard, “Becoming a Better Listener.”
The Detroit Chapter is certainly an AO alumni chapter that we all can point to as an example of a chapter that exemplifies what AO is all about. They exhibit superb fraternalism, outstanding professionalism, and their commitment to the Judaic principles of Tzedaka and Tikun Olam. A little over one year ago, the Detroit Alumni Chapter began the Jewish Dental Clinic, which is dedicated to providing basic and essential oral health care to the needy Jewish community of metro Detroit. What a GOHI model for all our future GOHI projects to emulate!
It was great catching up with the Detroit chapter members that I knew, and to make the acquaintance of so many new friends! As always, it was a pleasure seeing regular convention goers such as Ester and Steve, and Joyce and Steve. Fran and Marv Sonne, Ellie and Joel, and Jamie Feldman. They are all magnificent hosts. Special thanks to Detroit’s Editor Bob Lavine and Bylaina, Outgoing Chapter President Marc Dwoskin and Chicki, and Detroit Chapter’s Secretary Gail, for all their extra efforts in our behalf. Many of us know Mark Luria for his extraordinary service to Alpha Omega in coordinating the Externship program, as well as a regular at Conventions, the father of an Alpha Omegan and he is another integral member of his local chapter.
One of the chapter’s members, Milton Gordon, is retiring and has orthodontic equipment available, if anyone wants or needs some. Please contact me if you would like to get into contact with Milton regarding these items.
Anyone who is interesting in seeing photos from this great weekend, thanks to Jamie Feldman, they are available to view at: http://president.aodetroit.org.Check out Marvin's tie and my dress,we match and coordinate so well.
While I was in Detroit, I received a great e-mail from Gary Solomon, the present President of the Dallas Alumni Chapter. Dallas splits the year in half, and has their Chapter President serve six month terms. Gary brought me up to date on all that’s going on with the Dallas chapter, as well as the new leadership that will be taking the helm next year. Dallas’ two Presidents this year decided they needed to be strong leaders and very hands-on to attract and maintain membership, and they have been attracting significantly larger turnouts to their events. Gary also worked closely with Mark Luria, to help bring students to “shadow” dental practices, to see first-hand what a dental practice is like. Here, through the hard work and outreach of Mark, he was able to get Gary (an enthusiastic local leader) to arrange for a local Detroit student Frater to come to Dallas, and learn.
As you are reading this blog, I am in London at the Annenburg Lecture. I look forward to my visitation with our UK Fraters, and other fraters who travel to attend this prestigious meeting. At the same time, Mike Tenenbaum is coordinating the Leadership Seminar in Seattle. If you were unable to attend, you will have another opportunity in the fall at the Boston Leadership Seminar Oct 15-17. At both events, a special presentation by Steve Anderson is occurring the same weekend.
As you can see, there is a lot going on at Alpha Omega. I urge you to get more involved, and you will feel even more connected. I hope you seriously consider attending our terrific Annual convention from December 25th to January 1st. Convention Marshal Bob Simon and his committee have created a fabulous value packed program, filled with events, functions, continuing education, a community service program, and Fraternalism- AO Style! Try it – You’ll like it!
PLEASE VISIT: www.AmericasToothfairy.org for TOMORROW's SMILE UPDATES & OPPORTUNITIES
After working all day in my office this past Thursday, Richard and I took a Delta Airlines flight to Detroit. Marv Sonne was at the airport waiting for us, and drove us to our host home at Chateau Schaumburg. Even though we arrived at Chateau Schaumburg after ten o’clock, Ellie and Joel had a delicious platter of selected delicious cheeses and wines ready to greet us. Marv stayed about a half hour, and then left to get home to Fran while they were both awake. Ellie and Joel Schaumburg were our hosts for the weekend, sharing their home, putting us up, and showing us warmth as only they can.
The next morning, Joel drove us to the Vista Tech Center at Schoolcraft College. The Detroit Chapter had Richard Brody as their speaker for their Spring Seminar, a full-day seminar called, “Getting the ‘Yes’ in Any Situation - - Professional, Fraternal and Professional Relationships” that ran until about 4:00 PM. The seminar was so well received that Joel commented on how unusual it was for there to be as many people in the audience after lunch as before lunch. While an interactive demonstration was being shown on getting out one’s comfort zone, and getting to know things about someone we meet, we all learned all about Frater Daniel Lipnick, and we will all remember him as a result of this exercise. While, obviously, I have heard Richard numerous times, the group seemed to enjoy both the content as well as the interactive content.
Fraternalism abounded as a group of fraters joined us at an excellent local restaurant for Shabbat dinner. The Detroit fraters are a close group, obviously truly liking each other. What was really great that while some fraters attended all the events over the weekend, others attended one or two events.
After taking us to a delicious breakfast at Woody’s on Saturday morning, Ellie and Joel took us to the unique Henry Ford Museum and to Greenfield Village. We had a fabulous time with this fun loving couple, and we all totally enjoyed our authentic late 1800’s lunch at a restaurant in the Village.
After returning home for a short rest, we soon left for another great Alpha Omega event, where a number of fraters and their spouses met at a different local restaurant, and thoroughly enjoyed each others company. We talked AO, the convention and family both AO and otherwise.
Sunday morning, we attended the Spring Paid- Up Brunch and Installation of Officers. I had the honor of helping in the Installation of Detroit’s chapter officers, and presenting 50 year pins to: Henry Citron, Donald Gale, Arnold Golnick, Lawrence Haber, Robert Lavine, Jerome Lesson and Eugene Smoler. I was honored to address the group with my vision for AO, and my goal of making this year truly, “The Year for Our Members.” It was gratifying that so many Detroit members are planning on attending the Convention in San Diego, and I hope many of you do too! Info regarding the convention is available at: aosunnydays2010.ao.org. I enjoyed meeting the Alpha Nu President Jonathan Blattand and Adam Garfinkle Chi Chapter President and their members. The event was presided over by outgoing President Marc Dwoskin, who served in that capacity for the past two years. The Detroit Chapter is indeed fortunate that Marvin Sonne has agreed to once again serve as the chapter President for the next two years. How could any chapter be in better hands? The function ended with a one-hour Keynote presentation by Richard, “Becoming a Better Listener.”
The Detroit Chapter is certainly an AO alumni chapter that we all can point to as an example of a chapter that exemplifies what AO is all about. They exhibit superb fraternalism, outstanding professionalism, and their commitment to the Judaic principles of Tzedaka and Tikun Olam. A little over one year ago, the Detroit Alumni Chapter began the Jewish Dental Clinic, which is dedicated to providing basic and essential oral health care to the needy Jewish community of metro Detroit. What a GOHI model for all our future GOHI projects to emulate!
It was great catching up with the Detroit chapter members that I knew, and to make the acquaintance of so many new friends! As always, it was a pleasure seeing regular convention goers such as Ester and Steve, and Joyce and Steve. Fran and Marv Sonne, Ellie and Joel, and Jamie Feldman. They are all magnificent hosts. Special thanks to Detroit’s Editor Bob Lavine and Bylaina, Outgoing Chapter President Marc Dwoskin and Chicki, and Detroit Chapter’s Secretary Gail, for all their extra efforts in our behalf. Many of us know Mark Luria for his extraordinary service to Alpha Omega in coordinating the Externship program, as well as a regular at Conventions, the father of an Alpha Omegan and he is another integral member of his local chapter.
One of the chapter’s members, Milton Gordon, is retiring and has orthodontic equipment available, if anyone wants or needs some. Please contact me if you would like to get into contact with Milton regarding these items.
Anyone who is interesting in seeing photos from this great weekend, thanks to Jamie Feldman, they are available to view at: http://president.aodetroit.org.Check out Marvin's tie and my dress,we match and coordinate so well.
While I was in Detroit, I received a great e-mail from Gary Solomon, the present President of the Dallas Alumni Chapter. Dallas splits the year in half, and has their Chapter President serve six month terms. Gary brought me up to date on all that’s going on with the Dallas chapter, as well as the new leadership that will be taking the helm next year. Dallas’ two Presidents this year decided they needed to be strong leaders and very hands-on to attract and maintain membership, and they have been attracting significantly larger turnouts to their events. Gary also worked closely with Mark Luria, to help bring students to “shadow” dental practices, to see first-hand what a dental practice is like. Here, through the hard work and outreach of Mark, he was able to get Gary (an enthusiastic local leader) to arrange for a local Detroit student Frater to come to Dallas, and learn.
As you are reading this blog, I am in London at the Annenburg Lecture. I look forward to my visitation with our UK Fraters, and other fraters who travel to attend this prestigious meeting. At the same time, Mike Tenenbaum is coordinating the Leadership Seminar in Seattle. If you were unable to attend, you will have another opportunity in the fall at the Boston Leadership Seminar Oct 15-17. At both events, a special presentation by Steve Anderson is occurring the same weekend.
As you can see, there is a lot going on at Alpha Omega. I urge you to get more involved, and you will feel even more connected. I hope you seriously consider attending our terrific Annual convention from December 25th to January 1st. Convention Marshal Bob Simon and his committee have created a fabulous value packed program, filled with events, functions, continuing education, a community service program, and Fraternalism- AO Style! Try it – You’ll like it!
PLEASE VISIT: www.AmericasToothfairy.org for TOMORROW's SMILE UPDATES & OPPORTUNITIES
Thursday, April 22, 2010
My old Kentucky Home :AO Style
My Old Kentucky Home: AO Style
Although we like to believe that, as International President, our visitations are important to expose fraters to the “bigger picture,” and to learn more about the scope of Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity, one of the most important reasons that Alpha Omega’s International President visits many local chapters is to realize how many wonderful fraters there are all over the world.
I left New York this past Saturday afternoon, after spending the day in my office, to visit our alumni and students in the Louisville area. My airplane arrived in the evening, just as the Thunder celebration was to begin (FYI, Thunder is the official beginning of the two week celebration proceeding the Kentucky Derby on May 1st). Thunder is a celebration and fireworks exhibition that takes place in Louisville, and is one of the major occurrences in the city. Larry Gettleman was kind enough to pick me up and negotiate the traffic and street closures associated with the celebration. Larry had made my reservation at a lovely Bed and Breakfast in downtown Louisville, and served as my “personal guide” and fabulous host for much of my stay. After Larry dropped me off at the Inn, I walked about a mile and a half down to see what Thunder was all about. When I told the “locals” the next day, many of them were amazed and nearly beside themselves, for fear for my safety. I told them that as a New Yorker, we have no fear. What a great beginning to the visit - - truly beginning with a bang!
The female fraters spent Sunday on the famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail, and Richard Halpern was kind enough to serve as our “designated driver.” Great fun and great camaraderie and it was extra special because a recent Louisville grad Tori Sandoval, who is now practicing in Kingman Arizona was able to join us. I even tasted Fried Pickles! That evening a group of fraters including Rachel Davis and Les and Hannah Davis went to a comedy club, and we got to know each other better, while laughing away with the comedians, one of whom was the brother of Frater.
Early Monday morning, Larry Gettleman picked me up, and took me over to the University Of Louisville School Of Dentistry. Dean John J. Sauk and I had a very fruitful and open conversation, and we spent over a half hour together. I also was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to spend some time with Assistant Dean Wood Currens. During my tour of the dental school, I mentioned that my father-in-law was not only a University of Louisville Dental School graduate, but was also President of both the Dental Alumni Association, as well as the University Alumni Association, over sixty years. I was immediately taken over to a wall that had the pictures of the 1939 graduates, and for those of you that knew PIP Eli Brody, he looked much the same then as later on in life. I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with the students, and particularly enjoyed my one-on-one conversations. I was then planning to enjoy a casual lunch with the AO students, but because of late arriving pizzas, it gave me the opportunity to also address the entire sophomore class, and assist in doing a “Rush” program.
Larry then took me to meet Louisville’s long-time Mayor Jerry Abramson, a “nice Jewish boy,” who is retiring as Mayor and is considering “moving up.” We shared a laugh as I recommended President, because I told him that I was enjoying the position. Larry then brought me over to discuss the details of a 911 Medical ID Card Plus program that Max Behr is helping us with. This appears to be a win-win situation for fraters and the fraternity and our patients, and in the near future, I hope we are able to “cross all the T’s” and get the details to you! We are continuously striving to bring you valuable member benefits!
Since we still had a little time before the evening’s festivities, Larry drove me over to Churchill Downs. This was very exciting to me because I am a former equestrian and Eli worked at the Derby when he was in dental school. Larry then drove me back to the University Club, where I attended and addressed the students and alumni at a dinner honoring graduating seniors. One of the topics discussed was AO’s involvement in RAM. Alpha Omega has taken a lead role in a program known as RAM (Rural Access to Medicine), which helps bring health care to Louisville’s under-served. To me, that is what GOHI is all about! At the dinner, I had the honor to present a 50 Year Pin to Hirschel Weinberg, as well as President’s Pins to outgoing alumni President Scott Norton, and Student Chapter President Mike Rowe. At our last International Convention, two prestigious awards were given to Louisville fraters. I had the honor and privilege of presenting the Young Alumni Member Award to Rachel Davis, and Certificate of Merit Recipient Larry Gettleman. Amongst the Louisville fraters who were such hospitable hosts were Howard Green, Harold Hamburg, Herschel Weinberg, Max Behr, Robert Mann, Howard Klein, David Fox, Alan Gouls, Les Davis, and, of course the new chapter president Rachel Davis and Larry Gettleman. I also want to thank Richard Halpern for all his assistance. (He and Rachel are two thirds of the Student Activities Committee and doing a great job with Andrea Heckler.)
Tuesday morning, Larry got up very early to drive me to the airport for my early flight back to New York. I bid a fond farewell to a great city, with great hosts, and fraters who epitomize the three sides of Alpha Omega’s triangle!
I arrived back in New York, and Tuesday evening, your Admin held our weekly conference call to assure that your fraternity remains on track with all its objectives. Be on the lookout for The Articulator editor Shawn Groyeski, working with Fred and Marcy, which should be out soon. Very soon, the very exciting details about our new Medical Protective Programs for graduating students will be sent to all graduating students. Keep your eyes out for this letter and application.
The Seattle leadership program is fast approaching. You can still sign up - contact Mike Tenenbaum at: TENEDENT@aol.com. Another one in Boston is scheduled for the Fall, so plan ahead if you are unable to be in Seattle. I urge you to take advantage and learn from these great programs! If you have not yet made your reservations for the upcoming International Convention in San Diego, please plan on attending, because it will certainly be a convention full of fun, value, events, CE, and Alpha Omega’s special fraternalism. Go to: aosunnydays2010.ao.org for full details! I look forward to greeting you there!
On a more somber note, International Editor Fred Margolis has been informed of certain health issues that will require attention and special care. Let us all say a “mischer be-ach” for a full and speedy recovery and return to health! We all love Fred and I am sure that our common love and respect for him will be a source of strength for him during his recovery.
Now, it’s time to leave again for Detroit where a fabulous weekend of fraternalism and professionalism is planned. I will report the details in next week’s Blog.
PLEASE VISIT: www.AmericasToothfairy.org for
TOMORROW's SMILE UPDATES & OPPORTUNITIES
Although we like to believe that, as International President, our visitations are important to expose fraters to the “bigger picture,” and to learn more about the scope of Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity, one of the most important reasons that Alpha Omega’s International President visits many local chapters is to realize how many wonderful fraters there are all over the world.
I left New York this past Saturday afternoon, after spending the day in my office, to visit our alumni and students in the Louisville area. My airplane arrived in the evening, just as the Thunder celebration was to begin (FYI, Thunder is the official beginning of the two week celebration proceeding the Kentucky Derby on May 1st). Thunder is a celebration and fireworks exhibition that takes place in Louisville, and is one of the major occurrences in the city. Larry Gettleman was kind enough to pick me up and negotiate the traffic and street closures associated with the celebration. Larry had made my reservation at a lovely Bed and Breakfast in downtown Louisville, and served as my “personal guide” and fabulous host for much of my stay. After Larry dropped me off at the Inn, I walked about a mile and a half down to see what Thunder was all about. When I told the “locals” the next day, many of them were amazed and nearly beside themselves, for fear for my safety. I told them that as a New Yorker, we have no fear. What a great beginning to the visit - - truly beginning with a bang!
The female fraters spent Sunday on the famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail, and Richard Halpern was kind enough to serve as our “designated driver.” Great fun and great camaraderie and it was extra special because a recent Louisville grad Tori Sandoval, who is now practicing in Kingman Arizona was able to join us. I even tasted Fried Pickles! That evening a group of fraters including Rachel Davis and Les and Hannah Davis went to a comedy club, and we got to know each other better, while laughing away with the comedians, one of whom was the brother of Frater.
Early Monday morning, Larry Gettleman picked me up, and took me over to the University Of Louisville School Of Dentistry. Dean John J. Sauk and I had a very fruitful and open conversation, and we spent over a half hour together. I also was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to spend some time with Assistant Dean Wood Currens. During my tour of the dental school, I mentioned that my father-in-law was not only a University of Louisville Dental School graduate, but was also President of both the Dental Alumni Association, as well as the University Alumni Association, over sixty years. I was immediately taken over to a wall that had the pictures of the 1939 graduates, and for those of you that knew PIP Eli Brody, he looked much the same then as later on in life. I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with the students, and particularly enjoyed my one-on-one conversations. I was then planning to enjoy a casual lunch with the AO students, but because of late arriving pizzas, it gave me the opportunity to also address the entire sophomore class, and assist in doing a “Rush” program.
Larry then took me to meet Louisville’s long-time Mayor Jerry Abramson, a “nice Jewish boy,” who is retiring as Mayor and is considering “moving up.” We shared a laugh as I recommended President, because I told him that I was enjoying the position. Larry then brought me over to discuss the details of a 911 Medical ID Card Plus program that Max Behr is helping us with. This appears to be a win-win situation for fraters and the fraternity and our patients, and in the near future, I hope we are able to “cross all the T’s” and get the details to you! We are continuously striving to bring you valuable member benefits!
Since we still had a little time before the evening’s festivities, Larry drove me over to Churchill Downs. This was very exciting to me because I am a former equestrian and Eli worked at the Derby when he was in dental school. Larry then drove me back to the University Club, where I attended and addressed the students and alumni at a dinner honoring graduating seniors. One of the topics discussed was AO’s involvement in RAM. Alpha Omega has taken a lead role in a program known as RAM (Rural Access to Medicine), which helps bring health care to Louisville’s under-served. To me, that is what GOHI is all about! At the dinner, I had the honor to present a 50 Year Pin to Hirschel Weinberg, as well as President’s Pins to outgoing alumni President Scott Norton, and Student Chapter President Mike Rowe. At our last International Convention, two prestigious awards were given to Louisville fraters. I had the honor and privilege of presenting the Young Alumni Member Award to Rachel Davis, and Certificate of Merit Recipient Larry Gettleman. Amongst the Louisville fraters who were such hospitable hosts were Howard Green, Harold Hamburg, Herschel Weinberg, Max Behr, Robert Mann, Howard Klein, David Fox, Alan Gouls, Les Davis, and, of course the new chapter president Rachel Davis and Larry Gettleman. I also want to thank Richard Halpern for all his assistance. (He and Rachel are two thirds of the Student Activities Committee and doing a great job with Andrea Heckler.)
Tuesday morning, Larry got up very early to drive me to the airport for my early flight back to New York. I bid a fond farewell to a great city, with great hosts, and fraters who epitomize the three sides of Alpha Omega’s triangle!
I arrived back in New York, and Tuesday evening, your Admin held our weekly conference call to assure that your fraternity remains on track with all its objectives. Be on the lookout for The Articulator editor Shawn Groyeski, working with Fred and Marcy, which should be out soon. Very soon, the very exciting details about our new Medical Protective Programs for graduating students will be sent to all graduating students. Keep your eyes out for this letter and application.
The Seattle leadership program is fast approaching. You can still sign up - contact Mike Tenenbaum at: TENEDENT@aol.com. Another one in Boston is scheduled for the Fall, so plan ahead if you are unable to be in Seattle. I urge you to take advantage and learn from these great programs! If you have not yet made your reservations for the upcoming International Convention in San Diego, please plan on attending, because it will certainly be a convention full of fun, value, events, CE, and Alpha Omega’s special fraternalism. Go to: aosunnydays2010.ao.org for full details! I look forward to greeting you there!
On a more somber note, International Editor Fred Margolis has been informed of certain health issues that will require attention and special care. Let us all say a “mischer be-ach” for a full and speedy recovery and return to health! We all love Fred and I am sure that our common love and respect for him will be a source of strength for him during his recovery.
Now, it’s time to leave again for Detroit where a fabulous weekend of fraternalism and professionalism is planned. I will report the details in next week’s Blog.
PLEASE VISIT: www.AmericasToothfairy.org for
TOMORROW's SMILE UPDATES & OPPORTUNITIES
Thursday, April 15, 2010
How's Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity Doing?
How’s Alpha Omega Doing?
I am very happy to report that the state of Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity is good, and is getting better and better. The transition of our Headquarters Office to the Third Eye Group is now complete, and your Administrative Committee has been working proactively to make sure there was a seamless and effective transition, and we are working very hard to assure that our members benefit from this transition to a new management company.
Since my last blog, I have enjoyed another week of fabulous Alpha Omega experiences. This past Saturday night, the New York metropolitan area chapters honored me with a lovely cocktail party and dinner. Queens-Nassau Chapter’s President and Regent of what was formerly Regency 3, Andrew Rutman organized and coordinated this terrific program. Members were there from the chapters in Staten Island, New York, Brooklyn, Queens-Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Eta Chapter (Columbia). There was cross-generational representation with several enthusiastic young fraters from Eta, as well as members who have been members well over 50 years. It was great to see so many close and dear friends, including Hannah, Bill and Kathy Kampel (unfortunately Michael was home ill), Gary and Don Scharoff, Alan Moss, Isabelle and Sam Unger, and so many others. It was fabulous seeing so many fraters who had not been at AO functions in quite a while, including Laurie and Michael Teitelbaum, Merle and Ed Perlow, Debby and Howard Kirschner, Muriel and Bob Bruskin, Cora and Mitch Greenberg, Debbie Blum, and many others. I hope it is the beginning of getting them reinvolved. Foundation Board Member Gail Schupak and Lloyd made me feel very special. Since this event was held on the South Shore of Long Island, it was really nice of the several members from Westchester to travel a distance to be at this event. I really appreciated the many kind words, and especially want to thank Andrew Rutman and Sam Unger for all they did and said to make this evening so very special. The inimitable Gary Scharoff was busy taking photos, which he has already on the AO.ORG website. Check out AO.ORG for all the great photos.
On Sunday, we held the first of our two mandatory Board of Directors Conference calls. In addition, we have instituted, this year, informal conference calls monthly to assure our Board members are kept up to date about developments in the AO world. We began with a moment of silence in memory and honor of Yom HaShoach. We reviewed Board member responsibilities and Board members prior to the call each submitted an activity report. The Board evaluated and approved enhancements to our Member Benefits program, including a relationship with D4D-E4D, Demand Force, Chemlog, an improved benefits program with Schein, and a new affinity program/card tailored specifically for dentists. Details will follow in an upcoming AO Now. A special thank you to BOD Member Alan Moltz, for all his hard work and effort, in coordinating all these exciting member benefit- type benefits. We also discussed the need for improved communications, and better outreach for past, present and potential members. If we all dedicate ourselves to letting those we know get more familiar with all AO is today, we will grow and be stronger as a Fraternity.
Anyone who is considering a leadership position on the International Committee, for either a Board of Directors position, or an Admin Committee position (if you have the necessary credentials), please contact me and I will put you in touch with the appropriate party. The Awards Committee is also looking to receive additional nominations for Honorary Membership, the Meritorious Service Award, Certificate of Merit, etc. Please contact me to get additional information or to make a recommendation.
Amongst the many e-mails I sent out this week was one to fraters in the Hartford area (inviting them to stop by an AO Hospitality at the Connecticut Dental Association meeting), and to fraters in the San Diego area inviting their involvement in the upcoming Convention. I was thrilled to have received two incredible responses right away, one from each area. In Connecticut, Dr. Calvin Mass wrote me the most heart-warming letter an Alpha Omega International President can possibly receive. Dr. Mass, an Alpha Omega since 1942 and now 92 years was very active in AO in the Hartford area for many years. He wrote how he remembered how exciting AO was when he originally joined, and that he was glad to see that I was so actively involved in the fraternity, and bring back some of that excitement. Bill Kampel remembers Dr. Mass as an active Conn. Member and past Chapter President. The Chapter President of the small AO chapter in San Diego, Dr. Robert Levine, e-mailed me how he and his staff are looking forward to helping out with the Convention in any way they can, and that he was hopeful that he could get members excited about the Convention, and use that to jump-start a reinvigoration of his chapter. We, the Admin committee, had a wonderful dinner with this chapter in late January. These two men are proof of Alpha Omega’s potential, and its members like that that which make me very optimistic about both AO’s future and potential!
I want those of you who have attended AO Conventions in the past to attend this year in San Diego, and to encourage other fraters who might have not attended a convention to “try it out” this year. This will be a great convention, and those that attend conventions develop the strongest fraternal bond. I am looking forward to some busy traveling in the next weeks, leaving for the great folks in our Louisville Chapter this Saturday (until Tuesday), and then traveling with Richard to a great weekend in Detroit from Thursday night through Sunday. Then on to England, across the pond, if the volcano stops puffing! More details to follow!
PLEASE VISIT: www.AmericasToothfairy.org for
TOMORROW's SMILE UPDATES & OPPORTUNITIES
I am very happy to report that the state of Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity is good, and is getting better and better. The transition of our Headquarters Office to the Third Eye Group is now complete, and your Administrative Committee has been working proactively to make sure there was a seamless and effective transition, and we are working very hard to assure that our members benefit from this transition to a new management company.
Since my last blog, I have enjoyed another week of fabulous Alpha Omega experiences. This past Saturday night, the New York metropolitan area chapters honored me with a lovely cocktail party and dinner. Queens-Nassau Chapter’s President and Regent of what was formerly Regency 3, Andrew Rutman organized and coordinated this terrific program. Members were there from the chapters in Staten Island, New York, Brooklyn, Queens-Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Eta Chapter (Columbia). There was cross-generational representation with several enthusiastic young fraters from Eta, as well as members who have been members well over 50 years. It was great to see so many close and dear friends, including Hannah, Bill and Kathy Kampel (unfortunately Michael was home ill), Gary and Don Scharoff, Alan Moss, Isabelle and Sam Unger, and so many others. It was fabulous seeing so many fraters who had not been at AO functions in quite a while, including Laurie and Michael Teitelbaum, Merle and Ed Perlow, Debby and Howard Kirschner, Muriel and Bob Bruskin, Cora and Mitch Greenberg, Debbie Blum, and many others. I hope it is the beginning of getting them reinvolved. Foundation Board Member Gail Schupak and Lloyd made me feel very special. Since this event was held on the South Shore of Long Island, it was really nice of the several members from Westchester to travel a distance to be at this event. I really appreciated the many kind words, and especially want to thank Andrew Rutman and Sam Unger for all they did and said to make this evening so very special. The inimitable Gary Scharoff was busy taking photos, which he has already on the AO.ORG website. Check out AO.ORG for all the great photos.
On Sunday, we held the first of our two mandatory Board of Directors Conference calls. In addition, we have instituted, this year, informal conference calls monthly to assure our Board members are kept up to date about developments in the AO world. We began with a moment of silence in memory and honor of Yom HaShoach. We reviewed Board member responsibilities and Board members prior to the call each submitted an activity report. The Board evaluated and approved enhancements to our Member Benefits program, including a relationship with D4D-E4D, Demand Force, Chemlog, an improved benefits program with Schein, and a new affinity program/card tailored specifically for dentists. Details will follow in an upcoming AO Now. A special thank you to BOD Member Alan Moltz, for all his hard work and effort, in coordinating all these exciting member benefit- type benefits. We also discussed the need for improved communications, and better outreach for past, present and potential members. If we all dedicate ourselves to letting those we know get more familiar with all AO is today, we will grow and be stronger as a Fraternity.
Anyone who is considering a leadership position on the International Committee, for either a Board of Directors position, or an Admin Committee position (if you have the necessary credentials), please contact me and I will put you in touch with the appropriate party. The Awards Committee is also looking to receive additional nominations for Honorary Membership, the Meritorious Service Award, Certificate of Merit, etc. Please contact me to get additional information or to make a recommendation.
Amongst the many e-mails I sent out this week was one to fraters in the Hartford area (inviting them to stop by an AO Hospitality at the Connecticut Dental Association meeting), and to fraters in the San Diego area inviting their involvement in the upcoming Convention. I was thrilled to have received two incredible responses right away, one from each area. In Connecticut, Dr. Calvin Mass wrote me the most heart-warming letter an Alpha Omega International President can possibly receive. Dr. Mass, an Alpha Omega since 1942 and now 92 years was very active in AO in the Hartford area for many years. He wrote how he remembered how exciting AO was when he originally joined, and that he was glad to see that I was so actively involved in the fraternity, and bring back some of that excitement. Bill Kampel remembers Dr. Mass as an active Conn. Member and past Chapter President. The Chapter President of the small AO chapter in San Diego, Dr. Robert Levine, e-mailed me how he and his staff are looking forward to helping out with the Convention in any way they can, and that he was hopeful that he could get members excited about the Convention, and use that to jump-start a reinvigoration of his chapter. We, the Admin committee, had a wonderful dinner with this chapter in late January. These two men are proof of Alpha Omega’s potential, and its members like that that which make me very optimistic about both AO’s future and potential!
I want those of you who have attended AO Conventions in the past to attend this year in San Diego, and to encourage other fraters who might have not attended a convention to “try it out” this year. This will be a great convention, and those that attend conventions develop the strongest fraternal bond. I am looking forward to some busy traveling in the next weeks, leaving for the great folks in our Louisville Chapter this Saturday (until Tuesday), and then traveling with Richard to a great weekend in Detroit from Thursday night through Sunday. Then on to England, across the pond, if the volcano stops puffing! More details to follow!
PLEASE VISIT: www.AmericasToothfairy.org for
TOMORROW's SMILE UPDATES & OPPORTUNITIES
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Alpha Omega's unique form of Geography
ALPHA OMEGA’s UNIQUE FORM OF GEOGRAPHY
Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity certainly has its own unique version of “6 Degrees of Separation.” A short time ago, Allen Sherman (not the Hello Mudda, Hello Fodda one), but Southern California’s perennial hard and diligent worker, and long-time active Alpha Omegan, who has been active both in his local area, as a Regent, and as a “regular” Convention attendee, forwarded me an article from an edition of the ADA News. This article featured Manhattan oral surgeon Dr. Ruben Cohen (also an Alpha Omegan), and discussed his many first response efforts and volunteerism. Dr. Cohen assisted at Ground Zero after 9/11, and had our loyal corporate partner Henry Schein delivers medical supplies within 24 hours of that tragedy to the American Express building. He even arranged for displaced NYU students to receive toothbrushes within hours after the terrorist attacks. He is also a long-time volunteer in Tanzania, where he helped build a dental clinic for Miracle Corners of the World (a NY-based not-for-profit that emphasizes leadership training, health care outreach, etc.) Doesn’t that sound like an AO-type GOHI-type project? Of course, after the Haiti earthquakes, Dr. Cohen was on the first planeload of volunteers to reach Haiti, and he was carrying four boxes of supplies donated by Henry Schein Dental. Dr. Cohen is certainly an example to all of us in Alpha Omega, with his practical application of AO’s triangle--- Professionalism at its highest; Fraternalism in his spirit; and his emphasis on the Judaic values of “tzedaka” and “tikun olam.”
The wonderful Milt Salzer is being honored with the prestigious Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry. We are all aware of all Milt has done and meant to AO, but our “6 degrees of separation”- AO style, continues! Others with Alpha Omega “linkage” who have previously received this award include four Achievement Medal Honorees (Bernard Sarnat, Dan Laskin, Dushanka V. Kleinman, and Murray Massler), Barry Freydberg, Charles S. Greene, Erwin Barrington, Myron Weiner, Marvin Weiss, and former Dean Seymore H. Yale. All Alpha Omegans should be honored by these fraters’ examples of exemplary professionalism. We all wish, Susan, Milt’s wife a speedy recovery as she is having hip replacement surgery tomorrow.
Dentists throughout the world have taken notice of how important it is to belong to Alpha Omega. This past week, both PIP Barry Chapnick, and BOD Member Andre Amiach forwarded information about significant interest in Amsterdam to form an AO chapter there. This is in its preliminary stages, but obviously exciting news for all of us. If members around the world are approaching us to become members, we need to rededicate our efforts in our existing areas. Let’s all dedicate ourselves to reinvigorating and exciting existing members, re-upping former members, and attracting potential new members. As Alpha Omega grows in number, we can achieve so much more!
When you visit our website at www.ao,org, you will take note of the fact that a new section has been added, to definitely benefit both younger and established members. This section will feature Associateship Opportunities, and will help pair our members from various generations. Another new member benefit!
If you have not yet made your reservation for the Leadership Seminar April 30-May 1, in Seattle, details are also available from the website. Get into the habit of periodically checking the website. Also remember that Conventional Marshal Bob Simon and his committee have arranged a great convention from December 25- January 1, in San Diego. I encourage you to either look at the details from the ao.org website, or go directly to: aosunnydays2010.ao.org, for all the exciting details, and for registration pages and payment opportunities.
Your Alpha Omega is a vibrant fraternity, with lots going on. Every day, we try to make it even better, for our members.
PLEASE VISIT: www.AmericasToothfairy.org for
TOMORROW's SMILE UPDATES & OPPORTUNITIES
Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity certainly has its own unique version of “6 Degrees of Separation.” A short time ago, Allen Sherman (not the Hello Mudda, Hello Fodda one), but Southern California’s perennial hard and diligent worker, and long-time active Alpha Omegan, who has been active both in his local area, as a Regent, and as a “regular” Convention attendee, forwarded me an article from an edition of the ADA News. This article featured Manhattan oral surgeon Dr. Ruben Cohen (also an Alpha Omegan), and discussed his many first response efforts and volunteerism. Dr. Cohen assisted at Ground Zero after 9/11, and had our loyal corporate partner Henry Schein delivers medical supplies within 24 hours of that tragedy to the American Express building. He even arranged for displaced NYU students to receive toothbrushes within hours after the terrorist attacks. He is also a long-time volunteer in Tanzania, where he helped build a dental clinic for Miracle Corners of the World (a NY-based not-for-profit that emphasizes leadership training, health care outreach, etc.) Doesn’t that sound like an AO-type GOHI-type project? Of course, after the Haiti earthquakes, Dr. Cohen was on the first planeload of volunteers to reach Haiti, and he was carrying four boxes of supplies donated by Henry Schein Dental. Dr. Cohen is certainly an example to all of us in Alpha Omega, with his practical application of AO’s triangle--- Professionalism at its highest; Fraternalism in his spirit; and his emphasis on the Judaic values of “tzedaka” and “tikun olam.”
The wonderful Milt Salzer is being honored with the prestigious Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry. We are all aware of all Milt has done and meant to AO, but our “6 degrees of separation”- AO style, continues! Others with Alpha Omega “linkage” who have previously received this award include four Achievement Medal Honorees (Bernard Sarnat, Dan Laskin, Dushanka V. Kleinman, and Murray Massler), Barry Freydberg, Charles S. Greene, Erwin Barrington, Myron Weiner, Marvin Weiss, and former Dean Seymore H. Yale. All Alpha Omegans should be honored by these fraters’ examples of exemplary professionalism. We all wish, Susan, Milt’s wife a speedy recovery as she is having hip replacement surgery tomorrow.
Dentists throughout the world have taken notice of how important it is to belong to Alpha Omega. This past week, both PIP Barry Chapnick, and BOD Member Andre Amiach forwarded information about significant interest in Amsterdam to form an AO chapter there. This is in its preliminary stages, but obviously exciting news for all of us. If members around the world are approaching us to become members, we need to rededicate our efforts in our existing areas. Let’s all dedicate ourselves to reinvigorating and exciting existing members, re-upping former members, and attracting potential new members. As Alpha Omega grows in number, we can achieve so much more!
When you visit our website at www.ao,org, you will take note of the fact that a new section has been added, to definitely benefit both younger and established members. This section will feature Associateship Opportunities, and will help pair our members from various generations. Another new member benefit!
If you have not yet made your reservation for the Leadership Seminar April 30-May 1, in Seattle, details are also available from the website. Get into the habit of periodically checking the website. Also remember that Conventional Marshal Bob Simon and his committee have arranged a great convention from December 25- January 1, in San Diego. I encourage you to either look at the details from the ao.org website, or go directly to: aosunnydays2010.ao.org, for all the exciting details, and for registration pages and payment opportunities.
Your Alpha Omega is a vibrant fraternity, with lots going on. Every day, we try to make it even better, for our members.
PLEASE VISIT: www.AmericasToothfairy.org for
TOMORROW's SMILE UPDATES & OPPORTUNITIES
Thursday, April 1, 2010
MAMA MIA "AO Style"
As we celebrated Pesach this week, I think of the lessons we should learn from this holiday - - - the importance of working together for a common good; the importance of learning from wise elders; the concept that miracles are possible; and that while Moses led the Israelites, the importance and support of his family- his brother Aaron and his sister Miriam. Reconstructionist Jews even set the Seder table with two symbolic glasses, instead of the one used at Traditional Seders. The other glass which sits side by side next to Elijah’s glass (which is filled with wine) is Miriam’s, which is filled with water, symbolizing Miriam’s well.
About twenty years ago, I introduced a program to Alpha Omega that I called “The Choice.” It was a program where Alpha Omegans would encourage teens and college students to seriously consider dentistry as a profession. During his year as International President, the late Mike Kohleriter reinvigorated the program. When I recently saw the wise elder, D. Walter Cohen, I asked him how we could get more potential Alpha Omegans to consider dentistry as a profession. Always the sage, Walter said that we have to teach the mothers that dentistry is a great profession, and they will then influence their children. That was made obvious to me during my recent visit to Boston. Shawn Groyeski ,BU President and our student editor, told me how he called his mother the night before to have her listen to the speech he was giving at the Alumni Brunch. At the BU luncheon, the BU chapter decided to use the CHOICE program to encourage local college students at Brandeis U to attend dental school. When Avi Feygin informed his mom that he was accepting a residency in NYC after graduating from BU dental school, his mother was thrilled because it meant he would be living closer to his parent’s home in New Jersey. Josh Bratt, a BU 3rd year student, excitedly told me how proud his mother was with his accomplishments. Stephanie Rashewky told me a great story about when she first purchased her Mac Book, she and her mother alternated weeks taking lessons so that they could easily communicate while she was at Harvard Dental School, with her mom at home in Michigan. At Pesach and throughout the year, mothers develop a bond and exert influence with their children that lasts a lifetime - - as a mom, I like to believe that moms count most!
In the March 15th ADA News, on page 40, Detroit Alumni Chapter active member, Marc Dwoskin is pictured volunteering with the Give Kids A Smile program at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry. This program is a great example of the potential our GOHI programs can offer in bring dental and oral health care to the undeserved. When the Admin Committee met in San Diego In January, we had the pleasure of meeting the Dean of Mercy Dental School, who is in regular communication with San Diego’s magnificent Irv Silverstein and his pre-dental students. Irv is doing the CHOICE program in the BIGGEST way. What a small, but wonderful AO World!
Perhaps the most emotional discussion I had this week was with PIP Bill Kampel. I have had the pleasure of knowing Bill and Hannah, as well as Kathy and Michael, my entire married life. My husband’s family spent countless hours with the Kampels, and the Kampels have been at all of our simchas, as well as our sadder moments. The bond with Hannah goes back even further, because my mother-in-law Bea worked at Hannah’s family restaurant as a teenager. As many know, Bill has been the unofficial Alpha Omega Historian, as well as the 100th year event fraternity historian, and listening to his memories and observations is a privilege! Bill and I spent a wonderful time on the phone, when I asked Bill to reminisce about his years as a Line Officer of Alpha Omega. As some may know, Bill was the first Alpha Omega President installed in Israel in 1972 (by the way, Sandy Scheingold was the second). This became all the more relevant to me, because in doing our Pesach cleaning, we discovered some of my father-in-laws old pictures which included photos of the organizing committee from that first AO Convention in Israel 1972 (some recognizable faces included Jack Lewin-Epstein, Shalom Sussman, Yehuda Kaufmann, and of course Eli). Bill said that he had great memories from his years as a Line Officer, and raved about the wonderful committed fraters who were on the Line with him (including Larry Gimplin, Bud Krasne, Eli Brody, Ron Goldstein, and others). Bill explained that being the President was different then, because the President traveled predominantly domestically (there were far fewer International Chapters then), and life had far less technology (no internet, e-mail, etc.), thus communication was by “snail mail,” telephone, fax and face-to-face. Line Officers therefore depended less on Headquarters support, because it would have taken much more time to do it that way, and each officer had to do a lot more paperwork, etc. Bill happily told me that he remembered his Presidential year as a good year, with no memorable conflicts. He told me what great “team players” his fellow officers were. Bill and I agreed that one of the most important duties of the AO President is representing the Fraternity in a positive light, for its members. We both agreed that the Fraternity is all about its members!
I hope you have all had a Zizen Pesach, and that we all learn from the experiences of the Chag. Since Seder means order, let us also, in an orderly manner, work together to enhance the Alpha Omega experience. In the near future, we will be announcing our new and enhanced Member Benefits program. These enhanced benefits will be another bonus of Alpha Omega membership, but let’s all remember that Alpha Omega is important because of our triangle - - - our Professionalism; our unique Fraternalism; and our actualization of Judaic principles.
PLEASE VISIT: www.AmericasToothfairy.org for
TOMORROW's SMILE UPDATES & OPPORTUNITIES
About twenty years ago, I introduced a program to Alpha Omega that I called “The Choice.” It was a program where Alpha Omegans would encourage teens and college students to seriously consider dentistry as a profession. During his year as International President, the late Mike Kohleriter reinvigorated the program. When I recently saw the wise elder, D. Walter Cohen, I asked him how we could get more potential Alpha Omegans to consider dentistry as a profession. Always the sage, Walter said that we have to teach the mothers that dentistry is a great profession, and they will then influence their children. That was made obvious to me during my recent visit to Boston. Shawn Groyeski ,BU President and our student editor, told me how he called his mother the night before to have her listen to the speech he was giving at the Alumni Brunch. At the BU luncheon, the BU chapter decided to use the CHOICE program to encourage local college students at Brandeis U to attend dental school. When Avi Feygin informed his mom that he was accepting a residency in NYC after graduating from BU dental school, his mother was thrilled because it meant he would be living closer to his parent’s home in New Jersey. Josh Bratt, a BU 3rd year student, excitedly told me how proud his mother was with his accomplishments. Stephanie Rashewky told me a great story about when she first purchased her Mac Book, she and her mother alternated weeks taking lessons so that they could easily communicate while she was at Harvard Dental School, with her mom at home in Michigan. At Pesach and throughout the year, mothers develop a bond and exert influence with their children that lasts a lifetime - - as a mom, I like to believe that moms count most!
In the March 15th ADA News, on page 40, Detroit Alumni Chapter active member, Marc Dwoskin is pictured volunteering with the Give Kids A Smile program at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry. This program is a great example of the potential our GOHI programs can offer in bring dental and oral health care to the undeserved. When the Admin Committee met in San Diego In January, we had the pleasure of meeting the Dean of Mercy Dental School, who is in regular communication with San Diego’s magnificent Irv Silverstein and his pre-dental students. Irv is doing the CHOICE program in the BIGGEST way. What a small, but wonderful AO World!
Perhaps the most emotional discussion I had this week was with PIP Bill Kampel. I have had the pleasure of knowing Bill and Hannah, as well as Kathy and Michael, my entire married life. My husband’s family spent countless hours with the Kampels, and the Kampels have been at all of our simchas, as well as our sadder moments. The bond with Hannah goes back even further, because my mother-in-law Bea worked at Hannah’s family restaurant as a teenager. As many know, Bill has been the unofficial Alpha Omega Historian, as well as the 100th year event fraternity historian, and listening to his memories and observations is a privilege! Bill and I spent a wonderful time on the phone, when I asked Bill to reminisce about his years as a Line Officer of Alpha Omega. As some may know, Bill was the first Alpha Omega President installed in Israel in 1972 (by the way, Sandy Scheingold was the second). This became all the more relevant to me, because in doing our Pesach cleaning, we discovered some of my father-in-laws old pictures which included photos of the organizing committee from that first AO Convention in Israel 1972 (some recognizable faces included Jack Lewin-Epstein, Shalom Sussman, Yehuda Kaufmann, and of course Eli). Bill said that he had great memories from his years as a Line Officer, and raved about the wonderful committed fraters who were on the Line with him (including Larry Gimplin, Bud Krasne, Eli Brody, Ron Goldstein, and others). Bill explained that being the President was different then, because the President traveled predominantly domestically (there were far fewer International Chapters then), and life had far less technology (no internet, e-mail, etc.), thus communication was by “snail mail,” telephone, fax and face-to-face. Line Officers therefore depended less on Headquarters support, because it would have taken much more time to do it that way, and each officer had to do a lot more paperwork, etc. Bill happily told me that he remembered his Presidential year as a good year, with no memorable conflicts. He told me what great “team players” his fellow officers were. Bill and I agreed that one of the most important duties of the AO President is representing the Fraternity in a positive light, for its members. We both agreed that the Fraternity is all about its members!
I hope you have all had a Zizen Pesach, and that we all learn from the experiences of the Chag. Since Seder means order, let us also, in an orderly manner, work together to enhance the Alpha Omega experience. In the near future, we will be announcing our new and enhanced Member Benefits program. These enhanced benefits will be another bonus of Alpha Omega membership, but let’s all remember that Alpha Omega is important because of our triangle - - - our Professionalism; our unique Fraternalism; and our actualization of Judaic principles.
PLEASE VISIT: www.AmericasToothfairy.org for
TOMORROW's SMILE UPDATES & OPPORTUNITIES
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