Introducing Your Brand New Communications Coordinator

Hi everyone,

I have already had the pleasure of introducing myself to many of you on facebook and over the phone, but just in case you missed me... I want to introduce myself and say a few words about how excited I am to be a part of your organization.

I moved to Chicago almost six years ago after graduating from Miami University of Ohio, since then I have volunteered and interned with several non-profit organizations including PAWS Chicago, Hostelling International and Climb for a Cause. My personal goal is to work with a not-for-profit organization and to be excited about what I get to do every day. My connection to the dental industry stems from my work with Climb for a Cause, last year we climbed San Jacinto Peak and raised almost $50,000 for children’s oral health and treatment projects. I feel that working with the AADA is a wonderful opportunity and I look forward to meeting all of you.

Also about myself, I love all kinds of animals, I have two cats at home and I have been vegan for three years. I enjoy maintaining my container garden, photography, travel, vegan cooking and biking (sometimes even in the winter). Please don’t hesitate to email or comment if you have a question, suggestion, or would just like to say hello.

Sincerely,

Emily Vagts
Communications Coordinator
Emily@AllianceADA.org

Member Spotlight: Megan Beatty

My name is Megan Beatty. I was married this past July in Minnesota to a boy that I met while attending Luther College. Two weeks after saying "I Do", we found ourselves packing up our lives and moving to the University of Illinois at Chicago Dental School. I am a teacher by trade and hoping to find myself in school in the fall, but for now, I work as a waitress/hostess/manager at a cafe down the street and at Midtown Tennis Club.

Johanna Manasse welcomed the incoming dental students one day during orientation and my husband, Joe, grabbed an AADA welcome card from her to bring home to me. Not sure what I was getting myself into, I signed up as a student spouse. Johanna helped me find another dental spouse named Amber who lives just a couple floors below me and had us meet Pat Cross at our first conference in Illinois. And well, that's how it all began. Our student spouse alliance at University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) is now up to three members with a recent addition!

Together, Amber and I attended the AADA Conference and had a great time. Our favorite part was actually getting to be with other student spouses. They have been a great resource, wonderful encouragement, and great friends to us. Our alliance is going to be making a website before the end of the year! The current project we're working on is getting a "It's not Tooth Early, It's not Tooth Late" packet out and presented to a local hospital. We are also looking forward to working on the "We've got you covered from head to toe" project in the fall for the AADA Convention in Las Vegas. Photo Right: Amber (left) & I at the Plantation home in Richmond, VA, at conference.

Student Spouses at our Sock Party!

The other part I loved about the conference was the meeting they had just for us student spouses. The meeting was filled with tons of info about starting up a dental business, things to be aware of, and even a book to being successful in the Dental world. So wonderful and thoughtful! We felt very welcomed into this community of dental spouses!

At the Civil War Museum in Richmond, VA

Thank you to all the members who made me feel welcome at the Alliance event and for making it possible for me to attend.

Mark Your Calendars

AADA Convention 2011 is in Las Vegas, Nevada!!!
October 9-13

Alliance members will get to meet and stay in the MGM Grand Hotel. We are excited to participate with our dentists during their Annual Session.

Interlaced with meeting schedules, Alliance members get to enjoy Themla J. Neff award luncheon, ADPAC/AADA Member Project Awards Brunch, & the incoming/outgoing President's Reception. Not to mention the many sites, shopping and shows that Las Vegas has to offer.

In conjunction with Convention, the Alliance is asking for your support in putting together super simple and easy care kits for those in need in Nevada. We Care for You from Head to Toe Project asks you to bring: a Hat-Head, Toothbrush-of course, Socks-Toe.

Call your Alliance friends and mark your calendars for October. We can't wait to see you there! For more detail information on Convention, go to the Alliance website.

Breast Cancer Support

The Alliance is supporting Denim Day at the Orlando Convention meeting. The idea is to wear jeans on Oct. 8th and give $5.00 to support Breast Cancer and Research Cures.

You can participate or not - wear jeans or not - donate or not.

Some of our members have had breast cancer and most people have a family member or friend who has been touched in some way. We would love your support in anyway you can give it.

Please click on the above link to learn more about Denim Day and how you can donate!

It's in the Mail

Don't be afraid to contact your legislators. You elected them and they are aware of this. If they want to be re-elected, they know they need to represent their *constituents; so your input is very important. (Click on the Elected Officials link below to find yours and how to contact them.)

Emails are preferred in most cases, especially during legislative sessions, but all communication, whether mail, email, or phone calls should always include the following.

• Your Name
• Your Address
• Your Phone Number
• Whether you are a Constituent of that District (preferably include your District #).
• Keep It Short & Simple (KISS).
• Know the title of your bill, its sponsor or sponsors and its number.
• Know enough about your bill to be able to discuss it with your legislator...be ready to counter any talking points they may have heard for or against your bill.
• Remind your legislator that you represent a non-partisan organization.
• Address correspondences to "The Honorable..." or to "Representative..." or to "Senator..."
• If you know your legislator, even in the vaguest sense, include this fact at the beginning or your communication.
• Be courteous
• Share why the bill may affect you personally. Use clarifying examples to support your position. (Your own personal experience is the best supporting evidence.)
• Be constructive. If you oppose something, try offering a positive alternative.
  
• Never threaten to withhold a vote in the future based on the outcome of the issue.
• Do not remind the legislator that you are a taxpayer.
• After the vote, regardless of the outcome, be sure to send or email a note thanking them for considering your position. This creates a more favorable atmosphere for future communications.
  

Letters-

• Are better if they are personal instead of form letters.
• Put on letterhead, if possible.
• Make sure the envelope is addressed correctly.
• Most prefer letters to be sent to their homes.

This information was put together by: Janice Gerritsen

Legislation is important!

Check out who your Elected Officials are.

Some fun...

During her travels as Well-Being Chair, Mary Ellen collected a couple of pictures from her travels to share with us.

(left to right) Mary Ellen, Mella Glen, & Ruth Blythe, gather for a photo last spring last spring, in Tulsa, Oklahoma

San Antonio, Texas
(left to right) Mary Ellen, the Chef from the Marriot (his food must have been really good for the ladies to want their picture with him:), Cindy Bates, Janet