The Midwestern Society of Orthodontists’ Board of Directors met March 6-7 in St. Louis for the 2009 Ad Interim meeting. The meeting was efficiently run under the direction of MSO President Brent Larson as the first MSO Board Meeting to function “paperless” by utilizing AAO’s new Sharepoint program. The following are highlights of the meeting:
1. Members are encouraged to review and comment on 2009 AAO House of Delegates resolutions to be posted in advance on the AAO Website and/or to take part in the Reference Committee Hearings onsite in Boston. One of the anticipated bigger issues for discussion will be the members’ interest in continued additional funding of the AAO Public Awareness Campaign. MSO has submitted resolutions on the following topics for the 2009 AAO House of Delegate’s consideration.
• Dues Waivers – Request COMEJC study the issues of dues and assessments waivers to make sure they are as comprehensive, consistent and equitable as possible.
• Insurance Education – Request that the AAO pursue a national public relations program focused on educating human resource professionals on:
1. The value of orthodontic coverage for both adults and children.
2. The process of evaluating comprehensive orthodontic dental insurance benefits.
3. The strategy necessary to successfully negotiate comprehensive, high quality orthodontic coverage.
• AAO Calendar – Request a common AAO calendar be maintained and made available on Google Calendar.
• Co-sponsor a resolution authored by the Southern Association of Orthodontists requesting that the House of Delegates acknowledge the proposed AAO Affiliation Agreements. These affiliation agreements are designed to outline the relationship between the MSO and AAO and between the components and the MSO. Once the MSO approves the agreement with the AAO, the MSO will look to have these agreements approved by the components. Look for more information regarding this issue later this spring or summer.
2. Component secretary/treasurers should have received by mail this week from AAO a request for confirmation of dues amounts to be billed this summer by AAO. Components may provide information on this form for their dues revenues to be wire transferred directly to your account. Please ensure your component returns this dues billing information to AAO by April 1. As components are being asked by AAO in the affiliation agreement process to be sure component’s bylaws are up-to-date, this is a good time to also be sure your component bylaws reflect the most recent dues billing categories, such as if the component would like to waive dues for full-time academic and/or provide a 50% dues rate for life active members to be consistent with what MSO and AAO charge now.
3. Component presidents will be receiving a letter soon from AAO requesting a representative be assigned to record a personal public service radio spot “Hometown Radio Interview” at the AAO Annual Session in Boston. Component presidents will also be hearing from AAO on radio public service announcement scripts for National Facial Protection Month to send to radio stations in your state/province. AAO also is providing opportunities for individual members to customize radio commercials and More Than a Smile materials. For additional information, contact Pam Paladin at the AAO.
4. “Top Graber Moments” were incorporated into the meeting to recognize Lee Graber for his untiring efforts and quick humor additions over the last eight years as this was his final MSO Board Meeting to serve as MSO Trustee. Brent Larson will assume the position of MSO Trustee when Lee Graber is installed as AAO President-Elect at the AAO Annual Session in May.
5. Profits in 2008 over the MSO financial policy benchmark of 110% of budgetary needs are being converted to staggered CDs instead of being invested into the MSO mutual fund at this time. A taskforce was appointed to review the current MSO financial investment policy with a report due back to MSO at the fall board meeting. Since MSO’s investment strategy in the past has been conservative, to date MSO has incurred below market-average losses to be in a positive position when the economy rebounds.
6. MSO is reviewing each component’s requirement for CERP-approved continuing education courses for licensing to determine if MSO needs to change policy to apply for CERP approval through AAO in the years MSO has a stand-alone meeting in the future.
7. MSO is pursuing Kansas City as the location for the 2013 MSO Annual Session which will be structured for doctors and staff. MSO has proposed a joint meeting agreement to the Great Lakes Association of Orthodontists for a combined meeting in 2014 in Chicago.
8. MSO reviewed a variety of communication issues including changing MSO newsletter printers for a substantial cost savings, evaluating the MSO Web site currently hosted by AAO, encouraging members to join the professional networking site of “LinkedIn” as AAO tries to build an informal communication network, evaluating the current effectiveness of the AAO logo and potential tagline, and gaining insight into future public awareness campaign opportunities being considered by AAO.
9. The next nominating committee chair, Jackie Miller, is seeking MSO member names for MSO’s selection for future AAO, ABO and AAOF award nominees. Nominations are also being sought for the 2010 MSO Shepard Award by Brent Larson. MSO has been fortunate over the years to have a number of national and international award winners selected. If you are attending the AAO Annual Session in Boston in May, you may want to purchase a ticket for these events honoring MSO members receiving national awards:
• John Kanyusik of Minnesota will receive the 2009 ABO Earl E. and Wilma S. Shepard Distinguished Service Award from ABO with co-winners Dr. John Carter and Dr. Richard Ridgley at the College of Diplomates luncheon on Saturday. Go to www.cdabo.org to download the CDABO form and fax back with a credit card.
• David Musich of Illinois will receive the Brophy Award at AAO’s Excellence in Orthodontics Award Ceremony at Sunday’s luncheon. Refer to your AAO registration confirmation or go to the AAO Web for registration info.
10. Plan to broaden your perspectives by attending the 2009 MSO Annual Session held October 16-17 at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. The 2009 MSO Shepard Award winner, Mike Fuchs of South Dakota, will be honored at this meeting which will feature a series of short presentations with Q/A on a variety of topics related to the overall health of patients, orthodontists and staff. Registration materials will be mailed to members early summer.
