AOS MEMBERSHIP NEWS Annual Meetings: We Need Each Other As President this year, and a member of the Board for several years, I am preparing myself for this Octo-ber's meeting in San Antonio by considering the follow-ing question: Why do associations have annual meet-ings? Answers include that it’s required in the bylaws; makes money for the Association, a good source of CE units for members, and because everybody else does it. Certainly our bylaws require an annual meeting of membership. Financially, we try to “break-even” on our meeting so the members receive the best value for their dollar. Absolutely, it’s the best place to get maximum CE credit in a short period of time, and, yes, all associa-tions conduct annual meetings. All are “justifications” for an association annual meeting, but none are actually a “reason.” In our prac-tice of dentistry, and more specifically, orthodontics, we NEED each other. Case diagnosis and treatment plan-ning teach us there are many ways to achieve a quality result for each patient. How we optimize that result often comes from the input of colleagues, and rarely is that colleague next door or down the street. However, you WILL find them at Annual Meetings. For example, my conversations with Drs. Randy Newby and Ralph Nicassio have altered my tech-niques for the betterment of my patients. Whether it’s on the beach at Clearwater, the river in San Juan C. Echeverri, DDS Antonio, or the golf course in AOS President Denver, our Annual Meetings provide quality time with colleagues, beyond the outstanding lectures that occur in daily sessions. How often have I seen membership gathered around Bill Wyatt in the hallway as he explains a “pearl” or recommends treatment with a model in hand. “Priceless” as that famous commercial used to say. Bring your cases, bring your questions, and bring your ideas to San Antonio, Oct 6-9 and experience what others have known for years. The AOS Annual Meeting is conducted SOLELY for the camaraderie and the practice of outstanding orthodontics. See you there. For registration, visit us at www.orthodontics.com or call our home office staff at 972-234-4000. Juan C. Echeverri, DDS www.orthodontics.com Summer 2016 49
Journal of the American Orthodontic Society Summer 2016 / Buyer's Guide: Page 49
