ASDA Structure and Leadership

What is ASDA? The American Student Dental Association is a national student-run organization that protects and advances the rights, interests and welfare of dental students. It introduces students to lifelong involvement in organized dentistry and provides services, information, education, representation and advocacy.

Why does the structure matter? Efficiency in carrying out the association’s work Being an expert on all things ASDA Knowing where to go for information Future opportunities

Structure of ASDA ASDA House of Delegates Delegates - two elected from each U.S. dental school Speaker of the House Secretary Reference Committees Governance Education and Licensure Membership and Professional Issues ASDA Board of Trustees President elected by House of Delegates Two Vice Presidents elected by House of Delegates Eleven Trustees elected by the Delegates of each district Editor-in-Chief appointed by Board of Trustees Speaker of the House elected by the House of Delegates Secretary/Treasurer/Executive Director Immediate Past President Executive Committee President Vice Presidents Executive Director Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief Contributing Editors Electronic Editors Central Office Staff Councils Membership Professional Issues Communications Sessions Advocacy Externs Chicago Administrative Washington D.C ADPAC Board Work Groups Governance Leadership Development ASDA Members ∙ predoctoral students ∙ predental students ∙ international dental student members

ASDA Structure

Executive Committee Oversees and administers the work of ASDA between board of trustees meetings Reviews the budget and oversees fiscal planning Appoints national leaders Fulfills the directives of the House of Delegates Approves interim policy/procedures between meetings of the board of trustees Who makes up the executive committee? president 2 vice presidents executive director

Board of Trustees Oversees and administers the work of ASDA Approves the budget Appoints leaders Fulfills the directives of the House of Delegates Determines interim policy by 2/3 vote between House of Delegates meetings Who makes up the board of trustees? president 2 vice presidents immediate past president 11 district trustees speaker of the House editor-in-chief executive director

Who Makes Up the House of Delegates? Two delegates from each ASDA chapter (voting members) Speaker of the House – presides over business meeting Board of trustees Secretary of the House (ASDA executive director) Invited guests

Role of the House of Delegates Supreme legislative body of the Association Elects the executive committee and speaker of the House Determines the policies governing the Association Amends bylaws and standing rules of the House of Delegates

Elections HOD votes for executive committee and speaker of the House Candidate speeches on first day of HOD and voting on the last day Two votes for each chapter Districts elect their trustee during the Sat. caucus

Councils and Work Groups Carry out the work assigned by the House of Delegates and board of trustees Accomplish goals in strategic plan Appointed by board for one-year term Most consist of a chair and two associates ASDA currently has the following councils: membership professional issues communications advocacy sessions

Council on Membership Assessing and developing resources that meet the needs of the members and chapters What do they do? Recommend new member benefits Develop resources for chapters Membership outreach initiative Contribute to the Gold Crown Chapter Achievements Award program Oversees the Predental Advisory Committee Work with subcommittees for advanced standing students and financial resources

Council on Professional Issues Content expert in dental practice administration, public health, barriers to care and ethical issues in dental school What do they do? Develop resources for working with state dental societies Reviews ASDA’s Code of Ethics Reviews and updates all professional issues content on the ASDA website

Council on Communications Responsible for improving communications between ASDA’s leadership and membership How does the council do this? Creates and disseminates information via various media channels Reviews content on the ASDA website Guides digital initiatives including ASDA’s social media and videos Acts as a resource for chapter communication efforts

Council on Advocacy Increase dental student education and involvement in the legislative process, both locally and nationally Help plan National Dental Student Lobby Day Members include: chair ADPAC student director 5 legislative coordinators board of trustees liaison legislative liaisons (local chapter leaders)

Council on Sessions Plans and executes the ASDA annual session Develops the agenda and selects speakers Provides consultation for other association meetings Members include: chair immediate past president 2 board of trustees liaisons

Editorial Board Provides direction and oversight of the association’s print publications, Mouth and ASDA News, and Mouthing Off blog Work with the ASDA communications staff to determine the content and themes for each issue The editorial board is comprised of: editor-in-chief 2 electronic editors 5 contributing editors

Governance Work Group Reviews the ASDA governance documents and proposes changes to keep them current Supports the Speaker of the House in optimizing procedures of the House of Delegates GWG includes: chair president speaker of the House board of trustees liaison

Leadership Development Work Group Responsible for the national leadership training curriculum Create leadership training and resources for chapters Review national leadership positions and application process annually LDWG includes: chair (past ASDA leader) 1 EC member 3 board of trustees liaisons

ASDA Staff Manage the day-to-day operations Carry out goals in strategic plan Serve members and support leaders Serve as liaisons to standing committees