1. National Governing and Leadership Structure

2. 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.
ASDA’s mission statement, which defines who we are and why we exist. 2

3. Why does ASDA’s structure matter to leaders?
Provides the framework to carry out business of the association.
Shows leaders where to go for information.
Helps leaders become experts on all things ASDA and pursue their leadership path.
As a national leader, it is important that you fully understand ASDA’s structure and how we function. It will benefit you as a leader by knowing how to get things done in the most efficient manner, being able to assist chapters and members have a voice and get access to the information they need, and guide you for future leadership opportunities within ASDA.

4. ASDA’s governing structure
ASDA House of Delegates
Delegates: two representatives from each U.S. dental school
ASDA Board of Trustees
Executive Committee
President and two vice presidents
Executive director
Speaker of the house
Editor-in-Chief
Immediate past president
Eleven district trustees
Standing Committees
Editorial Board
Membership
Professional Issues
Communications
Advocacy
Board Management Committees
Governance Committee
Committee on Sessions
The importance of this slide is to show that ASDA members are the voice of the organization. The BOT communicates with councils and committees to make sure the voice of the member is represented. This slide is a great image to share with your local chapters as well as district meetings. Many do not know the structure of ASDA so help educate our 22,000+ members.
Advisory Committees
Predental Advisory Committee
AS-IDP Advisory Committee 4

5. Executive Committee
Oversees and administers the work of ASDA between Board of Trustees meetings
Fulfills the directives of the house of delegates
Reviews the budget and oversees fiscal planning
Approves interim policy and procedures
Who makes up the Executive Committee?
President
Two vice presidents
Executive director
Elected by the ASDA house of delegates
The president serves as chair of the board of trustees which oversees the development and implementation of the association strategic plan and approves the annual budget. The president also serves as the chair of the executive committee, which is responsible for managing association business between meetings of the board of trustees, and serves as the official spokesperson for ASDA.
The vice presidents assist the president and serve as spokesperson when requested by the president. 5

6. Board of Trustees Oversees and administers the work of ASDA
Fulfills directives of the house of delegates
Approves the budget
Assigns work to ASDA’s councils and committees
Appoints leaders
Determines interim policy by 2/3 vote between house meetings
Who is the board and how are they elected or appointed?
Executive Committee: elected by the house
Immediate Past President: assumes role after presidential year
District Trustees: elected by ASDA’s 11 districts
Speaker of the house: elected by the house
Editor-in-Chief: appointed by the board
The trustees wears two hats – at the national and district levels. At the national level, trustees oversee the work of ASDA, including the budget, leadership appointments, policy and serving as members of councils and work groups. At the district level, the trustees represent the chapters within their district and assist chapters with issues and growth.
The speaker of the House guides the board in parliamentary procedure and governance. The editor-in-chief acts as a liaison between the editorial board and the board of trustees. The executive director manages operations and serves as the liaison between the board and staff. 6

7. Who is ASDA’s house of delegates?
Two delegates from each ASDA chapter
Speaker of the house
Board of Trustees
Secretary (ASDA’s executive director)
Invited guests
Each chapter is allowed two voting members in the House of Delegates to vote on ASDA policy and elect the officers. The Speaker presides over the business of the House and the Executive Director serves as secretary of the House. Other individuals who are permitted on the House floor include the board of trustees and those students serving as delegate reviewers. All other members and guests can observe the House proceedings, but cannot speak on the House floor or vote. 7

8. Role of the house of delegates
Supreme legislative body of the Association
Elects officers
Determines the policies governing the Association
Amends Bylaws and Standing Rules of the House of Delegates 8

9. Elections at Annual Session
House of delegates votes on:
Executive Committee
Speaker of the house
Districts elect their trustees
Elections for all board of trustee members except the editor-in-chief are conducted at Annual Session. 9

10. Standing Committees
Undertake long-term assignments and carry out the work of the house of delegates and Board of Trustees.
Accomplish Strategic Plan goals by executing committees’ charges.
Members are appointed by the Board of Trustees.
ASDA currently has the following standing committees:
Council on Advocacy
Council on Communications
Council on Membership
Council on Professional Issues
Editorial Board
ASDA councils and work groups are the work horses of the association. Their work is driven by the strategic plan, resolutions passed by the House of Delegates and initiatives of the board of trustees. The board of trustees appoints the leaders serving on the councils, editorial board and work group. Each of these groups has a staff liaison to assist them in their roles and provide continuity from year to year. 10

11. Council on Advocacy Members include:
Chair
Five legislative coordinators based on region
One Executive Committee member
Two Board of Trustees liaisons
Represents the interests of dental students on legislative and regulatory issues that impact the dental profession. The council launches grassroots initiatives to promote action-oriented advocacy in support of dental students and the patients they serve.

12. Council on Communications
Members include:
Chair
Two associates
Two video production managers
Board of Trustees liaison
Responsible for creating and disseminating information via various media channels. The council reviews content on the ASDA website and guides digital initiatives. The council acts as a resource for and promotes chapter communication efforts.

13. Council on Membership Members include:
Chair
Two associates
Two Board of Trustees liaisons
Predental consultant
Assesses and develops resources that meet the needs of ASDA’s members and chapters. The council assists chapters and trustees with membership initiatives. The council oversees the Predental Advisory Committee and the Advanced Standing/International Dental Student Advisory Committee.

14. Council on Professional Issues
Members include:
Chair
Two associates
Two Board of Trustees liaisons
Serves the association as a resource on matters that affect the dental student experience, including but not limited to: community engagement, public health initiatives, interprofessional education, diversity and inclusion, ethics, transition into practice and facilitating collaboration with other professional organizations.

15. Editorial Board Members include:
Editor-in-Chief
Five contributing editors
Two electronic editors
Works closely with staff to determine the strategy and themes for ASDA’s print publication, Contour. Editorial Board members develop the content for ASDA’s print publication and blog. 15

16. Management Committees
The Board of Trustees may appoint management committees to address initiatives that fall outside the duties of the Board but require Board knowledge or expertise.
Appointed by the Executive Committee.
ASDA currently has two management committees:
Governance Committee
Committee on Sessions

17. Committee on Sessions Members include:
Chair
One Executive Committee member
Immediate Past President
Two Board of Trustees liaisons
Responsible for the planning of the upcoming Annual Session. The committee maintains the importance of governance and policy associated with the Annual Session.

18. Governance Committee Members include:
Chair
EC Member
Speaker of the House
Two Board members
Reviews the ASDA governance documents and proposes changes as to keep documents current. The committee ensures that all ASDA documents are consistent with the governing documents.

19. Advisory Committees
These committees provide knowledge or advice to help standing committees achieve their mission.
Appointed or approved by the Board of Trustees.
ASDA currently has two advisory committees:
Predental Advisory Committee
Advanced Standing/International Dental Student Advisory Committee

20. Predental Advisory Committee
Develops and provides feedback on predental student focused initiatives. Works closely with the predental consultant, and provides insight into ASDA’s predental members.
Members include:
Predental consultant
Five predental members

21. Advanced Standing/International Dental Advisory Committee
Works closely with the Council on Membership to develop resources and benefits for AS/IDP members. Provide feedback on initiatives for students enrolled in an advanced standing or international dental program at CODA-accredited dental schools.
Members are appointed by the Board of Trustees.
Members include:
Chair
Four members

22. 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, board management committees and advisory committees