After traveling around the state for the last couple of years, I have learned that every component has its own personality and what works for one may not work for another. My main objective during our Wisconsin Dental Association-hosted quarterly component officer conference calls is to share best practices from across the state. Your component officers can take those ideas and apply them locally to see what sticks.
One main best practice we continually discuss is the types of meetings a component hosts. We encourage all components to host four meetings a year which could include:
- Social event
- Continuing education program (full day or evening)
- Local legislator meeting
- Current WDA president visit
Some creative ideas from around the state are to:
- Host wine/beer spirits tastings
- Food pairings
- Painting studios
- Themed staff appreciation events
- CE combined with entertainment
- Golf outings
- Family-friendly events
- Support local charity events
- Attend local sporting events
Speakers can be brought into your component on several topics like practice transitions, insurance, finance, Occupational Safety and Health Administration or HIPAA regulations and practice management along with many clinical topics.
If you don’t try, you’ll never know. We encourage all officers to try something new and if the event doesn’t go over as expected, that’s OK. However, if you end up drawing in just one new attendee, it was worth it.
If you have new ideas for meetings, CE topics or have other suggestions for your component, contact your component president, region trustee or myself. Contact information for your local officers and trustee(s) can be found here.
Local networking is a key member benefit that you can’t get anywhere else. It is a great opportunity to bounce practice management questions off your colleagues or even find referrals. We hope you all find the value and attend the meetings hosted by your local dental society.
All local dental society meetings are listed in the calendar of events on WDA.org.
Contact Amy Bastic at [email protected] or 414-755-4126 with questions.
