It’s hard to believe that 2019 is just over the horizon. It seems like yesterday that we were fretting about Y2K and expecting everything to shut down at the stroke of midnight when the year 2000 began.
With a new year fast approaching, you have been invited to renew your professional relationship with dentistry by maintaining your Wisconsin Dental Association membership or joining for the first time. As a WDA member, you receive many benefits including advocacy, member communications, continuing education, consumer awareness, practice management, networking and cost savings opportunities.
This year, when you are considering your commitment to organized dentistry, please also show your dedication to the profession and the public by making a tax-deductible investment in what is truly YOUR WDA Foundation on your dues statement. The stated mission of the foundation is to remain, “Committed to improving the oral health and overall well-being of Wisconsin residents while supporting the needs of the dental community.” While we work with, and get support from, the WDA, we are a separate entity that is philanthropic and completely without political agendas.
The foundation is also a two-way street. As you support the Foundation, it is working to provide benefits to you:
- Three of the WDA Foundation’s programs, Dentists Concerned for Dentists, the Emergency Relief Fund and the Annual Scholarship Program are directly focused on assisting dental professionals – retired, current and future.
- Volunteer opportunities are available through Donated Dental Services and the Mission of Mercy, two of the seven foundation programs.
- The foundation can help you develop your leadership skills by offering opportunities to serve on its board of directors or on one of its many committees.
- Your gift to the foundation provides you with a greater charitable impact because it is combined with the gifts given by your peers. Each dollar donated to the WDA Foundation supports a variety of worthy programs that assist both the public and the dental community.
The foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization for tax purposes. Almost 50 percent of the foundation’s annual unrestricted revenue comes directly from member donations made through the annual dues statement. These donations keep the WDA Foundation vital for the future.
I personally thank you for your continued support!
