President's Message

With our annual meeting right around the corner, I thought it would be informative to discuss some of the positive work your Board of Directors has been overseeing these past 10 months. While these are ambitious projects, some whose scope is too broad and complex to complete in any one year, much headway has been made. First, let me take a moment to share my excitement about our constituent's presence and performance at the 2000 AAO meeting in Chicago and then update you on the activities associated with each of the following areas of influence within our organizational fabric.

AAO House of Delegates 2000 Review

• Denied funding (on a close vote) for the 2000-01 public relations national TV advertising program (eliminating the dues assessment of $130)
• Created a new technology action plan to overhaul the AAO Web site and consider new member benefits on the Internet (funding of $250,000 raised by increasing member dues $40, net result of a dues/assessment decrease of $90)
• Approved use of logo on Web sites of members (PCSO sponsored)
• Sent back to committee to study component recognition issue
• Re-constituted House of Delegates; increased from 50 to 64 members (PCSO increases from 9 to 13 members for 2001)
• Eliminated AAO staff members from being voting members on AAOIC and AAOSI Boards

Your delegation to the AAO meeting in Chicago conducted itself with a sense of determination and professionalism I have seldom seen in my years of being involved with organized orthodontics. Dr. Gary Baughman and Dr. Terry McDonald were the co-chairs of the delegation and provided us with the necessary leadership to see the "big picture." Our group played an instrumental role in the success of this year's AAO House of Delegates. A "give and take" atmosphere prevailed over the entire body and in the end great strides were made in making the AAO a better organization. Yes, there were a few individuals throughout our other constituencies that were disappointed in some of the decisions that were made by the House of Delegates, but I believe the greater good for greatest number prevailed - and after all, isn't that what we should all want?

Continuing Education Reorganization

Lee Boese and his committee have had several meetings and conference calls working towards the re-structuring of PCSO’s continuing education program. Centralization, cost effectiveness, and the attraction of the highest quality speakers are just some of the many items being discussed. The ultimate mission statement will be to provide our membership with the highest quality continuing education programs in the most cost-effective and efficient manner so as to reach the greatest number of our members with the least amount of inconvenience to their daily lives.

Strategic Planning Development

Five years have past since our organization completed a strategic plan to guide us toward the 21st century. The new millennium is now upon us and we must reassess and alter the present plan so it will be quick, nimble and responsive to our ever-changing membership demographic. To that end our Executive Committee has appointed past President Robin Jackson to be the chairman of this most important committee. He will also serve as our representative on the AAO's strategic planning committee. In addition to formulating changes in our present strategic plan, he will have the responsibility of dovetailing our plan with that of the AAO thereby securing a harmonious interaction between the two organizations.

Young Member's Forum

Established in 1998, this committee continues to broaden its scope of influence within our organization. As chairman, Dr. John McDonald has provided the quality of leadership that will carry our organization forward in the years to come. He and Dr. Elana Peikoff also serve on the AAO Young Member Forum.

Technology Committee

Our organization is truly blessed to have such a talented individual as Dr. Dick Savage chairing the PCSO technology committee. Initially, and almost single-handed, he developed our web site presence on the Internet. Eventually Bill Felch and Phil Rollins and Associates added their time effort and expertise to create a more contemporaneous presence on the e-based communication network. Much has been done to establish our constituent as the pre-emptive leader within the AAO framework in e-based technology. However, we have only just scratched the surface. I see a day when we will use our Web site as often as we use our telephone. Imagine the possibilities -- they are unlimited, and it will be an exciting journey toward this new horizon

Governance Assessment

Over the past several years our organization has "wrestled" with the notion that maybe, just maybe we could perform our tasks in a more efficient manner. We have had several experts in the field of governance come to our Board and make presentations about the newer forms of governance and what some of the needs and concerns of our membership will be looking for in the future. To that end, we are continuing to pursue legitimate ways to improve methods of doing business and this will be one of the focuses of leadership over the coming years.

Executive Director's Performance Guidelines and Review Policy

Under the able leadership of Dr. Rod Dubois we are developing a management strategy that will present an improved way to assess the performance of our constituent Executive Director. Mr. Phillip Rollins has done a truly magnificent job in managing our association’s affairs over the past 15 years. I am supremely confident he will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Important, however, is the basic need for both parties in any relational basis to have a complete outline of job responsibilities and methods of accountability for those tasks.Your Board of Directors and Mr. Rollins both feel strongly in this concept and that is why this ad hoc committee was formed. Dr. Dubois will have the committee's recommendations completed and ready to present to the Board for approval at the annual session in Reno, Nevada.

Establishment of the Annual President's Lecture

This year your Board created the Annual President's Lecture. This undertaking was motivated by the spirit to invite to speak - and at the same time honor a distinguished academician or clinician whose contributions have mightily enhanced the success of our beloved specialty. This year it gives me a great sense of personal privilege to inform you of the selection committee's nomination of the 1st Annual President's Lecturer, Dr. Vincent Kokich. Vince has long been regarded as the preeminent lecturer in the field of orthodontics, but his accomplishments as a researcher, teacher, and clinician are as highly regarded. This will be a special moment for our association, and I hope you can join me in Reno to honor this great practitioner and longtime PCSO member.

2000 PCSO Annual Session Planning Committee

This year our annual session in Reno promises to be a world-class educational event. Thanks to the able leadership of General Chair Chuck Wear and his wonderful committee, we will be treated to presentations from some of the finest clinicians, academicians, and professional support personnel ever assembled in one locale. Try not to miss this exceptional event. It promises to be a grandé kick-off to the new millennium.

Finally, this has been a very special time in my life, sharing with, and being a part of the lives of so many wonderful and talented individuals who have made a difference in the positive growth of our profession. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to perform this wonderful gift of service.

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