Building a Legacy: Committees as the Heart of Member Engagement
By Angela Landsberg
I just celebrated my first year as the Executive Director and there is still so much to learn, but some things are crystal clear. The San Diego County Dental Society has a long legacy of active member engagement and much of that is due to the work of its committees. As far back as 1928, The San Diego County Dental Society has records of committee meetings taking place. The minutes from these meetings are preserved in leather-bound books, proving the importance of the work that was done. The historical importance of committees in the United States goes back as far as the creation of the Constitution. While the structure and process of these committees were and continue to look much different than our dental society committees, the critical role they serve are the same.
I’ve spent a good part of my career working with boards and committees and my experience has taught me that committee work is where the rubber hits the road. Committees are where ideas are generated, and they provide a working-group atmosphere that allows for a casual discussion and input from the people who are directly impacted by the projects and programs being created. For example, our Continuing Education Committee generates topics that members find valuable and interesting, thereby directing me and my team to follow through with reaching out to speakers in those fields. The Recruitment and Retention Committee is another important committee that helps foster social events for early career as well as seasoned dentists and provides networking opportunities for all members (and occasionally non-members).
The San Diego County Dental Society has 7 standing committees, all of which serve to benefit the members and the mission of the organization. Becoming a member of a committee is not as daunting as some might imagine. Yes, it takes commitment and time but not as much time as some might imagine. Committee members must allocate 1-2 hours a month to attend meetings and events and be consistent with their involvement and communication. Attending meetings is a great way to connect with colleagues. Many of the meetings take place on Zoom and the meetings that take place in person are in the evenings and come with a yummy dinner provided by the SDCDS.
Looking back at the minutes from meetings and photos of committees from over half a century ago is inspiring. Please consider being a part of history by joining one of the committees listed on page 6. There are plenty of ways to join. The easiest way is to simply email me and express an interest. I would be happy to talk with you and answer any questions you may have. I hope to hear from you and possibly, one day, when the Executive Director in the year 2073 is looking through archives, they will find your name listed amongst those who helped make this great organization what it will continue to be.
