President’s Report
NESO Annual Scientific Session
Nov. 11, 2010

Several years ago, before accepting the nomination to be on the Executive, one of our Officers asked me if he should accept the nomination when he had no huge over-riding agenda issues he wanted to advance. I suggested that often the agenda items that we most want to change develop during the time on Executive. Furthermore, it may be that there are many smaller, but nevertheless, significant changes rather than 1 earth shattering, direction-changing issue.
I believe that over the last couple of years NESO has seen several positive changes.

1. We have dramatically revamped and improved our communications strategy by first appointing a dedicated Communication Director. Under the direction of Chris Lundberg with help from Christina Carter and Lindsay Schuster we have transitioned to a 100% digital format for our Newsletters, developed social media to engage our members, and improved and expanded our web presence. We provide on-line CE free to our members- the first and maybe the only Constituent to do so. We should be very proud of these accomplishments.
2. Our AAO Delegations have traditionally been led by our current President. This past year we asked Jack Kacewicz to continue on as Delegation Chair. We believe that having a semi-permanent Delegation Chair, rotating out every 3 years provides a level of continuity and increased communication between delegates and between delegations that we have not seen before. So far, the results have proven this to be the correct decision.
3. As we plan for each Annual Scientific Session and establish Planning Committees, one thing that becomes apparent is a lack of communication between committees, often having to “re-invent the wheel” with each committee. There are many planning issues that would benefit from having one person in charge for several years. As an example, we need to establish strong relationships with our exhibitors and sponsors. This is difficult if we have different people attempting to do this each year. We believe that we will have better meetings as we go forward if we establish a Meetings Chairperson that will oversee successive meetings. We must be careful not to sideline the current President and the desire for some individual flavour to each meeting.
4. We are nearing the end of our first contract with AAOSI. I have been extremely happy with Services and the job they have been doing for us. They have been receptive and understanding to any of our concerns. Our biggest fear is that they will take Anita away from us one day. We cannot allow that to happen. We will be recommending to the Board that we accept the new contact for AAOSI to continue with our management services.
5. With help from the EC we have been able to show the flag at the Component meetings by having one of the Executive make a short presentation about NESO and AAO activities. This is extremely important and I know this will continue.
6. We are extremely pleased to have Lisa Howard on board as our AAOPAC chairperson. As a Canadian, I have been a little slow to understand how important the PAC is to advancing our agenda on Capitol Hill. I regret that I am unable to help fund this; as a foreigner the US government wants my oil but not my cash.

It may sound trite and patronizing but I can honestly say that NESO’s strength rests with its up and coming leadership. Although everyone has different leadership styles, the future for NESO has never looked brighter. We are a proactive, outside the box thinking, orthodontic leadership machine. Our admin support is second to none. Our continual search for new and younger members to get involved is incredible and has uncovered some great talent. We are definitely not an “old boys club!”
I have been involved in organized orthodontics and dentistry for most of my career and I am happy to have been of service to NESO and the AAO. I can honestly say that it is I who is indebted to NESO for allowing me the opportunity to meet and work with such interesting and dedicated volunteers. I especially thank the current Executive for working with me, keeping me focused when I strayed and correcting me gently when I errored.  I have learned much from them.

Respectfully submitted

Lee Erickson

October 20, 2010
Membership Statistics
Active: 1,137   (1,138 2/10; 1,152 10/09; 1,142 3/09; 1,126 8/08)                                                                                                                              
Retired: 398
Foreign Trained Academic: 2
Affiliate: 9
Life Active: 223
24 New Members
7   New Retired Members
4   Transfer In
5   Transfer out
19 Members dropped

Necrology: The following members were reported as deceased:
Herbert N. Appel
Harry V. Borg
Marshall R. Deeney
Anna M. Gron
Seymour Koster
Joseph Lamendella, Jr. 
Gustave Lasoff
Edward J. Lyons
Leonard J. Seide
Joseph R. Valinoti

NESO Trustee Report – Annual Meeting 2010
Montreal, PQ

Since the Ad –Interim Meeting, I have attended the following serving as your representative:

• AAO Annual Session – Washington, DC, April 26 –May 5, 2010
• AAO Board Planning Session - West Palm Beach, FL, July 8-11, 2011
• COC Meeting – St. Louis, July 23-24, 2010
• AAO Board of Trustees Meeting – St. Louis, Aug 18-21, 2010
• ADA Annual Session – Orlando, FL, October 7-11, 2010
• Participation on the following AAO or BOT task forces:
  • Logo
  • Continuity of Council member rotations
  • Long term funding of the Consumer Awareness Campaign
  • Relationship with the General Practitioner
  • Society of Educators
  • Survey Policy

The last largest transaction of Association business occurred at the August Board of Trustees.  The following were the most significant items discussed:

• A lottery for terms of the newly assigned members of CONYM to restore a regular rotation
• Approved revisions to the Orthodontic match program to allow for program positions that are more than 3 years (PHD, etc.)
• Referred the Society of Educators bylaws draft and concept to a BOT committee for revision of bylaws to be consistent with AAO bylaws and policy.  A report will be ready for the COE meeting in October with final report to the November BOT.
• An RFP will be sought from PR firms on what a national PR program would entail that would increase our market penetration in 11-14 year olds by 10% within 5 years.
• Approved outreach to pediatric physician’s assistants, pediatric nurse practitioners, and school nurses to be an educational resource on dental and orthodontic health.
• Approved use of a free consultation coupon for the months of Feb-May 2011 to better measure effectiveness of the CAP.  This will be combined with a $1000 monthly raffle during the same time period to further enhance consumer interest and participation.
• Approved investigation into alternate URL for the AAO.  www.braces.org does not describe all the modalities orthodontists use to correct malocclusions.
• Approved a revision to the AAO mission statement that will go to the HOD for approval.  Modifies language and uses bullet points to better clarify points,
• Approved BOT use of altered spreadsheets and policy to help keep the BOT aware of significant changes in Councils due to multiple members exiting in a single year.
• Approved revised guidelines for Advertising in our publications
• Approved a survey of orthodontic staff as to Annual Session interests
• Approved a 20% registration discount for offices registering 4 or more staff

Of  these topics, we need feedback from the NESO leadership and members on item #6, the use of a coupon and raffle to measure the effectiveness of the Consumer Awareness Program (CAP).  As most recall, a big concern NESO members have is does the CAP really drive the consumer to the orthodontist’s office.  At the 2010 HOD, a resolution was passed that allowed the COC to use coupons or programs that offered a financial incentive to patients to entice them to go to member’s offices.  The marketing professionals have assured COC that the use of such “free” or “complimentary” coupons is an excellent tool to help assess a marketing messages consumer impact. 
While NESO did not support such a direction as it was disingenuous, could be viewed as unprofessional and be divisive among the membership, the resolution passed.  The COC in trying to listen to these concerns revised the concept by having it be elective in participation and having it run for a limited time of only 4 months.  The concept was further modified to add a drawing for one patient per month who starts treatment during the four month period who will receive a $1000 award toward their orthodontic treatment.     Again the marketing professionals were extremely enthusiastic over the potential strength of this measurement program.
Where I now need additional feedback, is to hear what NESO thinks of this measuring effort.  Do we support all of it? Only the coupon? Only the raffle? Or, none of it?  I need this feedback as the BOT has a motion postponed until the November 19,  BOT meeting to rescind the raffle portion of the measuring program. 
As always it is a privilege to serve as your Trustee.  Please do not hesitate to contact me on any issues you have related to NESO or the AAO.

Hugh R. Phillis, DMD
Trustee