News

27/5/2009

Members say yes to governance changes

New York State Dental Association members have approved a historic rewriting of the Association’s Constitution and Bylaws to allow for creation of a Board of Trustees and House of Delegates. The new governance bodies will replace the Association’s current and much smaller Executive Committee and Board of Governors.  It is expected that the new structure will lead to broader and more equitable representation in the Association’s decision-making process.

The measure was passed overwhelmingly by members, who had been asked to consider a governance proposal that mirrors the administrative structure of the ADA. NYSDA was the only single-constituent society trustee district within the ADA without a House of Delegates.

“I am proud to announce that our membership has overwhelmingly approved a new Constitution and Bylaws that will expand representation as we move from a Board of Governors to a House of Delegates and a Board of Trustees,” said NYSDA President Michael Breault. “I look forward to the increased input this will give to our volunteer leadership as we chart the course of our profession in the years ahead.”  

At its most recent Board of Governors meeting, held May 30 in Saratoga Springs, NYSDA leaders elected Robert M. Peskin, D.D.S., of Nassau County to serve as the first Speaker of the House. The NYSDA House, which will consist of 101 delegates, most of whom will be chosen by the component districts they represent, will meet annually and will be charged with legislative and governing matters. The 13-member Board of Trustees will meet more frequently to handle administrative issues.  

President Elect Robert Doherty, D.D.S., an oral surgeon from White Plains, will be installed as NYSDA president during the first meeting of the NYSDA House of Delegates to be held June 10, 2010 in Chicago. NYSDA members will be invited to become more familiar with the Chicago headquarters of the American Dental Association and meet its leaders and staff.

TELLERS COMMITTEE RESULTS

Amendment 103-2008 (Resolution 28-N-07):
Intended to memorialize the rotation of officers that is currently utilized, eliminate a cumbersome and redundant publication requirement, and provide a process for filling vacancies. 

PASSED
TOTAL VOTES: 1299     YES  1199 (92%)         NO 100 (7.7%)

The amendment received the required two-thirds vote.

Amendment 106-2008 (Resolution 23-J-08): 
Intended to revise the entire governance structure of NYSDA by creating a House of Delegates and a Board of Trustees. 

 

PASSED
TOTAL VOTES: 1216       YES   948 (78%)       NO  268  (22%)

 

The amendment received the required two-thirds vote.

 

How they voted: Results by component district