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ITEM 20: TALKING POINTS: DELINQUENT DUES AND RETENTION ISSUES



Talking Points to Address Delinquent Dues and Retention Issues

  1. DO I QUALIFY FOR “RETIRED” MEMBERSHIP?  ($50 / year + State Dues, if any)
    2. ANSWER: ARTICLE IV.  SECTION 2 OF THE USA BYLAWS

  2. DO I QUALIFY FOR LIFE MEMBERSHIP?  ($35 per year)
    ANSWER: ARTICLE IV.  SECTION 3 OF THE USA BYLAWS

  3. ILL HEALTH – DISABILITY ($0 per year)
    4. ANSWER: ARTICLE IV.  SECTION 7 OF THE USA SECTION BYLAWS

  4. THE USA SECTION, MY CONSTITUENCY, AND/OR MY DISTRICT OFFERS ME NOTHING FOR THE AMOUNT OF DUES I MUST PAY. ANOTHER CONCERN MAY BE ALACK OF COMMUNICATION BY THE CONSTITUENCY, DISTRICT, AND/OR USA SECTION.
    5. ANSWERS:
    1. Annually, the USA Section, with sponsorship by the by the USA ICD Foundation, of which you are a member, offers continuing education classes free to its Fellows. It is held at a different location each year around the country. It is also planned as a family type of vacation with social and excursion events. It is a wonderful opportunity to meet other ICD Fellows from around the country and make new friends. You will meet the Officers and Regents that run the USA Section, and the USA Foundation Officers and Trustees that run the Foundation. It is your opportunity as a Fellow, with leadership qualities, to give and receive from your Fellowship in the International College of Dentists. You were invited to Fellowship because of your Leadership qualities and because of what you have given to Dentistry and the community.  We want you to continue your leadership in Dentistry now in conjunction with your Fellowship in the International College of Dentistry. Your invitation to Fellowship into the College was not made without great consideration and investigation.  You are one of about 3 % of the Dentists in the USA that is a Fellow of the USA Section of the ICD.

    2. The USA Section has many programs that it has developed and supports.  They include the Dental Humanitarian Outreach Program in Vietnam, Cambodia, and now Tanzania. This program established a specialty Dental/Public health training programs in these countries to introduce health dentistry measures as a means of mitigating the severity of the dental problems. The International Student Exchange program, where dental students of this country are sent to other countries to study for a short period and vice versa, is another continuing program of the College. Summer CEC programs are offered to the fellows at no cost. Sponsorship of the White Coat Ceremony at some of the dental schools in the USA is another involvement of the USA Section. The Journalism Awards are sponsored by the USA Section. History videos of great leaders in Dentistry.
      As you can see your dues support many worthwhile projects.

    3. Communications?
      • We have an established website. Be sure to visit our website, http.//www.usa-icd.org. It will bring you up to date on the College. It also includes a roster of the Fellows of the USA Section.
      • Annually the Key is published with a variety of articles about the USA Section, the District, and the Constituency. It also includes the newly inducted Fellows for that year.
      • The Keynotes is sent out periodically to update the Fellows on upcoming events. Our monthly KEY-mail is sent to Fellows’ email addresses to keep you aware of current ICD news.
      • Some of the Districts and Constituencies have their own newsletters. Last but not least, the Globe is published annually to inform the Fellows on events and projects around the world.
      • Our motto “Serving Others” distills who we are in two simple words.  Volunteerism is that aspect of our organization where we serve the oral health needs of the world.  ICD does this through direct action of our Fellows.  And we want you to see the Value of your membership in ICD.
      • To connect with our members, ICD created Take 10.  Our Fellow Ambassador of Social Media, began checking in with our Fellows to find out how the dental industry was being affected by the pandemic.
      • Our Live 45 interview series is held on the first Wednesday of the month through our Facebook page at 8 pm ET.  These interviews are hosted by Dr. Patel along with one of our leaders as our co-host and highlights a fellow regarding leadership or humanitarian efforts.
      • We created Bits and Pieces which is a continuing education program with C.E. credit available through the Worldwide College.  Our first course was a case study in oral medicine.
      • Our on-line Volunteer Seminar Series helps you prepare for dental mission trips.
      • Leaders in Dentistry Video Series – From 1984-2006, the college recorded this unique series of 67 interviews of outstanding dental leaders highlighting the accomplishments and views on the dental profession.
      • This is a museum you tube collection and a must see!
      • As a fellow of ICD, you are recognized by your peers as a leader in your profession, but improvement of skills is a never-ending process.  The Leadership Bibliography is a quality list of exceptional leadership books for anyone seeking to improve and available on our website.
      • Our online newsletter, The List. highlights our members.  So maybe you have a story to share.  We want to hear from you!
      • Nominate a deserving colleague to Fellowship – we call this Share the Honor.  Your sponsor took the time and effort for your benefit so it’s time to pay it forward.
      • Provide free dental exams in your dental office for our Peace Corps volunteers.  The paperwork is minimal but the rewards are plentiful.
      • Volunteer to participate in a Mission of Mercy or Operation Stand Down for our veterans.  Information is on our website.
      • Mentor a dental student who received an ICD Leadership or Humanitarian Award.  They are our future!
      • Make a difference in the life of a veteran by participating in Everyone for Veterans.  Most veterans do not receive dental care from the VA.  You can provide a tremendous impact in the lives of low-income veterans.
      • Participate in our Special Olympics, an ICD Signature Program.  With the pandemic all events are on hold, but many dentists are providing free dental care to Special Olympic athletes in the comfort of their own offices with emphasis on providing a dental home.  It’s amazing what a difference you can make in someone’s life.
      • You can apply for a grant for your humanitarian program or project through our ICD Foundation.  Or maybe you have been blessed and would like to donate to the Foundation which is a 501 (c)3.  When you visit the Foundation part of the website, don’t forget to Shop by clicking on the Key Room.  We have hats, shirts, ties, bags, keychains, mugs.  Lots of wonderful gifts.
      • You might want to get involved on the inner workings of ICD by serving on a committee or strategic planning goal team.  Or strut your stuff by volunteering to be interviewed for a Take 10 or Live 45 session or a Key Mail article. 
      • You might want to get involved on the inner workings of ICD by serving on a committee or strategic planning goal team.  Or strut your stuff by volunteering to be interviewed for a Take 10 or Live 45 session or a Key Mail article. 

  5. DUES ARE TOO COSTLY.
    6. ANSWER:
    The USA Section runs a tight budget and makes every effort to keep dues at an affordable rate. Costs have increased annually. To cut cost, the membership roster is now available on the website. This has saved a great deal of money in printing and mailing costs.

  6. NOT ENOUGH ACTIVITIES IN MY DISTRICT AND/OR CONSTITUENCY TO WARRANT THE COST OF MY DUES.
    7. ANSWER:
    You were invited to Fellowship because of your qualities of leadership in Dentistry and the community. You can now become more active in a leadership role both for your benefit and for the Fellows in your Constituency and/or District.

    CLOSING STATEMENT:
    You were invited to Fellowship in the College by your Fellow peers because of your leadership qualities both in Dentistry and the community. Only a few have received this honor. We want you to continue to be a part of the International College of Dentists for your accomplishments and leadership.