Have you ever talked to a nonmember about joining the ADA?
In 2002, the ADA gained an unprecedented 3,828 new or renewed active members, thanks to the Tripartite Grassroots Membership Initiative and other measures aimed at boosting the organization’s responsiveness. At the heart of the initiative is an understanding that enhancing membership is a one-to-one process, members talking to nonmembers about the value of belonging.
"We are so excited to see that membership numbers are up compared to last year and that we are heading in a positive direction," said Dr. Cynthia K. Brattesani, chair, ADA Council on Membership. "This kind of good news inspires us to keep on going, and it proves that there is nothing stronger than one dentist saying to another dentist: ‘I belong to the ADA. It works for me. It helps me. I could not imagine my professional life without it.’ "
When asked if they had ever talked to a nonmember about joining the ADA, 50 percent of respondents to May JADA’s Question of the Month said they had.
"It is all members’ responsibility to talk to nonmembers," said one.
"As secretary for our local society, I invite every nonmember dentist in the area to our meetings and encourage them to join," said another.
Others said they have talked to nonmembers but have not been successful in recruiting them. "I speak of the benefits at my women’s study club," another reader said. "However, several of our members work only one to two days a week and can’t justify the cost to the benefit."
Fifty percent of respondents answered that they had not spoken to a nonmember about joining. Here are a few of their comments:
- – "No, but I am a member now because another member spoke with me about the value of belonging at a time when I had let my membership lapse."
- – "I don’t have any way to meet nonmembers or identify who is not a member."
- – "I would be happy to do so if there were a network in place."
There is.
The basis of the Tripartite Grassroots Membership Initiative is the development of a network of volunteers at the "hands-on" component level to coordinate outreach efforts and make personal contacts with nonmember dentists. A wealth of information on the Initiative and how to participate can be found on ADA.org at "www.ada.org/members/ada/insite/initiative/index/html". Members also can call 1-800-232-1382 for information.
In 2002, ADA Executive Director Dr. James B. Bramson introduced the "core precepts" concept to help guide ADA employees in their daily activities, to enhance membership service and to boost the Association’s responsiveness and value. The core precepts emphasize service as key to the ADA’s success and urge all staff members to take personal responsibility and pride in their work. To promote greater responsiveness, ADA staff members receive ongoing intensive customer-service and management training.
If you find yourself talking to a nonmember, here are a few ADA benefits you can discuss with them:
- – The ADA has designed the HIPAA Privacy Seminar and Kit to help dentists meet the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 deadline.
- – The ADA and the Academy of General Dentistry sponsored an online chat with HIPAA experts.
- – The ADA filed racketeering charges against several major insurance carriers, alleging that they have conspired to "deny, reduce and delay" payments to dentists under contract to the plans.
