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EDITORIAL Membership participation in AA0 reference committee hearings N o AA0 member needs t,o be told that the health professions are in the midst of vast social changes, As a principal dental specialty, orthodontics is expected to act wisely and help set a pattern that both society and the profes- sions can support. The organizational structure of the American Association of Orthodontists is such that all policies are determined by its House of Delegates- an elected legislative body that represents all sections of the country through the Association’s eight Constituent Societies. Although the AA0 By-Laws speak of the House of Delegates as the “supreme authoritative body of the Association,” they also provide, in the best of democratic traditions, a way for the regular member to be heard. Tt, is done through House-appointed reference committees that hold annual hearings for free and open discussion on matters of concern to the specialty. Reference committees act as sounding boards to determine the wishes of Association members, especially on current issues being considered by the House. Occasionally, AA0 members bring out points that have not yet been considered by the House, the Board, or the Councils. These are then reported back for House consideration prior to any final action that might be taken. The 1976 reference committee hearings will be held on Xonday, April 26, during the Association’s seventy-sixth annual session in New York. As a professional specialty, orthodontics has been given the right of self- government by the state-within certain limits. Whether we like it or not, society keeps looking over our shoulder to see that we are acting in the public interest, and sometimes it seems that we get only the evil eye, no matter what course we take. That, course is determined largely at the annual sessions of the American Association of Orthodontists, and every member should participate in decisions that will surely affect his future in the years to come. Reference committee hearings make it possible for AA0 members to be heard in the historic tradition of America’s early-day town halls. Kow, as then, the hearings provide a productive means for open debate on cont’roversial issues-a right we would fight for if we did not already have it. If the democratic process is to work, the regular AA0 member has the responsibility to speak up, openly and frankly, at all reference committee hearings so bhat (1) the final course taken by the House is sound and (2) it represents the wishes of the majority of the members of the Association. B.P.D. 468

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Page 1: Membership participation in AAO reference committee hearings

EDITORIAL

Membership participation in AA0 reference committee hearings

N o AA0 member needs t,o be told that the health professions are in the midst of vast social changes, As a principal dental specialty, orthodontics is expected to act wisely and help set a pattern that both society and the profes- sions can support. The organizational structure of the American Association of Orthodontists is such that all policies are determined by its House of Delegates- an elected legislative body that represents all sections of the country through the Association’s eight Constituent Societies.

Although the AA0 By-Laws speak of the House of Delegates as the “supreme authoritative body of the Association,” they also provide, in the best of democratic traditions, a way for the regular member to be heard. Tt, is done through House-appointed reference committees that hold annual hearings for free and open discussion on matters of concern to the specialty.

Reference committees act as sounding boards to determine the wishes of Association members, especially on current issues being considered by the House. Occasionally, AA0 members bring out points that have not yet been considered by the House, the Board, or the Councils. These are then reported back for House consideration prior to any final action that might be taken. The 1976 reference committee hearings will be held on Xonday, April 26, during the Association’s seventy-sixth annual session in New York.

As a professional specialty, orthodontics has been given the right of self- government by the state-within certain limits. Whether we like it or not, society keeps looking over our shoulder to see that we are acting in the public interest, and sometimes it seems that we get only the evil eye, no matter what course we take. That, course is determined largely at the annual sessions of the American Association of Orthodontists, and every member should participate in decisions that will surely affect his future in the years to come.

Reference committee hearings make it possible for AA0 members to be heard in the historic tradition of America’s early-day town halls. Kow, as then, the hearings provide a productive means for open debate on cont’roversial issues-a right we would fight for if we did not already have it. If the democratic process is to work, the regular AA0 member has the responsibility to speak up, openly and frankly, at all reference committee hearings so bhat (1) the final course taken by the House is sound and (2) it represents the wishes of the majority of the members of the Association.

B.P.D.

468