2016 General Assembly Minutes
Call to Order
AAE President Dr. Terryl A. Propper called the 2016 General Assembly of the American Association of Endodontists to order at 11:15 a.m. on April 9, 2016, at the Moscone West Convention Center in San Francisco, California. A quorum of voting members was in attendance.
Approval of Minutes
President Propper called for approval of the minutes of the May 8, 2015, General Assembly held at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Washington, as published in the Communiqué.
GA-1 Moved: that the 2015 General Assembly Minutes be approved as distributed in the August 2015 issue of theCommuniqué.
Motion Carried.
Reports of Officers
President Propper announced that written reports from the AAE President, Secretary and Treasurer were made available to members electronically.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Dr. Patrick E. Taylor reported that for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2015, the AAE had a net operating surplus of $1,620 and received a clean audit from its independent auditors, indicating that financial operations comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
Dr. Taylor reported that the budget for the current fiscal year projects a deficit of ($1,102), but that it is anticipated to balance at year end due to cost savings and successful programs. Treasurer Taylor noted that the AAE Reserve Fund balance is at 72% of the Association’s annual expense budget, which places the AAE in a healthy financial position.
Treasurer Taylor reported that the Board approved a 2016-17 fiscal year budget projecting revenue of $1,860,402 and expenses of $1,931,060 with a deficit of ($1,659). He noted that this deficit reflects expenses related to installation of new association management software and continued website improvements.
Treasurer Taylor thanked the AAE Budget and Finance Committee, Board of Directors and staff for their work.
Constitution and Bylaws Report
Immediate Past President Dr. Robert S. Roda, chair of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee, presented proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws as published and distributed in the February 2016 issue of the Communiqué.
The proposed changes updated language to accurately reflect the most current version of the Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure; updated language describing dues and meeting registration practices to more clearly reflect the AAE’s practices; and allowed for the American Board of Endodontics to report nominees for its board directly to the General Assembly, rather than participating in the AAE Nominating Committee process.
The proposed changes allow Resident members graduating after June 30 to convert to Active 1st Year status in the membership year following their graduation, and update the AAE Bylaws to accurately reflect the increased size of the American Board of Endodontics’ Board of Directors.
GA-2 Moved: that the proposed amendments to the AAE Bylaws, as published in the February 2016 Communiqué, be approved.
Motion Carried.
***
GA-3 Moved: that the proposed amendments to the AAE Constitution, as published in the February 2016 Communiqué, be approved.
Motion Carried.
Editor’s Report
Journal of Endodontics Editor Dr. Kenneth M. Hargreaves reported continued advances in the JOE. The JOE continues to attract noteworthy papers from researchers and clinicians around the world. Since 2003, the number of manuscripts submitted to the JOE has increased by 352%.
This workload has been managed due to the incredible efforts of the Scientific Advisory Board. In 2015, over 400 SAB members from 25 countries reviewed nearly 1,700 new and revised manuscripts. Dr. Hargreaves recognized reviewers for their invaluable service to the specialty.
To further the Journal’s position as a leading voice in dentistry, a new section was introduced in January 2016 focusing specifically on regenerative endodontics. It is hoped that establishing this section will foster research that will lead to improved treatment protocols and the rapid evolution of this field.
Dr. Hargreaves reported enhancements to the JOE online experience, with offerings such as podcasts and mobile apps for iPhone, iPad and Android.
The JOE Awards, recognizing the best articles of 2015, were presented at the Scientific Advisory Board Reception earlier in the week. Dr. Hargreaves recognized the winning authors for their contributions and encouraged members to submit nominations to recognize their peers.
American Board of Endodontics Report
American Board of Endodontics President Dr. Donna J. Mattscheck presented the report of the ABE.
Dr. Mattscheck noted that Board certification is an essential component in the recognition of dental specialties, and that the specialty of endodontics must continue to increase its number of Board-certified endodontists. She noted that numbers are rising, with 23% of endodontists being Board certified, but that these numbers trail behind other clinical specialties.
Seventy-nine new Diplomates were recognized during AAE16. The increase in candidates participating in the Board certification process is reflective of changes that have been made to remove barriers to participation, while still upholding the standards of excellence that define the process. ABE President Mattscheck highlighted how the certification process has been streamlined in recent years.
The ABE will increase the number of sitting directors, from nine to 12, over the course of the next three years.
Dr. Mattscheck thanked the ABE Directors, Counselors and staff for their efforts and dedication.
Foundation for Endodontics Report
Foundation for Endodontics President Dr. Louis E. Rossman reported on behalf of the Foundation. He reported that in 2015 and 2016 the Foundation budgeted over $1.5 million for grants, which provide support to every accredited endodontic program.
The Foundation recognized its 2015 recipient of the Endodontic Educator Fellowship Award: Dr. Samantha Roach, clinical professor at the University of Minnesota. This award provides $1,000 to a new faculty member over a five-year period to support educators as they navigate their early professional years as well as ensure that endodontists are teaching in dental schools.
Dr. Rossman recognized corporate partners and donors who make such initiatives possible. The Foundation’s 2015-16 campaign goal is $1.35 million; members were encouraged to contribute.
Nominating Committee Report
Dr. Robert S. Roda presented the following slate of nominees:
Officers, American Association of Endodontists:
President – Linda G. Levin
President-Elect – Garry L. Myers
Vice President – Patrick E. Taylor
Secretary – Alan H. Gluskin
Treasurer – Stefan I. Zweig
Immediate Past President – Terryl A. Propper
Directors, American Board of Endodontics:
Scott B. McClanahan
Thomas O. Mork
W. Craig Noblett
Brian E. Bergeron
Clara M. Spatafore
Trustee, Foundation for Endodontics:
Cheryl L. Ullman
New Practitioner Trustee, Foundation for Endodontics:
Melissa Marchesan
Public Sector Representatives, Foundation for Endodontics:
Mary Conditt
Kim Livesay
Tom Kennedy
GA-4 Moved: that the slate of nominees for AAE officers, ABE directors and Foundation for Endodontics trustees be approved.
Motion Carried.
It was also announced that the Foundation Board of Trustees has elected Dr. Mary T. Pettiette to serve as its president-elect for a two-year term beginning in 2016. In 2016, Dr. Peter A. Morgan will begin his term as Foundation for Endodontics president, and as part of that role he will serve on the AAE Board of Directors.
President Propper announced the nominees for district directors as published in the Communiqué:
District II – Bruce Y. Cha
District IV – Gerald J. Halk
District V – John M. Yaccino
District V – Natasha M. Flake
GA-5 Moved: that the slate of nominees for District Directors be approved.
Motion Carried.
Swearing-In of Elected Officers, Directors, and Trustees
New AAE officers and district directors, ABE directors and Foundation for Endodontics trustees took an oath to abide by the Constitution and Bylaws of the American Association of Endodontists and the Bylaws of the respective organizations to which they have been elected, and to discharge their duties and responsibilities to the best of their abilities.
Outgoing President’s Remarks and Transfer of the Gavel
President Dr. Linda G. Levin thanked Immediate Past President Dr. Terryl A. Propper for her service to the specialty and presented her with the AAE past president’s pin. Dr. Propper thanked the membership for the opportunity to serve as AAE president and presented the gavel to President Levin.
Incoming President’s Remarks
President Levin spoke to the Assembly regarding the future of the specialty, highlighting the importance of advocating for the patient, as well as the role of predoctoral education in ensuring safe and effective endodontic care for all patients. Dr. Levin highlighted the importance of educating patients and the public at large about the endodontic specialty.
New Business
President Levin entertained requests for new business. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.