ADPAC recognizes excellence with grassroots awards

Washington鈥擠r. Jeffrey Parrish offered “a bit of history” in announcing the winners of ADPAC grassroots awards of excellence at the May 12-14 Washington Leadership Conference.

“These awards stopped after the 105th Congress,” the chair of the American Dental Political Action Committee told dental leaders from across the country in town to lobby the second session of the 110th Congress. “Since that time, our grassroots infrastructure, and the amount of political activism from members, trailed off. The legislative issues remained, but the urgency for action by our members was not present.”

Dr. Parrish spoke at a breakfast meeting before introducing “the maven of national campaign politics,” Charlie Cook, who offered insider “Wow”s and “who would have thought”s on the presidential campaign, bottom-lining to a somewhat even race to the White House by the respective party nominees apparent. But first, the ADPAC chair “reintroduced” grassroots advocacy.

“As you know, ADPAC is committed to revitalizing the ADA’s grassroots structure and promoting best practices by our activists,” he said. “Now, with this reintroduction of the grassroots awards of excellence, ADPAC kicks off what will be a great year for dentistry’s grassroots. We are committed to revitalizing the grassroots while also pointing a way to the future, showcasing examples of what can be achieved when dentistry comes together.”

The winners:

• Most outstanding state (plural this year), New York and Massachusetts “are doing tremendous work in grassroots activism;”
• Most successful 2007 fundraiser, Dr. Herbert Wade whose event for Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) “was the epitome of what a fundraiser should be and how an action team leader should plan a fundraiser;”
• Most outstanding action team, Georgia Dental Association for “amazing efforts that show the power of working together in grassroots political activism” in supporting successive campaigns of tripartite member dentists for the state legislature.