Commitment -- A Vanishing Commodity?

Jack F. Conley, DDS

Immediate Past President Eugene Sekiguchi was there when the California Dental Association needed him most. In the wake of the resignation of Kenneth Zakariasen in early October 1997, Gene Sekiguchi took over the reins of the nation's largest state dental association.

For a volunteer to make such a commitment is extraordinary. The wet-fingered dentist from Monterey Park put aside family, dental practice, and the conveniences of a normal regimen to go to Sacramento and do more than be just an interim caretaker. He identified shortcomings in the function of the holding company and worked diligently to improve the working relationships of the various components of the California Dental Association. He brought stability to a staff that had experienced a troubling and traumatic period. And, he was able to demonstrate to other members of the volunteer leadership that he could, with their support, steer CDA successfully through the many challenges of 1998.

It is important that the membership at large, as well as volunteer leaders, recognize his contributions to the well-being of the organization. Current President Ken Lange is also to be congratulated for his role in steering the course during this unique period in the history of CDA. He made some very difficult decisions of the type not routinely expected of the top volunteer leader. The team of Sekiguchi and Lange kept CDA focused and on course.

The strength and commitment in current volunteer and staff leadership has enabled the association to move forward in the absence of a permanent administrative leader. However, we do see troubling indications that the commitment of members to consider volunteer service to the profession is declining. Some readers may recall that the issue of "Vanishing Volunteers" was raised in this space in May 1996. An indication that this is again a factor of some concern became apparent when two weeks prior to a May 1 deadline for nominations, very few nominations for association councils, committees, and other volunteer positions had been received. It is low enough to raise concern that insufficient nominations would be forthcoming for the screening process prior to the deadline.

What is particularly troubling to this writer is not the possible shortfall of volunteers for 1999, but for the future of the CDA leadership process if the trend is not reversed. One factor that seems to explain the shortage of volunteers is the high debt load many younger members carry, forcing them to concentrate more effort in practice-related activity to reduce debt than was necessary by their predecessors. It is reasonable to expect that the entry of some younger dentists into volunteerism will be delayed.

What about many others within the ranks of CDA's more than 14,000 active members who are, or could become, eligible to serve their profession but don't choose to do so? A possible explanation of this attitude was demonstrated in a letter in which a member described his criticism of a variety of membership services and policies. In the letter, he also made a comment that he had been offered the opportunity to serve as a volunteer but didn't have the time. He displayed a mind-set that has been expressed by other members from time to time that says, "I have the right to criticize my profession or the services it offers, but I am unwilling to make a commitment to serve and contribute to its progress." We hope that this remains an isolated attitude, held by only a few. Dentistry will grow and achieve the goals important to the membership only if there is a unity of spirit and purpose.

Each year, CDA has approximately 130 volunteer positions out of approximately 200 that must be evaluated and filled through appointment or election by the Board of Trustees or House of Delegates. Our profession depends on committed members, qualified by virtue of their service activities at all levels of the tripartite structure as well as other pertinent dental professional service activities. Individuals who are committed to serve must make their commitment and qualifications known to their colleagues at the component society level who have the responsibility to forward nominations to CDA. While our message here will not influence the screening process this year, we hope to stimulate increased interest and commitment by CDA members to provide service to their profession in the future.

Those who serve will probably never be expected to make the extraordinary commitment demonstrated by our current immediate past president and president. However, the professional leadership development process requires that we bring forth new participants whose service prepares them to be ready to make a commitment of time and effort if the circumstance arises.

It is important that new members, or those who have not previously participated, consider the commitment to participate in the future. This commodity is extremely important to the well-being of the dental professional in the future.