Path to Leadership

The path to leadership…this can be the start of a wonderful journey that can take you to new heights of achievement.  Becoming a leader has many benefits:

  • Learn leadership and organizational skills that will serve you in all aspects of your life.
  • Have the chance for your voice to be heard – you can help shape the future of your profession.
  • Increase your knowledge of our wonderful profession and have the satisfaction of knowing you’ve helped to make it better.
  • Have the pleasure and satisfaction of working with some of the best and brightest in our profession.

Open Positions


Editor of the Journal of the California Dental Association (Application)

Position Description: CDA is seeking member dentists for the position of Editor of the Journal of the California Dental Association (Journal). The Editor has oversight of the publications of the association, including editing and providing articles for the Journal and as an editorial advisor to the CDA Update. The Editor serves as an officer of CDA, including holding ex officio positions on the Executive and Evaluation Committees, Board of Trustees, and House of Delegates; attending all meetings of these groups while having an ex officio role and the opportunity to participate in meetings of other councils and committees of the association. For more information, please review the:

Qualifications: A candidate must be a member of CDA with the ability to express opinions, demonstrate clarity in speaking and writing, make and maintain professional relationships and maintain an unbiased/independent and mature voice when representing CDA. The ideal candidate should also embody CDA’s strong corporate image, values, ethics, and integrity. The candidate should have strong experience in CDA or other segments of organized dentistry, an editorial background (strong editing and writing skills), and proven leadership experience.

Process: Following the application deadline of August 15, 2008, the top candidates will be asked to participate in further interviews beginning in September, with a final candidate to be presented to the Board of Trustees for selection.

To apply, submit no later than August 15, 2008:

  1. A cover letter,
  2. A completed application,
  3. A previously published writing sample (cite publication and date),
  4. Two letters of recommendation, and
  5. A curriculum vitae (CV), not to exceed three pages.

All documents should be sent to CDA via fax (916.443.2943), e-mail (angela.nielsen@cda.org), or mail:

           Brian E. Scott, DDS
           California Dental Association
           1201 K Street, 14th Floor
           Sacramento, CA 95814

For questions about the position or selection process, please contact Angela Nielsen, Manager, Administrative Services at angela.nielsen@cda.org or 800.232.7645, x4930.


CDA Student Leadership Opportunities


Visit the CDA Leadership Opportunities page to find out how you can become involved in student leadership.


Other Positions


The application deadline for all other positions in CDA is past. Recommendations from the Board of Trustees and Nominating Committee will be forwarded to the House of Delegates for election (or nomination, as appropriate) in November.

Candidates will be notified in writing when they have been recommended to the Board of Trustees and to the House of Delegates.

Information regarding positions available starting November 2009 will be available by November 2008.


Leadership Development and Volunteer Placement Contact


Please feel free to contact the Leadership Development Committee if you have questions about leadership development opportunities or the application process.

            Farrah Miller
            Administrator, Leadership Development Committee
            800.CDA.SMILE, ext. 5911
            farrah.miller@cda.org


Leadership Resources


Speaker Presentations from the 2008 Leadership Education Conference - new!
Books on Leadership Recommended by the CDA Leadership Development Committee


Organizational Documents


CDA Bylaws
Code of Ethics
General Operating Principles of the Board of Trustees
General Operating Principles of the 13th District Caucus
General Operating Procedures of the House of Delegates
CDA-Company Policies Regarding Gifts, Conflicts, Confidentiality, Professional Conduct and Prohibition Against Harassment