General Operating Principles of the Thirteenth District delegation

The 13^th District delegation, as defined by the Constitution and Bylaws of the American Dental Association, is the California Dental Association (“CDA”).

 

The purpose of this document is to set forth principles to enable the 13^th District delegation to be effective with all matters of business coming before the American Dental Association (“ADA”) House of Delegates.

 

I. Delegates and Alternate Delegates

 

A. Delegate

 

Delegates serve as official representatives of the CDA to the ADA House of Delegates.

 

Delegates will receive an orientation manual providing details on the administrative support and procedures for the delegation. They are responsible for reading all materials and becoming familiar with issues and resolutions before the ADA House of Delegates.

 

Delegates are required to attend the following:

 

· Delegation meeting held in conjunction with Spring Scientific Sessions

· Delegation meeting held in conjunction with the August CDA Board of Trustees meeting

· Delegation meetings at the ADA House of Delegates

· All sessions of the ADA House of Delegates

· All Reference Committee hearings

· All pertinent ancillary functions

The term of a delegate shall be two years with no limitation on the number of terms served.

 

B. Alternate Delegate

 

An alternate delegate shall serve as a delegate if selected by the president.

 

Alternate delegates will receive an orientation manual providing details on the administrative support and procedures for the delegation. They are responsible for reading and becoming familiar with issues and resolutions before the ADA House of Delegates.

 

Each year, the president will designate a number of alternate delegates to fulfill all the obligations of delegates. They will receive the same financial and organizational support as delegates.

 

Alternate delegates not designated by the president may attend the ADA House of Delegates at their own expense, and will be welcome at all meetings of the delegation.

The term of an alternate delegate shall be one year with no limitation on the number of terms served.

II. Conduct

A. Speaking

 

The delegation may decide by a majority vote to strongly recommend that delegates speaking at the ADA House of Delegates speak in support of or in opposition to a particular resolution.

 

The Steering Committee will be responsible for preparing a list of resolutions that the delegates will vote on for this purpose. Individual delegates may also suggest that a resolution be included in this list; and if a majority of the delegates agree, it will be added.

 

B. Networking

 

In order to contribute to the success of the delegation, delegates are expected to network, build new relationships and maintain contact with delegates from other districts.

 

III. Organization

A. Chair

 

The chair of the delegation is the CDA president. The chair shall conduct meetings of the Steering Committee and delegation. In the absence of the chair, the chair appoints a substitute to conduct meetings. The chair selects alternate delegates to attend the ADA House of Delegates, and appoints whips, floor managers and a sergeant-at-arms.

 

B. Secretary

 

The delegation elects a secretary at the Spring Scientific Sessions meeting. The secretary acts as an administrative liaison between the ADA and the delegation.

 

C. Floor Managers

 

The chair will appoint floor managers who will be responsible for working with staff, the 13^th District trustee and the chair in developing meeting materials and framing Steering Committee strategic directions. They are responsible for coordinating onsite negotiations, networking and other outreach strategies to ensure 13^th District delegation collaborative success.

 

D. Whips

 

The chair will appoint a whip for each Reference Committee. They are responsible for:

 

· facilitating Reference Committee group discussions during delegation meetings

· reporting the outcome of Reference Committee group discussions at delegation meetings

· making assignments relative to research duties

· developing strategies regarding resolutions

· completing evaluations of delegates in their group

 

E. Sergeant-at-Arms

 

The chair will appoint a sergeant-at-arms who is responsible for greeting visitors and controlling access to the delegation meeting.

 

F. Steering Committee

 

1. The purpose of the Steering Committee is to provide oversight and direction to the delegation, which may include, without limitation:

 

· creating an agenda for the delegation meetings

· assigning priorities of issues before the meetings

· planning and recommending delegation strategy

· executing assignments and strategy

· submitting, amending, or withdrawing resolutions on behalf of the delegation consistent with CDA policy or delegation positions

 

2. The composition of the Steering Committee is:

 

· CDA Executive Committee

· 13th District trustee

· Floor managers

· Reference Committee whips

 

IV. Evaluation of Delegates

 

Whips evaluate the performance of delegates in their group and each group evaluates the performance of the whip immediately following the ADA House of Delegates. These evaluations are sent to the Steering Committee to be forwarded to the Leadership Development Committee.

 

V. Amending the General Operating Principles of the 13^th District Delegation

The General Operating Principles of the 13^th District Delegation may be amended by a majority vote of the CDA Board of Trustees.