Our House is a very, very, very fine House

We just finished our annual California Dental Association House of Delegates today, and it was an enjoyable meeting. This year it was held in the Beverly Hilton. Heidi came with me this year, and we had a good weekend.

On Thursday evening, I attended a dinner with the Presidents-Elect of 18 other component dental societies (out of the 32 in California). We had a good dinner, and discussed that challenges that we face in our individual components. It is also nice to network with the others who will be president next year. I sat with the Presidents-Elect from West Los Angeles, Contra Costa, Alameda County, and Santa Clara County Dental Societies. It's a privilege to associate with a group of good people like that. We also met the Executive Committee of California Dental Association and the President of the American Dental Association before we ate.

The House began in earnest on Friday. After the first session, we held three reference committee hearings, which were very productive. In reference committee, we discuss the individual resolutions (we ended up with 58 this year), then the reference committees met in closed session to revise resolutions for later presentation to the house. We go by Sturgis' rules of order because they are less cumbersome than Roberts'. We had box lunches so we could work through midday. Following the reference committee hearings, we heard presentations by the two candidates for Secretary of CDA. This was the first contested election in 15 years. I know both candidates, but I know Phil Maldonado, the eventual winner, quite well. We did some behind the scenes work with some of the other caucuses to help his candidacy. As our new Secretary, he will "move through the chairs," and will be CDA President in 2012. I think he'll be excellent. Following the second session, we had a reception for our new CDA President, Carol Summerhays.

Now while I engaged in all the politicking, Heidi went (safely) to the Los Angeles Temple and did two endowment sessions. On Saturday she went again and did initiatories. The temple is just two miles down the street from the hotel. What she did was more important than what I did.

Friday evening, Tri-County Dental Society and spouses went to dinner at McCormick and Schmick's on Rodeo Drive. We had good dinners and enjoyed getting to know each other better. It was good that we had to walk almost a mile to get there. I needed that!

On Saturday morning, we had our individual caucuses to discuss our positions on the resolutions. There were no contentious issues on the agenda this year, although there were some that will prove important to the future of our profession. I led the first part of the discussion, because the President got up late. Next year, I'm the official head of our delegation. In the afternoon, we met for the third session of the house, and it was very productive. I am very appreciative of consent agendas. They help to move things along quickly. We made it through 52 resolutions and two special presentations between 1 and 5. When we adjourned for the day, we had just three resolutions left (three more were added on Sunday), and we felt pretty good about our progress.

Saturday night is the traditional President's Party. In years gone by, it was a formal ball, but our generation doesn't do that sort of thing. The theme was rock and roll, and we were encouraged to dress up as our favorite rock and roll star. Tri-County began a tradition of wearing matching t-shirts, and that impresses everyone else. I dressed up as Bob Dylan, complete with a messy wig, a Levi's jacket, and a harmonica in a neck holder. Everybody loved it.

We're kind of a wild-looking bunch, but we know how to have fun. The buffet was really good. We also had an awesome band to dance to, and Heidi and I danced to the very end.

Another highlight of the night was the auctions for the CDA Foundation (see a previous blog). We had a silent auction and a live auction. I was the winning bidder for the burger special (In-N-Out, Tommy's and Carls Jr.), because I walked by just before the bidding ended. In the live auction, they bid for vacation packages and things like that, which are way out of our league. All told, we raised $158,000 and counting for the Foundation last night! That was a great success!

On Sunday morning, we reconvened for the final session of the house. Heidi went to sacrament meeting in Westwood 2nd Ward. Our new President and new officers were installed by my friend Gordon Christensen (see my San Antonio blog), and it was fun. Always the good missionary, Dr. Christensen mentioned the importance of family a dozen times, and reminded the officers not to neglect their families. He said that eventually, all this (dentistry and the organization) will be gone, but we will still have our families. I'm glad that we were given a message like that.

After the ceremonies, we wrapped up our business, then said goodbye to the Speaker of the House, who is stepping down after six years. We will miss him. Then we adjourned until next year. I enjoyed this house more than the three I had previously attended. I think that is mainly because Heidi was with me, even though we didn't spend a lot of time together. But it is also because I am getting to know more people throughout CDA, and it's fun to have a group of friends like that.

It really is a privilege to serve my profession like this. I would not have imagined the opportunities for growth, learning, and fun that I have had since I began serving. And Heidi keeps telling me she's amazed at the respect people have for me. (No, she isn't amazed that people respect me.) It looks like I will have the opportunity to serve on a CDA Committee in 2010. That should provide for even more fun.

Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends

After the American College of Dentists meetings ended, Heidi and I attended the American Dental Association Scientific Sessions (Convention). We have been attending conventions for many years, beginning with Texas Dental Association in 1987, and also 20 years of California Dental Association Sessions, plus Academy of General Dentistry once. This was our first ADA Convention, and we enjoyed it.

On Friday morning, we walked to the Alamodome (not actually a dome, but the name sounds good), and heard Tom Brokaw speak. He gave an excellent talk, and we were impressed with what he had to say. Then we went back to the convention center for classes. Heidi took two classes on family and personal health and fitness, which she really enjoyed. I took a class on practice management and one on ethics in the dental practice. My classes were very good, too. After classes we went to a reception for the UT Dental School. I didn't see any classmates, but we did talk to some of the faculty. I was glad that they remembered me.

On Saturday, I took a class on implant prosthetics from Gordon Christenson. He and his wife run a research facility in Provo, and they speak very authoritatively on dental products and techniques. I always enjoy hearing him. He served as President of the Los Angeles Temple Visitors' Center with his wife about six years ago. In the afternoon, I met up with Heidi and we walked the convention floor (trade show) and enjoyed seeing what's new in dentistry.

It was a very busy week (as expected) but it was nice to get away with my sweetheart and spend some time together away from the pressures of work. I was disappointed that I didn't cross paths with any of my friends from dental school, but I did meet some new friends.

Follow the fellow who follows a dream

I spent our first two days in San Antonio at the American College of Dentists Convention. We had a series of lectures on ethics and some good meals and entertainment. I felt honored to be invited to join the College. Then I learned what it is all about, and I feel more than honored. I knew I was being recognized for my contributions to the profession and for my ethics, but not much more.

The mission of the ACD is to advance excellence, ethics, professionalism, and leadership in dentistry. They said that only about 3% of dentists are Fellows of the American College of Dentists (about 7500 currently). They said that the ACD is comprised of dentists who have exemplified excellence through their outstanding leadership and exceptional contributions to dentistry and society. It overwhelms me to think that an organization like that would want me. What I came to realize is that I am being recognized not just for my activity, but especially for my values, and that means a lot to me. I hope that this doesn't all sound boastful, because I am humbled by this recognition.

At the Convocation, we donned our robes and had fellowship conferred on us. There were 220 new fellows this year. I'm in lofty company. We committed to uphold the principles of the College, to strive for personal and professional improvement, to continue to contribute to organized dentistry and to the community, and to encourage ethical behavior and integrity.

I was nominated by two of my mentors in organized dentistry, Butch Ehrler and Ann Steiner. They are my cheering section in Tri-County, and serve as our Trustees to the CDA. I am thankful for their friendship. They have also advised me in some challenging decisions that I've had to make as President-Elect of Tri-County. I think you can tell which one is Butch and which is Ann.

Following the convocation, we had a formal dinner/dance.
I was glad that they placed the menu at our places so that we knew what we were eating. It was fancier than anything I've ever had before, but it was good. We did know what the filet mignon was. There were two bands that played: a mariachi band, and a rock band that did some swing stuff before getting to the music we know how to dance to. Heidi and I had a good time together. We were seated with a dentist from Redlands and one from Hollywood. We met the President of Michigan Dental Association, as well as dentists from Missouri and Utah.

Again, I am humbled and honored to be included in the American College of Dentists. Now I have more initials after my name: Robert D. Stevenson, DDS, FAGD, FACD.

Is anybody goin' to San Antone, or Phoenix, Arizona?

We just returned from a delightful week in San Antonio. I can't believe it's been twenty years since we left. Our excuse for the visit was the ADA Convention, combined with the American College of Dentists Convention, but really, we just wanted to go back and see some old friends and revisit a special place in our lives.

After an exciting flight (did you know that the Santa Ana's generate turbulence for hundreds of miles at high altitudes?), we dropped below the clouds and saw our beloved "broccoli trees," the ubiquitous oaks of South Texas, and landed at San Antonio. We thought we were renting a Dodge Caliber or something similar. Instead they gave us a red 2008 Mustang. That cured any possibility of a midlife crisis (ha!). We dropped off Penny Gage, Tri-County Dental Society's Executive Director, at her downtown hotel, then made a beeline for Bill Miller's, a favorite barbecue restaurant. The brisket and sausage was delicious! So was the pecan pie! Then we went to see our dear friends Marvin and Bretta Weatherholtz, who boarded us for the week, except for the one night that we spent with Craig and Debbie Bassett, another pair of wonderful friends.

Even though twenty years had passed, we talked as if we had just seen them in the past week. I am thankful for friends like these. In our previous life, we traded babysitting with both families. It was so much fun to reconnect. We had a great time with them. We attended church in the Leon Valley Ward, a part of the Ninth Ward where we lived. I got to talk to my old Bishop, Ned Lunt, and my old Elder's Quorum President, Rick Knight. Both have served as Stake President since we left. I was glad to express my thanks for their guidance and example during a challenging period of my life.

We visited the San Antonio Temple after church. It is on a prominent hill north of town (it may be the highest). It's a beautiful temple, with the same layout as the Redlands Temple. When we moved to San Antonio in 1984, they were in the Mesa Temple district. When the Dallas Temple was dedicated that fall, we were all thrilled that the temple was "only" 300 miles away. We had some enjoyable excursions. What a thrill to see a temple in San Antonio! I played piano for a singalong with Weatherholtzes, and that was a highlight.

Much has changed in San Antonio in twenty years, and it didn't seem familiar. Perhaps the synapses have been disconnected. The freeways are being reconstructed, and traveling them is great. I love the frontage roads on Texas freeways. The biggest difference was that the Medical Center area was on the outskirts when we lived there. Now the city has grown far beyond that.

On Monday, we went to see the Alamo and walk on the Riverwalk. We had lunch at County Line Barbecue at the river's edge, and saw a mother duck with her week-old ducklings (ten of them) swimming right by us. The brisket sandwiches were great.

Tuesday was our last day in San Antonio. We took a drive into the hill country before we headed to the airport. We flew back with some of my friends from Tri-County, Butch Ehrler and Ann Steiner, as well as a number of friends from Sacramento, San Diego, and the Bay Area. When we arrived in Ontario, we felt elated to be home. Traveling is fun, but there's no place like home. We are thankful to Dad and Mom for taking care of Christy for the week. Tom stayed home because he couldn't miss school, but we came home to a clean house and a well-stocked fridge. That was awesome!

Who's on the Lord's side?

Dear Friends and Families,

Please remember God's directives at the beginning of this world. "Therefore shall a man leave father and mother and cleave unto his wife: and they two shall be one flesh." (Genesis 2:24) Beginning with Adam and Eve, a family has been defined as a husband and wife married according to the laws of God and, then later, also according to the laws of the land. Most often this union has been blessed and graced with children. A husband and wife who are faithfully married become partners with God in creating bodies for His spirit children.

This pattern of family living has made it possible to continue family units from one generation to the next. This is cohesive and coherent. If society begins to redefine marriage and the family, it will quickly unravel the fabric of which it is made. Confusion and chaos will only breed confusion and chaos, not children, and definitely not families. There cannot be a new norm here.

In this 21st Century, there are some who think that we have become so sophisticated that we may embrace any kind of barbarism in the name of not discriminating. It is not discrimination to be discriminatory. Neither is it a hate crime to love the laws of God.

Voting to protect traditional marriage is voting to protect your own family. Moroni's words should also become our call to action:

"In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children... (Alma 46:12)

YES on 8

Protect Marriage Traditional Families Are Forever

Good times never seemed so good

On Thursday evening, Heidi, Tom, Christy and I went to the Hollywood Bowl to see Neil Diamond. All of us like Neil Diamond, partly from numerous trips to Utah when we would sing along with his tapes (or CD's). So we decided to go as a family, and build on some memories I didn't really realize we had been creating. It was a perfect night for a concert: not too warm, not too cool. And the Hollywood Bowl is a beautiful concert setting. We parked at the LA Zoo and took a shuttle to the Bowl (at $3 each round-trip, we heartily recommend it).

I have developed a sort of "bucket list" of performers I want to see---not before I die, but before they do. I can now check off another one.

Neil Diamond is now 67 years old, and hasn't lost a step, although he is performing a few songs in lower keys. He performed for nearly two and a half hours with no intermission. He is an awesome entertainer, and his band is great. It was an emotional evening for me, as I've grown up listening to his music, and our vocal ranges are the same, so I love singing his songs. From the opening notes of Holly Holy, to the final notes of Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show, we were thrilled by his performance. He is an amazingly personable performer, and he tells great stories. Many of his songs were very interactive, like Sweet Caroline. I will always love I Am . . . I Said the best, and Crunchy Granola Suite and Done Too Soon come in second.

One song we were introduced to at the concert was Man of God, which we really liked. He sings that he is a man of God, a man of faith, a man of song, and a man of peace. It is interesting to listen to many of his songs in light of that one, because he encapsulates a search for truth in his lyrics, and he seems to be really close. I wish I could meet him and share it with him. It is interesting that a Jewish singer does gospel so well.

We were also appreciative that Neil Diamond has kept his ticket prices reasonable. That made it possible for us to see him. We all had a wonderful time, and more great memories to add to our store of family memories.

The monkeys stand for honesty, giraffes are insincere

My next Sacramento trip was on September 26 and 27. I got to stay overnight this time! This time I went for a Recruitment and Retention Conference, sponsored by the CDA Council on Membership. Since I am the Chair of Tri-County's Council on Membership, I was invited to attend. I sat next to Laura Petersen, the Executive Director of Orange County Dental Society, on the flight up. My dentist friends from Orange County don't realize what a great director they have.

After we arrived on Friday, we took a junket to the Sacramento Zoo, where we had a forum on new dentists, and a nice dinner. We had the opportunity to visit with our colleagues from across the state, and I met a UT grad (who is LDS), and some other interesting people.

On Saturday, we had a seminar conducted by Colin Rowan, who discussed Storytelling as a Best Practice. He taught us about how to recruit using stories instead of using numbers and data. We had heard him speak at the ADA Recruitment and Retention Conference in Chicago in March, and I told him I was glad to hear from him again. I tend to be a numbers and data person, and I've always liked making lists, but that will be changing. Maybe I'll be a little less boring, too, who knows?

Colin told us that the typical nonprofit would tell the story of a popular novel this way: a dysfunctional blended family in the Midwest runs into difficulty with a rebellious teen. During a major storm, she suffers severe head trauma and is rendered unconscious. She has a confrontation with a person of color, and seeks the help of three homeless neer-do-wells as she tries to rectify her situation. If you couldn't tell, that was a sanitized version of The Wizard of Oz. He taught us how to tell a more compelling story. So I now have stories to tell when I am trying to persuade someone to join CDA.

We had an enjoyable weekend in Sacramento. I'm not trying to position myself for anything in CDA, but it is good to be seen at their events. I also have some good material for my training sessions with our Ward Mission Leaders. So it's beneficial across the board! My church training helped to land me in dental leadership, and now the opportunities I have to learn in Tri-County, CDA and ADA are strengthening me in my church callings.