I hope everyone is enjoying warmer days after our very long winter! It seems like spring brings not only a new beginning but lots of fresh energy to accomplish all the tasks that appeared impossible on those dark, dreary, cold winter days that we thought would never end.
Speaking of tasks, I wholeheartedly thank our hard-working Section Chairs who tackled our request to help us obtain the e-mail addresses of our Fellows who forgot to include them on their return dues payment envelope this year. Many of the Chairs have already returned the completed e-mail address lists. I encourage those who have not yet been able to complete their lists to try to get as many addresses as possible and send them to us. We are planning to launch our new online dues payment program for the 2011 National dues next year, and any Fellow for whom we do not have an e-mail address will not be able to take advantage of the new quick and secure method of payment. But don't worry if you do not use e-mail...you can still send a check to pay your dues as always!
I also thank all the Trustees and Section Chairs who sent their update forms back so quickly. This new updated information will help us to put our new "all-in-one" directory together soon. It will be in a printed form that will be distributed to all of the PFA Leadership. Mark Stanley, our Webmaster, also will post it securely online under Member Services.
While we're speaking of what's "new," please check out the updated forms for requesting Awards and the new Fellowship application forms, which can be downloaded and printed from our home page under "about PFA/resources." Section Chairs can still request these forms from the Central Office at any time, but if you need some forms in a hurry, downloading from the Web site is the fastest way to obtain them.
Just a brief reminder regarding the ADA/PFA Meetings and Functions for October in Orlando, Florida: Our PFA Headquarters hotel has been confirmed as the Hilton Bonnet Creek Hotel in Orlando. ADA is handling the advance registration and hotel room reservations online at http://www.ada.org/2452.aspx. The online Group Code for our ADA Group Housing Block is PFAORL, which also can be used if you choose to download the Registration and Housing Form as a PDF file. You can download the ADA Preliminary Program for the 151st Annual ADA Session, which will take place October 9-13 by visiting http://www.ada.org/345.aspx.
Our PFA Meeting schedule for October 8-10 will be updated for our meetings and functions and is on the Web site at http://fauchard.org/news/meetings/FL10_schedule.html. Please check back often for updates.
As in the past, it is the responsibility of the Central Office to secure the best hotel for our Board meetings and functions. I have been assured we have the very best, and I hope everyone will be pleased. Don't forget that you can contact the Central Office any time. Call (702) 345-2950 or e-mail me at centraloffice@fauchard.org...even on weekends!
Until the next time we're in touch, enjoy the warmer breezes and renewed energy all around you. Have a happy heart, smile, and be kind to everyone you meet. You will be amazed at how many smiles you will gather in return!
Judith D. Kozal
Executive Director of the Pierre Fauchard Academy