Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Fall 2016 - 4

President's Message An Outstanding Opportunity Dr. Bryan Hicks PCSO President 2016-2017 It's true what they say, "time flies when you are having fun!" It's hard for me to believe that this is my final contribution to the PCSO Bulletin as PCSO president. I do still have lots of fun to look forward to . . . and I hope you will join me at the 2016 PCSO Annual Session in Seattle in a few weeks. But I want to share some final thoughts with you, our PCSO members. Most presidents take this opportunity to reflect on the year that has passed and to thank the many volunteers, family, friends, and staff who helped make the year a success, lightened the load of the president in some way, or simply supported him/her in the effort to do the very best job for PCSO. Certainly, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to many people, and this article would become very long if I were to list each of them. These people know who they are, and they know how much I appreciate all they have done to make the past year successful. So, instead of looking back, I'd like to take a few moments to look forward. As I wrap up my term, I think of Andrew Carnegie, who said, "Do your duty, and a little bit more today, and the future will take care of itself." I don't have to look far to see people all around me doing their duty and a little bit more. So it's smooth sailing for PCSO as it moves into the future. Sometimes we talk about an inevitable drop-off in membership because younger orthodontists won't join us; we imagine they don't have the time or interest to dedicate to service, or that technology is taking the place of teamwork and interaction in our own region. Everything I've witnessed this year tells me a different story. I can share many examples, but here are three compelling ones: My Fellow PCSO Officers First Paul Kasrovi, then Kam Olfert, and finally Kurt Stormberg are on track to become PCSO president(s) over the next three years. These men are relatively young members with active practices who are involved in their family lives and 4 have a variety of outside interests. They are busy, but they dedicate valuable time and thought to their volunteer positions with PCSO. Each feels that serving PCSO and its members is critical to the success of our specialty and also vital to their roles within it. Each of them will bring fresh ideas, great energy, and commitment to PCSO over the next several years, and I have no doubt that those appointed in the future will do the same. Candidates for PCSO Volunteer Positions Each time PCSO informs its members that leadership positions are open, we receive letters of interest from multiple applicants, each of them qualified and enthusiastic. In fact, the toughest part about filling these volunteer positions is narrowing the list to only one member! During my presidential term, PCSO has interviewed 25 candidates for four volunteer positions and appointed several members to task forces and other short-term assignments for PCSO or AAO. While not everyone is appointed to his/her firstchoice volunteer position, eventually each applicant gets an opportunity to participate on a task force, panel, etc. Our State and Provincial Societies I'm active in my home society (the British Columbia Society of Orthodontists), and as an officer I've travelled to many society meetings. Getting to know leaders who are working hard to improve the climate for orthodontists in their home region is humbling and inspiring. As these leaders continue to advocate with their state/provincial legislatures, build relationships with their fellow dentists, and provide the highest quality of care to their patients, they strengthen PCSO, the AAO, and our entire specialty. Many of these leaders will become PCSO directors, delegates, and officers, and they will continue the culture of excellence our current directors and delegates have built. Continued on page 6 PCSO Bulletin  Fall 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Fall 2016