News for the leaders of the American Student Dental Association

May 2014

Apply for $500 chapter grant by May 31

Chapters are encouraged to apply for one of five $500 Membership Outreach Grants to help fund local events that promote membership and involvement in ASDA. Chapters must demonstrate the need for the grant and describe what the funds will be used for. Full criteria and application requirements are available online. Applications are due May 31 and events must be held by Dec. 31, 2014. The grants will be awarded in July so funds can be used for fall membership activities. If you have questions, contact Danielle Bauer, director of membership, at Danielle@ASDAnet.org.

Looking for "Great Ideas" webinar presenters

ASDA is looking for chapter leaders who are interested in sharing best practices and innovative ideas as part of our new Great Ideas webinar series. The first event will be held in August and will feature several chapters presenting their great ideas.

If you'd like to present during this webinar, e-mail Danielle Bauer, director of membership, at Danielle@ASDAnet.org with a brief description of your idea and the results it achieved by June 1. Click here for more information.

Ryan Turner Memorial Scholarship due July 1

Ryan Turner was a fourth-year dental student at the University of Michigan and a former board member when he passed away suddenly in 2007. ASDA remembers Ryan Turner and his dedication to organized dentistry through an annual memorial scholarship in his honor. The recipient will be chosen by the board of trustees and will receive $2,500, along with travel expenses to accept the award at the 2014 National Leadership Conference. The recipient's chapter will also receive $500. If there's a rising star at your chapter, please encourage them to apply by submitting this information to Stephanie@ASDAnet.org by July 1.

Training available for chapter leaders

ASDA provided live training on the new chapter portal, which can be used to:

update your chapter's officers
send email communications to your members and non-members
access chapter information, such as the tax ID and payments from ASDA
download a membership roster, including member's ASDA/ADA number
update members' contact information

Download a recording of the chapter portal training.

Support the Student Loan Interest Deduction Act

The ADA Washington Leadership Conference is underway in Washington, D.C. Join the American Dental Association in helping the current efforts on the Hill by taking a moment to contact your member of Congress and urge him or her to co-sponsor the Student Loan Interest Deduction Act of 2013 (H.R. 1527).

This legislation will help ease the burden of student loan debt by significantly increasing the deduction allowed for student loan interest and making the deduction available to all regardless of income. Currently, there is an income phase-out for individuals with an adjusted gross income over $60,000. This legislation would repeal that provision and allow new dentists to deduct a portion of their student loan interest from their taxes.

You can stay on top of important legislative issues by subscribing to
ADA Action Alerts or visiting ASDA Engage.

Membership FAQs

I am graduating from dental school this month. What happens with my ASDA and ADA membership?

ASDA membership runs on a calendar year, so you will be a predoctoral member of ASDA until Dec. 31, 2014. This means, you are still eligible for the full benefits of ASDA, including free life and disability insurance and our publications. Be sure to update your contact information with ASDA so you can continue to receive your benefits.

ADA membership also runs on a calendar year so your student membership does not expire until Dec. 31. However, now is the time to start planning your conversion from student to active ADA membership. You have several options, depending on your next step after graduation: 1) graduate student membership if you are going into a graduate program or residency; 2) tripartite membership through your state society, if you will be an associate, starting a practice or faculty of a dental school; 3) federal dental service membership for those going into the armed forces or becoming a federal employee; and 4) provisional membership if you have graduated but haven't started a professional career yet. All categories have reduced rates. For details, visit www.ada.org/join.

Who should I contact with questions or concerns? Membership@ASDAnet.org

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