In today's rapidly evolving world, the role of governance has never been more critical for organizations like the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). The organization is currently engaged in a comprehensive review of the processes and procedures used to govern, make decisions, and support general dentists. This assessment will provide insight into how AGD’s governance aligns with current best practices. It will help determine the structure and processes that will be effective in supporting the organization’s mission and fostering active participation from leaders and members. 

AGD has engaged Tecker International, a consulting firm with experience working with other associations like AGD. It is currently meeting with members from all areas of the organization and engaging in open dialogue to learn more about the needs and interests of those we serve. This process will help AGD determine the structure and processes that will be effective in supporting the organization’s mission and fostering active participation from leaders and members. 

Since the project started last year, AGD has conducted a series of member telephone interviews and hosted a series of Virtual Town Hall meetings to understand the needs and interests of AGD members.

The following summarizes activities to date:

• Established a Feedback Group: A small group of members with various levels of participation in the organization have agreed to assess the input of members throughout the process.
• Telephone Interviews: Stakeholders participated in individual interviews to provide personal perspectives about the value of AGD, the role the organization plays in dentistry and opportunities for the future.
• Virtual Town Hall Meetings: Over a period of a month and a half, AGD held seven virtual meetings with 60 members participating. Recruitment for these meetings was sent via email to over 20,000 members.
• Electronic Survey: An electronic survey was sent to all members in February and March to solicit feedback from AGD members on the organization's governance processes. This input is incredibly helpful, and we are reviewing this information carefully.

Next steps underway include:

• Remodeling Summit: This session includes members who were nominated by AGD leaders. The group will participate in a day and a half planning session on May 31 and June 1. The goal of this meeting is to suggest models that will support AGD's governance processes.
• Public Comment: AGD members will view and comment on the proposed governance model before it is submitted to the House of Delegates. Members will have a chance to review and comment on these models.

The many checkpoints throughout this process allow AGD to collect significant input from members to provide a roadmap to move the organization in the right direction for those it serves. These procedures allow time for discovery and review throughout. Final concepts and models will be reviewed by AGD’s Executive Committee, Board and House of Delegates, who will make the final decision.