Summer 2005

Recognition in the SSC NetworkBy Carla Kimball

Many have asked how Dr. Cohen selects the Clubs and individuals who will receive awards at Symposium. The following may provide some insight:

Rookies of the Year – given to first year Clubs/Directors who demonstrate:

■A great potential for, and commitment to, long-term success;

■A true understanding of the principles and tenets of Study Club life;

■A clear purpose and direction and the ability to follow through.

The determination is based on Dr. Cohen’s personal observation of the Club in action, his conversations with the Director(s) and/or Members, and comments from others who have presented to the Club.

Excellence in Study Club Management – given to Directors who administer their Clubs at the highest level, as shown by:

■Level of organization and preparedness observed by Dr. Cohen during his orientation program or by others during their programs;

■Comments from Study Club Coordinators on the Director’s commitment in aiding the Coordinator with top-notch program implementation;

■Dedication of the Director to providing innovative, creative and highly relevant programming, evidenced by Club programming materials submitted to SSC.

Saul Schluger Award – given to an individual who has followed in Dr. Schluger’s footsteps by providing:

■Inspiration and motivation to dental students;

■Training and educational opportunities for clinicians to grow professionally;

• Encouragement to others to maximize their potential and not settle for less.

The determination is based on Dr. Cohen’s personal knowledge of an individual’s work, and his discussions with educators like Dr. D. Walter Cohen, Dr. Mort Amsterdam, Dr. Jerry Chiche and others.

Study Club of the Year – given to Director(s) on behalf of Clubs that show:

■High level of energy, enthusiasm and commitment, based on Dr. Cohen’s personal observation, and the reports of speakers;

■Good attendance by both Director(s) and Members at local and national events;

■Contributions to the network, i.e., articles for our newsletters, or cases for the SSC Journal;

■Support for Coordinator’s commitment to a strong and vital club, including regular attendance at the Coordinators’ Conference and continued interaction with the SSC staff;

■Director’s history of commitment to creative and innovative programming, as shown by materials submitted to the SSC;

■Leadership ability of the Director and his or her commitment to “bumping the bar” for his/her Study Club.

Dr. Cohen carefully considers all the information that is brought to his attention when making the list of award recipients, so Members are encouraged to give us feedback about their Clubs. This is not a lobbying process or a popularity contest, but rather a true effort on Dr. Cohen’s part to determine who is the most deserving of each award.

All I Really Need to Know, I Learned Biking

By Greg Tice

By the time you read this Lance Armstrong’s bid for a seventh Tour de France title may well be over, but right now I am eagerly anticipating the race. It got me thinking about how I got into biking and, of course, I blame it all on my wife.

Just over two years ago I reached my highest weight. I decided to exercise to take some of the weight off and started going to the YMCA. My wife was the Fitness Director and taught indoor cycling classes. Eventually, she harassed me into taking her class. It nearly killed me, but I lost weight.

As winter rolled around, I got busier at work and my attendance at cycling classes steadily declined. By spring, I was nearly to my maximum weight again. When my wife started to “encourage” me again, my reply was not positive. You see, I have my priorities: family first, sleep second, good food third and then everything else. There wasn’t any time in my life for exercise.

My wife said, “Let’s buy a bike and you can ride at lunchtime.” Of course I had a million excuses: too busy, when do I eat, what about travel. Exasperated, she said, “Until exercise becomes a priority, you will never find the time. Once it becomes a priority, you will move other things around to accomplish what is important.” I am proud to say that I have been biking consistently at lunch for the last eight to ten months.

Is your personal growth and education a priority for you? You have the ultimate tool right in front of you. Is your Study Club a priority? Do you work your schedule around meetings? Do you contribute cases and attend programs demanding to learn and to grow? If not, shouldn’t you make that a priority? If you want, I can have my wife call you.