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Welcome
to the Westchester
Dental Hygienists' Association Inc. Official Web Site!
LEADERSHIP:
READY OR NOT
Last spring
I was asked to be the V.P. of Governmental Affairs for DHASNY. I thought
I’m busy but I can step in and do this…a few extra meetings
a year, maybe a trip to Albany to speak with the Legislators. I figured
I love my profession I can do this.
One month into my VP career and the President resigned. I panicked as
I thought “I didn’t sign on for this, I’m so not ready
for the Presidency”. As I took a deep breath and calmed myself
down I started thinking a few different thoughts.

From Left to Right:
Robin Grasso, RDH - President,
Donna Hickey, RDH - Secretary,
Marie Cramer, RDH -Treasurer
Nicole Massara,RDH -V.P. Member Services
Paula Fischer, RDH - V.P. Governmental Affairs
Millie Thaw, RDH - V.P. Professional Developement
Lucy Bianco, RDH - President Elect |
I changed my mindset as I realized I’m a
volunteer and you can’t fire a volunteer. This thought made me
feel so much better and I would do my best under these unusual circumstances.
I began by studying Parliamentary Procedures during the summer and tried
not to lose sleep. I’ve always felt comfortable and confident
with both public speaking and when explaining the importance of dental
hygiene to my patients, so I knew I would not have a problem in this
regard.
I did not know how I would handle the DHASNY Board of Directors and
the House of Delegates. September of 2008 I went to Albany for my first
Board of Directors meeting. I knew the Board was not functioning well
because of a breakdown in communication and most importantly a breakdown
in respect. I decided to be the best listener and show everyone the
respect they were deserving of. That board meeting went extremely well.
The State (Annual Session) meeting was held at the Crowne Plaza in White
Plains, New York October 31-November 2, 2008. DHASNY Annual Session
is the largest Dental Hygiene Meeting in New York State. Our Westchester
Delegation worked very hard as your component representatives.
As President I took pride in the fact that this organization goes on
despite major changes in the hierarchy. I learned that a true leader
does not find fault, but moves forward by doing their best under all
circumstances. You can provide solutions to the problems. I also realized
that a sense of humor in very helpful to cut through tension. By showing
respect to everyone, they will in turn show respect to you and those
around them, this mutual respect lead to the issues at hand getting
done.
The DHASNY Presidency was a major undertaking. You never know what you
can accomplish until you try. Do something that is outside of your BOX,
something that makes you feel challenged and uncertain. What a rush
you will experience when you shine and prove to yourself that all the
work was worth the effort.
Respectfully submitted by Robin Grasso, RDH
DHASNY Past President
Please
check out our
Education and Newletter
pages
for information about upcoming events
in the WDHA.
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