Page 25 - Bulletin Vol 25 No 2 - May-Aug 2020 - 9-2-20.pub

Article | Trustee Report

2020 NYSDA House of Delegates Meeting, the new

norm…

By Frank Palmaccio, DDS, MS, NYSDA Trustee

The Sixth District Dental Society began the arduous task in conjunction with the New York
State Dental Association of planning and hosting this year’s NYSDA House of Delegates
meeting approximately three years ago; long before the reality of the COVID -19 Pandemic.
Following Governor Cuomo’s mandate, our lives and practices came to a screeching halt.
After much debate, the NYSDA Board decided to cancel the in-person House of Delegates

meeting and move to a virtual format.
Dr. Steven Gounardes, Speaker of the House, along with NYSDA staff were tasked to
arrange the move to a virtual format utilizing Zoom. As with any new format, there were
many concerns expressed and debated. In an attempt to secure a successful outcome, the

meeting was streamlined from three days down to one. Additionally, the hard decision was
made to eliminate reference committees and limit participation to delegates only, losing the
valuable input of our alternate delegates.

NYSDA Executive Director Dr. Mark Feldman, NYSDA Speaker Dr. Steven Gounardes
along with NYSDA staff worked tirelessly scheduling training sessions with each individual
caucus. An orientation and trial run of the HOD a few weeks prior to the scheduled meeting
was set up. Unfortunately, not all went as planned during the trial with Zoom. Following a
quick response by NYSDA staff and an adjustment with the Zoom program settings, we
were assured we were good to go.

I am happy to report that first ever virtual Zoom NSYDA House of Delegates meeting was
called to order at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2020 by Dr. Steven Gounardes, NYSDA
Speaker. The meeting ran exceptionally well and the business of the house was
accomplished in a timely and efficient manner.

A complete list of the resolutions considered as well as the various reports given are

contained within the official minutes of this meeting and can be viewed on the NYSDA
website. Go to www.nysdental.org and click on “EVENTS” in the top banner. From the
dropdown menu click “House of Delegates,” scroll down the page and click on “2020 House
of Delegates Minutes.”

Nassau County Dental Society  (516) 227-1112 | 25