Page 7 - Bulletin (full)Vol 30 No 1 - Jan. - April 2025 FINAL

Message from the Executive Director:

“The Good Old Days Weren’t Always Good
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand Tomorrow Ain’t as Bad As It Seems” *

It’s been a tumultuous year! A year ago, we were preparing for a system wide
change over to a new operating system, Fontiva/Salesforce. Originally planned to
become operational the first week in July, the new system was postponed for two

months, and then made its debut in September 2024. Unfortunately, it still was-
n’t quite ready for prime time and was plagued by multiple glitches that frustrated
both us and our members. Slowly, corrections were put in place and today, while
not seamless, things are operating more smoothly. It is clear that this new system
will be a benefit over the old one.

Of course, the issues were compounded by NYS changing their CE recording requirements, necessitating a
new system to comply as well. Unfortunately, this occurred at the same time as the Salesforce change
over, creating even more confusion. When it rains, it pours! But again, we got through it and the new
system is functioning well. It is important to note, this is a new format and your old CE credits were not

able to be transferred over to the new system. More frustration! I created tutorials for all these new
systems and emailed the help to all our members in January. If you didn’t see them, and would like them,
just contact us here at the office.

I mention this because it brings to mind a quote by John C. Maxwell: "We cannot become what we need to
be by remaining what we are." How true. A business that stagnates and doesn’t change is doomed to
failure (think Blockbuster). The same is true for us personally. To succeed in anything, we can’t be the same
person we were ten years ago, nor be the same person ten years hence as we are today. We must learn

new ways of thinking, new ways of interacting with new technologies, and new ways of living in a changing
society. It is a difficult path, change is hard!

It’s so easy to fall into the nostalgic trap of longing for the “good old days” when things were simpler. But
were they really? Growing up I can remember going to the library and spending hours, if not days, research-
ing a topic. Now all that information is in the palm of my hand in an instant by typing in a few key words, on
a device that has more computing power than the space crafts that landed men on the moon! I can
remember going from store to store for hours looking for an item I needed for a repair at home, not even

knowing if that item actually existed or where to find it. Now, I can go on Amazon and not only find multiple
options for what I’m looking for but get it the next day. Wait weeks for a letter from a loved one living far
away? Not when I can text them and get a reply almost instantaneously. Or better yet, call them and not
only hear their voice but see their face on a screen. I can sit at home and watch my favorite show on my
schedule, whenever I have time, while a machine vacuums the floor, and another does the dishes.

. Continued on page 8

Nassau County Dental Society ⬧ (516) 227-1112 | 7