How to Nominate

The Process for Nominating a Candidate for Fellowship

Background:

One of the most important tasks we are charged with as ACD Fellows is to offer for nomination new, highly qualified, and respected candidates who would make great Fellows. Many of you may wonder how to negotiate the process, and this article will hopefully make it as easy as possible for you to complete the nomination application. It addresses some of the areas that can make the difference in whether or not the candidates you think are worthy are invited to join. Fellowship in the ACD is by invitation only and is determined through a confidential system that was established in 1920. Less than 4% of dentists in the United States have been granted ACD Fellowship and it is an elite group. Qualifications for Fellowship include “leadership, excellence, and meritorious service in dentistry or public service. These credentials may be reflected in professional organizational involvement, dental education, dental research, dental journalism, or other areas.” Fellows MUST be ADA members and “must be of good moral character, have a reputation for ethical conduct and professional standing that is unquestioned. Personality, integrity, education, unselfishness, and high professional ideals, as well as freedom from mercenary tendencies shall be considered.” Candidates must be nominated by two Fellows in good standing, a nominator and a seconder. The process is confidential on several levels: candidates should not know they are being nominated; the Credentials Committee does not know the identity of nominators, seconders, or local consultants; and the Credentials Committee member identities are not disclosed. This ensures that each nomination is considered on the strength of its own merit.

 4 Steps:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1 Choose your candidate based on who you think would be a great asset to the College. All candidates should be ethical, well-rounded dentists that you personally know and can make a strong case for their membership. They do not necessarily need to have extensive organized dentistry experience. It is beneficial to have Fellows with many strengths, such as military, community, educational, or church service. Use your ACD or online membership directory to verify that they are not already a Fellow. Use ADA Find-A-Dentist online to verify that the candidate is an ADA member. Call the candidate and tell them that you wish to nominate them for a confidential honor. Ask them to send you their current detailed curriculum vitae (CV). Alternatively, you may have the candidate fill out the PROFILE SUMMARY and return it to you. Stress strongly that all of their activities are considered for the honor, so to please include everything. You may want to contact their spouse and/or partner for more detailed information.                                                                                                                                                                                                    2 A NOMINATION FORM can be found online, and should be completed for a potential “seconder” to review. Next, prepare an extremely critical SUPPORT STATEMENT letter for your nominee. This letter should be used to elaborate on your candidate’s qualities that would make them an excellent Fellow. Let your support statement answer the questions, “What was done?”, “Why was it important?”, and “What was the benefit?” Expand on the areas of expertise and special service and explain all acronyms clearly. Include circumstances your candidate may have overcome that would make them a stronger Fellow. Make sure all community service and church/faith based activities are expounded on. Many are reluctant to “toot their own horn,” making it difficult to maintain the confidential process the ACD requires. It is, however, imperative that as much detail as possible is relayed to you and through the nominating committee. Finish strong with how the candidate’s skills will help the College if he/she is awarded Fellowship.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                3 Obtain a “SECONDER” on your NOMINATION FORM for your candidate that is appropriate — they must know the person well and be able to vouch strongly for the candidate. If your candidate needs it, you may want to seek a higher profile Florida Fellow to second them, like a past Section officer. Make sure to include the seconder’s name, address, and the year they were inducted on the nomination form. Signatures are not required on the electronic nomination form, another benefit of using the web for the process. If you mail or fax the nomination, signatures are required.44                                                                                                                                                                    4 Send the NOMINATION FORM and PROFILE SUMMARY to the ACD Executive Office by January 15. Send via email attachment to [email protected].