by Kristine Hodsdon, RDH, Director of RDH eVillage
Top 10 reasons you know you need to register for 2006 Under One Roof (July 26th-28th, 2006)
10. You've never attended one before.
9. You need three days of saying, "Can you come back to clean my room later?"
8. You are a master at collecting coupons and redeeming them.
7. You have never experienced a rowdy convention with 800 laughing and friendly hygienists, manufacturers, and speakers.
6. You are in need of the latest and greatest hygiene products, information, and a special time of learning and personal growth.
5. You've never sang karaoke with 200 of your closest hygiene friends.
4. You have a "lousy attitude" and want a boost.
3. Your son/ daughter stole your last dental tote bag, and you are in need of another one.
2 .You believe that your opportunities are boundless and you want to network with other hygienists who honor your expertise and will be there to support you every step of the way.
1. You're an alumnus who knows the great value an UOR conference can provide for yourself and the profession.
I'm back from the 2005 UOR, and I am raring to go to the next one in Las Vegas. It was great speaking and meeting everyone last week. I truly believe that this profession can do the impossible. Heck, we just did the impossible. Close to 800 hygienists came together to share ideas, love, and strength. It was the year of learning and creating relationships with fellow colleagues.
The Chicago UOR started Thursday, July 21, and the hands-on workshops were facilitated by Nancy Andrews, Sandra Marci, Chris Owens, Sherry Burns, Shannon Nanne, Debi Gerger, and Doreen Smeltzer. Then we moved on to the Hu-Friedy tour, which was so memorable. Not only is Hu-Friedy a superb host but the emphasis on quality that goes into the manufacturing of their instruments was impressive.
Karen Kaiser started out the lecture portion of the meeting, which led into the welcome reception. The exhibit hall overflowed with enthusiasm, hugs, kisses, pictures and all you could hear for the first 30 minutes was, "How have you been?" Or, "You look great!" You instantly felt part of a family.
If you got out of bed early enough on Friday, then you had the privilege of hearing the keynote speaker, Karen Cortell Reisman. She is an expert storyteller and had the audience's emotions reach the highest of highs, then the lowest of lows only to masterfully bring us back to a place of peacefulness and empowerment. The schedule then led to more hands-on workshop activity with Patti DiGangi, Deborah Dopson Hartley, Kristy Menage Bernie, Steven Steinburg, Cindy Chillock and Charles Palenik. Featured speakers also included Betsy Reynolds, Dianne Glasscoe, and Margaret Fehrenbach.
As Saturday rolled on, we listened to dynamic speakers such as Rachel Teel Wall and Patti DiGangi. More workshops for all interest levels included Mary Govoni, Wendy Negron, Lou Shuman, Shirley Gutkowski, and Emily Kinsell Berger.
Plus, all of the wonderful exhibitors who supported the program were there. The Gillette/Oral-B group and RDH eVillage sponsored luncheons. Discus Dental hosted the farewell reception with karaoke. There were focus groups, after-hour group activities, and networking receptions. Yikes, no wonder I am still tired after being home for three days.
I would be remiss if I did not mention that Amy Nieves, RDH (www.amyrdh.com) will begin contributing to the RDH eVillage. Welcome, Amy. We appreciate all that you have done and continue to do for the student and professional hygiene online community. Please look for her contributions and links to her Web site inside your monthly RDH eVillage.
Amy also has a link for photos from the Chicago UOR. Click here to view: www.amyrdhlisters.com.
In closing, I'd like to share a note that was shared with me a few years ago. It summarizes how UOR and its experience will sustain me as I look forward to next year.
If you want to enlarge your life,
You must first enlarge your thought of it and yourself.
Hold the ideal of yourself as you long to be, your idea of what you long to attain, the ideal of health, the ideal of efficiently, the ideal of success.
You can shift yourself by your thoughts. Your visions will help you climb the highest obstacles.
A high achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectations. What you see is what you get.
You will become as small as your controlling desire; or as great as your dominant aspiration.
The courage to follow your dreams is the first step toward your destiny.
You really can live your dreams if you act on them.
