The Council on Advocacy represents the interests of dental students on legislative and regulatory issues that impact the dental profession. The council launches grassroots initiatives to promote action-oriented advocacy in support of dental students and the patients they serve.


The council comprises one chair and five legislative coordinators:

  • The council chair supervises and directs the activities of the council and facilitates council meetings. 
  • Legislative coordinators (LCs) work by the direction of the chair of the Council on Advocacy. They represent the chapters in their region and guide chapters on grassroots activities such as state lobby days, ADPAC drives and email campaigns.

2023-24 Council on Advocacy

  • Council chair: Adam Yang, Harvard ’25
  • Legislative Coordinator, Districts 1-3: Parker Norman, Pennsylvania ’25
  • Legislative Coordinator, Districts 4&5: Jasmin Tarakmi, Nova Southeastern ’24
  • Legislative Coordinator, Districts 6&7: Tamara Kapetanovic, Louisville ’24
  • Legislative Coordinator, Districts 8&9: Madisen Diehl, Creighton ’24
  • Legislative Coordinator, Districts 10&11: Sally Zhou, San Francisco ’25
  • Board Liaison: District 9 Trustee Loren Matrone, Texas-Houston '25
  • Board Liaison: District 2 Trustee Shivam Jauhar, Buffalo ’24
  • Vice President: Judd Burns, Louisville ’24
  • Staff Liaison: Stephanie Follett
  • Staff Liaison: Robin Lieberman
Position Descriptions

Council on Advocacy Chair

Term Length: Annual Session 2024 – Annual Session 2025

Eligibility Requirements

  1. Must be an active predoctoral member at the time of application and throughout the term of office.
  2. Must be able to attend all required meetings listed below and conference calls when necessary.
  3. Will complete projects or resolutions assigned by the House of Delegates or Board of Trustees.
  4. Must be able to complete assignments and responsibilities by established deadlines.
  5. Experience serving on the Council on Advocacy is strongly preferred.

Estimated Time Commitment
Estimated time commitment is 5 hours/month which includes council calls and action items. Certain months may require more time such as for Advocacy Month, Lobby Day and reviewing Legislative Grassroots Network grant applications.

Meetings
Must attend and actively participate in the following meetings:

  • April 13-14, 2024: In-person Spring Council Meeting (Chicago, IL)
  • September 21-22, 2024: Fall Council Meeting (Virtual)
  • February 2025: In-person ASDA Annual Session (TBD)

National leaders must participate fully (whether it be virtual or in-person) in council business via email, meet deadlines, and attend all council calls.

Funding for required in-person meetings includes: transportation to/from meetings, meals, hotel accommodations, a per diem based on the length of the meeting and reimbursement for baggage fees.

Responsibilities
Legislative strategy

  • Provides oversight on strategic advocacy initiatives.

Advocacy engagement strategy

  • Works closely with staff to establish virtual advocacy initiatives.
  • Provides advocacy resources at the chapter, district and national levels. 
  • Oversees Advocacy Month.

Council management

  • Supervises the activities of the Council on Advocacy.
  • Approves all council meeting agendas and minutes.
  • Mentors Legislative Liaisons.
  • Assists with orientation and transition of new council members.

Legislative Coordinator

Term Length: Annual Session 2024 – Annual Session 2025
Eligibility Requirements

  1. Must be an active predoctoral member at the time of application and throughout the term of office.
  2. Must be able to attend all required meetings listed below and conference calls when necessary.
  3. Will complete projects or resolutions assigned by the House of Delegates or Board of Trustees.
  4. Must be able to complete assignments and responsibilities by established deadlines.

Estimated Time Commitment
Estimated time commitment is 4 hours/month which includes council calls and action items. Certain months may require more time such as for Advocacy Month, Lobby Day and reviewing Legislative Grassroots Network grant applications.

Meetings
Must attend and actively participate in the following meetings:

  • April 13-14, 2024: In-person Spring Council Meeting (Chicago, IL)
  • September 21-22, 2024: Fall Council Meeting (Virtual)

National leaders must participate fully (whether it be virtual or in-person) in council business via email, meet deadlines, and attend all council calls.

Funding for required in-person meetings includes: transportation to/from meetings, meals, hotel accommodations, a per diem based on the length of the meeting and reimbursement for baggage fees.

Responsibilities

Legislative strategy

  • Provides oversight on strategic advocacy initiatives.

Advocacy engagement strategy

  • Works closely with staff to establish virtual advocacy initiatives.
  • Provides advocacy resources at the chapter, district and national levels. 
  • Oversees Advocacy Month.

Regional management

  • Serves as regional advocacy liaison to provide leadership and support to the chapter and district legislative liaisons.
  • Communicates regularly with chapter legislative liaisons to provide oversight on chapter goals. 
  • Informs district trustees and district legislative liaisons of advocacy initiatives within region.
  • Maintains contact information for chapter legislative liaisons.

 

Annual Report
2022-23 Annual Report Council on Advocacy