In This Section

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.
Current members
  • Sebastian Celis Cifuentes, Columbia, chair
  • Mark Berenshteyn, Harvard, Legislative Coordinator (Districts 1-3)*
  • Katherine Malyszek, North Carolina, Legislative Coordinator (Districts 4-5)*
  • Gregory Benz, Illinois, Legislative Coordinator (Districts 6-7)*
  • Jakob Holtzmann, Colorado, Legislative Coordinator (Districts 8-9)*
  • So Hee Kim, Arizona, Legislative Coordinator (Districts 10-11)*

  • Malika Malik, Michigan, District 6 Trustee

  • Colton Cannon, Minnesota, District 8 Trustee

  • Sydney Shapiro, Columbia, President 

  • Stephanie Follett, ASDA Staff Liaison

*Legislative Coordinator (Districts 1-3) monitors Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington D.C.

*Legislative Coordinator (Districts 4-5) monitors Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia

*Legislative Coordinator (Districts 6-7) monitors Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and West Virginia

*Legislative Coordinator (Districts 8-9) monitors Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas

*Legislative Coordinator (Districts 10-11) monitors Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming

Annual Report
Position Descriptions 

Applications for the 2020-21 Council on Advocacy are now closed.

Council on Advocacy Chair

Term Length: Spring Council 2020 - Lobby Day 2021

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.
Meetings

Must attend and actively participate in the following meetings (Click here for exact dates):

  • Spring Council Meeting 2020
  • Fall Council Meeting 2020
  • National Leadership Conference 2020
  • ASDA Annual Session 2021
  • ADA Dentist and Student Lobby Day 2021 (Date TBD)
Responsibilities

Legislative strategy

  • Provides oversight on strategic advocacy initiatives.
  • Works with staff to plan National Dentist and Student Lobby Day. 
Advocacy engagement strategy

  • Works closely with staff to establish annual 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:  Spring Council 2020 - Lobby Day 2021

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.
Meetings

Must attend and actively participate in the following meetings (Click here for exact dates):

  • Spring Council Meeting 2020
  • Fall Council Meeting 2020
  • ADA Dentist and Student Lobby Day 2021 (Date TBD)
Responsibilities

Legislative strategy

  • Provides oversight on strategic advocacy initiatives.
  • Works with staff to plan ADA Dentist and Student Lobby Day. 
Advocacy engagement strategy

  • Works closely with staff to establish annual 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.

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