Open Call
2027 ADA Delegates & Alternates

2027 ADA Delegates & Alternates – Three open positions for each Delegates and Alternates

ADA Delegation

Nomination and Election Process:

The Eighth District of the ADA represents the State of Illinois and sends a contingent of delegates and alternate delegates to the ADA House of Delegates. The total number of delegates is determined by the ADA and the total number of alternate delegates receiving reimbursement for their service is determined by the ISDS, based on the number of delegates allocated to the Eighth District. Delegates and alternates are allocated to the Chicago District based on the ISDS bylaws. For the purposes of the election/selection of delegates and alternate delegates from the Chicago District, the Leadership Development Groups (LDGs) are defined as the Independent Dental Organization, the Members Group, and the Progressive Club. The ADA delegation will be elected in September of the year prior to the ADA House of Delegates for submission to the ISDS by the required March 31 deadline.

ISDS Bylaws:

• Chapter XV; Section 2: Allocation and Election of Delegates and Alternates

Delegates and alternates to represent this Society in the House of Delegates of the American Dental Association shall be allocated between the Chicago Dental Society and the downstate districts according to a plan adopted by the Board of Trustees. The Chicago Dental Society, or its designee(s), will elect its portion of the delegation in a manner it determines, and the downstate caucus will elect its portion in a manner that caucus determines. The election shall be completed and reported to the Executive Director of this Society no later than March 31 of each year.

• Section 4: Qualifications

Only an active, life or retired member of the Society may be eligible for election as a delegate or alternate. The following requirements shall apply to members in order to serve in the ADA delegation:

• The Chicago Dental Society, or its designee(s), and the downstate caucus shall each establish qualifications to serve as a delegate or alternate delegate.
• Current members of ADA Councils, Committees, and Commissions, shall be strongly considered for positions in the ADA delegation.

• Section 5: Term of Office

Delegates shall be elected for a two-year term. Alternate delegates shall be elected for a one-year term. Ex-officio members shall serve one-year terms.

The Chicago Dental Society, or its designee(s), and the downstate caucus may each establish limitations on how many terms, or consecutive terms, a delegate or alternate delegate may serve. This Section shall not be construed to prohibit ex-officio delegates from serving as delegates or alternate delegates.

CDS Bylaws:

• The Credentialing Committee will recommend qualified candidates for the Society’s appointed Delegates to the American Dental Association House of Delegates (“Society ADA Delegate”) and present such qualified candidates to the Board of Directors. The Credentialing Committee will solicit interested candidates from the Voting Members of the Society and will review all applications received. In the event the Credentialing Committee receives more than one qualified candidate to run for the elected office, the Society will hold a contested election in accordance with such rules and procedures as may be adopted by the Board of Directors.

Rules for the ISDS Chicago District Caucus:

• There shall be rules governing the ISDS Chicago District Caucus. The purpose of the Caucus is to elect those Eighth District delegates and alternates to the American Dental Association House of Delegates from the Chicago Dental Society, a component society of the Illinois State Dental Society.
• The members of the ISDS Chicago District Caucus sessions shall consist of any Chicago Dental Society member in good standing. Each member has the right to be recognized to speak during the caucus.
• Per current Chicago District Caucus rules, voting members are defined as the current year Delegates and Alternate Delegates to the ISDS House of Delegates from the Chicago District.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Current CDS tripartite active, retired and/or life member dentist.
• Member in good standing with dues paid and abide by the Bylaws and all policies, rules, and regulations of the Society.
• Member must have served previously in at least one or more of these positions which include CDS Director, CDS Branch Officer, ISDS Trustee, ISDS Delegate, member of a CDS MWM or Standing Committee, member of an ISDS Standing Committee, member of the Dent-Il-Pac Board, or ADA Council member before becoming eligible to serve as an alternate delegate to the ADA.
• Member must have served a minimum of one (1) year as an ADA alternate delegate or served as an ADA delegate previously to serve as an ADA delegate.
• Current members of ADA Councils and Commissions, as well as the ADA Strategic Forecasting Committee, shall be strongly considered for positions in the ADA delegation.
• CDS Officers, if they desire, shall be delegates or alternate delegates, ex officio.

Term as Delegate:

• Delegates shall be elected for a two-year term, except ex-officio members who will serve a one-year term.
• Delegates may serve a maximum of three consecutive two-year terms.
• Alternate delegates shall be elected for a one-year term.
• Ex-officio members shall serve one-year terms.
• Members may serve a maximum of six (6) consecutive years, after which time a member may not serve as a delegate or alternate delegate for at least one year.
• Members may serve a total of 18 years cumulatively as an ADA delegate or alternate delegate.
• This Section shall not be construed to prohibit ex-officio delegates from serving as delegates or alternate delegates, no matter how many consecutive or cumulative years of service they have incurred. However, ex-officio delegate years of service, as well as any consecutive years immediately prior to and /or immediately following ex-officio years, shall be counted in determining the number of consecutive and cumulative years served.

Nominating Process:

• Open call for self-nomination for “open” delegation positions
• LDGs submit candidate(s)
• Credentialing Committee to review candidates and recommend candidates to Board of Directors who will review and present all qualified candidates to the Voting Members of the Chicago District Caucus.
• The LDGs will be responsible for nominating 75% of the Delegates assigned to the Chicago District, with an equal number from each of the three (3) LDGs. These Delegates will be identified by their respective groups and in a manner acceptable to each group. Currently, this would be a total of 9 Delegates with 3 from each LDG. These names will be forwarded to the CDS Credentialing Committee for review and will then be forwarded to the CDS Board for their approval.
• 25% of the Delegates will be elected at the Chicago District Caucus at the ISDS Annual Session following an “open” nomination process. Currently, this would be a total of 3 Delegates elected after an “open” nomination process. Those wishing to run for these open positions shall submit a letter of intent and their CV to the CDS Credentialing Committee by July 1 or determined date by CDS. The Credentialing Committee will review the applications and forward those to the CDS Board for their approval.
• Candidates are not required to be current members of the ISDS House of Delegates.
• There will be an equal number of Alternate Delegates nominated by the LDGs who will be elected at the Chicago District Caucus and Alternate Delegates elected after an “open” nomination process. Currently, this would be 3 total Alternate Delegates from the LDGs, with 1 from each LDG, and 3 total Alternate Delegates running after an “open” nomination process. Those wishing to run for the “open” positions shall submit a letter of intent and their CV to the CDS Credentialing Committee by June 1. The Credentialing Committee will review the applications and forward those to the CDS Board for their approval.
• Candidates are not required to be current members of the ISDS House of Delegates.
• Each LDG is encouraged to submit at least 1 delegate or alternate delegate who is an early career dentist, under 40 years of age.

Electors:

Voting members of the Chicago District Caucus.

Deadline for Election/Nomination/Appointment:

Nomination: Not less than 60 days prior to election.

Election:

• Vetted qualified candidates will run for election at the Chicago District Caucus held at the ISDS Annual Session.
• Two elections will take place at the Chicago District Caucus: one for the LDG nominees and a separate election for the “open” nomination process nominees.

Application Form