WDA volunteer opportunities

Volunteers are the heart of the Wisconsin Dental Association and a successful dental community. We offer a variety of ways for members to get involved, from short-term volunteer projects to committee and board service.

In addition to helping the WDA grow more energized, diverse and better equipped to achieve our shared mission, volunteering provides a sense of personal satisfaction and the opportunity to network with colleagues who share your vision and commitment.

Volunteer today!

Don't have a lot of time? Try micro-volunteering!

• Share WDA Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn posts
• Post on your social media about WDA and local component activities and events
• Write a WDA Journal article
• Record video for the 2023 public awareness campaign focused on dental careers
• Get active with your local component
• Nominate a colleague for a Pyramid of Pride award
• Donate a prize to the WDA Foundation
• Host a new or non-member at a WDA or local component event
• Be part of WDA Legislative Day in Madison

Care for patients in need

• Volunteer to be a Donated Dental Services dentist
• Volunteer at Mission of Mercy
• Be part of Give Kids a Smile

Share your knowledge and experience

• Mentor dental students in the Marquette University School of Dentristry-Pierre Fauchard Academy-WDA Mentor Program
• Be a resource for your colleagues as part of WDA Mentor Connections
• Help your local technical college train future dental hygienists and dental assistants

Grown your leadership skills

• Apply for the WDA Leadership Academy
• Apply for the ADA Institute for Diversity in Leadership

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Get involved locally

Be a part of the team that creates member value at the local level. Working closely with WDA membership & component relations liaison Amy Bastic, your local dental society officers and/or board members plan the continuing education, social, holiday and business meetings for you and your colleagues.

Availability of positions and frequency of meetings vary by component. For more information, contact Amy or click here.

Serve on the WDA Board

The WDA Board of Trustees is the managing body of the organization. Learn more about serving as an officer, regional trustee or at-large trustee here, or contact Governance Coordinator Lisa Chandre or Executive Director Mark Paget for more information.

Serve on the WDA House of Delegates

The WDA House of Delegates includes representatives from each local dental society. If you are interested in serving as a delegate, contact your local dental society officers. Governance Coordinator Lisa Chandre or Executive Director Mark Paget can also provide more information.

Join a WDA committee

Bylaws Committee

Draft or approve the proposed text of all amendments to the WDA Bylaws prior to their submission to the House of Delegates for action.

Staff Liaison: Lisa Chandre, governance coordinator

Communications Committee

As a member-driven organization with dentists and dental hygienists at the heart of our mission, the WDA’s Communications Committee oversees activities including public awareness campaigns, PR messaging, WDA.org, The Drill e-newsletter and other member communications, social media and media relations. The committee works closely with the WDA’s director of membership and communications, digital communications manager and PR/media relations coordinator.

The Communications Committee meets twice yearly – once in the spring and once in the fall. Meetings are approximately 2-3 hours and committee members can attend virtually or in person at the WDA’s executive offices in West Allis.

Staff Liaison: Amanda Peterson, digital communications manager

Editorial Advisory Board

Editorial Advisory Board members provide the dentist, dental hygienist, dental student and grassroots member perspective for the WDA Journal, WDA Insider members-only blog and WDA Sourcebook (Member Directory and Practice Guide).

Participate in bimonthly journal editorial meetings via conference call (approximately 30 minutes in length) and brainstorm topics for WDA Journal articles and editorials with your colleagues. You could byline journal article(s) and/or write guest editorials and review bi-monthly journal proof.

Staff Liaison: Laura Schreiner, managing editor & public relations specialist

Membership Development Committee

Help with recruitment and retention of members, addressing new dentist initiatives, leadership development and evaluating the membership dues structure for ongoing relevancy.

The Membership Development Committee meets twice yearly – once in the spring and once in the fall. Meetings are approximately 2-3 hours and committee members can attend virtually or in person at the WDA’s executive offices in West Allis.

Staff Liaison: Candice Wegner, membership, CE & strategic partnerships specialist

Legislative Advocacy Committee

Advocate policy positions of the Association to the Wisconsin legislature and state agency officials to protect and further the interests of the public and the profession.

The Legislative Advocacy Committee meets four times yearly. Meetings are approximately a full day committee members can attend in person in Madison.

Staff Liaison: Gus Gustafson, director of government services

Wisconsin Dental Political Action Committee

To collect WIDPAC funds from member dentists and to disburse WIDPAC funds to candidates for state office based on their voting records or positions on issues impacting the profession of dentistry. 

The WIDPAC Committee meets four times yearly. Meetings are approximately a full day committee members can attend in person in Madison.

Staff Liaison: Gus Gustafson, director of government services

Have another idea for volunteering your time?

Contact Executive Director Mark Paget.