{ outreach in action } & Outreach Director
Surfing, Scrolling, Swiping Member Value in the Digital Age
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ertainly no one alive in 2018 and reading this article is immune to the fact that we, in America, live in a high-tech world. From your smartphone, to your tablet, to your patient registration interface at your practice—it seems darn near impossible to survive with- out a touchscreen. I saw two social media posts recently that drove this home for me. The first said “we’ve become people who live to find a place to charge our electronics”. The second was a tweet on Twitter that said “this generation has more agile thumbs than any generation before us”. My middle-age peers would agree that we only used our thumbs to hitchhike.
But in a world of touchscreens, are we really touching in the “connection” sense of the word? Oh sure, the convenience is wonder- ful. One can sit in their lounge wear and order almost any life essential and have it de- livered to their door the next day. Personally, I won’t even mind when some bizarre drone airdrops it. Just bring me my Ben and Jerry’s! Or one can entertain themselves endlessly by scrolling through the social media feed of their liking while sprinkling little heart shapes and thumbs up gestures like pixie dust to show support and approval of those who reflect their values and tastes. And don’t forget the younger crowd who almost exclu- sively navigates social relationships online. Beware the dangers of swiping right!
Maybe it’s my age. Maybe I’m unknowingly getting a “get off my lawn” case of grumpi- ness. Or maybe it’s my outreach role at the MDA. But I struggle sometimes to reconcile the ease that technology offers with the invisible shackles it often brings. Just look around—if you can put your touchscreen down for a second. “Tech neck” is a grow-
28 focus | MAR/APR 2018 | ISSUE 2
ing physical complaint. Drivers and walkers are developing a false sense of security as they combine forward motion with the need to type or swipe. Family meals and social gatherings are often circles of silent faces illuminated by screen light. I’ll confess how often I’m trapped in the cult of immediacy. I couldn’t wait 30 seconds at the bank, the mall or my solo lunch outing today without reflexively pulling my phone out. That’s not really admirable. Don’t drop a heart on that sentiment.
But how is this digital blanket affecting our hearts? You know—the place where we prioritize values, take time to reflect and find room to care for someone else. In my experience, it’s a battle. I find myself having to intentionally pursue meaningful personal contact if I want to avoid limiting myself to 280 spaces.
Here at the MDA, we are a member organiza- tion. It’s all voluntary to you. Yes, we do our level best to develop and provide a valuable array of benefits to make your voluntary decision more attractive. And we try to use relevant technology to put those assets at your fingertips in real time. We must be doing something right be- cause our membership share is hanging tight. For more than 150 years, the MDA has helped you take pride in and advance the profes- sion you
love. But I don’t believe our strength is electronic or gadget or cloud based. I believe it’s because we have a lot of people who intentionally pursue meaningful interaction. Heck, making that personal connection is central to your business success. You know what it looks like—eye contact, thoughtful- ness, a smile. Emojis will never replace those actions. That same intentional pursuit is necessary if we are to shine at Legislative Day or capitalize on a CE offering or lead a local meeting. It’s all more time and energy consuming than sitting in your loungewear streaming Netflix. It’s awkward at times. It’s lonely at times. It takes sacrifice to drive, to register, to call. But you know success is not in convenience but in commitment.
I see this too when I look up. It makes me love the MDA. I see old friends sharing an outing at Travel and Learn. I see suited up students take to the capitol. I see volun- teer leaders execute the game plan. I hear laughter, conviction, insight, concern and hope at all the various events I attend. This is our touchscreen. Member engagement from dental school to retirement is essential to the MDA’s ongoing success. So surf over to a local meeting, scroll through your opportuni- ties to connect and take a swipe at making the MDA your home. I bet you’ll even want to leave a heart or thumbs up afterward. f
Keep up with “The Week That Was” MDA blog Paul writes each week to give you a summary glimpse of the people, places and projects of your MDA. Read and subscribe at modental.org/blog. Contact Paul at paul@modentalmail.org.
