WDAJ-May '09.indd - Wisconsin Dental Association

May 2009 WDA Journal
Page 2
Get to know your legislator on a first-name basis
James Springborn DDS, Appleton General Dentist jspringborn@sbcglobal.net
I have been politically involved with
the Wisconsin Dental
Association and my
local state representative
for 13 years. My
political relationships
started when I attended
a WDA Legislative
Day in 1996. The
speaker was from the
American Dental
Association and presented
a program on
how to develop relationships
with your
local representative
and senators. The comment I remember
most was, “You must be on a first-name
basis with your state legislators, regardless
of their political affiliation.”
My response was, “Oh, sure. That will
never happen.”
A few days after the presentation, my
doorbell rang and I found myself face-toface
with a candidate for state representative
of my district. In my head I heard
another comment the ADA speaker made:
“To begin a relationship with a politician,
ask what you can do for them.”
As I talked to this candidate on my
front porch, I said, “What can I do to help
you with your campaign?” The look on his
face was priceless. He said, “Well, you can
put up a yard sign.”
I agreed and from that day forward,
Rep. Steve Wieckert and I were on a
first-name basis for the duration of the
six terms he served in the Wisconsin
Legislature. After our initial encounter
and his election, I held fundraisers for him
every election year. He would call me at
home or in my office if he had questions
regarding legislation involving dentistry,
and we would meet in Madison every year
for WDA Legislative Day. I was not only
on a first-name basis with my representative,
but we were trusting friends and
supporters.
At this point I decided to support
and work with both candidates.
I attended fundraisers for both
and asked the question “What
can I do for you?” Yard signs were
placed in my front yard. Passers
by took a second look at both
signs and wondered what was the
point? The point was I discovered
that having an “R” or “D” behind
someone’s name is not going to
dictate their position on our issues
and, as odd as it may seem, it
is entirely possible that opposing
candidates can be equaly strong
on our core dental issues.
The democratic candidate won the
election. Within days of the election,
Penny Bernard Schaber e-mailed me with
the name of a needy family that may
have qualified for my Give Kids A Smile
program. When I met with her previously,
I had made a point to mention the
GKAS program we run every first Friday
in February. I told her I would screen
them and do comprehensive dentistry at
no charge.
Shortly after she was sworn in as State
Representative, Rep. Schaber contacted
me again about pending legislation that
would clarify that the state would be the
“primary liability” coverage for volunteer
dentists who provide care in free clinics,
like the Tri-County Community Dental
Clinic in Appleton, even if those dentists
have a private-sector malpractice insurance
policy. I informed her I was 100
percent for such legislation.
I was in Madison for a Legislative
Committee meeting on Feb. 18 and went
to the Capitol to visit Rep. Schaber and
had a chance to talk about the legislation
again. We had a very cordial and
enlightening conversation. She ended
our meeting with, “Thanks for stopping,
Jim.” I replied, “See you on Legislative
Day March 25, Penny.”
My goal has again been achieved. I
have made the transition to a new state
legislator and we are now on a first-name
basis.
I think you can see that my concern
and efforts to re-establish a relationship
with a new political member were working;
the transition was indeed smooth.
Relationships with elected officials can
actually happen very naturally.
The people who represent us will not
always agree with us on every issue just
because they know us by our first names,
but the relationships we build do provide
opportunities to educate them on things
that matter most to both our patients and
profession.
Get to know your state legislators
on a first-name basis - regardless of their
party affiliation. This is not a difficult as
it seems and gets easier with time.
The people who represent us
will not always agree with us
on every issue just because they
know us by our first names, but
the relationships we build do provide
opportunities to educate them
on things that matter most to both
our patients and profession.
Then the bubble burst! I found out
early in 2008 that Steve was stepping
down from public office and not seeking
re-election. I was disappointed to say the
least. My initial thoughts were that all
those years of fostering this working relationship
and improving on the two-way
communication involving various issues
were gone.
I soon discovered there were two candidates
for his vacant seat; one from each
party. I didn’t know either one personally
and had no idea who would replace my
friend and political ally.
Early in 2008, I received a phone call
from the Republican candidate for Rep.
Wieckert’s open seat. She was given my
name by Steve as someone in the dental
community she should get to know. She
asked to speak with me and we met at my
office. I felt comfortable with her and felt
I could support her for the position.
A few days later, the Democratic candidate
for the vacant seat called my office,
introduced herself and asked to talk about
dental issues. I met with her, felt comfortable
and also felt I could support her for
the position.
Look for us at BOOTH #505 - 506 at the Jewel of the Great Lakes Wisconsin Dental Meeting!