Roots began at roughly the same time as the Internet was demonstrating a different educational model than the traditional one-to-many process. The Internet is a many-to-many process where interactivity is the defining paradigm. Its mission statement was best exemplified by a quote provided by Steve Jones, one of the seminal industry supporters; “a rising tide raises all ships”. It was Sybron Endo that truly made ROOTS happen and Bob Gannon that saw to it. From its inception, Roots has always provided the tools to enable the members to voice their interests, their perspective and their concerns, regardless of geographic boundaries, educational background, titles or affiliations and to speak in a common language – endodontics, and now implantology. The members were encouraged to foster creativity and share and care with others, to provide original content and identify with being a ROOTER. This came to exemplify the highest standards of excellence, to propose vistas and horizons that were easily achieved as the forum had no political, institutional or academic affiliation and the only regulatory oversight was the ability to effect positive change. The acceptance that allowing for mistakes is the most effective mechanism to ensure optimizing success, that a crucible need not be concerned with pleasing the many, rather it should challenge and take risks to find the “next best thing” has hallmarked all the ROOTS initiatives with industry, with academia and with technology.The ROOTS community is connected 24/7/365. The relationships members have with each other and the forum don't end online. They communicate through multiple channels and wield tremendous influence over other members (friends) within and without the community. The daily interchanges have built trust and create a deeper connection between the members and fostered, new educators, new presenters and higher standards of innovation and patient care. ROOTS SUMMIT IX in Barcelona, Spain is a return to the ROOTS of old. The members are responsible for the event and the industry are guests who can use their resources to support the logistics. Our Spanish ROOTERS are the hosts, the scientific program coordinators and most importantly, they are infused with the pride of country and involvement in a global forum that has changed their professional lives. They are exemplifying sharing and caring. June 3rd, 4th, 5th 2010 is a rebirth of ROOTS, a chance to truly demonstrate that all one requires is a degree of passion and commitment, a sense of community and family, and a recognition that our time on this planet is short and if the intent is ethical, moral and expansive, there can be no objection to “painting outside the lines”. Visit www.rootssummit2010.com encourage your friends to do the same, encourage your industry representative to do the same and share the site with their client base, make it your home page, Twitter it, blog it and societally communitize it everywhere..........the Internet has come a long way in the past 11 years since ROOTS creation, and ROOTS has matched it’s evolution step by step. Enable it to continue to do so by your attendance. With the utmost respect and belief in the potential of community
Ken Serota
Spain: Nuria Campo : camponuria@gmail.com |
