General Concepts of a Tucker Study Club
By
Dr. R.V. Tucker, Sr.
September 28, 1993

1. Usually 12 members is an ideal number so the mentor has time for each member without too much waste of time. Also with 12 members, the cost per member is hopefully kept low.



2. The mentor must be well versed in Tucker technique with many years of experience as a member of one of the study clubs. He (or she) must also be a refined operator him or herself.



3. Although the mentor's opinion is often sought because of experience, it is not the mentor's position to set policy for the Study Club.



4. The study club members choose the name for their own group, set their own meeting times and determine where the operations are to be held; as well as the dinners.



5. The members choose their president and secretary who is also the treasurer. Each year the secretary moves to position of president and a new secretary is elected.



6. The members set their own dues schedule with consideration for the secretary-perhaps with dues paid once or twice each year.



7. The dues should cover the cost of the mentor's honorarium and travel expense if applicable, rental cost of clinic space, and dinners when the club meets. Perhaps there would be small expenses e.g. postage and stationery, etc.



8. Ideal meeting format is clinical operations during afternoon, e.g. 1:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. Business meeting, critique and dinner usually to be adjourned by 8:30 P.M. If possible, all members should participate in the clinic.



9. If the clinic facility will not accommodate all members operating, perhaps three members could be reporters to discuss the cases prior to the mentor's report.



10. Meetings should be held 9 months of the year, with the May meeting usually being the final meeting until autumn.



11. If the study club is too distant from the mentor, an alternate format would be three-day meetings, twice each year.



12. Each year some type of social meeting should be held, usually during the evening following operations, e.g. President's dinner with spouses in attendance or other type of outing as the group may decide.



13. Members own the study club and all decisions regarding the club are theirs.



14. The Academy of R.V. Tucker Study Clubs is an organization composed of the members of all the recognized study clubs.



15. The Board of Trustees of the Academy is the governing body, consisting of two members from each study club.



16. The Trustees elect a president, president-elect, secretary, and treasurer each year. They meet at least annually; conduct the business of the Academy which in general is that which fosters the welfare of the study clubs.



17. The Board of Trustees serves to accredit the study clubs and ultimately determines which do or do not maintain a standard to qualify for membership.



18. The Academy meets annually, usually a two- or three-day meeting; including both clinical operations and a half-day lecture by a chosen essayist. Spouses are invited to attend.



19. The Annual Meeting is hosted by one of the study clubs approved by the Board of Trustees, usually three years in advance.



20. The Executive Committee which consists of the elected officers of the Academy conduct the business of the Academy on an interim basis; their decisions may be approved or disapproved at the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees.



21. If needed, Dr. Tucker or the Executive Council may suggest new mentors. Ultimately a mentor must meet approval by the Board of Trustees, if the study club is to be part of the Academy. It must be noted however, that in reality it is the study club that has the choice of who will serve as its mentor.



22. The Academy is designed to serve the study club members who share a common bond, which is a special dedication to perfection in dentistry.