pride power progress
January 2019
|
|
A Message from Bob Reynolds, President, OAA
|
|
"As my first year as President comes to a close, I must say, it has been a blur. Our committees have been very active on their assigned tasks and have done some amazing work.
|
|
|
Branding and Marketing is continually pushing us all forward, and we've been expanding our social media footprint as well, thanks to our student board member, Moses Nawlo! (Next he has to teach me how to use all of this stuff.)
Our Membership Committee has been working to bolster membership in all categories, and as a result, we are happy to welcome
NYSSO
as our newest member state society.
As we've entered
2019
, I'm happy to tell you that, in addition to continuing the strong work already underway, we poised to add even more initiatives. And as always, we are on the front lines where opticianry is challenged legislatively, fighting with regard to current issues and ready for those that are surely on the horizon.
We also will be rolling out a new program, currently in development, at the Leadership Conference. Can’t say much about it yet, but it is designed to put all opticians on a more level playing field across the country and to help the public better understand who opticians are and what we do.
Stay tuned. Big things are coming!"
|
|
"Students and Apprentices to Leadership"
Grant Recipients
The Opticians Association of America (OAA) is pleased to announce the final list of students and apprentices who have been chosen from among more than 60 applicants to receive financial assistance to attend the 2019
OAA State Leadership Conference
in Memphis, Tennessee:
Lisa Sui (California)
Megan Tyler (Connecticut)
Stacey Evans (Connecticut)
Minerva Maldonado (Connecticut)
Beatriz Grover (Florida)
Sarah Adair Hanson (Florida)
Niasha Roberts (Florida)
Matthew B Roach (Georgia)
Tyjia Sherman (Georgia)
Patricia A McIntire (Massachusetts)
Evan Wong (Massachusetts)
Kristina Luka (Michigan)
Iryna Baran (New Jersey)
Caroline Jung (New Jersey)
Erica Gentile (New York)
Maria Zaras (New York)
Katie Kaminski (New York)
Angelique Richardson (Ohio)
Stephanie Hood (Tennessee)
Hannah McDaniel (Tennessee)
Ali Ajmal (Texas)
Thank you to our diamond partner HOYA, and to the ABO-NCLE, for sponsoring this essential program of leadership development. And another big congratulations to this year's winners and opticianry's future leaders!
|
|
"My experience at Leadership was something that I will never forget. This conference really helped me to understand how important it is to love the career you choose for yourself. The 2019 conference will be my third consecutive year attending leadership, and I plan on attending leadership in the many years to come."
~ Katie Kaminski
|
|
"
Keys to Advancing Yourself Professionally
with Non-Traditional Methods"
"Keys to Building Your Private Practice "
"Keys to Mentoring New Opticians”
"Keys To Moving Up In Education"
and more
Leadership Presentations
National Association Updates
Networking Receptions
Leadership Opportunities
|
|
"What I love the most is getting to meet with new people from around the country that share the same passion about opticianry as I do. It is inspirational and motivating to learn the way others in the profession handle obstacles that we each face. Not only do you get to have some fun, but you are also getting tips for your everyday needs and making lifelong friends in the process.
"
Bryan Lemons. LDO Tennessee
Former Student Leadership Recipient
|
|
Why Does A State Become A Member Of OAA?
"The Professional Opticians of Florida was established in 1982 and has been associated with the Opticians Association of America (OAA) for many years. During this time, our members have had the opportunity to attend leadership conferences and various meetings that have helped them with management skills and leadership training. At these conferences, we have been able to share ideas and have problem-solving discussions.
As national issues affecting opticians have arisen, it has been beneficial to have a collective and unified voice that can speak to these issues. We are proud to be members of OAA and look forward to a strong relationship in the future."
Dee Pace, Professional Opticians of Florid
a
~~
"The OAA has been, and continues to be an invaluable resource, particularly for opticians in Ohio. During recent legislative challenges, the OAA came to our aid not only with financial resources, but also with legal, data research, and moral support. We have, and continue to face constant challenges to our profession, and the OAA has stood shoulder to shoulder with us, every step of the way. I do not want to think of where we would be without our partnership with the OAA.
For those new to the profession of opticianry, the OAA provides strong mentors, the examples of dedicated leaders, and the ability to network with pioneers of the field. From printed and online educational materials, to the scholarships offered to students for the OAA annual Sate Leadership Conference, OAA continues to lead, build, and inspire the future opticians of Ohio and across the country".
John Burning President, Opticians Association of Ohio
|
|
The Opticians Association of America continues to make great strides in our branding efforts, helping both the optical industry and the general public understand the
importance of opticianry
.
In 2018, OAA introduced our new website (
www.oaa.org
), which includes an
entire section
devoted to branding the American Optician. Within this section of our website, you will find insider news on
how to better brand opticianry
;
multiple branding and promotional video
s; and the American Optician
Logo ("Helping America See") in formats for use with your website
,
promotional items
, and
even embroidery items
. Everything on the website is yours to use for
free
. Take pride in your profession and share the vital role opticians play in the eyecare process.
|
|
2019 Contact Lens Survey
In an effort to better understand our members and their dispensaries, the OAA would appreciate you participating in a short 10-question survey. It will take less than one minute to complete and will help our planning for 2019 immensely. Thank you for your help!
|
|
Coming Up!
January
SAT. 26 - SUN. 26
February
THU. 14 — SAT. 16
WED. 20 — SUN. 24
SAT.23 - SUN. 24
March
SAT.9 - SUN. 10
THU.21 - SUN. 24
|
|
Staying Informed: Not as Easy as it Seems
By
Johnna Dukes, ABOC
Do you ever feel like you’re stranded on an island in the middle of the sea when it comes to your every day work? Do you feel like you’re connected to the rest of the opticianry world on a day-to-day basis? Do you feel like you’re informed constantly about what is going on nationally when it comes to opticianry? Yeah, me neither. But, dear opticianry friends, there’s hope...
[
continue reading
]
|
|
Mark Your Calendars
February 14-16, 2019
Memphis, Tennessee
March 21-24, 2019
New York, NY
|
|
Meet Our Newest Partners!
T
he Opticians Association of America would like to introduce you to our newest partners. Simply put, the OAA would not be able to accomplish all the great things we have done, or that we have planned for 2019, without the support of our valued partners
.
Please remember to support the companies that support
you
, the American Optician.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
