Who is the Pennsylvania Optometric Association? We are a group of optometrists representing and protecting the interests of our profession for our members in Pennsylvania. We are a member-run organization supported by a staff and executive director in our office in Harrisburg. Our Board of Directors is elected by the membership and is responsible for providing leadership to the many committees that make up the POA and for making the decisions necessary to protect and promote our profession in Pennsylvania
The POA welcomes all optometrists in the state to belong to our association. All modes of optometric practice are welcome and represented in the POA. You are reading this editorial because you are member of the POA. Imagine what we could accomplish if every optometrist in Pennsylvania was a member. Imagine what we could accomplish if every member was actively involved in the POA.
The many committees within the POA are staffed by volunteer optometrists who contribute their time and skills to support their profession. Many members, who cannot dedicate time, provide support through POPAC donations and/or act as keypersons with their legislators. Many are available as individuals who are called upon for specific issues that the POA must address.
We need strength in numbers and involvement by members, especially in these unprecedented times. Please consider getting involved and encourage your non-member peers to join us. Call the POA office and speak to our executive director, Joe Ricci, Esq., to discuss a committee you would like to participate in or a skillset you have that could benefit our efforts. We need members from all demographics to help address the needs of all optometrists in Pennsylvania.
As POA president, I’ve experienced more firsts than I ever imagined. On July 18th, we held the first POA Board of Directors meeting via Zoom. Every effort to replicate a face-to-face meeting was taken and I feel the meeting went well. The Board, local society presidents (or their representatives), POA staff, our executive director, our lobbyists, and our POA attorney were in attendance. At every Board meeting, the actions that the Board has taken since the last official Board meeting are voted on. Each Board member is a DEO (division executive officer) of one or more committees within the POA and is responsible for delivering a written report prior to the meeting for distribution to all parties in attendance. At the meeting, Board members present a verbal report highlighting each committee’s activities and questions from those in attendance are answered. Local society presidents are expected to relay the information in these reports to their respective membership so that our members are well informed. Copies of these reports are available through the POA office by emailing Ilene@poaeyes.org.
Another first during my presidency will be a Virtual House of Delegates this fall. The Board rescheduled this event from our cancelled Spring Congress to the Fall Educational Conference at Seven Springs this fall. We recently were informed that Seven Springs will be unable to host our event due to COVID-19 limitations imposed on them with regard to group size. The House of Delegates can be attended by any member and I encourage you to join albeit virtually. Information with regard to date and time will be forthcoming.
The continuing education that was scheduled at Seven Springs will now be available via webinars. The schedule and registration are located on the POA website. If you still need the required Act 31 credits, this webinar is being held on September 13th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Stay well and stay safe! Stay informed. Things are constantly changing both locally and nationally. Get involved if you can. Help the POA and AOA protect your profession. If this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that we need to be prepared for unexpected threats to our profession and livelihood.
Sincerely,
David Evans, O.D.
