The Year in Review

            In the spring of 2005, 14 members of NYSSO sat down to discuss what is happening with our organization, and from this meeting the germination of an idea of another independent group of Opticians was formed.  We met several times during the spring of that year to formulate the structure of the new group, to be called the Opticians Alliance of New York Inc.   When we met that last time in July of 2005 the initial group had fallen to 8 members and these 8 members now comprise the executive board of the Opticians Alliance of New York Inc. 

           We formally incorporated in the month of August 2005, and received approval for a non-profit corporation late that month as well as were approved by the State Education Dept as an entity that is geared to the education of Opticianry.  We contacted several organizations around the state to be sponsors of our continuing education, until we receive our own certification.  We chose PD Ophthalmic Group of New York to be our sponsor.  We thank Dave Zaccaria and his group for their continuing support of our educational goals

         That brings us to October and our first meeting of the year and what a meeting is was.   With Maui Jim sponsoring and Chet Smith lecturing it was a resounding success as well as brought in over 10 new members at this time.  Well the year progressed and we had sponsors such as Younger Optics, Varilux, Barry Optical Labs, Hirsch Optical Labs, Balester Optical Labs and Hoya Vision.  We thank all our sponsors and for their continued support and give mention to those who made it happen, Jim Reavey, Ken Mittel, Vicky Masliah, Donna Heyer, Dave Eichelberger, Phyllis Rakow, Chet Smith, Clay Musslewhite, Sheila Gausek and to those who worked behind the scenes to make this all happen.

          Along with all of this we also had Dr. Joseph Bacotti, and Dr. Alexander Hatsis at our meetings to give lectures on various medical optical problems, and those meetings met with a renewed interest in our profession, which we shall carry  into our next year.  We also had some business and insurance discussions prior to our continuing education meeting and we shall also continue with this in the up coming year. 

            First time happenings for the Alliance this year was the participation of the Alliance at Vision Expo East 2006, which was a resounding success, and we have space allotted to us for Vision Expo East 2007 which will be held next year.  We joined the Children’s Vision Coalition and the Eye Bank, which is associated with Lions Club International.  Thanks to Donna Heyer from Essilor we also joined VOSH which is an organization that sends Doctors and optical personnel to foreign countries to bring vision care to people who would other wise never receive it.   You will be hearing more of these organizations as the year progresses. 

             Along the way we had members join us from the Lower Hudson Valley and we hope to see our membership grow from that region as we are planning to have continuing education in that region as soon as feasibly possible.

             So where are we now?  Well we are at 115 members strong and growing and we are planning a very active and lively year for all our members.  We already have booked 8 out of the 10 months of sponsors and we are working on the speakers for these meetings and hope to have some announcements by our first meeting as to who they are.

             Our Charter Certificates’ will be out in the mail shortly as well as door emblems so look for them soon. 

             On behalf of the Executive Board and all the members we wish you a happy and healthy summer and look forward to seeing all of you at our September Meeting.

 Andrew M Cullen, ABO, FNAO, FAAO

 Executive Secretary

If you have any questions about this site, or you wish to contact us, email at optici@opticiansallianceofnewyork.org

This site was last updated on 12/11/2008 08:48:13 PM