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A
Letter from the COA
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Fellow Professional,
Once again, the Board of Directors and I invite you
to rejoin the Invisible Army that monitors, protects and
preserves the privilege of every optician to earn a
living in our state. While it may sometimes seem that
the COA is not always visible to our constituency, we
have not been neglecting our responsibilities. Again
this year, the COA has worked to defend your right to
practice in our state. The Connecticut Opticians
Association is the only professional association which
represents you at the Capital. This is a very critical
point and must be recognized.
The COA is the ONLY association which monitors
legislation and other activity, daily, on both the
national and state levels. This assures your continued
professional status as an optician. Today’s
competitive climate presents new challenges to the COA.
We recognize you have options when choosing where and
from whom you receive your continuing education credits.
As with most things in life, cost is a factor and the
COA recognizes that.
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We are a not-for-profit organization established in 1935.
Connecticut was the first licensed state in the country. The
founders of the Connecticut Opticians Association established
that honor. The objectives of the COA are clearly stated in our
By-Laws:
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A. Promote a broader understanding and acceptance of
professional opticianry as indispensable to the health and
welfare of the general public in Connecticut
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B. Encourage, provide and promote standards of optical
competence, knowledge and performance through the
development of educational programs, training, and
credentialing of optician personnel
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C. Promote advancement of the science and art of
opticianry to provide state-of-the- art eye care to the
public
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D. Promote legal recognition of opticianry within all
state and federal health care programs and insurance
providers for the dispensing of eyewear, contact lenses and
other optical products to the public
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E. Promote and defend the right of every person to have
the freedom of choice in selecting an optician provider for
optical services
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F. Encourage a liaison with the board of examiners for
opticians to promote objective task oriented testing for
entry level knowledge and practical skills assessment.
Income from your dues goes towards promoting our long
established objectives. There is no question, without the COA,
opticianry in Connecticut has no voice. There are other groups
and persons in Connecticut that have attempted to divide our
membership. When considering membership in another group, or
attending seminars offered by our competition, be sure to ask
yourself, Where does that money go? Does it support objectives
which endorse Connecticut opticianry? It is ironic that while
these others groups and individuals attempt to divide the COA,
we continue to support and protect their careers as opticians.
And, if you’ve let your membership lapse, or have never
joined, well, we support and protect you too.
We recognize the expense of COA dues. But ask yourself what
would it cost you if there were significant changes to your
license? Please keep this in mind when you see those competing
CEC classes. No other organization or individual offering CECs
in Connecticut contributes One Cent to support opticians in
Connecticut.
Be proud of your COA membership. When you join or renew your
dues, you demonstrate your respect and commitment to your
career. You become part of the Invisible Army. Be proud of being
a member of an association which has only one agenda: promoting,
protecting educating and evolving opticianry as a profession.
As a democratic body committed to our members, we encourage
you to participate in the ways we serve you; the will of the
members is the will of the board. Become a part of the process,
attend meetings and consider a position on our Board of
Directors. Connecticut opticians must be unified. Don’t ignore
your responsibilities to your profession. Renew your dues, or
join as a new member.
Support the only association in Connecticut which supports
you, no matter who you are, or where you practice.
Yours in Opticianry,
Karl A. Meyer
President
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