In the old days, most opticians were part of an Optician Association. In San Diego, we had monthly meetings, annual conventions and it was considered a ‘must’ to be a member of your local society and the Optician Association of America. Today Professional Associations are the most forgotten and misunderstood career, educational and development tools that a professional has.
Benefits of joining a Professional Association
- Adds credibility to your professional status
- Provides additional experience and education
- Provides an extra step over the competition
- Provides specific information on field, future trends
- Networking
- Receive monthly or annual newsletter.
- Support System
- Political clout Which brings me to the Opticians Association of America- who were established in 1926. Their goal is to promote opticianary in America by legislative action, networking, certification, licensing and continuing education. For more information on the Legislative Update
Just in case you are wondering if your state has a local Optician Chapter: see below listings.
Alabama
- Alabama Society of Dispensing Opticians – Patti Hathorn PH: 205-612-3601 alopticians@gmail.com
Alaska
- Opticians Association of Alaska- C/O Golden North Optics Christi Brand PH: (907) 456-4822
Arizona
California
- California Association of Dispensing Opticians- John Gumm jgumm@pacbell.net
Colorado
- Opticians Association of Colorado- Irene Levangle
Connecticut
- Connecticut Opticians Association ctopt@aol.com 860-416-5128 – Rene ‘Skip Rivard
Florida
- Professional Opticians of Florida- Mark Miller 850-201-2622 www.pof.org – email- info@ pof.org Also on Facebook – Spanish for Opticians audio
Georgia
- Opticians Association of Georgia- Tom Schulz oag@oagonline.org PH: 770.248-9955
Illinois
- Opticians Association of Ilinois- Robert Hughbanks- info@illoisopticians.org PH:800.437.4476
Iowa
- Opticians Association of Iowa- Tom Gardner admin@2020visionwear.com
Kansas
- Opticians Association of Kansas- Laura Bilstein laura@ksopticians.org PH:785.379-9872
Kentucky
- The Society of Dispensing Optiicans of Kentucky- Curt Duff PH: 859-0273-2661 curtduff@aol.com
Louisiana
- Louisiana Association of Dispensing Opticians Gaye Wilson gaye.wilson@lado.org PH: 504-838-0312
Maine
Maryland
- Opticians Association of Maryland- Donita A Dietz PH: 410-557-9994 opticianasocmd@aol.com
Massachusetts
- Opticians Association of Massachusetts Blair Wong -opticianMA@aol.com PH:(508)533-1419
Michigan
- Opticians Association of Michigan John Williams PH: 888-297-1668
Mississippi
- Mississippi Association of Dispensing Opticians Julie West-email- jmw1825@aol.com PH: 228-860-1825
Nebraska
- Nebraska Society of Dispensing Opticians – John Liken jliken@cox.net
Nevada
- Nevada Association of Ophthalmic Dispensers – Joshua Wasson
New Hampshire
- New Hampshire Opticians Society- Denyse Blandia PH: 606-626-7414
New Jersey
- Opticians Association of New Jersey – PH;609-695-0030 Peter Goetz petergoetz@oanj.org
New York
- New York State Society of Opticians nysso@caphill.com PH:518-426-0599
North Carolina
- North Carolina Opticians Association – Barbara Fussell
Ohio
- Opticians Association of Ohio info@oao.org 740-452-4541- Mark Bennett mbennett@offinger.com
Oregon
- Opticians Association of Oregon optician@oregonoptician.org 503.263.5060 C. Dave Lien
Rhode Island
- Rhode Island Association of Registered Dispensing Opticians Richard Crute PH: 401-732-1180
South Carolina
- South Carolina Association of Opticians – Dick Davenport jdvc@bellsouth.net PH: 843-722-4416
Tennessee
Texas
- Registered Opticians Association of Texas E-mail- info@roatx.org Sam Johnson- PH: 512.657.2020
- Certified Opticians Association of Texas coatmail@sbcglobal.net Lisa Harmon PH: 713-890-2520
Vermont
- Opticians Association of Vermont – Peter Duff peterduff1@comcast.net
Virginia
- Optician Association of Virginia PH: 866-734-9251 Email- sclayton@vaopticians.org
Washington
- Opticians Association of Washington PH: 509-961-4169 email- dnhatchoaw@yahoo.com
Similar Posts:
- State Optical Associations
- Licensing Boards of Opticianary
- Licensing Boards- Optometry
- Schools For Opticians
- International Optical Professional Associations
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