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IMPORTANT FINAL NOTICE !
To whom it may concern in the (retail)
optical administration/management community:
This is a reminder there are ten (10) days
left for Georgia optical apprentices/trainees to register with the
Georgia State Board of Dispensing Opticians under the "grandfather" or
grace period provided for in HB-241. This bill was signed into law by
Gov. Sonny Perdue on 5 May 2K8. Please refer to the attachment.
This public service announcement is being
provided as a professional courtesy by the OAG (Opticians Assoc, of
Georgia).
Thomas Blair, Jr., LDO, ABOM
President, OAG
770 348-9955 (vm)
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OAG Staff With Governor Sonny Perdue
(Click Image for Printable Photo.)
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 The
Association's Mission:
The Opticians Association Of Georgia is a professional association that
represents opticians and contact lens technicians throughout the state.
The Association's primary mission is to maintain high standards of practice
within the profession to protect the health and welfare of the public.
The Association seeks to accomplish its mission by protecting and expanding
the ability of its members to compete in the prescription eyewear
marketplace.
Strength In
Unity:
In today's complex legislative and regulatory climate, professional
occupations have learned that their survival often depends on collective
action and unity of purpose. The Association speaks for Georgia
opticians and contact lens technicians with a single voice. The
membership and participation of all opticians provide the Association with a
voice that is strong enough to command respect in the halls of government.
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Watchdog In
The Capital:
One of the duties of the Opticians Association Of Georgia is to keep a
watchful eye on legislation that could effect the future of the opticianry
profession.
Information
Services:
The Association serves as a clearinghouse of information on a broad range
of subjects: legislative and regulatory issues, technical developments
within the industry, upcoming meetings and conferences, publications of
special interest to opticians and contact lens technicians, and the
activities of local sections. The Association's newsletter is
distributed free of charge to members in good standing.
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Message From The Message From The President...
A New Message From Our President, Thomas Blair,
Jr., LDO, ABOM, June 2K8
President’s Message:
The Case for Raising the Bar
As most of the OAG nation
knows by now Georgia House Bill 241 the optician apprentice/trainee MBE (minimum
basic education) and registration bill was signed into law on 5 May 2K8 by
Governor Sonny Perdue. This bill which was nearly unanimous (there was only 1
dissenting vote each in both chambers of the General Assembly of 215 total votes
cast) in its support by a bi-partisan conservative legislature underscores and
punctuates the merit of this OAG sponsored initiative. As a result of this hard
fought victory for Georgia optician apprentice/trainee educational progress, OAG
has received well deserved acclaim and congratulations nationally from
throughout the organized profession. At the same time, recognizing that dissent
is the purest form of democracy, a faint undercurrent of resentment resonates as
to why this was necessary. As with most things where you stand on an issue
depends on where you sit. Accordingly, where OAG officially sat on this issue of
apprentice/trainee training and development, was based on official documented
information from the state of Georgia that revealed a dismal pass-fail rate on
state board licensure issuance. The failure rate for apprentice/trainees was
approximately 70% over a 10 year period roughly between 1995-2005. This data
conclusively indicated the current apprentice/trainee system was inadequate,
substandard, and a total disservice to the hundreds of earnest hardworking
trainees who sought to use the apprentice/trainee method as a vehicle to
licensure. It is estimated approximately 80 – 85% of Georgia opticians choose
the apprentice/trainee route to licensure. Therefore, as stewards of the
professional interests of the state’s opticians, it is the OAG’s fiduciary
responsibility to promote and advance the best interests of the profession. This
responsibility clearly and unequivocally includes concerns for the education,
training, and development of future licensed opticians. A careful and deliberate
review by well educated and credentialed optical professionals revealed serious
systemic flaws in the current system that needed to be reformed. What was
concluded, was that there was a need to set in place a more comprehensive and
structured i.e., MBE approach to apprentice/trainee training. By outlining
training criteria and objectives to properly motivated trainees, as precisely as
possible at the commencement of training, it is rightly anticipated there will
be the expectation of seeing the license issuance rates increase over time to
the benefit of the apprentice/trainee, the profession and the public as well.
Whether you agree or
disagree on this issue, respect the fact many people of professional goodwill
and concern invested countless hours and effort over many years to address this
issue. Ultimately, and wisely the Georgia legislature agreed.
Cordially,
Thomas Blair, Jr., LDO,
ABOM
President, OAG
770 348-9955 (vm)
Tblair3@bellsouth.net
June 2K8
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House
Bill #241, Click For PDF