I would like to write this month about giving back. I'm
not talking about putting a few coins into the red kettle,
which, by the way, is not such a bad thing. What I'm getting
at is, what have YOU done to improve the optical profession.
This subject was spurred on by a letter that I received a
few months back that I have been waiting for the right time
to include in my column. With the New Years just around the
corner, it might be time for us all to make a few optical
resolutions.
Hello Fellow Opticians,
For the past few months I have been reading comments or
shall I say put downs to our fellow optician. Well here is
my two cents worth. I want to speak of passion, yes passion.
Instead of having such a negative approach to the comments
of Mr. King, we should be using our passion for the industry
in a more productive manner. We know everyone is so proud of
their ABO and their NCLE and we make sure we let everyone
know just who we are and what we know. Let me ask you this.
So what have you done with it? How many of you have
contacted your state board when you know a company is
allowing unlicensed opticians dispense glasses and or
contacts.
How many of you stand up for your profession when the
industry is reducing the pay by lower the amount of
education and or experience needed to obtain a license? With
the larger chains monopolizing the industry, the things that
you are forced to do to the patients just to help the bottom
line or to keep your job is just appalling. Passion is what
more opticians need, passion for the trade, passion for our
patients. Opticians need to stand together and to be there
for one another. Share what you know with each other and be
proud to do so. We don't need the negative. If you know
something, well then, share the secret. Don't keep it to
yourself. Upcoming Opticians can benefit greatly from your
knowledge. All of you Opticians that have been around for
the past 25 – 30 years have seen a lot of changes and in
the next 20 years their will be a lot more changes to come.
Don't let our industry be torn apart by people or by
companies that really don't care about it. Stand up and make
a difference. Make a point to do something positive. Don't
waste time on silly things, like being so negative. Get out
their and make the profession shine. We only have ourselves
to blame that if in 20 years the average wage of an optician
is minimum wage and we no longer need a license to dispense
glasses or contacts. Let us all make the changes necessary
to start our profession moving in a positive direction.
Name and address with held by request.
After reading this letter, I felt as though I had to
examine my own optical career. What have I done to improve
the optical world in which we live and work? My response is
not enough. I have never taken an active role in my state
Optician association (OAO), nor have I been involved with
the national (OAA). I - like most of you - work long and
hard for what money I make and cringe at the thought of
"giving" away my hard earned money. Prior to
receiving the above letter, I was contacted by Pat Kuhl,
membership director for OAO. She asked why I wasn't a
member. My response to her was very "Ask the King"
like. I was a smart ass, plain and simple. "The OAO has
never done anything but take dues from its members; all they
want is my money. What have they done for me?" Pat
smiled and just reminded me the OAO is not "THEY"
but "US."
Then she asked, "So, what have you done for OAO?"
Nothing, not one damn thing, was the only response I could
muster. OK, so I joined and attended my first division
meeting, where I had the opportunity to meet Tom Hicks,
President of Opticians Association of America. We had a
conversation about my meeting with Pat. As the new
President, he would like to see an increase not only in
membership but also for members to take a more active role
in the organization, and take "ownership" as Tom
puts it. I have given my word to both Pat and Tom that I
will take an active roll in the state and national
organizations. I will do my best to support Opticianry and
help out where I can. Now that my pledge is in print, what
are you planning on doing? How will you give back? It does
not have to be anything formal, it could be as simple as
taking the time to show a young Optician a different
technique on adjusting a frame. If you would like to know
more about the OAA or your state organization feel free to
drop me a line and I will put you in contact with the people
who can answer your questions. Thanks as always for reading
and remember to take care of your patients and send the
customers to the other guys.
