I have copied some of theses posts over here from the thread General Discussion Forum > OD's getting it from all sides because folks made some good points about how formal education and better organization might secure the future of Opticianry.
Often, when we talk about what steps must be taken to organize Opticianry we, myself included, speak from a "If I were President" viewpoint. While this often brings about some interesting ideas, the threads often end up looking more like "Wish Lists" more than they do "To Do" lists. Wishing for things seems to only work in storybooks.
If we thought not as potential board members or optical politicians would our goals be more realistic? What things do we need or what levels of professionalism must we achieve to feel more secure on a day to day basis as opticians in the field?
What do we want...?
... more respect in general?
... recognition as health care providers by insurance companies?
... recognition by our local and national governments?
... market share as optical hardware providers to consumers?
... better pay scales?
What steps can we take to achieve our realistic wants and needs as a profession? Are we ready to allow all opticians to be on equal playing fields and to defend other opticians even if they aren't in our own categories of optical establishments? Are we ready to overcome our fear of turning to higher learning institutions to gain our credability as educated professionals? Are we ready to ally with other O's who support us and go against those that don't?
This all may have to start on local levels and it may be tough.
Anyone have any ideas on what we want or need and where to start getting it?
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