Associate or Affiliate ?

[Sara]

I am being offered membership in one of the ophthalmological association.They have 2 types of membership for me,one is associate & other is affiliate.Problem is I do not know which one should I go for.
Please can someone tell me which type of membership has more professional weight,affiliate or associate ?
Thanks in advance.
Sara

[This message has been edited by Sara (edited 03-13-2001).]

[Steve Machol]

Sara,

I'm sure these terms have different meanings depending on the location. Does your Association provide any definition of these terms?

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OptiBoard Administrator

[Homer]

Sara, Is this a Kenya Based Association?
What is its goal and purpose.
What type of people are in it: manufacturers? distributors? doctors? opticians? other optical workers?

What will you be called when you graduate?
Will you also refract?
Is this a separate optical/opticianry/optometry school or part of the University?

Full of questions but interested.

Kwahari

[Sara]

Jambo Homer
Hello Steve,

I made correction,its an regional ophthalmological association(not optical)sorry about that.
Non-ophthalmologist can chose between associate and affiliate memberships(includes optometrist & opticians).
I will qualify as a Refracting Optician and will probably prescribe & do some minor eye surgeries with little further training.Don't wonder-I am required to do that otherwise thousand of people will go blind from Trachoma,I am in Africa.
I hope you will be able to guide me now on chosing membership.

Hakuna Matata,
Sara

[Homer]

Sara, you must stay up all night. At least your last post was quite late there.

How much Shillingi do they want for each of the classes of membership?

Do they have a description of each of the membership types?

I understand about trachoma - you will be a blessing to many people.

I had a nurse in Malawi who not only assi the Ophthalmologist but actually did some cataract surgeries as well as vision testing, eyeglass dispensing, edging lenses by hand and I taught him the basics of surfacing. African people of all tribes and races are as talented as anywhere but not always given the chance.

Talk to you tomorrow.

salama sana

Richard

[Sara]

Dear Mr.Homer,
yes it was 3.00a.m in morning yesterday.We are 9 people at home which makes impossible for me to get chance earlier.many times when I get up for morning prayers I visit the board.
This ophthalmological association I am talking about has many catagories of memberships.For optometrist opticians it is Associate or affiliate.Associate membership is expensive by few hundred shillings.
Kwaheri,
Sara

benefits are same for these 2 catagories

[This message has been edited by Sara (edited 03-14-2001).]

[Jackie L]

I like "Associate". Affiliate sounds more like business and Associate has a more professional ring to it.

Jackie O

[Homer]

Sara, you sound to me like and associate. "Go for the Gold" as they say. You sound like a winner to me.

How many Shillings, exactly do they want?

[Sara]

Jackie O,
Thank you for directly answering my question.
I will opt for associate membership.
Sara

[Sara]

Dear Mr.Homer,
Jambo & Mambo of today?Hope things are fine with you.
Associate cost 7500/= shillings
Affiliate cost 6000/= shillings

with this price difference I do not understand why benefits are same.

Homer, I want tell you something, Americans are very nice people.Take your example:you travelled thousands of mile leaving comfort of your home and came to help in a third world country like Kenya where you worked in primitive & hazardous conditions exposing yourself to illnesses like typhoid,malaria & other infectious diseases and that too with your family.You trained our people,made them self supporting, gave gift of sight to thousands poor & needy people who would have otherwise never experienced joy of seeing again.You are just one of them.
American have human heart,are generous and always ready to help less fortunates.This are not my views only,but views of majority of kenyan people.
MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA AND ITS PEOPLE,AMEEN.
Sara

[chip anderson]

Sara: If you questions have been answered fully in earlier post my appologies as I have not read them all fully. However, associate membership generally means a lower priced membership that may not have voting or office holding privilidges.

[Homer]

Asante Sana, Sara.

Your words were very kind and generous!
I must say that our family learned much from the Kenyan people. You also have much to teach the world.

May you all be bless in all that you choose to do.

Fundi-Richard