Summit Purpose

[Wes]

To create a shared vision for opticianry, a practical strategic plan and commitment to action
The purpose of the OSST is to provide structure and organization; clarify and prioritize goals and objectives including manageable and achievable timelines; foster alignment of goal teams; provide guidance and resources; monitor, evaluate and adjust the plan; foster cooperation and cohesiveness among stakeholders; communicate transparently with stakeholders and individual opticians; highlight and promote results that are measurable and meaningful; and hold ourselves and others accountable for progress.

[Wes]

Today's optical industry is on the verge of major changes in healthcare and technology. Future healthcare reform may impact the role of the optician. Exciting new and future instrumentation, lens, and frame technologies will also require opticians to be not only technically savvy, but fashion and sales conscious as well. Since opticians play a major role in helping people look and see their best, it is time to plan for the next decade and create a strategic plan to ensure competent opticians and firmly establish the profession as eyewear and eye care experts and consultants.
Currently, each opticianry organization works to improve the quality of opticians from its own mission and perspective. Sometimes this results in organizations working in different directions and occasionally at cross purposes. When organizations of an industry and their members are not aligned toward a common goal, it can waste time, effort, resources, cause frustration and result in a lack of progress. It doesn't feel good and there is a cost.
In order to truly move the profession of opticianry forward, we need alignment and getting everyone "travelling" in the same direction. This means understanding and meeting the needs of each segment of the industry: associations, societies, retailers and educators alike.
It means being involved in finding common ground and working from there to establish a vision and strategic plan that will benefit professionals and consumers alike. It requires cooperation, coordination and alignment.

Summit Goals:

The Summit is being designed to enable participants to produce:

1. A shared vision of what opticianry should be by 2020 that includes
   
   1. A vision of the optician of the future and the competencies that person will need
   2. A vision for an educational curriculum that prepares today's optician for the demands of tomorrow in order to provide better service to the public
   
   
2. A strategic plan containing
   
   1. Strategic goals and objectives
   2. Implementation steps that are practical and realistic, and with implementation commitments from participants at the Summit
   
   
3. A plan for obtaining the commitment of key stakeholders
4. A process to monitor progress and make needed adjustments
5. A commitment to continued planning and progress in the years to come

[Gleedaniel13]

That is a very nice vision for optical professionals like us. We should have a commitment for this so that this will come true.

[SharonB]

Today's optical industry is on the verge of major changes in healthcare and technology. Future healthcare reform may impact the role of the optician. Exciting new and future instrumentation, lens, and frame technologies will also require opticians to be not only technically savvy, but fashion and sales conscious as well. Since opticians play a major role in helping people look and see their best, it is time to plan for the next decade and create a strategic plan to ensure competent opticians and firmly establish the profession as eyewear and eye care experts and consultants.
Currently, each opticianry organization works to improve the quality of opticians from its own mission and perspective. Sometimes this results in organizations working in different directions and occasionally at cross purposes. When organizations of an industry and their members are not aligned toward a common goal, it can waste time, effort, resources, cause frustration and result in a lack of progress. It doesn't feel good and there is a cost.
In order to truly move the profession of opticianry forward, we need alignment and getting everyone "travelling" in the same direction. This means understanding and meeting the needs of each segment of the industry: associations, societies, retailers and educators alike.
It means being involved in finding common ground and working from there to establish a vision and strategic plan that will benefit professionals and consumers alike. It requires cooperation, coordination and alignment.

Summit Goals:

The Summit is being designed to enable participants to produce:

1. A shared vision of what opticianry should be by 2020 that includes
   
   1. A vision of the optician of the future and the competencies that person will need
   2. A vision for an educational curriculum that prepares today's optician for the demands of tomorrow in order to provide better service to the public
   
   
2. A strategic plan containing
   
   1. Strategic goals and objectives
   2. Implementation steps that are practical and realistic, and with implementation commitments from participants at the Summit
   
   
3. A plan for obtaining the commitment of key stakeholders
4. A process to monitor progress and make needed adjustments
5. A commitment to continued planning and progress in the years to come

So sad that over three months have passed and there is no further action or reports.

[John@OWDC]

Yeah, like nobody saw that coming... White Paper, the ABO, the OAO, the Summit, the NFOS, the NAO...


If any of you younger folks out there who have had NOTHING to do with any of the past failed projects would like to discuss creating real change please contact me.

It may be time to consider an alternative approach based on a new curriculum (based on business over healthcare), a new hands-on instructional method, and a real practical exam with some teeth.

I'm looking for some folks with professional and nearly political aspirations and people who can liaison with labs that have a nationwide presence.

It is time for Optical Dispensing Professional certification.