Optical Prism May 2016 | Page 8

Vision & Voice Associations like Ontario Opticians Association are vital to retaining and growing the profession of Opticianry. Associations not only assist us in regulating the industry, they keep government healthcare updated on the advances in eyecare and eyewear to ensure we continue to drive provincial guidelines that keep our profession thriving and avoid deregulation. Trudi Charest, Co-Founder 4ECPs Let me start with a bit of science. The well being of a neuron has been linked to its ability to communicate and connect with other neurons. Those that are unable to do this effectively (atrophy) are unable to function and the neuron will die. Opticians are independent professionals, often working in their own business. But no one who is successful is ever self made. Being a member of a professional association brings the opportunity for community and connections. A place to go to keep updated, gain new knowledge, to find support and to give back to the next generation. The OOA is your professional family. Gayle Harrison, RO Eyes On Richmond 08 Optical Prism | May 2016 WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR OPTICIANS TO PARTNER WITH ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE ONTARIO OPTICANS ASSOCIATION? Digital ECP Inc. is proud to support the OOA. The event provides us with the opportunity to showcase our services to Opticians and our peers and the networking is invaluable! Thanks for hosting such a great event. Karen Ouellette and Grant Larsen www.digitalecp.com I feel that the Ontario Opticians Association relevance is providing the link between stakeholders and members. The OOA presents opportunities for stakeholders to communicate with opticians. There is also an equal opportunity for opticians to communicate with stakeholders. This is accomplished through the OOA newsletter, website, and timely email communications. The OOA also offers opportunities for face-to-face encounters with opticians at our education seminars and trade shows including Inside Optics, Canada’s largest opticians event. The OOA also represents opticians to the College of Opticians and the Ministry of Health. Without the OOA opticians in Ontario would not have a collective voice. Lorne Kashin, RO The Eyeglass Factory