Since last April, the committee has been busy reviewing continuing education courses that meet the needs of NYSSO members.  Laura, Tom and myself have made a consorted effort to approve courses that are non-repetitive and offer cutting edge topics in ophthalmic dispensing.  This year the committee has approved 54 courses, with careful attention being given to courses that are business and marketing oriented. About 15% of courses presented were declined due to untimely or repetitive topics.  Five speakers were declined due to lack of experience in the ophthalmic field.  The committee has chosen to be very selective to the courses presented as recommended at the last board of directors meeting. Although extremely time consuming, the committee has chosen quality over quantity.

In total, the education committee has approved 561 courses since 1999.  Since last April’s board meeting, the Society has offered 74 hours of continuing education.  This includes the 70^th anniversary conference program.  Also, I can report that the spring regional symposium at NYC College was a rousing success.  Over 58 members, not including six students, attended to receive 4 continuing Ed credits.  In Spring 2007, the school intends to host a luncheon exposition midway through the program.  Chairman Bob Russo has been the catalyst behind the last two symposiums.  The program has attracted alumni who have been unaware of the Society in the past but have seen the quality of the programs presented.  These symposiums are win-win for the society as well as the school.  ECC has expressed interest in presenting a similar program in the spring. 

In March 2006, Laura initiated a Manhattan dinner seminar, the first in several years.  While attendance was moderate, the food was great and spirits were high.  Attending members asked for more midtown events and asked for flyers to be sent to the businesses as well as members. The committee took note and plans to generate more publicity. 

Optical Schools Liaison

This year proved to be a forward year for school activity with our Society.  Besides the increase in student membership, the students have been excited about participating in NYSSO events. After years with little interest, 5 students submitted papers in the student Research Competition.  The winner was from ECC, with NY Tech students receiving 2^nd and 3^rd places.  Also, at NY Tech, Bob Russo put together a special program at graduation to give out the awards.  This included the scholarship award presented to student Robert McGlynn.  There was no doubt all attending graduates were impressed by the Society’s interest in their ophthalmic careers.  At ECC, Carl Conklin, Art Todoro and Dennis Bunz presented Society awards at the graduation.  Last week, Tom Guthlein presented a scholarship award at Suffolk Community College. Although we have not had feedback from the Interboro program, we continue to work towards keeping them abreast of educational events.

Moreover, the college directors have expressed an interest in meeting with NYSSO leadership to discuss ongoing efforts on visual assessment and other topics.  Also, they would like to attend the board meetings as non-voting members in order to insure their educational goals and NYSSO’s goals are similar. 

Committee Goals

The education committee hopes to continue its goal of approving state-of-the-art courses for its members.  We are working on the possibility of having our courses be ABO/NCLE approved.  Laura has initiated the idea of having a symposium directed towards business owners.  In fact, I am in the process of writing two business management courses expressly for this agenda.  Also, Laura is trying to get our courses approved for ophthalmic assistants (JCAPO).  We are looking towards having our courses approved to meet Florida and New Jersey continuing Ed requirements.  In the coming year, we look forward to working even closer with the school department chairpersons to get them integrated with NYSSO events.  The future of NYSSO is the renewal of student members.  It must be noted, this year the state board has seen a 20% increase in exam candidates.  It is the Society’s responsibility to insure new opticians knows the benefits of belonging to NYSSO.

Respectfully submitted,

Laura Frezza-Chiarello, Chairperson

Tom Guthlein

John DelloRusso