National Leadership Positions
AOSA introduces students to organized optometry and provides opportunities to develop leadership skills. The association prepares you to be a future leader - whether you hold positions in the AOA or a state society, your community or in your own optometric practice.
Duties of the Executive Council:
President
The President works with the Executive Council and the Executive Director to advise the Board of Trustees, appoint committee chairpersons and National Liaisons, and facilitate the development of programs to benefit the association and its members. The President represents this organization at affiliated meetings and serves as National Liaison to the National Board of Examiners in Optometry.
Vice President
The Vice President assumes the function of the President in the event of the President's failure or inability to perform the duties of office. The VP communicates directly with committee chairs appointed by the President and is directly responsible for these committees to the President and Council. The VP also serves as Parliamentarian at Board of Trustees' meetings, along with preparing the agenda and arranging for speakers to address the Board of Trustees' Meetings at the Annual Conference and Midyear Planning meeting. The VP calls for reports from the Trustees and Liaisons for the two annual meetings, and serves as the National Liaison to the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry (ARBO).
Secretary
The Secretary is responsible for keeping accurate records of the minutes, voting, and policies of the Board of Trustees and Executive Council. In conjunction with the Executive Director, the Secretary serves as the editor of Foresight, the national optometric student publication. Communication between the Trustees and the Executive Council is maintained by the Secretary. As the chair of the Website Committee, the Secretary is also responsible for maintenance of the website.
Treasurer
The Treasurer's main responsibilities include co-signing all checks, making necessary changes to the budget, coordinating benefit acquisitions, confirming that benefits have been received, and setting up regularly scheduled conference calls. Furthermore, the Treasurer maintains industry relations while trying to secure new benefits and sponsorship. The Treasurer is also the chair of the Benefits Committee and tallies the results of the benefits survey. Finally, the Treasurer serves as chief editor of the annually revised Glossary of Ocular Terminology.
Duties of Trustees
The essence of being a Trustee is to be the link from each of the respective schools to the AOSA on a national level. Trustees are responsible for maintaining student membership and promoting membership after graduation. They speak at first year orientations and inform students about the benefits and importance of getting involved in organized optometry, and especially the AOSA. Trustees also promote Optometry's Meeting, the annual AOSA-AOA joint conferences that are held in various cities across America. They constantly fundraise so their AOSA chapter can sponsor travel grants for their students. Overall, Trustees serve as representatives from each school and act as messengers of current national optometric issues.
What do the Executive Council and Trustees do at the Conference?
At meetings, the Board of Trustees program, plan, and budget for the coming year, make resolutions, amend the Constitution and Bylaws, and determine AOSA national policies. With the help of the AOA Conference Committee and the Student Planning Committee, the Trustees plan events for students during the conferences, including education and leisure activities. Each Trustee serves on a standing committee meant to benefit students, ranging from conducting surveys on useful references for boards preparation and study strategies to updating the AOSA website to better inform students and the public about the AOSA. Representatives from other optometric organizations, such as ARBO, NBEO, and ASCO, speak at the meetings and discuss new projects or programs within their organizations so that students may stay informed of the events happening within the profession.
Elections and Appointments
Elected leaders (the executive council) and appointed leaders will be selected by the 2011-12 board of trustees in January 2012.
Duties of National Liaisons
National Liaisons are appointed by the AOSA President. They serve as a two-way communicator and direct link between the respective allied organization and the AOSA. National Liaisons communicate directly between the organization and the AOSA President. National Liaisons are responsible for developing a working knowledge base of the organization, determining the current issues and goals of the organization and the AOSA for the coming year. They share current issues, goals, a schedule of the organization's meetings, and financial support provided.
How to Apply for National Liaison Position
Only active AOSA predoctoral members may apply. A separate application must be completed for each position you are applying to. We strongly encourage applicants to contact the current leaders to learn more about the position before applying. Please see your AOSA Trustee for application. The application materials for the 2012-13 year must be submitted via e-mail in one file to Marlene Burle at mburle@theaosa.org by January 24, 2012.