Friday, June 22, 2012

Democracy in Action


As promised, the POA 2012 Spring Congress was an exciting and fulfilling endeavor. The weather was great, the venue was awesome, the activities were fun and the education was top notch. Thank you to everyone who attended – I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Of course the most important component was the House of Delegates meeting on Saturday, May 19. All but one local society was represented. It was very rewarding to see that most societies had more than one representative present. As previously communicated, the House of Delegates is the ruling body of the POA. The By-Laws state: “The House of Delegates shall establish, by resolution, the policies of the Association.” A presentation regarding the voting policy of the POA was previously presented at the 2011 House of Delegates and is available at www.poaeyes.org in “About the POA.”

During this year’s House of Delegates, the officers for 2013 were elected. Congratulations to President Dr. Robert Owens (Lancaster), President-Elect Dr. Marianne Boltz (Central), Secretary/Treasurer Dr. Steve Eiss (Bucks Montgomery), and trustees Dr. Richard Christoph (Berks), Dr. Mark Margolies (Philadelphia), Dr. Rebecca Wincek-Bateson (Southwestern) and Dr. Lori Gray (Bucks Montgomery). Remember these people give their time, dedication and devotion to our profession. I am sure an occasional small word of thanks would be appreciated by them.

The budget for 2013 was presented, discussed and passed. Secretary/Treasurer Dr. Rich Christoph gave a thorough financial update. A $20 dues increase was passed. The POA Board and staff are committed to preserving the financial health of our organization.

Updates on critical issues were given, including legislative affairs, healthcare reform implementation, pediatric vision and the diabetes initiave. On June 7, 2008, in Pittsburgh, the POA House of Delegates passed 2008 Resolution A-1, which resulted in the formation of the Pennsylvania Diabetic Eye Health Alliance (PDEHA). Dr. Lori Gray, chair of the Diabetes Task Force, presented the current status of PDEHA and the plans for the future. A sign of democracy in action – the directive was given and the POA volunteer leaders followed the directive.

Dr. Hilary Hawthorne of California is the AOA liaison to Pennsylvania for the 2011-2012 term. Upon my request, Dr. Hawthorne, presented an update on the State of the AOA, including a discussion of the 2012 proposed By-Laws changes. Dr. David Cockrell, secretary/treasurer of the AOA, states that the primary objective of these changes is to “facilitate membership growth for the long-term health of the AOA and the affiliates.” (Check the AOA website for further information on these proposals). Heated discussion on these proposals arose during our (POA) House of Delegates. The result was a motion, which was passed, directing me, as Pennsylvania’s representative to the AOA, to oppose items H, L, and J in their current form. These items involve changes in the requirements for life membership; the introduction of $35 dues for students; and a change in the ascending dues schedule for recent graduates. I was also asked to vocalize my plan to discuss all possible resolutions with the Pennsylvania delegation attending Optometry’s Meeting in Chicago, June 27-July 1.

Since this is the first time in recent history our House of Delegates has directed a president how to vote on issues at the AOA level, I have mixed emotions. I applaud the POA House of Delegates for discussing the issues and letting your opinions be known. As presented last year, the only “power” I have is the power bestowed upon me by the House of Delegates. Each individual member has the opportunity to voice his or her opinion at their local society. The presidents of each local society represent each member at the POA House of Delegates and then I, as president, represent you at the AOA level. I have vowed to represent the members of the POA to the best of my ability and do what is best for the members and for the profession. Let me assure you I have no personal or hidden agenda. Hopefully, all the members of the Pennsylvania delegation can state the same. So be assured that I will be well-informed regarding the issues; I will listen to all the information presented during the AOA House of Delegates by the AOA and the other states; I will caucus with the delegates from Pennsylvania; I will review the discussions at the POA House of Delegates; and I and your other elected officials will vote for what is best for the optometrists of Pennsylvania. That is and will be democracy in action!!!










Donna M. Buraczewski, O.D.
President
Pennsylvania Optometric Association
http://www.poaeyes.org/