Communications and the POA

One of the greatest challenges we have as an organization is communication with our members. Pennsylvania is a large state with around 1100 members across multiple generations. Over the years, we have tried various modes of communication. Take the Keystoner as an example; many of you are reading the online version, but some of you are reading the paper version. The fact that you are reading it is fantastic—thank you! In addition to our newsletter, we also have many other sources for you to receive information and updates from us at the POA. Of course, there is our website, www.poaeyes.org. I often use our website to reference many types of information including legislative information and upcoming events. We have many other tried and true forms of communication like our four Board of Directors meetings per year, our annual House of Delegates meeting at our Spring Congress, our local society meetings and more.


On Facebook, we have the official POA page, where announcements come from the staff regarding meetings and more—it’s a great place to find photos from our recent events! “POA ODs on Facebook” is our newest venue of communication, created for POA doctors to discuss things amongst each other. This replaces the older Listserv email chain. All of our members are welcomed and encouraged to join! We also have a Twitter account, www.twitter.com/poaeyes, and Instagram account, www.instagram.com/poaeyes. Additionally, we email our members regularly and, as of 2019, we are proud to have a texting system in place! To receive POA texts, pick up your phone right now and text “POA” to 77222.


As many of you are aware, we have a Communications Committee in our Table of Organization structure. This committee has been a pillar of our organizational structure for decades. Our current Committee is chaired by Dr. Jessica Young. The number one priority of the Committee for the current strategic plan is to more fully utilize technology to strengthen internal and external communication. They have been doing a fantastic job! It was thanks to their hard work and efforts that we now have that texting program. The Communications Committee works closely with many of our other committees to ensure the necessary information is getting out to our members. Great job, Communications Committee!


You may not be aware, but in 2018, we created the Local Society Leadership Committee to enhance the flow of communication between our local societies and our Board of Directors. This active committee is chaired by Dr. David Wagner and made of our local society presidents. They have been doing a great job since they started last year. Often when they meet, they have a representative from another committee sharing information too. This type of cross-communication helps ensure a better understanding of what is happening throughout the POA instead of everyone working in their own ‘silo.’  I was especially impressed with the time and effort this committee put in, along with our Legislative Affairs Committee, to generate interest and attendance for our Lobby Day. Currently, they are working on a statewide rollout for the CVCA, Children’s Vision Care Alliance. For more information on that alliance, visit https://pennsylvania.aoa.org/doctors/poa-member-resources/childrens-vision-care-alliance. Keep up the excellent work, Local Society Leadership Committee!


These two committees, the Communications Committee and the Local Society Leadership Committee, make up the Communications Division within our Table of Organization. Kelsey Rodkey, the staff liaison for this division, has been a valued member of the POA staff for over five years now—thank you, Kelsey! Kelsey is very accessible to our members and is always willing to help out and assist with our Board, committees, and members’ needs. You can reach Kelsey by calling the POA office at (717) 233-6455 or emailing Kelsey@POAeyes.org.


In this editorial, I have referenced our Table of Organization several times. To access it, visit https://pennsylvania.aoa.org/about/poa-committee-and-local-society-structures. I urge you to take a look. The number of member volunteers we have is inspiring! If you are interested in becoming a part of our Table of Organization or in getting involved in a new area, please email me at DrGray@MyCompleteEyecare.com and let me know. I would also be interested in hearing your ideas on communication. How can we improve communication with our members? I really do hope to hear from you.




Lori Gray, O.D.
POA President