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VISION MATTERS  College of Opticians of British Columbia Election 2010 Newsletter
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August 31, 2010
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In this Issue
The board elections are coming up and by the start of the new year, one registrant from Vancouver Island and one registrant from the Cariboo will become the newest members of the College of Opticians of British Columbia (COBC) Board of Directors.
Consider running for the COBC Board elections!
If you are interested in fulfilling the role of a COBC Board member and would like to put your name forward for election, please click here to download the nomination form. If you have any questions, please contact Connie Chong, Assistant Registrar.
The deadline to submit nominees is September 30, 2010.
Why you should run for the COBC Board elections
- To make a difference through regulating the practice of opticianry ensuring BC opticians help the public achieve better vision.
- New issues are always arising and with your knowledge, ideas and expertise you can help the Board make those important decisions.
- You will become more active and involved in the opticianry community provincially and nationally.
- You will learn about the governance of health professions such as licensure requirements, quality assurance, competency assessment, and legislation.
- It gives you the opportunity to initiate action on opticianry issues you are passionate about.
- You meet other passionate people.
What’s involved with being a COBC Board member?
- Your duty will be to serve and protect the public (a statutory responsibility).
- You will receive a per diem per meeting for your valuable time and your meeting expenses will be covered.
- There are 6 in-person Board meetings each year and attendance is mandatory; they are scheduled on Sundays and last approximately 6 hours. Two weeks prior to the Board Meeting, you will receive a Board Agenda package which is to be read in its entirety. The reading and preparation for discussion before each meeting is appox 4 hours.
- You will serve on approximately two committees (Patient Relations, Discipline, Inquiry, Quality Assurance, Registration, Executive, Nomination). Each Committee generally meet 4 times/year on a weekday evening for approx 2 hours). In addition, each committee varies with the scope of volunteer commitment required to complete committee tasks/projects.
- Potential public outreach and travel.
Current Project Examples
- Regulation Amendments - on May 1, 2010 the Minister of Health, the Honorable Kevin Falcon, signed into force the new Opticians Regulation. Highlights of the amendments included removing most restrictions on who may dispense corrective eyewear and allowing independent sight-testing by opticians. As a result, the COBC will be working on sight testing certification, jurisprudence continuing education, updating the Standards of Practice, public education, and registrant education.
- Public Education & Outreach - a national public awareness and professional identity strategy has been launched to improve the public’s understanding of the profession. This has the goal of helping the public understand the changes to the profession and understand emerging issues relevant to their eye care. If you haven’t already done so check out the website at www.licensedoptician.ca
- National Registration Standardization - the Registration Committee has determined that there are seven steps in the registration process. The Committee and administration have been working with other provinces (Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario) trying to get the seven steps recognized nationally.
Education roundtable to discuss the amendments to the Opticians Regulation
Panel representatives from Opticians of British Columbia, College of Opticians of BC and Industry
(worth 6 EC credits)
Tour destinations & Dates:
Prince George
September 7, 2010
6:30PM - 8:30PM
The Coast Inn of the North
(Gleason Room)
770 Brunswick Street
Victoria
September 12, 2010
1PM - 3PM
Comfort Hotel & Conference Centre
(Topaz Room)
3020 Blanshard Street
Nanaimo
September 12, 2010
6:00PM - 8:00PM
Vancouver Island Conference Centre
(Nanaimo River Room)
101 Gordon Street
Abbotsford
September 15, 2010
6:30PM - 8:30PM
Best Western Regency Inn
32110 Marshall Road
Kamloops
September 21, 2010
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Kamloops Convention Centre
(Mezzanie Room)
1250 Rogers Way
Kelowna
September 22, 2010
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Sandman hotel
(Okanagan Room)
2130 Harvey Avenue
Burnaby
October 17, 2010
Full Day Education Event
Delta Hotel
4331 Dominion Street
(Contact OBC for more details)
A COBC board member will also be present in Prince George, Victoria and Nanaimo to answer your questions about becoming a board member.
To register, contact the OBC by email (kim@opticians.bc.ca) or fax: 604-677-8583
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