AOP opens nominations for 15 Council positions

Practitioners and students who are passionate about shaping the future of optics are being invited by the Association of Optometrists to put themselves forward to become AOP Council representatives, with nominations opening on Monday 26 February.

AOP Councillors ensure that views from around the UK and within the profession are represented in the AOP’s policy-making. The Association is encouraging members from across its membership to put themselves forward before the nomination period closes on 19 March.

Susan Bowers, AOP Councillor for the West Midlands, said that it was important for colleagues to consider nominating themselves. “It’s vital that the next generation come forward and take optometry into the future” she explained.

Alongside the 12 elected geographical posts being contested in 2018, three designated positions representing undergraduate students, pre-registration optometrists and newly-qualified optometrists are also open for application.

Speaking about his role, AOP Councillor for the East Midlands, Bhavik Parmar, said that holding the position was extremely rewarding, adding: “I would encourage optometrists from all backgrounds and experience to stand.”

Encouraging AOP members to apply, Henrietta Alderman, AOP Chief Executive, said: “In 2018 and 2019 the AOP Council will discuss some of the key challenges and opportunities facing optics, including the GOC’s education strategic review, and potential changes to the regulation of the profession. It’s a really interesting time to be involved.

“If you think you can represent your peers and want to help steer the profession, please consider putting yourself forward to be an elected or designated representative.”  

Voting for elected positions will be open from 3-23 April, with all qualified AOP members eligible to vote. Designated positions will be chosen by the AOP Appointments Committee. The results will be announced in May.

For more information, including the role of Councillors, the election timeline and a video of why being an AOP Councillor is rewarding work, visit the AOP website, www.aop.org.uk/elections

Ends

For more information, please contact Emily Campbell, PR and Marketing Officer, at the Association of Optometrists, [email protected] or telephone 020 7549 2040.

For High Resolution images please visit this Dropbox folder.

Notes to Editors

Association of Optometrists

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is the leading representative membership organisation for optometrists in the UK. We support over 80% of practising optometrists, to fulfil their professional roles to protect the nation’s eye health. As a founding member of the Optical Confederation we work with others to improve eye health for the public good. For more information, visit www.aop.org.uk

Optometry Today

Optometry Today (OT) has a readership of 15,000 members and subscribers. OT was named as the ‘Best Professional Association or Royal College magazine’ at the MemCom 2016 Awards. Organised by MemCom – the networking organisation for membership marketing professionals – the awards recognise and celebrate excellence within the membership sector. The OT website offers subscribers exclusive access to over 65 CET exams per year, including bi-monthly CET video content. For more information, visit www.aop.org.uk/ot 

The OT ABC audit certificate can be found here, www.abc.org.uk/product/5966-optometry-today