Call for AOP Council nominations
Call for members who want to put themselves forward for the AOP Council elections
The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is calling for members who want to make a difference in optics to put themselves forward for the AOP Council elections. The nominations period started on 17 August and will run for three weeks, closing on 7 September at 12pm.
Henrietta Alderman, AOP Chief Executive, said: “Our Council is changing and it’s an exciting time to get involved. It doesn’t matter if you have never been involved before. If you want to represent your peers and play a part in shaping the future, consider putting yourself forward for one of the regional or designated positions. Applications are encouraged from both new members and existing Council representatives.”
As well as the 25 regional representatives for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – there will also be eight designated positions for:
- Early-career optometrists (new position)
- Franchisee/joint venture partners (new position)
- Undergraduate optometry students
- Pre-registration students
- Newly-qualified optometrists
- University lecturers
- Dispensing opticians
- Hospital optometrists
Following the Council nominations process, the voting period will start on 21 September 2015 and run for two weeks, closing on 5 October 2015.
For more information, including the role of Councillors, the nomination and election timetable and why our current Council think it’s such an exciting time to get involved, see the AOP website www.aop.org.uk/council-changes.
For more information, please contact Anne Grenyer, PR and Media Manager at the Association of Optometrists, [email protected] or telephone 020 7549 2063.
Notes to Editors
Association of Optometrists
Set up in 1946, the Association of Optometrists (AOP) is the leading professional membership organisation for optometrists and other optical professionals in the UK. We offer protection, support and representation to our 16,000+ members, throughout their careers, with a range of valued services and benefits. The AOP is a founding member of the Optical Confederation.
AOP Council nominations and elections
In June 2015, the AOP Council agreed to changes proposed by the Council Review Group which are in line with modernisation, increasing interaction with AOP members are making better use of resources.
The 25 regional (elected) positions for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can be applied for via the nomination form on the Mi-Voice website, the independent company selected to run the AOP Council elections.
Of the eight designated (appointed) positions, the hospital optometrist representative will continue to be elected by the Hospital Optometrists Committee. The other seven designated positions will be appointed by the AOP’s Appointments Committee. The designated seats can be applied for via the designated (appointed) application form on the AOP website to be emailed to [email protected] for the attention of David Craig, AOP Policy Director. Applications can only be made for one position on Council. The deadline for all applications is 12pm on Monday 7 September. Any queries about the nomination and voting process should be sent to [email protected].