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April 2022 View as Webpage
Fund NYSSO, Fund Your Profession
Most who stop and consider what NYSSO represents know it is the defender of licensure, making certain New York remains a licensed state, and a watchdog for industry threats. Regardless of whether NYS opticians pay their dues to this Society, we defend all licensees. The concept that NYSSO will handle the hard questions and facts was never a question of doubt — we would immediately step up and step in. 

If not NYSSO, who then will handle meetings with State Ed to file violations and grievances around lack of oversight? If not NYSSO, who will challenge those that want to hire inexperienced and unlicensed employees over a training apprentice or licensee? If not NYSSO, who will continue to meet with big box chains to continue ongoing dialogue around hiring licensed mentors to train apprentices to grow back our profession in NYS?

We are an organization built on volunteers to maintain and represent all that is left of our 4,000 NYS licensees, but a very low percentage are NYSSO members. We will no longer be able to remain the conscientious and vigilant force within NYS without your membership participation. It doesn't matter if you buy your CEC's through other providers; those credits will be worthless without a license. Isn't membership in NYSSO to safeguard your license and protect what you earned worth so much more?

Join or renew today and make your voice heard.

 
Let's work together to maintain what we have achieved.

Sincerely, 

Dale S. Clemens
President, NYSSO

Laura Frezza
Executive Director, NYSSO




Click the image for an important message from NYSSO President Dale S. Clemens.
Calling All Alumni of City Tech and ECC!
In this newsletter, we are highlighting the good works of John Godert, Professor and Department Head of Vision Care Technology at Erie Community College, the site of NYSSO's Regional Symposium last weekend.

Erie Community College has conducted outreach to Rochester East High School students since 2011. This program allows East High students college credit for optical courses completed at the high school.
John Godert helps to oversee the program as an advisory board member at East High since the program's inception in 2011.

Each year that in-person tours are allowed, East High students visit SUNY Erie on field trips. They spend most of the school day touring labs and meeting students and faculty, and taking part in a networking lunch and a thorough campus tour.
NYSSO can support the college by joining their existing campaign to distribute promotional materials throughout the state. The department has been using the below promotional card for many years, which will hopefully reach areas of NYS in need of licensed opticians. 
Click here to download a PDF version of the above card. To request a supply of cards, please contact John Godert at [email protected].

Interested in sponsoring a student's NYSSO membership? 

Please send us an email with the subject line "Yes! I would like to sponsor a student member!"
Speaking of ECC ...
A fun and educational day for all: The SUNY Erie Vision Care Technology Program held its Student College Bowl Day on March 21. The winner competed April 2 in the NFOS National College Bowl at Vision Expo East.
Upcoming In-Person Events
Sunday, May 1
Central New York Regional Symposium
Turning Stone Resort & Casino
  • 8 am: Registration & Networking
  • 9 am: "What's Going On With Contact Lens Companies?" presented by Doreen Gaede of R Labs (1 hour, CL Basic
  • 10 am: "Lab Pearls" with Doreen Gaede (1 hour, BM Basic)
  • 11 am: Break
  • 11:30 am: "Shamir Glacier Experience" with Matt Balester of Shamir
  • 12:30 pm: "Digital Age Solutions" with Matt Balester (1 hour, OD Basic)
Sunday, May 22
Metro Regional Symposium
JFK Crowne Plaza
  • 8 am: Registration & Networking
  • 9 am: "Digital Eye-Strain in the Post-Pandemic Era,” presented by Barb Malobabich of IOT America (1 hour OD, Basic)
  • 10 am: "Social Media and the Eyecare Industry" with Barb Malobabich (1 hour BM, Basic)
  • 11 am: Break
  • 11:30 am: "The Effects of Small Prism on Visual Comfort" with Betsy Tompkins of Neurolens (2 hours OD, Intermediate)
Tuesday, June 7, 6:30 pm
Long Island Continuing Education
Half Hollow Hills Community Library
Dix Hills, NY



Save the date for two hours of continuing education with Doreen Gaede of R Labs. Topic and CE credit information to come.
Upcoming Virtual Events
Wednesday, May 4, 7:30 pm
Neurolens, Part 2
Presented by Paige Shoven
Each engaged attendee will receive one hour of Continuing Education, Ophthalmic Dispensing, Intermediate.
Wednesday, May 18, 7:30 pm
Presented by Pete Hanlin of Essilor
Topic and CE credit information TBA

Webinars on Demand
Earn CE credits on your own schedule by viewing recordings of our Virtual Events in NYSSO's new Webinar Library. Whether you missed a previous webinar or have a scheduling conflict with a future one, recordings are available to NYSSO members 24/7.
Renew Your Membership Today!
NYSSO's in-person educational events, virtual events and access to the Webinar Library are included in your NYSSO membership. Click here to renew online, or download the membership form.
May Is Healthy Vision Month
This year for Healthy Vision Month, the National Eye Institute wants to inspire families to team up and learn how to protect their vision together.


Learn more here.
A Special Thank You to Our Visionary Class Sponsors:
YOU BELONG. HERE
New York State Society of Opticians | www.NYSSO.org