SPECIAL BULLETIN: Local Societies Take a Stand and Withhold AOA Dues Hot

The Hudson Valley Optometric Society (HVOS), a local affiliate of the New York State Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association, has voted to withhold their 2012 AOA dues, placing them in an escrow account until the AOA withdraws support for the ABO and its board certification process. In response to the 2009 passage of general Board Certification and creation of the ABO, the HVOS members expressed their concerns about both the methods employed by the AOA to pass Board Certification and the ramifications to their own society and the profession as a whole. Several other New York societies have reportedly voted to join Hudson Valley and also withhold their AOA dues.

The HVOS members were especially angered by the methods used by the AOA to secure passage of board certification in what seemed to be in disregard of the desire of most optometrists. Dr. Joe Accettura, current HVOS President, commented, “Basically, our past president said board certification was going to (be) a grass roots approach and would only be approved [by the AOA] if all members wanted it and the AOA was not going to ram it down anyone's throat. But that's exactly what [the AOA] did.”  And because of board certification, HVOS, like nearly all other societies, has had to deal with the loss of members, even long-time supporting members. Many of those departing members have stated that they would like to remain a member of their respective local and state societies, but AOA rules prohibit that. Dr. Accettura mentions one such member: “He wrote me a letter stating he would love to stay a NYSOA member but was through with the AOA and he didn't even get a response to his letter (he was an AOA member for 38 years)”, said Dr. Accettura.

In response to this HVOS member’s suggestion, and the Society’s desire to take a stand against the tactics of the AOA, the HVOS began discussing, and eventually voted to withhold their 2011 AOA dues. After learning of the HVOS vote the NYSOA Board requested a face to face meeting with the HVOS Board. Despite pressure by the NYSOA, the meeting, in March, 2011, did not stymie the desires of the HVOS. However, because the 2011 dues were mostly already paid, their plans were changed to withholding the 2012 dues unless the AOA changes course. “At that point I realized that our [2011] impact would be minimal because 75% of our members have already paid their dues. So I asked for a commitment to put our 2012 dues in escrow and over 90% agreed to do so…”, according to Dr. Accettura.

So the events that take place in Salt Lake City, the site of the 2012 AOA Congress, where several resolutions calling for the AOA to withdraw support for the ABO, will determine if indeed HVOS will withhold AOA dues in 2012. HVOS wants to see the AOA end its support for board certification, and hopes other societies will follow and also agree to withhold AOA dues until they do. Dr. Brian Powell, HVOS incoming Vice President, sums up their dilemma, “Unfortunately if no one else follows our lead we are only hurting ourselves.  NY, at least, has voted on issues like BC based on the wishes of NYSOA members.  Not paying AOA dues and thus not being a part of the NYSOA, decreases NY's vote in the AOA.”

The members of HVOS are asking others to consider following suit, adding strength to the actions of the HVOS and hopefully creating the change they want to see. Though news of the HVOS vote has only recently come out, so far one, and possibly two other New York societies have voted to join HVOS in withholding 2012 AOA dues. Dr. Powell says, “Really the decision to pay or withhold dues will come down to whether or not the AOA listens to its members.” With a majority of Optometrists opposed to board certification, you would hope that the profession’s self-proclaimed representative will listen to those it purports to represent.