Board Meeting: April 5th, 2010

 

Meeting Via SKYPE conference, called to order 6:03pm PT

Present: Board Members

Larry Bickford, Secretary

Tom Cheezum. Treasurer

Richard Driscoll, VP Technology

Art Epstein, VP Marketing and Public Relations (Late arrival, 6:37)

Pam Miller, President, Chair

Mike Rosenblatt, VP Strategic Affairs

also present:

Craig Steinberg, Legal Counsel

Pam Blankenship, AOS Administrator

not present: Dickson Chen, VP Membership

 

Approval of Minutes of February 22, 2010

Approval of Minutes of March 26, 2010, San Diego, CA

 

MOTION TO APPROVE: Tom SECOND: Mike PASSED unanimously

 

Old Business:

- Rich Driscoll: Discussed member log-in issues, insurance program to have tab bar access, log use, website to be moved to new server soon.

- Tom Cheezum: Discussed web forum monitoring. Dickson to be asked to monitor Facebook page.

 

Announcements and Board Member Reports:

Pam Miller: Preparing for IBCO/OEP meeting in Ontario. Special AOS mug for Walt. Preparing “thank you’s” for speakers and vendors.

We need to update our bios for website.

 Two vendors looking for “a relationship” with AOS. Pam B will meet with them. Mike to discuss with Paul Salzburg of EyeStar.

 

Tom Cheezum: Meeting survey results being processed and sent to board. Taxes ready to file. Meeting expenses being tallied, Pam Blankenship looking for certain refunds from hotel. Pam Miller will coordinate donations. Financial report presented and accepted.

 

Tom Cheezum et el: general board discussion on dues. Discussed annual vs. monthly and dating. Decided on annual dues with those who sign up in the last 90 days of the year have renewals that roll over to the following January.

 

Craig Steinberg, et al: Press releases discussed.

 

Rich Driscoll:  Looking at different technology for conferencing, using telephone. Discussed web master/services.

 

Pam Miller: Need to get AOS Store up, should consider OD to OD classifieds? Will survey membership for interest.

 

Craig Steinberg: Discussion of a bulletin board with Joomla module. Need a membership coordinator. Will be talking with potential candidates.

 

Art Epstein: Discussed AOS visibility at Vision West, Oct 7

 

All: We need to get list of meetings for entire year this week and give to Pam Miller. Discussed potential meeting dates for Tampa. Discussed certificates and decided on version. Accepted resignation of Dickson Chen for personal reasons. Discussed policies and procedures for finding replacement board members.

 

Next Meeting: May 10, 2010 6pm PT

 

Meeting adjourned: 7:39 pm

Board Meeting: Anaheim, CA, January 22,2010

Meeting called to order 6:33pm PT

Present: Board Members

Larry Bickford, Secretary

Tom Cheezum. Treasurer, via SKYPE

Dickson Chen, VP Membership

Richard Driscoll, VP Technology, via SKYPE

Art Epstein, VP Marketing and Public Relations, via SKYPE

Pam Miller, President, Chair

Mike Rosenblatt, VP Strategic Affairs, via SKYPE

also present:

Craig Steinberg, Legal Counsel

Pam Blankenship, AOS Adminstrator

Approval of Minutes of Dec 16, 2009

MOTION TO APPROVE: Tom Cheezum SECOND:Dickson Chen PASSED unanimously

Old Business

Insurance: waiting for John to complete process and will prepare domain and login for

members to purchase insurance

Logo license and use by liaisons, members discussed. Written use agreement to be prepared.

COPE status: Mike working on remaining speakers (4) to confirm COPE.

Craig Steinberg: completing corporate papers for filing, including confidentiality agreement.

Website: discussion regarding webmaster, maintenance and associated costs.New Business and Board Member Reports.

Larry Bickford: PowerPoint presentation completed and will debut tomorrow and C&E Vision Services

CE Seminar. Will be posted on AOS website and made available to liaisons.

LED Projector and screen purchased to use at meeting.

Dickson Chen: SECO: Liaisons to staff booth

Pam Miller: C&E Vision Services Meeting booth ready for Sat 23rd.

Going to CA Board meeting in San Diego in March

Going to COA HOD meeting Fri-Sat this week! Will report upon return.

 AOS expenses and board reimbursements to be considered in future.

Consideration of applying for grant from VSP if no-strings.

Consideration of creating an Advisory Board discussed.

Tom Cheezum: Reported on vendor acknowledgments with Hard Rock Hotel

Treasureʼs report: Reported on finances and membership, independent contractor status

 for Pam Blankenship, vendor expenses, website maintenance, material expenses relating to March

meeting which include ads, printing, eblasts.

Reported on Hard Rock Hotel reservations.

Art Epstein: PARCA report, update on ABO pending release of info, status update from AOA

presidentʼs council.


Discussed PR with LWW/OM and all the trades--press releases to all.

Consider AOA Congress and associated resolutions. Connect with consumers? OMDs?

Craig Steinberg: Vision Monday interview preparations (March 17)

Rich Driscoll: Further discussion regarding website development, new surveys, newsletter content,

Constant Contact email issues/rule and ergs.

Dickson Chen: Plans for student outreach, membership letter, Founding Member deadline

announcement to e-blast, certificates for Founding Members, general members.

All discussed urgent need to complete Liaison Manual.

Pam Blankenship: Discussed issues with liaison sign up/erg at website.

Mike Rosenblatt: Committee reports, including member responsibilities.

Next Meeting: February 22, 2010 6pm PT

Meeting adjourned:

Board Meeting:  December 16, 2009

Meeting called to order 6:05pm PT, via Skype conference call

Present: Board Members

Larry Bickford, O.D. Secretary

Tom Cheezum, O.D.Treasurer

Dickson Chen,O.D. VP Membership

Richard Driscoll, O.D.VP Technology

Art Epstein,O.D. VP Marketing and Public Relations (Late arrival: 7:10pm)

Pam Miller, O.D., J.D.President, Chair

Mike Rosenblatt, O.D. VP Strategic Affairs

also present:

Craig Steinberg, O.D., J.D. Legal Counsel

1.  Approval of Previous Board Meeting Minutes:

     Larry Bickford: Approval of 11/9/2009 minutes as amended by Tom Cheezum

MOTION: Tom Cheezum , Second Rich Driscoll. Passed unanimously

2. Old Business:

     Insurance: Craig Steinberg to review final agreement documents pending announcement

     to members. Pam Blankenship will verify member status for Holmes-Murphy.

     Logo use agreement: Rich Driscoll and Craig Steinberg will manage dispensing of logo

     and approved uses

     COPE: Mike Rosenblatt has paperwork filed.

      List of Achievements being maintained/archived by PamB. Everyone to send info to her.

      E-BLAST announcing member benefits to be sent ASAP

      FAQ posted on website

3. Announcements:

      Craig Steinberg: Incorporation documents should be done by end of month

4.  Board Member Reports:

     Pam Miller: Presidentʼs Report

     Written report of AAO meeting coming.

     C&E Vision Services meeting: board meeting scheduled for Sat. Jan 23 in person and

     Skype. Preparing for lunch intro speech, table set up, etc

     CA State Board Meeting Jan 21, will attend

     Con position for COA to be posted on website. Rich Driscoll/Dickson Chen will

     coordinate email notice to CA ODs re: COA meeting.

     Tom Cheezum: Treasurerʼs Report

     Financial information presented. Discussed membership updated numbers and “thank

     you” process.

     Craig Steinberg:

     Gave update on a number of legal issues and with Mike, on PARCA. Arizona joins list of

     states cautioning ODs on BC.


     Rich Drsicoll: Tech Report, with Mike Rosenblatt, Strategic Affairs

     Would like to extend deadline for “founding member status”.

MOTION: Mike Rosenblatt: To extend deadline until March 31. Revised: Dickson Chen: added:

to be announced in beginning of January in email blast. SECOND: Larry Bickford. PASSED

unanimously

      Rich: Discussion of 800 telephone number verses Googlephone system. Determined not

      to use 800.

     Dickson: Membership

     Follow up with AOS MN doctor running for his state association. Change deadline for

     March meeting. Waiting to confirm VSP speaker. Follow up to confirm all presenters.

      Discussed sponsorships.

     Mike Rosenblatt: Strategic Affairs:

     Rich/Mike will post lists of states notifying ODs about BC.

New Business:

      Discussed AOS taking position on “democratizing” the AOA voting process, to be on next

     meeting agenda. Reimbursement for expenses. Planning/calendaring for new yearʼs

     events.

Next Board meeting: January 24, Anaheim, CA and via Skype for board members who canʼt

make it.

Meeting adjourned: 7:45pm

 

Executive Session:   November 9, 2009

 

Meeting called to order 6:12pm PT, via Skype conference call

Present: Board Members

            Larry Bickford, OD, Secretary

            Tom Cheezum.OD,  Treasurer

            Dickson Chen, OD, VP Membership

            Richard Driscoll,OD,  VP Technology

            Art Epstein, OD, VP Marketing and Public Relations

            Pam Miller,OD,JD,  President, Chair

            Mike Rosenblatt,OD  VP Strategic Affairs

also present:

            Craig Steinberg,OD,JD, Legal Counsel

            Pam Blankenship, AOS Adminstrator

 

Discussion of member insurance benefit with rep from Holmes Murphy Insurance

Board to request comparative quotes.

 

            MOTION: Tom Cheezum: To proceed with establishing relationship with Holmes Murphy. SECOND: Dickson Chen. PASSED unanimously

 

Discussion of consideration of litigation: Craig Steinberg, with note to table for time being.

            MOTION: Tom Cheezum: To table for future meeting, date and time not set. SECOND: Mike Rosenblatt. PASSED unanimously.

 

Board moves to closed session,  6:45PM

Board returns to open session, 7:00PM.

 

----------------------------------------

Announcements and info from Board Members and Staff:

 

Larry Bickford: Reports on upcoming C&E Vision Services Jan 24, 2010 CE event. We will have table set up outside the meeting room with vendors/sponsors for presentation, information. Will work on PowerPoint/Keynote presentation, audio/video. Board members to be present, board meeting to be held Jan 23. AOS to reimburse for travel expenses/costs. Pam Miller has room rates. Have arranged presentation space. Dickson Chen to confirm with C&E then announce to members.

 

Dickson Chen: Liaison program underway. Gave update. Certificates almost ready. Working with Pam Blankenship for public roll out announcement.  Working on student contact/flyers.

 

Art Epstein: Gave update on media and press releases.

 

Rich Driscoll: Updated board on website updates and newsletter stats.

 

Pam Blankenship: Working on state liaison, reviewing answering or forwarding member communications as necessary. 

 

Next meeting: December 14, 6pm

Board Meeting: October 26, 2009

 
Meeting called to order 6:03pm PT, via Skype conference call

Present: Board Members

            Larry Bickford,OD, Secretary

            Tom Cheezum,OD,  Treasurer

            Dickson Chen,OD,  VP Membership

            Richard Driscoll,OD,  VP Technology

            Pam Miller,OD,JD,  President, Chair

            Mike Rosenblatt,OD,  VP Strategic Affairs

also present:

            Craig Steinberg,OD,JD,  Legal Counsel

            Pam Blankenship, AOS Administrator

 

absent:

            Art Epstein,OD,  VP Marketing and Public Relations

           

Approval of Minutes for October 11, 2009.

                       MOTION TO APPROVE as amended: Tom Cheezum. SECOND: Mike Rosenblatt APPROVED unanimously.

 

Announcements and Board Member Reports:

 

Larry Bickford reported on TCOS (Tri-County Optometric Society, CA) meeting and CE by Steve Newman, O.D and MedOp, their offer to speak at an AOS sponsored event. Tom Cheezum will maintain list of such offers.

 

Pam Miller: Announced is COA HOD delegate. Received request for website blog by member, referred to Rich Driscoll. Regarding Cal State Board Meeting---next in March 25, 26, San Diego. Unconfirmed, AOS will attend.  Pam Miller to speak at AAO meeting Nov. 13

 

Craig Steinberg: Discussed March AOS CE event, pricing to be a member benefit, should stimulate members to pay dues. Tom Cheezum is organizing speakers, Pam Blankenship working on hotels.

 

Tom Cheezum: Sent P&L info, reported on donations and dues for october and to date. 501(c)(6) application to follow incorporation.  Discussion regarding payment to website developer.

 

               MOTION: Tom Cheezum: To approve monthly maintenance fee for the first year, amount per month amortized to annual amount. SECOND: Rich Driscoll. PASSED unanimously.

 

Discussed marketing and PR, including presence and monitoring on Optcomlist and ODWire, ads for March CE program.

 

Art Epstein: Tabled until he returns.

 

Rich Driscoll: Technology: Pam Blankenship learning website, newsletter. Discussed issues with regards to AOS, CE events and vendor relationships, Google voice/telephone. Rich Driscoll to forward number to Pam Blankenship for coordination.  Pam Blankenship: to update website to reflect “approaching 2000 members.”

 

Dickson Chen: [nothing to report here----unable to hear the discussion regarding McD/liaison, etc.

 

Mike Rosenblatt: Discussed need to move forward with liaison process, committees for member benefits including insurance, marketing of optometry to community, PSAs, attending meetings. Will make a list. Working on getting ARBO rules for speakers, COPE approval fees. National license portability to be discussed at another meeting.

Craig Steinberg: Discussed AOS advisory board and will look into amending bylaws as needed.

 

Next meeting:  November 9 will be a brief executive session to discuss AAO meeting, member benefits and update from Art Epstein.

 

Meeting adjourned 8:13 pm PT.

 

 

American Optometric Society Approved Minutes

September 19, 2009

Meeting called to order 6:15pm PT, via Skype conference call

Present: Board Members:

Larry Bickford, Secretary

Tom Cheezum, Treasurer

Dickson Chen, VP Membership

Richard Driscoll, VP Technology

Art Epstein, VP Marketing and Public Relations

Pam Miller, President, Chair

Mike Rosenblatt, VP Strategic Affairs

also present:

Craig Steinberg, Legal Counsel

Review and Approval of Minutes of Meeting of August 26, 2009

MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES AS WRITTEN: Passed unanimously without changes.

Meeting called to order 6:04 pm PST

Present: Board Members

Larry Bickford, Secretary
Tom Cheezum, Treasurer
Dickson Chen, VP Membership
Richard Driscoll, VP Technology
Art Epstein, VP Marketing and Public Relations
Pam Miller, President, Chair
Mike Rosenblatt, VP Strategic Affairs

also present:

Craig Steinberg, Legal Counsel

The Board of Directors has had it's first meeting, has adopted its Articles of Association and Bylaws, and, importantly, after considerable discussion, has change the name of the ACO to better reflect what the association is and will be. The Association of Concerned Optometrists is very proud to announce that it is now, officially, the American Optometric Society. The AOS Articles and Bylaws, which, among other things, define its purpose, will be available shortly for you to read. A new website is being developed, and soon an on-line forum for AOS members will be available, so please be sure to check back here regularly.