Membership of the South AfricanOptometric Association gives rise to certain rights, privileges and benefits:

ACCREDITATION OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Suppliers of products and professional services can submit their credentials tothe SAOA for formal accreditation and recognition.

ADVERTISING IN OPTIFORUM
Members may place professional notices free of charge in the Eye Spy section of Optiforum.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE
A pool of expertise is available to members with queries, covering a wide rangeof topics such as ethics, practice management, etc.

ALLIANCES
Closer collaboration and alliances are constantly sought with other disciplines within the SA health care arena to strengthen the position of optometry and the SAOA in the industry.

CLINICAL GUIDELINES
Clinical guidelines are available which represent minimum standards of practice as a reference base for all stakeholders who include patients, medical aids andthe profession itself.

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CODES AND PROTOCOLS
Codes are guidelines which represent a reference for bodies such as medical schemes, administrators and managed care organisations.

CODE OF ETHICS
The SAOA constitution includes a code of ethics that ensures standards ofpractice and a code of conduct for the profession.

COMMUNITY EYE CARE
The SAOA is driving a number of programmes and projects to ensure that South Africans enjoy the benefits of optometric services throughout the country. These services already include the Phelophepa train, Eye Sense for your Licence campaign,Right to Sight Community eye care days,Kids-can See program, and various Eye Care Awareness week activities

COMPULSORY CONTINUED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CPD is compulsory for optometrists and dispensing opticians. Optometrists must collect 30 CPD points per year and Dispensing Opticians need 15 points peryear. The SAOA aims at organizing events to offer enough opportunities for its members to obtain the minimum required CPD points per annum.

CONGRESS AND MEMBERSHIP TAX REDUCTIONS
Delegates are entitled to deduct their SAOA membership fees as well as expenses when attending local congresses which are registered with the SAOA.

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FINANCIAL SERVICES
The SAOA has acquired the services of financial service consultants who provide advice on assurance and investment planning (including provident, pension andhealth care funds). These consultants also have access to specialist resources which can provide the professional with tax, strategic and financial systems planning.

GROUP PURCHASING BENEFITS
Thanks to its collective bargaining power, the SAOA can obtain preferential rates from a wide range of suppliers of services and products, including cellular telephone companies, computers, couriers and many more.

HUMAN RESOURCE ASSISTANCE AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES
The SAOA is in a position to assist practices with programmes that include objective setting, people and relationships, activity plans, performance reviews, etc. In addition, the Directorate is involved in succession planning as well as the development of members who are interested in becoming involvedin the Association’s matters.

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
The SAOA maintains contact with the international optometric fraternity and is a member of the World Council of Optometry and the African Council of Optometry.This level of contact facilitates exchange of professional information, allows members to keep abreast of global trends and results in international recognition of the SA optometric profession. The input of the profession plays a significant role in shaping internationally recognised ethical guidelines.

INDEMNITY INSURANCE
The Association provides indemnity insurance cover of up to R2,5 million through an indemnity insurance company as part of the membership fee. Ouroffices are the first point of contact in the event of a claim, and you are guaranteed of a discreet service at all times.

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JOURNALS
Journals are an important source of practical information and trends.  Publications such as “The South African Optometrist” are available through our offices.

LEGALS INFORMATION AND ADVICE
Members can call on the SAOA for free legal information and advice on a range of professional matters.

LOCUM AGENCY SERVICES
The Association’s web site and Optiforum provide an efficient, professional service for the advertising of vacant posts and locum seekers.

MARKETING, PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATION
The Association devotes much energy and effort to the marketing of both optometry and the Association, resulting in projects such as the “Eye Sense foryour Licence” campaign and Eye Care Awareness Week. The following communication mechanisms are available:

• An active and interactive web site
• Optiforum
• E Newsletter
• Promotional material for use in your practice
• PR, Radio and TV awareness campaigns.

Medical schemes
The South African Optometric Association dedicates much time to interact withmedical schemes, managed care organisations, etc. to ensure that the value of optometric services is well entrenched. Mechanisms have been set up in the formof personal visits, group meetings and workshops to establish healthy communication channels, relationships and education where and when applicable.

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NETWORK OF EXPERTISE
The SAOA is a network of professionals with a common interest in optometry, and communication between the members keeps the profession alive. Complete membership lists are available via the SAOA office. Through the SAOA you have instant access to a wide variety of opinions, expertise and assistance.

OATH 
Members can request a copy of the Association’s oath which represents a visible commitment of the optometrist to ethical and professional practice.

OMBUDSMEN
The ombudsmen resolve in-practice issues by bridging communication gaps, viewing issues impartially and seeking a satisfactory solution to problems asquickly as possible.

REGIONAL ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES

The country is divided into a number of geographic areas.  Members canparticipate in various regional activities such as meetings, do-Optometryevenst (Continued Professional Development), conferences and seminars, information updates and social functions.  Professional networking is supportedby a number of locally provided member services.

REPRESENTATION, NEGOTIATION AND LOBBYING
A major category of activity for the SAOA is appropriate representation at all levels, including government, health professional councils and medical schemes.  Issues such as the scope of optometry, public posts, etc. are high on the agenda.

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SHORT-TERM INSURANCE
Vehicle, household and practice insurance products are available to meet the insurance needs of our members.  Since insurance is a highly specialised area, delivery of these products is provided through broker networks.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT 
In accordance with the Skills Development Act (97 of 1998), the SAOA is to institute learnership program for Optometric Assistants and Laboratory Staff.  Benefits to employers include a grant back from the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA), productivity improvement, greaterstaff flexibility and improved quality and standards.

STRATEGIC PLANNING
A major responsibility of the SAOA is to plan for the future on behalf of the optometric profession.  The SAOA is currently in a process of reviewing thestrategy and operations of the prganisation to ensure its future relevance and viability Testimonials of Good Standing

Where applicable (CV's, international bodies, education institutions, researchprojects etc).