Professional recognition in a national optometric organization Opportunities to network with other VA optometrists Access to information about policies and guidelines that affect VA practice Quarterly newsletter Invitation to the annual NAVAO business meeting and banquet Access to the minutes of the monthly VA Optometry Service conference calls, which are transcribed by the NAVAO Secretary and provided to members as an exclusive benefit
 

Existing VA Optometrists who are not currently members – Please Click Here to Join
 
Newly Hired VA Optometrists (hired in the current calendar year) - Please Click Here to Join

VA Optometry Research Fellows or Residents - Please Click Here to Join
New Members not currently employed by the VA - Please Click Here to Join
 

   
Article IV Duties of Officers Section VI: Newsletter Editor. For the purpose of maintaining a formal communications link with the membership, the Newsletter Editor is responsible for publishing an informative newsletter at least four times a year and more frequently if directed by the President. Co-editors may be appointed to fulfill this task. Section VII: Immediate Past President. The Immediate Past President will continue on the Board for the purpose of providing guidance based upon previous experience with Association activities. Section VIII: American Optometric Association Representative (Ex-Officio). Upon request by the Board, a representative of the AOA will be named to a two-year (renewable) term as a non-voting member of the Board. This person will serve as liaison to the AOA Board of Trustees. Section XI: American Academy of Optometry Representative (Ex-Officio). Upon request by the Board, a representative of the AAO will be named to a two-year (renewable) term as a non-voting member of the Board. This person will serve as liaison to the AAO Executive Council. Section X: Members-at-Large. Up to three Members-at-Large may be appointed by the President to assist the Board in governing the organization. Article V Amendments: This Constitution may be amended by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of a quorum of Members at the annual meeting. In order to be put to a vote, proposed amendments must be submitted to the President 120 days prior to the annual meeting either with a request for approval by a two-thirds majority of the Board or with an attached endorsement signed by one-fourth of the Members. Acceptable proposals will then be submitted to the Newsletter for publication in an issue preceding the annual meeting. Adopted amendments shall become effective immediately and written notification will be given to all Members via the next Newsletter edition. Article VI Article VII Article I Dissolution: Dissolution of this Association may be effected upon the submission of a written request signed by two-thirds of the Members, which sets fourth the reason(s) for such action. After the Board has settled any outstanding indebtedness, any remaining funds in the treasury shall be donated to a non-profit national optometric organization as determined by a quorum majority of the Board. By-Laws: By-Laws pertinent to this Constitution shall be formulated and adopted by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of a quorum of Members and are amendable. By-Laws December, 1990 Amended December, 1992 and December, 2006 Article II Article III Section II: Honorary Membership. Honorary membership may be granted by a quorum majority vote of the Board and following two-thirds confirmation of a quorum of Members. Honorary members shall not be charged dues. Dues: The annual dues for membership shall be $50.00 for all Members except for optometric residents who shall owe $25.00. There will be no initiation fee. Dues payments received after January 31 and prior to September 1 of each year shall be assessed a $5 late fee. The fiscal year of the Association will be January 1 through December 31. Duties of the Board: The Board will assist the President in the governing of the Association and will carry out duties as outlined in the Constitution and these By-Laws. At the request of the President, the Board will convene either face-to-face at the annual meeting which is held during the AAO annual meeting or via telephone conference calls at any time for justified reasons. At the request of a consortium of three or more Board members, the President must call a meeting of the Board to enable them to carry out functions consistent with their defined duties. Article IV Standing Committees: The following standing committees, with the exception of the Executive Committee, shall have its members appointed from the membership by the President and will be specifically assigned duties by and shall report to the Board periodically as determined by the President or a quorum majority of the Board. The Board shall be empowered to remove from committee by quorum majority vote any committee member for such cause as will preserve the dignity and integrity of the Association. Section I. The Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall be advisory to the President on all policy matters of the Association. A majority of the committee must approve all expenditures of funds greater than $250.00. Section II. The Finance Committee. The Finance Committee monitors funds and assists the Treasurer in the collection and disbursement of funds. The committee also projects future financial demands and sources for the Association. Section III. Membership Committee: The Membership Committee recommends means for membership retention and growth and monitors pertinent data regarding the Members. The Membership Director will serve as committee chair and will compile data for the Association Directory, typically to contain VA addresses, FAX and telephone numbers (FTS and commercial), and at the discretion of the individual members, home phone numbers and addresses. The committee will distribute orientation packages to new VA optometrists. Section IV. Professional Relations Committee. The Professional Relations Committee monitors matters pertinent to the Association relative to the AOA (including the Council on Optometric Education, Council on Clinical Optometric Care, Armed Forces Optometric Society), AAO, the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), and other professional groups. Specific committee members will serve as liaison to each organization. Section V. Residency Committee. The Residency Committee is charged with promotion of residency programs and to keep the Board abreast of issues pertinent to the residency system including issues related to the AOA Council on Optometric Education. Article V