New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians

“There are 8 classifications of members: active, associate, student, honorary, life, privileged, partial practice, and faculty. Active members shall be those optometric physicians who have earned a doctor of optometry degree from an acoe accredited college or school of optometry or its equivalent, and who are approved for membership by the board of directors. Associate members shall be of three categories and may be admitted at the discretion of the board of directors. (a) those holding recognized degrees in non-optometric disciplines. (b) non-optometrists having interests consistent with the objectives and purposes of the njsop. (c) military, civil service, research or other optometric physicians who are not primarily in active private practice in new jersey, who are members of the american optometric association, and who wish to affiliate themselves with the njsop. Student members shall be those persons enrolled as students in a school or college of optometry accredited by the council on optometric education and recognized by the new jersey state board of optometrists, and/or those nonpracticing optometric physicians who are full-time students in an accredited institution of higher education and who profess an intention of entering or returning to the practice of optometry or to a faculty or administrative position with an accredited school or college of optometry. Honorary membership may be conferred on any person who has contributed distinguished valuable service to the conservation of vision, to the profession of optometry, or to the njsop. Life membership a member who has been a member of the njsop for 45 years shall be eligible to continue membership as a life member of this association in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the board of directors. Privileged members shall be those members, who through sickness, age or financial hardship, are unable to pay full dues. Such members may upon action by the board of directors, have their dues waived or reduced for any given year. Partial practice members shall be those members who work twenty (20) or fewer hours per week in compensated optometrically related activities and whose status as a partial practice member is approved annually by the board of directors. Faculty members shall be those members who hold a full-time faculty or administrative position at an accredited school or college of optometry.”

“The membership elects the board of directors.”

“The annual budget of the organization is subject to approval by the membership.”

“The finance committee of the board of directors reviews the form 990. A copy of form 990 is presented to the full board prior to submission with the irs.”

“The conflict of interest policy is reviewed each year by the board. Compliance relies upon self-disclosure. The njsop leadership has a fiduciary duty to conduct themselves without conflict to the interests of njsop. In their capacity as board members, they must subordinate personal, individual business, third-party, and other interests to the welfare and best interests of njsop. This includes conduct on the njsop listserv. All conflicts of interest are not necessarily prohibited or harmful to njsop. However, full disclosure is required of all actual and potential conflicts, including any family members who could give rise to conflicts of interest. A determination by the disinterested njsop leadership members is required, with the interested njsop board or committee member recused from participating in debates and voting on the matter. Disclosures shall be made to the njsop president, and/or the executive director. The njsop officers shall decide as to whether a conflict exists and what subsequent action is appropriate, if any, with the interested njsop board or committee member recused from participating in debates and voting on the matter. The njsop president shall inform the board of such determination and action with the interested njsop board or committee member recused from participating in debates and voting on the matter. The board shall retain the right to modify or reverse such determination and action and shall retain the ultimate enforcement authority with respect to the interpretation and application of this policy.”

“The executive director completed her initial contract with njsop, with a last year end date of december 2024. In november 2024, a new contract was signed starting january 2025. If not terminated it can continue through year 2026, then year 2027. Before execution of the contract, the board reviewed similar positions in comparable non-profit organizations and a national compensation report done by the american society of association executives.”

“Copies of the financial statements of the organization and the form 990 are made available upon request.”

“Copies of the governing documents, and financial statements of the organization are made available to the public upon request.”

“Write off of prior year contribution receivable -294.”