Southern Council of Optometrists Inc

“There are two classes of membership: state association membership and associate membership. The following state optometric associations are members of the council: alabama optometric association, inc., arkansas optometric association, inc., florida optometric association, inc., georgia optometric association, inc., kentucky optometric association, inc., optometry association of louisiana, inc., mississippi optometric association, inc., north carolina state optometric society, inc., south carolina optometric physicians association, inc., tennessee association of optometric physicians, inc., virginia optometric association, inc., west virginia association of optometric physicians, inc. Individual optometrists who are licensed in these member states maintain their membership in the council through their state associations, provided that state association maintains membership in the american optometric association. Any optometric organization that is a member in good standing of the world council of optometry may be conferred membership in the council as an associate member upon written application to the council, and upon a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the delegates present at any annual meeting of the house of delegates; provided, however, no organization shall be admitted to membership in the council that is not a legally established organization in the country wherein that organization is domiciled.”

“The nominating committee shall consist of the state trustees of the board of trustees and the immediate past president of the council, who shall serve as chair of the committee. The nominating committee shall meet not more than once per year, nor more than seventy-two (72) hours prior to the next scheduled annual meeting of the house of delegates. The nominating committee shall nominate one candidate for each position of elected officers for the ensuing year and shall notify the secretary of the council, in writing or by electronic communication, of its selections not less than forty-eight (48) hours prior to the next scheduled annual meeting of the house of delegates.”

“A draft form 990 is posted on the officers and board of trustees website for their review. Officers and trustees are requested to review the form 990 and provide comments or questions to the treasurer and executive director within ten days. The treasurer and executive director will review and resolve any questions prior to filing the form 990. A copy of the form 990, as filed, will be distributed at a subsequent board of trustees meeting.”

“Upon initial appointment to the board of trustees all members complete the organization's conflict of interest disclosure statement. It is the duty of the individual board member to advise the executive director in writing if, during their term in office or appointment, any additional possible conflict of interest arises. At each board and committee meeting the participants are asked to verbally provide any updates since submitting the form.”

“The executive director's salary is negotiated with the executive committee before being signed into contract. The executive committee considers the compensation paid to other executive directors of other 501(c)(6) organizations and associations within and outside the optometric profession by review of other form 990s (via guidestar.org) and compensation studies by the american society of association executives.”

“The organization's bylaws and conflict of interest policy are available on its website. Financial statements, form 990, and other governing documents are available upon request.”

“Seco clinical trends survey research program: the survey contained key questions relating to current issues attendees face on a regular basis. The results were reviewed and interpreted by the seco leadership. This information will be used in determining whether gaps exist between current continuing education programming and attendee viewpoints. Specifically, to address future education efforts, both in the main program and through seco supported ce educational grants. Data collected from the annual survey will provide a solid basis for tracking seco's progress in resolving these education gaps. Eye to eye- the visonary exchange: in an effort to address industry's request for more "face time" with attendees/buyers, seco launched a new hosted buyer program "eye to eye - the visionary exchange". This pilot program will help us test incorporating an appointment based program with exhibitors in the future. The student advisory committee provided feedback which assisted us with making changes to the overall student program for the seco congress. We expanded our education opportunities, networking events and overall funding.”

“The organization has a committee that assumes responsibility for oversight of the audit, of its financial statements, and selection of an independent accountant. The organization did not change its oversight process from the prior year.”