Are you taking advantage of all your membership benefits?

When your 2015 dues investment packet was mailed in late December, a membership brochure detailing the enhanced benefits of your COA and AOA membership was included.

Many members I speak to over the phone or when I visit local societies are pleasantly surprised to learn that so many benefits are included in their membership, and are exciting to begin reaping the full potential of their dues investment.

At the most basic level, your membership is about ensuring your ability to practice optometry. You have made a significant financial investment in making optometry your profession and livelihood, and the one most valuable benefit of membership — regardless of your mode of practice — is the ongoing effort to protect your license to practice and advocacy for your ability to practice to the full extent of your education and training.

But beyond protecting and expanding your profession, membership offers many additional benefits, services and resources that give you an immediate return on your dues investment. That is why, beginning Monday, January 26, 2015, we will begin a weekly email - MEMBERSHIP MONDAY - focusing on a benefit that is included in your membership.

I realize that not every resource, service or program that AOA or COA offers will fit every member. Just like a department store carries many different types of shoes, many of which you may never consider wearing, you can almost certainly find a few that fit your style. So each Monday when you receive an overview of a member benefit, try it on and see if it fits!

Look out for your first Membership Monday e-blast next week. You can always check out all the benefits and services your membership offers by visiting the membership section of the COA website HERE.

If you have any questions about taking advantage of your benefits, or did not receive a mailed benefits brochure, please contact me at jhaas@coavision.org or (916) 266-5038.

Jodi Haas
COA development manager