South African Optometric Association (SAOA)
THE ASSOCIATION'S OBJECTIVES
The main object of the Association is to promote and protect the interests of the optometrically-related professions as well as the public.Objectives include:
Representing optometrists with authority and credibility in all matters concerning their interests in the health care arena.
Promoting the integrity and image of the optometric profession.
Providing optometrists with knowledge relevant to the demands of their practice.
Setting the minimum standards for the profession such as qualifications, adherence to ethical standards, alignment to world health standards and attendance of CPD programmes.
Promoting education, research and academic excellence.
Influencing the eye care environment to meet the needs and expectations of the community by promoting improvements to health care policy and legislation.
Encouraging involvement in eye care promotion and education.
Promoting trust, integrity, professional conduct efficiency and goodwill within the profession.
To support, improve and protect the status, rights, privileges and interests of all members.
To lobby the Government, the Council, and any relevant body for the professions represented by the Association.
To make and enforce ethical rules, regulations and By-Laws, while attempting to resolve amicably issues between and among members and the public via the Ombudsmen and Disciplinary Committee.
To facilitate in the maintenance of standards of practice by members to the public via Continuing Professional Development.
To judiciously use all subscriptions, entrance fees, levies and donations for the pursuance of the aims and objectives of the Association, while also using funds entrusted for the furtherance of Optometry by way of bursaries, research grants and subsidies.
To be the guardian of the codes structure for members, setting out the practice guidelines in all fields of practice.
To strive to assist members in their ability to provide the professional services to the public by way of projects and initiatives that are co-ordinated nationally and marketed via the Association.
To disseminate information to members in order to keep them up to date with the latest developments in our industry.
To act in an advisory capacity regarding member concerns and requests where possible.
