NEW CE OFFERING FOR MEMBERS
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together”
- Vincent Van Gogh
The Opticians Association of Canada (OAC) is committed to providing high-quality education to Canadian opticians. COVID-19 pandemic-imposed conditions forced many Opticians to shift to virtual education options, but the OAC recognizes that many opticians still value in-person education and networking opportunities.
Virtual Continuing Education
In addition to in-person events, the OAC will continue to offer virtual education opportunities, including monthly webinars, the online library, and the Ventla App. These virtual opportunities provide opticians with the flexibility to learn on their schedule and at their own pace.
In-Person Events
A recent Event Survey revealed that 30% of opticians still prefer in-person events. This feedback was taken into consideration when developing the OAC's education plan. Starting in 2024, the OAC will host full-day education events in Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Manitoba, and Alberta. These events will provide opticians with the opportunity to learn from industry experts, network with colleagues, and partake in good food and great swag.
The OAC will host a full-day education event in every province by the end of 2025. This ensures that opticians across Canada will have the opportunity to attend an in-person event without having to travel too far. The events will be designed to be engaging and interactive, with a focus on providing opticians with practical knowledge and skills they can apply to their practice while enjoying their time at the event.
Viewing Parties – A New Member Offering
An OAC Viewing party is an event designed for opticians to gather in a fun and relaxed atmosphere to participate in CE wherever an internet connection can be found. Viewing parties are a great way for Opticians to come together and watch CE content in a group setting. These parties can be hosted by anyone who wants to bring Opticians together and share knowledge. They can take place in offices, conference rooms, or even in the comfort of someone's home.
By supporting viewing parties, the OAC is showing its commitment to making CE accessible to everyone. Not everyone has the time or resources to attend conferences or travel to seminars, but by offering viewing parties, the OAC is providing an alternative way for Opticians to continue their education.
Viewing parties also provide an opportunity for Opticians to connect and build relationships. They can discuss the content they are watching and share their thoughts and opinions. This can lead to new ideas and collaborations that can benefit the entire profession. The Opticians Association of Canada recognizes the importance of offering more options to deliver CE, and its support of viewing parties is just one example of its commitment to the profession.
So, what are you waiting for? Host an OAC Viewing party and take advantage of this unique and exciting way to earn CE credits. We want to make hosting a viewing party simple and hassle-free. You'll be amazed at how much fun you can have while learning valuable skills that will help you excel in your career as an optician.
If you're excited about the possibility of a viewing party, it's time to start thinking about what your event could look like. The OAC will be posting more information and a link to apply to host a viewing party in the next newsletter, so it's the perfect opportunity to start planning. With some careful organizing, you can create a fun and engaging viewing party that your guests will remember for years to come.
