Friday, March 29, 2024

US Politics: Consolidation

Robert VanHook

The following is a letter from AOPA President Ronney Snell, CPO in response

to an earlier posting from John Billock, CPO.

Robert T. Van Hook, CAE

Executive Director

American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association

1650 King Street, Suite 500

Alexandria, VA 22314

Phone: 703/836-7116

Fax: 703/836-0838

Email: [email protected]

Webpage: www.opoffice.org

____________

Dear John,

I’d like to begin my response to your recent email with the reminder that I

hold you in the highest regard, both personally and professionally. We

have known each other a long time and I value you as a well-respected

friend. Your opinions are important to me, though we may not always

agree.

I was not actively seeking re-election when I ran for President of AOPA.

The majority of the individuals who encouraged me to enter the race are

your peers; the younger members of AOPA. However, after many years as an

active member, I must set the record straight by telling you that the AOPA

you describe no longer exists, has not existed for quite some time, and

perhaps never existed.

Professionals in the field of prosthetics and orthotics were involved in

governmental relations before AOPA was conceived. It was the profession

itself which made the decision early on that AOPA should carry on this

function. These were the same individuals which established the Academy

during this same time frame. These were good decisions to support the

growth of the profession at that time.

You are mistaken when you charge that AOPA does not utilize all of it’s

resources. The working relationship with AAOP has continuously improved

with Tom Gorski as the E.D. The Academy has helped us with attendance at

the Annual Policy Forum. Five young members, who I believe are all also

Academy members, have important positions on AOPA committees. This

consolidation was not initiated by AOPA, but rather by the National Office

Executive Committee where AOPA had only one vote of three and Don Holmes

was chair. This action was also recommended by two separate outside

consultant firms.

I’d also like to address the issue of the impact of the “big two”. While

we have more affiliates and fewer full members, our numbers have not

decreased. Our financial surplus grows in spite of using its earnings to

keep dues down. In fact, the dues of the small independent practitioner

decreased this year. The dues of the affiliates were increased. The “big

two” aren’t pulling out. They wish to stay and are paying more to do so.

One dues payment alone was for over $75,000.

AOPA is not struggling. We frankly are quite well organized. With our

successes in government, and improved educational efforts by the Academy, I

would have to say the sum of the whole is greater than it ‘s two parts.

The cost of the meeting was negligible for AOPA we had to have a board

meeting. We merely stayed over after the conference.

John, I wish you had come to the conference and that we would have had a

chance to discuss your concerns. In the absence of attending the

conference, I wish that you would have called to personally discuss these

issues before sending a statement through email. I would have rather have

discussed it differently than this. If consolidation does or does not

occur, my personal feelings for you will not have changed. The process to

this point has helped AOPA and AAOP work together., a process beneficial to

all.

I am not asking that you change your position. I know that your choices

are made from your heart. But, I do ask that you re-evaluate your position

on AOPA. It, too, is life’s blood for the profession of Prosthetics and

Orthotics.

Ronney

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