I am not yet prepared to enter the debate on consolidation. Just back
in the office after my 3rd trip already this year and too many more to
go. I am so far behind it is all I can do to read all this email
between patient appointments. However, as President-Elect of AOPA I
must clarify several issues about AOPA.
1. The AOPA National Assembly increases in size every year. Chicago
in September set yet another record for attendence in every category,
including practitioners, technicians, students, exhibits, allied
health professionals, and foreign visitors.
2. AOPA is financially in excellent condition. AOPA has more than
the advised/desired 6 months operating costs set in wisely invested
reserves. As the reserves grow beyond our targeted amount, through
the performance of the market, the board moves the excess into
operations, thereby detering any need of dues increases.
3. The AOPA membership approved in Chicago at the Assembly a new
membership structure that is equitable for all size members. AOPA is
not experiencing a decline in membership. The shift from Active
members to more Affiliated members is occurring through the
consolidation in the profession/industry (not the Consolidation of the
boards). The large companies that are actively consolidating the
profession/industry have committed their support to AOPA.
4. With all due respect to my friend and colleague, John Billock,
AOPA did not initiate consolidation of the boards. During the last
major audit of the National Office by KPMG Peat Marwick (I think I got
their name right, one of the major national accounting/audit firms)
the leadership were all told for the third time in this decade that
they should consider consolidation.
Respectfully,
**********************************************************************
C. Michael Schuch, C.P.O., F.I.S.P.O., F.A.A.O.P.
President-Elect, AOPA
Assistant Clinical Professor & Director
Department of Prosthetics & Orthotics
Duke University Medical Center
DUMC 3885, M04 Davison Building
Durham, NC 27710
Voice: (919) 684-6890 Fax: (919) 681-8496 E-mail:
