ST. LOUIS—The Paraoptometric Section of the American Optometric Association (AOA) is seeking nominations for the 2009 Community Service Award, given to the paraoptometric who demonstrates a commitment to helping improve his or her community and profession. Individuals may nominate themselves for this award or can be nominated by other professionals.

Criteria for judging include the individual’s involvement in community service within the optometric practice, within the community (including community service sponsored by the employer’s practice), and the professional and personal goals of community service.

The recipient will be presented a plaque of recognition, a $100 personal cash award, and a $100 award to the charity of the recipient's choice during the Paraoptometric Section Awards Luncheon being held Thursday, June 26, 2009 during the 111th Annual AOA Congress & 38th Annual AOSA Conference: Optometry's Meeting in Washington, DC.

For the fourth year, the Paraoptometric Section of the AOA will also present an award to the state affiliate optometric association that has the greatest percentage of paraoptometric members who also have national membership.

For consideration for the award, the affiliate must submit a list of its state members, including first and last name, street address, city, state and ZIP code, to the AOA Paraoptometric Section by March 31, 2009 in an electronic format. The affiliate paraoptometric association with the highest market share (percentage) of state members who are also national members will be honored during the Section’s Awards Luncheon being held during Optometry’s Meeting. The luncheon is sponsored by CIBA Vision, a Novartis Company.

To download a nomination form for the Community Service Award, go to www.aoa.org/x4979.xml. Completed nomination forms should be submitted via email with attachments to Paraoptometric Section Manager Joan Murphy at [email protected], or faxed to her at (314) 991-4101 by March 31, 2009.

For consideration of the membership award, affiliates should email their membership list to Joan Murphy at [email protected].