April 8, 1999 Consolidation Update

4/8/99
American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists - American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics - American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association

Efforts Towards Consolidation Continue!

Your vote as a member is important! Voice your opinion - yes or no - but vote!

The leadership of the Academy, AOPA and ABC are dedicated to informing and communicating all the issues, questions, concerns on the subject of consolidation. Members can expect to receive frequent (every two weeks) updates via broadcast faxes (direct mailing to those without faxes). The Academys 25^th Annual Meeting generated much discussion and debate on the topic of consolidation. Now, lets jump right in with some basic facts on or about consolidation.

Just the Facts

Structural Issues

All three boards support the act of consolidation
ABC will no longer be a separate corporate entity
ABC and NCOPE will be autonomous, with their own boards of commissioners, to assure that the processes of certification and accreditation are free from "undue influence"
The National Office structure was reviewed by consultants several times within a six-year period with a recommendation of consolidation on two reports
A proforma business report on the new association is being prepared and will be published and available in late May

Voting Issues

ABC credentialed individuals will not have a vote if they are not Active Members of the Academy
Only Active Members in good standing will have a vote
The number of ABC practitioners that can not vote this summer is approximately 1,500
Yes, the new association will accept non-ABC credentialed individuals (BOC, CPed, etc.) as members, but in the "Affiliate Practitioner Member" category. This level of membership can not vote
Individuals may hold multiple memberships (i.e., Individual and Company) and would be entitled to one vote for each Active Membership
Suppliers/Manufacturers currently make up only 5% of the combined voting membership of AOPA and the Academy
Patient care facilities make up 23% of the combined voting membership of AOPA and the Academy
Practitioners make up 72% of the combined voting membership of AOPA and the Academy

Please contact the Steering Committee with any questions or concerns on consolidation at: or (703) 836 7114 ext. 3029 and join the discussions on the OANDP Listserv

"The fewer facts you have in support of an opinion, the stronger your emotional attachment to that opinion"

- Anonymous

1650 King Street, Suite 500, Alexandria, VA 22314 - (703) 836-7114 phone - (703) 836-0838 fax

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