GOAK

About GOAK

Kerala Government Optometrists’ Association is the one and only Government recognized service organization of Optometrists working in Kerala Government Service.

GOAK conference audience

Objectives of the Organisation

GOAK’s objectives, as stated in the association’s bylaw, are:

  • To conduct Continuing Medical Education Programmes in relation to Optometry to update the knowledge of members.
  • To conduct research in Optometry, encourage writing books and publishing, and enable members to work towards a bright future for the organisation.
  • To demand before the Government and Health Authorities better pay, allowances and working conditions for Optometrists.
  • To give local help and speedy solutions to all professional issues affecting the members.
  • To conduct free eye camps for common people.
  • To meet the challenge of blindness and to stop the huge loss to our economy.
  • To celebrate special occasions such as World Optometry Day, National Eye Donation Fortnight, World Sight Day and World Glaucoma Week.
  • To work to maintain religious harmony and national integration.
  • To participate in all NPCB activities to eradicate blindness.

Official Recognition

Recognition was granted to the Kerala Government Optometrists’ Association subject to the conditions specified in Rule 77 of the Kerala Government Servants’ Conduct Rules, 1960. The recognition was granted by the Personnel and Administrative Reforms (Advice-C) Department as per Government Order (MS) No. 25/95/P&ARD, Thiruvananthapuram, dated 9 November 1995.

GOVERNMENT RECOGNITION

285

Association Serial Number

Membership

Membership is open to Optometrists, Ophthalmic Assistants, Refractionists, Orthoptists, District Ophthalmic Co-ordinators, Tutor Technicians and Netra Technicians of various Government institutions in Kerala.

Membership fee: Rs. 50/-, along with the prescribed application form, to be submitted to the State Committee. The association’s working fund and donations from members are other sources of income, with the annual working fund decided by the State Committee.

Association Structure

State Committee composition:

  • President — 1
  • Vice-Presidents — 2
  • General Secretary — 1
  • Joint Secretaries — 2
  • Public Relations Secretary — 1
  • Treasurer — 1
  • Auditor — 1
  • State Committee Members — 14

For administrative purposes, the committee may co-opt three members to the State Committee.

Executive Committee

President, General Secretary, Joint Secretaries, Treasurer and Auditor are members of the Executive Committee.

Term of the administrative committee: One year.

Roles & Responsibilities

President

President is the head of the Association and the President presides over each meeting of the Association.

Vice-Presidents

Support the President in administration and may preside over meetings in the President’s absence.

General Secretary

Acts according to State Committee decisions; calls Association meetings in consultation with the President; collects income and makes expenditure as authorised by State Committee decisions; and is custodian of the Association’s movable and immovable articles.

Joint Secretaries

Support the General Secretary in carrying out the work.

Treasurer

Deposits Association funds in a Nationalised or Scheduled Bank on behalf of the President, General Secretary and Treasurer. A copy of the income and expenditure statement prepared by the General Secretary is to be provided to the State Treasurer.

General Body: General Body is the supreme authority of the Association, with the right to amend the by-laws and remove office bearers.