1. The O&M Profession A CONVERSATION ABOUT OUR STRENGTHS, NEEDS AND THE FUTURE OF THE O&M DIVISION

2. Some Starting figures:

3. AER Finances 2009(173,384)(210,572) 201053,774(156,798) 2011(73,659)(230,057) 2012132,983(65,111) 201396,22831,117 From the AER REPORT (Summer Edition 2014)

4. Division Membership 200620072008200920102011201220132014 129914281491132512021050113612571189 ACVREP CERTIFIED O&M SPECIALISTS – 9/1/ 14: 2,543 AER O&M DIVISION MEMBERS: ~1200 AER Membership: ~ 4000 NOMC: estimated ~60

5. Timeline of the Discussion 4/13 O&M ListServe thread subject line: “O&M Needs a Viable, Functioning Professional Assoc.” 7/13 O&M ListServe thread subject line: “Survey to strengthen and grow the O&M Profession ” 8/13 List serve Discussion: The O&M Professional Association and Autonomy 12/13 New Orleans AER O&M Conference 3/14 – 5/14 O&M/GDMI Summit (5 Facilitated Phone Conference Calls) Decision taken to work within AER to create a Chapter to act as a Professional Association 6/10 Phone conference between O&M Division Leadership & Representatives of “The Summit Group” Professional Association Chapter within AER Postponed ?! 7/30 Joint Meeting of O&M Division Leadership and Representatives of “The Summit Group” First face-to-face meeting during International Conference. Decision made to undergo a strategic planning process, beginning with a listening tour to the OMAs.

6. In order to serve our profession we need to know…. 1) What makes you continue to choose to stay engaged and involved in the O&M and GDMI professional community? 2) What most concerns you about the future of the O&M or Guide Dog Mobility Instructor profession(s), or our community, as a whole? 3) What would you do or change to help strengthen the O&M and Guide Dog Mobility Instructor profession(s)? 4) Where should we be in five years? How should our profession be different? What landmarks will you be looking for to know that progress has been made?

7. Listening/Planning/Acting We need to listen to our profession Both Current AER members and non-members OMAs /AER Regionals /Phone and web canvassing and surveying We want to seek input as broad and deep as possible from the community We Will Brainstorm to create potential Division Initiatives to respond to identified needs, and create a plan of action. We Will determine if what we plan is supported by the Profession and the Division Membership. We will act to implement the plan.

8. Give Feedback to the Division Identify perceived strengths and weaknesses in regard to the O&M Division and it’s ability to lead and support the profession O&M Tell us what you think How have we succeeded? How have we failed?

9. Participants in the Listening Tour Susan Langendonk Chair, O&M Division Michelle Antinarelli Chair-Elect, O&M Division Kevin Hollinger, Past Chair, O&M Division Sarah Bussey, Lukas Franck, Richard Long Summit Participants