Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions that new members have.
- Do I have to fund my own volunteer trip?
- How much does it cost to be a member?
- Can I sign up anytime I want?
- How much will the 2010 El Salvador mission cost?
- What if I just started optometry school? Can I still help on a mission?
- Can I send you my ideas to help improve SVOSH @ SCCO?
- How many students are allowed to attend the 2010 El Salvador trip?
- Can I plan my own SVOSH trip?
A: Yes. SVOSH @ SCCO does not fundraise for individual members. However, we want to help you make it financially feasable to attend a trip on a student budget. We will let you know when scholarships from local optometric societies are available, and don't forget, we will raffle off $500 for the 2010 mission to El Salvador. We urge students to look for one or more ODs as a sponsor.
Q: How much does it cost to be a member?
A: This year's membership fee for the 2010-2011 school year is $20. This includes a T-shirt, a raffle ticket and an info night with dinner.
A: Yes. Contact your Board of Directors any time during the year to join.
Q: How much will the 2010 El Salvador mission cost?
A: In 2009, airfair was $500 and FUDEM charged $500 for the week. This includes in-country transportation, hotel stay, breakfast, lunch and dinner all week (including Thanksgiving dinner) and even an awards ceremony!
A: Of course! The ODs working on the trip will train you using their portable equipment. Most likely, a first year going on a trip will work visual acuity, autorefraction, lensometry, optical and shadowing the ODs. Upperclassmen can be given the opportunity to refract patients.
A: Please do! We want to make SVOSH @ SCCO the best it can be. Email your Board of Directors any new ideas you may have.
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A: We will need about 12 students this year. This is almost double from last year! Take advantage of this opportuninty!
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A: Yes we can! If you know of an organization that is looking for student volunteers, feel free to start planning. But please remember that SCCO itself will not be willing to sponsor any SVOSH trips due to liability. This is a direct quote taken from SCCO's student manual under the section titled 'participation in volunteer vision care activities with outside organizations':
"While the Southern California College of Optometry encourages its
students to participate in volunteer activities that have humanistic purposes, and which activities will
provide optometric care and services to those who are otherwise unable to obtain such care, the College does not sponsor, control or otherwise supervise the activities of the organizations sponsoring these volunteer activities. Students will not be excused from classes to participate in these activities, nor will patient credit be given for participation, nor will work study funds be authorized. Moreover, students choosing to participate will be asked to sign a release for the College. A copy of the release is in the Appendix. It is the responsibility of the groups officers/student coordinators to obtain signed releases from all students. Failure to do so will result in the Student Officers being liable.