 Marilyn McGill |
 Beverly Richardson |
Convention attendees can "Jazz up with the Auxiliary" this year by partaking in discussion, food, music, and shopping—at the working sessions and the closing brunch of the Auxiliary to the AVMA and at the organization's gift shop and annual marketplace.
Marilyn McGill, outgoing president, said communication between the organization of veterinarians' spouses and the AVMA has been excellent this past year. The Auxiliary also has been working to strengthen communication with spouses of veterinary students.
"The more we can learn from them about the way they want our organization to go and flow, the more helpful it is to all of us," McGill said.
McGill said students' spouses would like the Auxiliary to provide not only social functions but also information regarding the AVMA—particularly concerning AVMA insurance programs and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Today, an Auxiliary luncheon for students' spouses will feature speakers from the AVMA Group Health and Life Insurance Trust, AVMA PLIT, and AVMF.
Beverly Richardson, incoming president, said her theme for the coming year is "From Vision to Reality."
"My focus will be re-evaluating our purpose as an auxiliary," she said.
Richardson drew her inspiration from the work of author Jim Collins, who says that purpose should drive organizations and that organizations must reinvent themselves every decade. Richardson said the Auxiliary needs a new mission statement for a new generation of veterinarians' spouses, an increasing number of whom are men.
"If you have a significant purpose, and you're passionate about your purpose, then the membership comes, the finances come," Richardson said.
Following the Hill's Opening Session, the Auxiliary invites attendees to a "Futuristic Thinkers" roundtable discussion at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, the convention headquarters hotel. Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. is sponsoring the session, which will focus on how state auxiliaries relate to the national organization.
The Kritters Korner gift shop returns this year with new jewelry, purses, clothing, and other products featuring veterinary and animal themes. The boutique is open for business through Tuesday in the lobby of Hall J at the convention center.
The annual Marketplace of States and silent auction will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon Sunday at the headquarters hotel. The marketplace features items from state auxiliaries such as honey-roasted nuts, peanut brittle and pecan brittle, hand-painted stools, picture frames and other decor, linens and a handmade quilt, and shirts for adults and children. Proceeds benefit the Student Loan Fund, which currently administers about 500 loans, and other Auxiliary education projects.
The Auxiliary House of Delegates meets from 7:45 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday at the headquarters hotel. A brunch follows from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Brunch tickets are available for $50 at Registration until 4 p.m. today and at the door. Local musicians will be performing jazz with Robert Walzel, PhD, director of the University of Utah's School of Music. Hill's is sponsoring the event.
