The House of Delegates approved the first resolution submitted by one of its reference committees under a new provision in the HOD Manual allowing that pathway.

Reference Committee 4 on Finance, chaired by Kentucky delegate Dr. Barbara A. Schmidt, acknowledged the Executive Board's development and approval of a balanced 2010 budget.

At the same time, the committee submitted Resolution 5, asking that the HOD request the board to authorize up to $175,000 from the AVMA reserves to reimburse delegates and alternate delegates for travel expenses to the 2010 winter and annual sessions at amounts consistent with 2009 funding.

The funding had been cut to $550 per meeting for each delegate and alternate as one of many cost-saving measures to achieve a balanced budget.

Considerable discussion ensued, some saying this would not be best for the AVMA. But ultimately the HOD agreed with the reference committee that funding at the 2009 level would enable all veterinary organizations represented in the HOD to participate, and would foster recruitment of new and younger members. The 2009 funding reimburses HOD members for up to three nights' lodging and airfare.

Dr. Gregg J. Cutler, American Association of Avian Pathologists alternate delegate, said, "An active, diverse, healthy House of Delegates is best for AVMA."