The Executive Board approved a series of orientation programs at AVMA headquarters for executive directors of organizations represented in the House of Delegates.

Executive directors of state and allied organizations will be invited to AVMA headquarters for a 1-1/2 day orientation funded by the AVMA. The AVMA/Association of Veterinary Medical Association Executives Joint Committee recommended this measure as a way of increasing the directors' understanding of AVMA operations.

A schedule of up to five programs of 12 people each over the next 2-1/2 years will enable every organization in the HOD to send their executive directors to this optional program. Once this meeting cycle is completed, an annual orientation for new executive directors only can be offered at minimal cost during the yearly orientation and spokesperson training for AVMA officers, Executive Board chair, and new board members. The cost in 2004 will be $20,400, but by 2006 it will be half that amount.

Another recommendation from the AVMA/ASVMAE joint committee called for designation of an AVMA staff person to act as a liaison to ASVMAE members, to facilitate effective, efficient communication. AVMA executive staff expressed reservations because of the time involved in dedicating a staff person as a resource, but ultimately agreed to the commitment, and the board approved the recommendation.