The AVMA Political Action Committee will make $1,000 donations to the scholarship funds of the top two state VMAs and the top two veterinary schools and colleges with the most contributions to the AVMAPAC over the next year.

The AVMAPAC Policy Board hopes the contest will generate enthusiasm and support for the PAC, which helps AVMA members and lobbyists get the Association's legislative agenda passed.

"Having a voice on legislative issues on the federal level is critical to the veterinary profession," explained Christine Baker, the AVMAPAC/grassroots manager of the Association's Governmental Relations Division. "The more issues that affect our profession, the larger our PAC needs to be in order to be heard."

The four winners will be selected according to two criteria: highest total contributions to the PAC and per capita donors (total donations divided by the number of members/alumni).

The contest started June 1, 2008, and ends June, 30, 2009.

Updates on the state VMA and the school or college that are leading in their categories will appear periodically in the GRD's Advocate News Bulletin.

Winners will be announced in 2009 at the 146th AVMA Annual Convention in Seattle.

For more information about the AVMAPAC scholarship contest, contact Christine Baker at cbaker@avma.org or call (800) 321-1473, Ext. 3206.