Member, student needs addressed
At its fall meeting, the Member Services Committee heard preliminary findings of the Member Needs Assessment Survey. Because of the wealth of important information, the Executive Board authorized the committee to add an extra day onto its spring 2008 meeting so the AVMA marketing staff can explain the findings in greater detail.
On the committee's own recommendation, the board approved revisions to the entity charge and objectives, partly to streamline and prioritize. More important, the revisions recognize the importance of Student AVMA members by adding the following objective to indicate the committee's support of the SAVMA: "To promote the benefits provided to student members of the AVMA and act as a resource to SAVMA."
To coordinate future AVMA student programs and encourage continued involvement of SAVMA members with the AVMA after graduation, the board approved the following policy, as recommended by the committee:
AVMA Programs that Benefit Student American Veterinary Medical Association Members
Future AVMA programs in which students can participate will be made available to all Student American Veterinary Medical Association members.
The board approved an amended policy from the committee on AVMA dues of members of the U.S. armed forces who are in foreign service. The language was changed primarily because nowadays, there are two dues-exemption waivers for which AVMA members, including those in service, can apply. The new policy states the following:
Dues of Members in Uniformed Services
The AVMA supports its members in uniformed services, such that AVMA will accommodate the needs of the uniformed service members with regard to AVMA dues.
The board approved revising a policy to reflect the existing practice of providing AVMA honor roll member certificates suitable for framing not only to new members but also, on request and at no cost, to current honor roll members.
An obsolete policy titled Agency for International Development was rescinded.