Delegates hold first official winter session

Published on
information-circle This article is more than 3 years old
Delegates from Georgia and Louisiana participate in the first regular winter session of the AVMA House of Delegates. The next regular annual session of the HOD will be in New Orleans this summer, in conjunction with the AVMA Annual Convention.
Georgia and Louisiana AVMA HOD members

Dr. James O. Cook, AVMA president-elect, presided over the House of Delegates' first regular winter session, held Jan. 12 during the AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference. Previously, the HOD held an informational assembly during the leadership conference. The winter session is held in addition to the regular annual session held in conjunction with the AVMA Annual Convention.

Dr. Mark Helfat, chair of the AVMA House Advisory Committee, said the winter session will create greater synergy between the HOD and other leadership committees and allow delegates more flexibility in conducting business.

At the first regular winter session, delegates approved the minutes of the 2007 HOD Annual Session and a new House of Delegates Manual. Noteworthy changes to the manual included adding the Department of Homeland Security to the HOD advisory panel and making editorial changes to accommodate the regular winter session. The advisory panel now comprises eight agencies or organizations.

Besides convening in formal sessions, the HOD met in reference committees and engaged in informal open discussion on a number of planned topics and additional ones introduced by delegates.

Craig Little, director of the AVMA Information Technology Division, demonstrated the electronic voting system the AVMA has purchased for use by the House of Delegates and other entities. Delegates had expressed interest in electronic voting, which will provide instant, accurate, and retrievable results in elections and votes on issues. The results will be weighted as mandated by the AVMA Bylaws.

Electronic voting will become operational when the HOD holds its regular annual session July 18-19 in New Orleans.