Board recommends winter elections for AVMA officers

The incoming Executive Board for 2008-2009, meeting for the first time July 23 in New Orleans, recommended that the House of Delegates shift elections for the AVMA president-elect and vice president ahead by six months to the HOD's regular winter session, partly as a cost-saving measure.

But first, the 2007-2008 board held its final meeting July 17, prior to the HOD's regular annual session and the AVMA Annual Convention. The outgoing board took the following actions:

• Appointed Dr. Grace F. Bransford of Mill Valley, Calif., to the AVMA Strategic Planning Committee, representing AVMA committees. She also serves on the AVMA Member Services Committee, representing private clinical practice
• Approved affiliate membership for Mason V. Reichard, PhD. He is an assistant professor in the Veterinary Pathology Department at the Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences
• Approved foreign travel to Cairo, Egypt, for Dr. Ron DeHaven, AVMA chief executive officer, to speak at the second Global Conference on Animal Welfare, Oct. 20-22

Previously, during a June 30 electronic vote, the board appointed Dr. DeHaven as the delegate to the Vet 2011 Committee for the duration of the planning process for World Veterinary Year—a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the world's first veterinary school, in Lyons, France.

2008-2009 Executive Board

The 2008-2009 board convened July 23 to consider several agenda items, including the proposal to hold elections of AVMA officers six months before the officers' terms start each summer.

The incoming board recommended that the House Advisory Committee arrange to move elections to the HOD's regular winter session, which occurs concurrently with the AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference, starting in January 2009. Delegates would vote then for a president-elect and vice president—and, if necessary, a president.

New officers would still assume their duties at the conclusion of the subsequent AVMA convention. The six-month window between the elections and installation would simplify trip planning and reduce travel expenses for officers. The new procedure also would allow for inclusion of incoming officers' names in materials for meetings they attend on behalf of the AVMA, such as meetings of state VMAs and allied groups.

For the first round of elections under the system, candidates for office would have a six-month campaign period rather than a full year. Drs. Larry M. Kornegay and Gary S. Brown are running for president-elect and vice president, respectively.

In keeping with the schedule change, the board also recommended that the HAC hold the Candidates' Introductory Breakfast during the HOD's regular winter session—for candidates who are standing for election one year later.

In other business, the board approved holding its June 2009 meeting in Las Vegas to allow members to visit the Oquendo Center. The new facility is a permanent site for administering the Clinical Proficiency Examination, the fourth and final step of the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates certification program.

The 2008-2009 board also welcomed two new members: Drs. Larry G. Dee of Hollywood, Fla., and Thomas F. Meyer of Vancouver, Wash.

Dr. Dee, a small animal practitioner, succeeds Dr. Larry R. Corry as District IV representative. District IV comprises Florida, Georgia, and Puerto Rico. Dr. Meyer, a mixed animal practitioner, succeeds Dr. Richard E. Coon as District XI representative. District XI comprises Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.

The incoming board elected Dr. David L. McCrystle, Healdsburg, Calif., as chair and Dr. Douglas G. Aspros, White Plains, N.Y., as vice chair.