Many faces, one profession
More than 400 positions exist on AVMA councils, committees, and task forces. To showcase the diverse backgrounds and expertise of the volunteers who serve on them and to inspire even more AVMA members to participate, JAVMA News will feature a few entities each month. To be a candidate for one of the current vacancies, go here, or contact officeevp
avma [dot] org (officeevp[at]avma[dot]org).
Strategic Planning Committee
Charge/mission: The committee designs and deploys mechanisms for environmental scanning to identify, gather, and analyze information and trends that could impact the AVMA and the veterinary profession. It also collaborates with the Executive Board and staff to foster strategic planning, identify issues, and develop and prioritize goals.
Members:
D. Lisa Parshley (COL '03), chair, Portland, Ore.; representing AVMA councils
Ronald E. Gill (IL '75), Gill Veterinary Clinic, West Salem, Ill.; representative-at-large
Grace F. Bransford (CAL '98), Ross Valley Veterinary Hospital, San Anselmo, Calif.; representing AVMA committees
Lynne A. White-Shim (IL '06), AVMA Scientific Activities Division; representing AVMA staff
David A. Dimeo (IL '83), Atwood Animal Hospital, Cranston, R.I., representing AVMA House of Delegates
Amanda Chea Hall (NCU '02), Canby, Ore.; representing recent graduates
What current project are you most excited about?
J. Karl Wise, PhD, AVMA associate executive vice president, said the Strategic Planning Committee is developing a framework for environmental scanning that would strengthen the AVMA's ability to forecast changes and trends in the profession and society. Those predictions are vital to the AVMA's dynamic strategic planning process.
A recent meaningful accomplishment:
The SPC was instrumental in gaining the Executive Board's approval of the current strategic plan in 2008, Dr. Wise said. The committee also conceived and recommended the current management structure that oversees tactical achievements by the executive vice president and goal managers on staff.
How is your entity addressing the profession's pressing issues?
Dr. Wise said the committee is charged with developing and fostering the planning process that allows the AVMA leadership to consider pressing issues, predict changes, and develop the best strategies for interacting with an ever-changing society.
How is the entity addressing the strategic or operational goals of the AVMA
Dr. D. Lisa Parshley said strategic planning helps the AVMA be proactive and responsive to shifting geographic, political, cultural, and economic trends.
"I can say with great pride our committee's past and present members, the Executive Board, and the Office of the Executive Vice President have made incredible strides in realigning our governance toward strategic planning," Dr. Parshley said.
The committee recommended adoption of a planning framework, the Executive Board approved five strategic goals and specific objectives, and responsibility for development and execution of the plan was assigned to the executive vice president and senior management, Dr. Parshley said. The Executive Board also approved a fund for tactical programs.
The SPC is currently helping to develop the AVMA's environmental scanning system.
Task Force on Future Roles and Expectations
Charge/mission: The task force will evaluate roles and expectations of AVMA officers and Executive Board members, including travel, as well as the AVMA's relationship with students, the Student AVMA, student chapters of the AVMA, and the faculty of veterinary schools/colleges.
Members:
Dr. Gregory S. Hammer (KSU '73), chair, Brenford Animal Hospital, Dover, Del.; representing AVMA past presidents/officers
Dr. Scott T. Aoki (CAL '06), Harvard Medical School; representing the AVMA Member Services Committee
Dr. Theodore J. Cohn (TUS '75), University Hills Animal Hospital, Denver; representing the AVMA Executive Board
Dr. Larry G. Dee (AUB '69), Hollywood Animal Hospital, Hollywood, Fla.; representing the AVMA Executive Board
Dr. Joseph H. Kinnarney (COR '80), Reidsville Veterinary Hospital, Reidsville, N.C.; representing the AVMA Executive Board
Ralph Johnson, Colorado VMA; representing the American Society of Veterinary Medical Association Executives
Rebecca M. Steers (TUF '10), Tufts University, representing the Student AVMA
What current project(s) are you most excited about?
Dr. Lyle P. Vogel, AVMA assistant executive vice president, said the task force's entire objective is very important. He said the task force is examining the roles and responsibilities of AVMA officers and Executive Board members in maintaining and improving dialogue with the AVMA's constituents.
A recent meaningful accomplishment:
Dr. Vogel said the task force, with the help of the AVMA Marketing Department, conducted a survey to gather input from key groups—including past AVMA officers and board members, AVMA council and committee chairs and staff consultants, student leaders, deans and faculty advisers at veterinary schools/colleges, and executives and delegates representing state and allied associations.
How is your entity addressing the profession's pressing issues?
"The current economic challenge is causing us to review, with a critical eye, how we can make more effective and efficient use of AVMA resources, including membership dollars and volunteer leadership's time," Dr. Vogel said. "The challenge has provided a climate where some procedural changes in the best interests of the Association are possible that might otherwise be difficult or impossible to implement."
How is the entity addressing the strategic or operational goals of the AVMA?
Dr. Gregory S. Hammer, chair, said the task force hopes to attract more and younger leaders to serve the AVMA by streamlining travel and other requirements.