AVMA seeks members for councils, committees

At 83,000 strong, AVMA is a big organization, yet we’re built one member at a time. Every member has something to contribute to help make us a better, more secure and productive profession.

Dr. Douglas G. Aspros, AVMA president

Members of the AVMA can volunteer for one of the Association’s councils, committees, or other entities to collaborate on efforts to advance veterinary medicine.

These entities help develop AVMA policy and engage in a variety of other Association activities influencing areas such as animal welfare, clinical practice, and legislative affairs.

“At 83,000 strong, AVMA is a big organization, yet we’re built one member at a time. Every member has something to contribute to help make us a better, more secure and productive profession,” said Dr. Douglas G. Aspros, AVMA president.

“Your unique perspective and experiences are invaluable, whatever you do in the profession or how old or new you are to AVMA. The time commitment isn’t onerous, and you’ll get so much more in return for your service—expanded horizons, new skills, new friends.

“Participation on an AVMA entity can change your life. It has mine.”

Nominations are being sought for nearly 100 positions that will become available in July 2013.

The Executive Board will fill committee and trust positions and appoint a new volunteer director of international affairs at its April 2013 meeting. Also in spring 2013, the House Advisory Committee will appoint three members to the Political Action Committee Policy Board.

Nominations for committees, trusts, the director of international affairs, and the PAC Policy Board must be submitted to the AVMA Office of the Executive Vice President by March 4, 2013. These nominations may be made by AVMA members on their own or another’s behalf, by local or state veterinary associations, by allied groups represented in the House of Delegates, by a specific organization to be represented by the nominee, or as otherwise stated in the entity description.

The HOD will elect council members when it convenes in July 2013 in Chicago. Council nominations may be made by organizations represented in the HOD or by petition of 10 voting members.

Nominations for councils must be submitted by April 1, 2013, to the AVMA Office of the Executive Vice President. Nominations for the Council on Education must be submitted by Feb. 1, 2013, so that the Council on Education Candidate Qualification Review Committee may review the nomination materials prior to the HOD election.

Nomination materials for AVMA entities, including descriptions of the entities and vacancies, are available at avma.org/Members/Volunteer/BecomeAVolunteer under “Vacancies”, or by calling AVMA headquarters at (800) 248-2862, Ext. 6605, or emailing OfficeEVPavma [dot] org (OfficeEVP[at]avma[dot]org).