Association seeks volunteers to take on issues
The AVMA is seeking volunteers to become leaders of the Association or to serve in council, committee, or liaison positions, taking on top issues in veterinary medicine.
Members of the AVMA Council on Veterinary Service, for example, discussed veterinary dentistry, microchip identification, diagnostic codes, and hazardous waste while meeting Sept. 12-13 at AVMA headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois.
The Association currently seeks candidates for president-elect and for two seats on the Board of Directors as well as nominations or applications for numerous other volunteer positions. Details and forms are available by visiting the AVMA Volunteer Opportunities - Vacancies web page or emailing OfficeEVPavma [dot] org (OfficeEVP[at]avma[dot]org).
President-elect, Board of Directors
The AVMA is calling for candidates to run for president-elect for the Association year running from summer 2021 to summer 2022. While the Association will accept applications through summer 2021, candidates who submit materials by April 1, 2020, can formally announce their candidacy and present to the AVMA House of Delegates in conjunction with AVMA Convention 2020.
Candidates will then have a full year to campaign. Election by the House of Delegates will take place during its regular annual session in conjunction with the 2021 convention. The president-elect will serve as president for the 2022-23 Association year.
The AVMA also will continue to accept nominations for 2020-21 president-elect and 2020-22 vice president until July 27, 2020. Election by the House will take place during its regular annual session in conjunction with the 2020 convention.
The Association is currently seeking nominations from AVMA voting members in districts IV and XI for a representative from each district to serve on the Board of Directors for a six-year term starting in August 2020. District IV comprises Florida, Georgia, and Puerto Rico. District XI comprises Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.
The AVMA will accept nominations from a state VMA in each district or by petition of 50 AVMA voting members in the district. The deadline for receipt of nominations is Feb. 1, 2020. If a district has more than one nominee, the Association will distribute a ballot to each voting member in the district.
Councils, committees, liaisons
In May 2020, the Council on Education Selection Committee will select a new member for the AVMA Council on Education. The committee will post a call for applications in mid-January for a COE member to represent private small animal clinical practice. The deadline is March 15, 2020. Another new member will be appointed by the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges to represent small animal clinical science.
The AVMA House of Delegates will elect members of councils other than the COE this coming summer during its regular annual session in conjunction with AVMA Convention 2020. The House fills vacancies on the Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents, Council on Public Health, Council on Research, and Council on Veterinary Service.
The AVMA will accept nominations for positions on these councils from organizations in the HOD or by petition of 10 AVMA voting members. The deadline is April 1, 2020.
The AVMA Board of Directors will fill a number of committee and liaison positions in April 2020. The vacancies include positions on committees addressing subjects ranging from animal welfare to antimicrobials to veterinary economics.
For many of these vacancies, AVMA members can apply on their own behalf or make a nomination on another member's behalf. For other vacancies, nominations must be made by a specific organization to be represented by the nominee or as otherwise stated in the vacancy description. The deadline is March 8, 2020.