AVMA member input sought on Association’s Governance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 26, 2013

AVMA member input sought on Association’s Governance

February 26, 2013—The AVMA Task Force on Governance and Member Participation presented a hypothetical governance model at the January 3-5, 2013 Veterinary Leadership Conference. Reactions from those present were mixed. Task Force members visited Reference Committee and District meetings to gather additional feedback and are inviting all those not present to review the model and provide comments prior to March 31 2013.

“Change in governance will ultimately affect every individual member,” said Dr. Grace Bransford, a Task Force member from Mill Valley, California. “It’s time to harness new technologies, move more nimbly, act more transparently, and build new bridges within and outside the AVMA to help us be the most effective veterinary professional association we can be. We need every member’s input to help us blaze new trails and rethink some old systems.”

All AVMA members are urged to review the Governance model  (http://www.avma.org/goverancetaskforce)presented at the Veterinary Leadership Conference and email (avmagovernance@avma.org) the Task Force with their feedback by March 31, 2013. Comments will be reviewed by the Task Force prior to forwarding their recommendation to the AVMA Executive Board.

The Task Force, comprised of 11 volunteer members, was formed as the result of a 2011 resolution by the House of Delegates to conduct a review and evaluation of the current governance structure. Task Force members have spent the past 10 months listening to their colleagues’ concerns, gathering and evaluating research, as well as talking with association experts within and outside the profession. The Task Force hopes to have a final recommendation to the Executive Board in time for its June meeting.

“Let’s work together to build something to take us into the next 150 years,” added Bransford.