Jan Trumpeter, DVM - AAHA
At the Fall Board Meeting, your ASVMAE Board of Directors decided that it would be most helpful for you, as ASVMAE members, to hear more about the decisions and actions that were taken during the previous board meeting. It is important for all of us to feel connected to this association and benefit from our working with one another.
Click here to read about the latest decisions and actions from the ASVMAE Board.
As VMA Executives, we are always conducting environmental scans for early detection of threats and opportunities for our members and for the veterinary profession. ThinkWORKS 2012, scheduled for March 16-18 in Denver, will provide the engine to propel us into “The Future of Companion Animal General Practice”, with a two and one half day program that will explore the ever-changing landscape that is fueling uncertainty and the need to adapt. Read what’s in store for attendees.
 Jan Trumpeter and Ralph Johnson participated at the Partnership Board meeting in Schaumburg, IL on December 13, 2011. Several decisions were made at this meeting. The accomplishments of the past 6 months were highlighted. A new operating and governance model for the Partnership was proposed and accepted for 2012. The budget for 2012 was proposed and accepted. There were commitments made for the 2012 calendar year by Partnership members at the meeting. Click here to read more updates.
Executives, officers and other leaders of veterinary medical associations will want to save the dates of September 21-22, 2012 for the fourth AVMA Public Policy Symposium at the Fairmont Dallas.
Times are changing in the practice of veterinary medicine and the stakes are higher than ever. Scope of practice concerns, animal welfare issues and internet pharmacies are a few examples of veterinary related matters hitting the profession at the local, state, and national level. It's up to us to make sure our voices are heard and to let legislators and the public know that veterinarians are experts on animal and public health related concerns. The symposium will help veterinarians become more effective advocates for the veterinary profession.
Participants will hear from experts, learn the latest tools, and gain a deeper understanding of emerging issues. In addition, an intensive media training workshop will be offered. More details will be available when registration opens in a few months.
The AVMA State Advocacy Committee met on October 17, 2011 at the AVMA Headquarters. One of the agenda items discussed was Advocacy Webinar Topics for 2012. Some possible topics being considered are:
- Measures to ban pet sales
- Breeder regulations
- Update on scope of practice laws
The Committee would like input from ASVMAE members as to what topics should be presented in 2012. Read more...
In mid-September I attended the Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) meeting, held at AVMA headquarters, as your representative. I want to share with you some recent welfare-related actions taken by the AVMA Executive Board (EB) and the House of Delegates (HOD) and also let you know about some of the key discussion at my meeting in Schaumburg. Read more...
Glenn Kolb
ASVMAE’s representative to the Animal Welfare Committee
With the ever-increasing role of ASVMAE in issues, policy, and association management, the ASVMAE Board of Directors has appointed a Policy Task Force to establish standard operating procedures for its own association. The task force will take on the duty of putting in writing best practices and procedures for the operation of the organization. This “manual” will provide direction and a framework for board members, task force members, and other ASVMAE volunteers concerning their involvement with ASVMAE. As they say, “the devil is in the details” so this hard-working task force will assemble standard operating procedures and administrative policies that will provide direction and vision to ASVMAE. Chaired by Lisa Perius, other task force members include Ralph Johnson, Jan Trumpeter, Clare Reagan, Emily Kane, Chris Copeland, and Tesha Hoff. They plan to have the document completed by the ASVMAE Summer Board Meeting in 2012.
 The Michigan VMA has negotiated a discounted registration rate for MVMA members when they enroll in James F. Wilson, DVM, JD’s new online Veterinary Law and Ethics course offered through Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Priority Press. The MVMA member rate is $725 (regular rate $850) or $360 for the first module (regular rate $400).
This RACE approved, self-paced, online, virtual classroom, CE course streams web based video paired with Power Point slides that reference 300+ pages of easy to use downloadable, electronically bookmarked handouts anytime/anywhere. Read more about this program and how your VMA can get take advantage of the discounted rates.
 With 2011 behind us, we can look back to the year that was and look ahead to 2012. More than 136,000 bills were introduced in 2011, with 47,000 adopted or enacted. In 28 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, bills introduced in 2011 carry over for consideration in 2012. On the other hand, legislatures in Montana, Nevada, North Dakota and Texas will not be meeting again until 2013. Click here to read the full article.
Clare Reagan, CAE - Georgia Veterinary Medical Association
Clare Reagan, CAE has been the Executive Director of the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association since June 2007 and currently serves as a Director on the ASVMAE Board. We asked Clare to share some of her thoughts with ASVMAE members on several topics. Click here to read more. |
