AVMA membership hits record 95,000

Board approves 2020 budget focused on member value

By: Dr. Rena Carlson, Board of Directors Chair; Dr. John Howe, AVMA President; Dr. Sandy Willis, House Advisory Committee Chair; Dr. Janet Donlin, AVMA Executive Vice President

The AVMA and our Board of Directors would like to extend a big “Thank you!” to all our members for their contribution on surpassing a terrific AVMA milestone – 95,000 members!

This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and passion of every one of our members who have shown their commitment to the profession and the association, and who continue to lend their increasing strength and unified voice to help improve animal and human health through the practice of veterinary medicine.

The membership announcement came during the AVMA Board’s recent November meeting and builds on the success we achieved in 2019, when our membership numbers also hit a record high. Your association continues to grow, and we are continuing to work hard every day to meet our members’ needs.

2020 budget, strategy approved

Providing value to our members in both work and life is the AVMA’s focus. To meet those objectives, the AVMA Budget and Financial Review and Strategy Management committees presented–and the board approved–a 2020 budget and strategic operating plan focused on our ongoing efforts to provide our members the services, products and support they need to thrive both professionally and personally. We crafted 2020 operational and budget plans that make fiscal sense while also focusing on providing the products and services our members expect.

The AVMA had a productive year in 2019, successfully delivering new and ongoing services and benefits to members while providing thought leadership and serving as a trusted convener for the profession. Our action plan for 2020, infused with insights from our market research, builds on these foundational successes to continue our momentum in enhancing member value and driving member satisfaction. As we investigate opportunities to expand and improve how we serve our members and advance the veterinary profession, our goal is to provide real solutions to drive value and growth – to members and the profession.

In 2020, the AVMA will respond to transformative change across the profession by creating and delivering practical, applicable solutions that members value by refining and expanding the delivery of member services. To ensure growth, we will identify and expand strategies that increase non-dues revenue. We will continue to focus on our five strategic pillars:

• Driving Lifelong Membership
• Innovating Through Data Management and Business Intelligence
• Enhancing Professional Development and Lifelong Learning
• Advancing Professional Policy and Practice
• Leveraging Relationships and World-Class Advocacy Efforts

These pillars guide our strategy to make membership the center of what we do by employing world-class data collection and management practices to match member needs with those things we do best, and offer guidance and support in all aspects of a veterinarian’s career.

Shaping policy, guiding the profession

The board also acted on numerous policies submitted by many of our volunteer entities. Several of the policies were referred to the AVMA House of Delegates (HOD) for consideration at its January meeting. The HOD is composed of AVMA members from 70 state and territorial, and allied veterinary medical groups, and it convenes each summer at the AVMA Annual Convention and each winter at the Veterinary Leadership Conference.

These policies, and the board’s recommendations, include:

• A new policy on Use of Technology in Veterinary Medicine with board recommendation of approval
• A new policy on Cribbing in Horses with board recommendation of approval
• A revised policy on Microchips with board recommendation of approval
• A revised policy on Declawing of Domestic Cats with no recommendation from the board

Entity elections

Wrapping things up, we’d like to congratulate the following people who were elected to AVMA volunteer positions. Thank you for your commitment and service to your colleagues and our profession. The entities and those elected are:

• Animal Welfare Committee: Dr. Andrea Winkel-Blair
• Committee on Disaster and Emergency Issues: Dr. Michael Martin
• Committee on International Veterinary Affairs: Dr. Cassandra Tansey
• Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary School Graduates: Dr. Paul Zoyhofski
• Food Safety Advisory Committee: Drs. Daniel Wilson, Julie Smith, Gabriel Innes, Michelle Michalak
• Legislative Advisory Committee: Drs. Mary Luebbers, Silene St. Bernard, Jason Johnson, Dominique Griffon
• State Advisory Committee: Dr. Leianne Lee Loy
• Steering Committee on Human-Animal Interactions: Dr. Carolyn Rubin
• Veterinary Economic Strategy Committee: Dr. Charles Johnson
• Veterinary Leadership Conference Planning Committee: Dr. James Finlay

The AVMA is a member-driven organization that relies on volunteers to help us achieve success and meet the goals necessary to serve the veterinary profession. Any AVMA voting member can volunteer, and the AVMA offers numerous opportunities for involvement. As a volunteer, you can help shape the direction of the association and your profession, meet new colleagues, and forge valuable and lasting relationships. You also have a chance to give back to your profession and influence the key issues affecting veterinary medicine. Check out our volunteer opportunities today.