AVMA Executive Board to consider changes to its membership, House of Delegates term limits

Schaumberg, Ill.

-- The president of the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) may soon be an official participant of American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Executive Board meetings instead of just an invited guest if a proposed bylaw amendment is approved by the Executive Board Jan. 9.

The bylaw change would allow the SAVMA president to participate at a deeper level at Executive Board meetings than in the past, though the SAVMA president would not be a voting member of the board. The proposal was originated by the Task Force on Future Roles and Expectations, and aims to foster more dialogue and a closer relationship between AVMA and its student division.

Another bylaw amendment to be considered by the Executive Board at its Jan. 9 winter session is a change to delegate and alternate delegate term limits. The proposal -- submitted by the Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont veterinary medical associations -- is aimed at bringing more fresh ideas to the House of Delegates, according to AVMA. Existing bylaws allow for four-year terms with no term limit. The amendment would change the term length to three years with only one renewal. Delegates may then serve as alternative delegates for a one-time renewable, three-year term, with total House of Delegates service being capped at 12 years.

The amendment would take effect on terms beginning after Jan. 9, 2010, if approved, and is meant move the House of Delegates beyond “being referred to as the ‘old boys network,’” says AVMA.

A final amendment to be considered Jan. 9 is to change the bylaw governing the role of alternate delegates in the House of Delegates. The bylaw amendment being proposed by the House Advisory Committee would give equal authority and responsibilities to both delegates and alternate delegates, with the exception of voting rights.

Check back with dvm360.comfor continued updates on the AVMA Executive Board’s actions.