Board Communique - May 2024

24 May 2024
 
AVA Board Update

It has been a busy time since the Board last met in February 2024. We have welcomed a new Chief Executive Melissa King and progressed work towards the hallmark AVA Conference which begins on 27 May 2024 in Melbourne. We have celebrated World Veterinary Day which recognised Vets as essential health workers, been active on a number of parliamentary submissions and advocated for veterinary students to be included in the Commonwealth Prac Placement Scheme announced by Minister Clare.

In April the President attended the International Veterinary Officers Council (IVOC) meeting comprising AVMA, NZVA, CVMA, BVA, SAVA and AVA, and the World Veterinary Congress, with both providing some valuable insights from our global counterparts. Here is the link to the President's overview.

 
May 2024 Board Meeting

Key items discussed at the AVA Board meeting included:

  1. Constitution Reform

In 2023 the AVA Board proposed modernising the constitution to better meet current and future member needs (Stage 1). We are now moving to the next phase for 2024 (Stage 2) which will include migrating the AVA constitution to the model constitution of not-for-profit organisations (ACNC) and therefore updating to Corporations Act requirements (Procedural Changes). We will seek to clarify additional clauses that are procedural in nature. AVA has engaged a subject matter expert to assist us in navigating this reform. Importantly, we will be establishing a Constitutional Working Group with a representative group of the membership to help us review more substantive changes (Stage 3) in 2025.

  1. Membership Feedback and Value

The last review of membership value and feedback occurred in 2019, which led to advocacy becoming a strategic priority and the development of an expanded Veterinary and Policy Advocacy team. Since that time the world has undergone significant change and the Board agrees it is time for the AVA to engage with and seek feedback from members on how you view the Association, its purpose, and reaffirm and explore what you value in your membership. To help guide us we will be developing a Member Working Group consisting of a representative cross-section of our membership (demographic/career stage/membership type), and inclusion of non-members in both questionnaire and focus groups – we look forward to your feedback and engagement in this process.

  1. Events for 2025

Thank you to the SIGs and the AVA team for their focus on the future. We were pleased to see the 2025 Large Event approvals endorsed by the Education Advisory Committee (EAC), which align to the revised event approvals protocol. This means we can ensure our members have their diaries booked and our program focused to maximise advance planning.

In 2025 ASAV will be celebrating its 50th Annual Conference and will join forces with 3 other special interest groups - UPAV, AVDS and AVCB, to deliver an exciting mix of high-quality continuing professional development, industry exhibition and social collegiality.

Breaking news - Keep an eye out at 2024 AVA Conference where we will announce the theme, keynote and plenary speakers for 2025 AVA Conference, which will be heading to Sydney after a hiatus of 20 years.

  1. Education - Chartered Veterinary Practitioner Update

The AVA Chartered Veterinary Practitioner® (AVA CVP) is a veterinary accreditation program initially offered to ASAV SIG members. The AVA Board approved the AVA CVP product for launch in 2022. The program is in pilot phase and gaining momentum. We are seeking feedback from members and students on the impact of the program and learnings on their career satisfaction and will continue to monitor the program, to better navigate a way forward.

  1. Social Media Policy and AVA Speaker Representation at External Events

The Board approved a Social Media Policy and confirmed the importance of a clear procedure for requests for AVA speaker representatives at external events. The team will be developing a framework so we can support speakers and ensure our representation is in line with our strategic intent.

  1. ACAHF Director Nomination

The Australian Companion Animal Health Foundation (ACAHF) was formed in 1988 to support research into the causes, prevention, or cure of disease in animals (and in particular to canine, feline and other companion animal species). The ACAHF submitted a request for the appointment of a new director through an Expression of Interest and the Board was pleased to approve the appointment of Dr Geeta Saini as a Director of the Trust.

  1. AVA Support and Sector Engagement

The Board approved a letter of support from AVA to the Veterinary and Community Care (VaCC) for their Veterinary Social Work Training and Services Pilot Project. This is a project to progress the emerging field of Veterinary Social Work in Australia.

AVA will formally join the ICECDogs (International Collaborative on Extreme Conformations in Dogs) to work with international groups to advocate for breeding happy, healthy dogs. We are participating as part of an Australian multi-stakeholder group consisting of AVA and RSPCA Australia, formed specifically on the issue of advocating for improved brachycephalic breeding practices.

  1. Associate Membership

The Board approved an application for Associate Membership of the AVA. Associate Membership is an important AVA membership category. It provides membership for overseas qualified veterinarians who have not taken the National Veterinary Examination (NVE) to become registrable in Australia, or for people closely affiliated with the veterinary industry. Associate Members enjoy the same rights, access, and responsibilities as Full AVA Members, except the right to vote and to hold office. Associate Membership is particularly valuable to research, industry and government vets, and the Board is keen to expand this membership category to provide a voice, education, community, and support to vets working in these areas.

AVA Board of Directors
May 2024