What is going on behind the scenes? If you have not familiarized yourself recently with the committees, activities, and membership representatives for the organization, I strongly suggest you invest a little time exploring the AASV website. We are fortunate as an organization to have 16 standing committees with dozens of volunteer members willing to lead and debate difficult topics such as influenza, early career development, pharmaceutical issues, and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. We are also fortunate to have members willing to represent the organization in allied groups such as the American Veterinary Medical Association, National Pork Producers Council, National Pork Board, and others.
We owe a great deal of gratitude to these volunteer members who take up the cause of speaking up for our industry and our organization. I challenge members to identify a place for your voice and your talent within the AASV. Search the AASV tab on the website and email your District Director. This past week, the AASV Board of Directors met to debate important topics and review initiatives brought forward by the committee chairs, who were invited to attend the first day of a 2-day meeting. Each chair presented their committee work and opened discussion for actions needed or funding requests. Each committee met to discuss and debate relevant issues during the Annual Meeting and brought forward activities and funding priorities for the board to consider.
It was interesting to me that every committee brought forward proposed actions this year. I am pleased to see the drive to improve the organization and its membership. I am also pleased to hear debate on funding needs where the greater industry may need a push or need coordination and leadership for scientific decision making. Something very exciting in the budget stands out, the AASV staff are fully engaged in the pursuit of taking action. The board learned of both external grants for project funding and internal action items for growing the organization. My hope is that you have already met Dr Abbey Canon and Sherrie Webb and shared an email with the new JSHAP Publications Manager and AASV Foundation Manager Rhea Schirm. I am certain you already know the tremendous support our organization receives from Associate Director Dr Sue Schulteis and leadership from Executive Director Dr Harry Snelson. My ask is for you to read about the communications, organizational structure, grant proposals, and report of work all put together by the excellent AASV staff.
The AASV Board of Directors are active in discussions and blessed to enjoy the progress reports of motivated committee chairs and staff. Read a summary of these discussions and actions in the recent District Director report sent to members in May. Now we each must do our part to take up the challenge. Look for a committee or an organization with volunteer opportunities. Call or email the chair of a committee focused on an area of interest to you. Reach out with ideas for the Annual Program Planning Committee to consider when they meet in June. And get yourself to the World Pork Expo that happens yearly in June where we expect to meet face-to-face again and talk about important AASV issues in the members-only session.
Finally, as you review the AASV website for personal motivation, take some time to search the AASV resources. As members we have access to a war chest of information and support. Images, podcasts, videos, and previous meeting proceedings are all waiting for you. By now you should have already completed the 2023 AASV Salary Survey. We need this data to help build financial information and provide salary benchmarking for the membership. Rumor has it the small animal folks are making rapid salary changes given the demand for companion animal services for all the new “COVID pets”! Our organization needs to gather current compensation data to make sure the swine industry is competitive in attracting all the best new veterinary talent available. There is a lot going on behind the scenes. We are blessed with excellent motived members and staff. We have a large group of volunteer members doing very good work. Familiarize yourself with what is going on. Go team!
William L Hollis, DVM
AASV President