Recently, John Waddell told me the story about a friend of his who was in the US Army. He had told John that he learned early on that if he carried a shovel with him wherever he went, everyone would leave him alone because they thought he had an assignment requiring that shovel. The AASV differs from this example of the army in that we have many members carrying their proverbial “shovels,” but they are quite busy in tangible service to the AASV. They are actively working for the betterment of the AASV, the veterinary profession, and the pork industry.
The AASV Annual Meeting is always a whirlwind affair due to the many meetings, events, and responsibilities associated with hosting 1,200 attendees. I don’t get to visit with each and every person at the meeting but I do see a lot of AASV members carrying their shovels around. I see many volunteers who lend their time, talents, and resources to the AASV. One reminder of the shovels I constantly see are the ribbons hanging from name badges of so many members. These ribbons include committee members, officers, AASV board members, speakers, session chairs, AASV Foundation board members, and program committee members to name a few. Each ribbon represents many hours of work and commitment to our organization.
All the AASV committees met during our time in San Diego. These committee meetings are often where action initially takes place before going to the board of directors for approval. The committees also serve the board in that issues can be referred to the committees for consideration and possible action. The committee chairs meet twice a year to hear what other committees are working on as well as look for areas of synergy. If an issue spans more than one committee, then consideration may well be placed among more than one committee or addressed by a working group with representatives from each involved committee. Every committee also has the opportunity to meet outside of the annual meeting, either face-to-face or by conference call. Additional meetings are based on the needs of the association and the respective committee.
The planning process for the annual meeting starts during the prior annual meeting as the incoming AASV president-elect begins looking for volunteers to serve on the program planning committee. This committee typically meets in May or June to begin deciding on the program for the next year’s meeting. Planning includes the workshops, the general sessions, and the concurrent sessions. The strength of the meeting is based on member participation and input. Members can provide input through the meeting survey, as well as through any officer, director, or staff member. You can always drop me an email or give me a call. Each year many good ideas are offered for speakers and topics.
Another shovel carried by AASV members involves representation to organizations and events outside of the AASV. This may be within the pork industry such as the National Pork Producers Council and the National Pork Board. It may be within the veterinary medical profession such as the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, and American Association of Avian Pathologists. Other areas in need of representation by swine veterinarians include public health, animal agriculture, One Health, and regulatory agencies (state and federal). There is a constant need for volunteers to represent the AASV in a number of settings.
As the executive director of a successful not-for-profit organization, I can’t overemphasize the role of the volunteer leadership of the AASV. Over the last 24 years I have had the distinct pleasure to consistently work with outstanding officers and directors. It is their considerable talents and aptitude as well as unswerving dedication that have brought the AASV to its current status. The shovels they carry around are noticeable because of the firm and steady hand they have used to guide the mission and vision of the organization.
The engagement of members is the lifeblood that sustains and improves an organization. The AASV can only thrive if our members volunteer on a regular basis. An apt description of a membership-driven association is “people-powered.” Lisa Sullivan was a well-known and respected organizer working on development in inner cities. Her volunteers were consistently overworked and under-resourced. Once when they were complaining that there just didn’t seem to be more people coming forth to help, Ms Sullivan’s response was “We are the people we have been waiting for!” I believe that this statement applies to the AASV. Our success is not based on the concept of waiting for someone else to do the work. It is the result of members picking up their shovels and doing the work that needs to be done.
If you are looking for opportunities to find your own shovel, then there are several ways to get involved. Please contact an officer, director, committee chair, committee member, or staff member to express your interest. All AASV officers, directors, and committee chairs and members are listed on the website.
Tom Burkgren, DVM
Executive Director