Monday, January 21, 2013

Overheard @ AVMA

While the AVMA clearly does much good, most recently adding some teeth to the VCPR to give the FDA power to go after grey market diverters, there is so much PC garbage that goes on at headquarters that it makes me want to scream, or vomit, or both. Some tidbits overheard at a recent meeting in Chicago:
  • "We should all be members of the veterinary party."

  • It is no longer "protecting the interests for the constituency," it is "pursuing the interests for the membership."
And the kicker for me...
  • We no longer want "geographical representation" in governance of professional organizations, we want to focus on "variables that ensure diverse perspectives."
What the heck does that mean? Okay, I know what it means, and it really kind of pisses me off.

The days of our national representative organization representing me, and many veterinarians like me, are fading fast. Real fast.
at 5:36 AM
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5 comments:

  1. Meh, I stopped sending money to them a long time ago. Money talks. Stop paying them and eventually they'll either listen or go away! Many are saying we need to "use what we currently have" with regards to the AVMA and make changes and improvements rather than start a whole new group and maybe that is the right answer - but they aren't doing it with my money. Those days are over for me, and that includes money for lame organizations like AAHA.

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  2. I haven't belonged to a medical organization since 1998. And have no interest in joining.

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  3. You mean you figured out early on that an organization to whom you send money and in return does nothing for you probably isn't a good investment?

    Our current "push" is to reconsider our lovely AVMA and give them ANOTHER chance and oh by the way, let's not reinvent the wheel and start any new groups because that would just be ludicrous...

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  4. There are probably a lot more resources the AVMA has available that you would find valuable, but it can sometimes be daunting to find them. There's a current push to be more open with exactly what your dues go towards and how you benefit (and you definitely do) by being a member of the AVMA.

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    1. Certainly the AVMA does some good things. I'd list them for you, but I'll need to assemble a committee to investigate the issue, and then we'll refer the committee's findings to the delegates, and then I'll be able to get specific with you.

      There are a number of maddening items that the AVMA has pursued over recent years that have led me to believe that they're little more than a political organization with a primary goal of ensuring the best for the salaried members at the top. Doing some good things here and there are what keep members like yourself in the fold and keep the dues rolling in. To each his/her own.

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