Volunteers have always been the core strength and driving force of the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association. The OVMA offers a broad spectrum of volunteer opportunities in which you can contribute to your professional community. Each committee represents one facet of the OVMA philosophy: lifelong learning, stewardship, compassion and community.

Find your interest, your passion, your skill, and then join your colleagues in making a difference. Not only will veterinary medicine benefit, but so too will you expand your network of colleagues, your knowledge, and the sense that you are together capable of something far greater.

Association Operations

Board of Directors: To serve on the OVMA Board, you must be elected by the membership at large or within a given geographic district. The Board is comprised of 27 members: Nine officers — President, President-Elect, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, AVMA Delegate, AVMA Alternate Delegate, and Immediate Past President — and 18 District Representatives (two for each district in Ohio).

» Click to Read more about the Board of Directors

The Ohio Veterinary Medical Association Board of Directors is comprised of Officers who are elected by the membership at large or appointed by the President, and District Representatives who are elected by members in a defined geographic region of the State. The duties of each Officer are
covered in a general sense in the Association’s By-Laws.

District Representatives responsibilities include:

As appropriate and feasible, work with Local Associations in the District to report on OVMA activities and solicit input from the general membership. To promote this interaction, regular attendance at local meetings in the District is requested.

Reporting pertinent local activities to the Board in a written report. Activities that warrant possible involvement of the OVMA or reflect an issue that affects the profession should be reported orally at meetings of the Board. Whenever possible the general issue involved in such oral reports should be conveyed in advance to the OVMA office so it can be placed on the agenda for proper attention and consideration.

Assist to the extent possible Association efforts to properly identify members within the Representative’s District who may have moved in or out of the area, have retired, or are possible candidates for membership.

Assist the President in contacting local VMAs regarding attending a local meeting.

The entire Board (Officers and District Representatives) is the principle and highest governing body of the Association. The collective Board essentially fulfills three roles:

The "corporate" role includes overseeing the services and resources of the organization, overseeing the implementation of the strategic plan and employing the executive director.

The "legislative" role includes establishing official positions on issues of interest and concern to the profession. From an internal perspective this role also relates to establishing operational policies.

The "adjudicatory" role involves the Board's choosing between positions presented and/or crafts an alternative resolution.

In fulfilling these three roles, Board members are asked to:

Put forth a good faith effort to attend meetings of the Board and review background materials in advance.

Maintain a general knowledge and understanding of the Association’s Core Purpose and current Strategic Plan.

Recognize the Board’s fiduciary role by reviewing financial statements and requesting an annual review or audit.

Assist the President in annually evaluating the Executive Director.

Be generally aware of programs and services the Association is engaged in. Approve the addition of major new programs and services.

Annually review and approve an operating budget for the Association.

Ask for progress reports and generally hold accountable committees, individual volunteers, and staff for projects and assignments conveyed to them.

Approve operational policies as circumstances warrant them.

Oversee and approve/disapprove/ modify the actions of OVMA Committees, Task Forces and Work Groups.

Prevent the occurrence of conflicts of interest whereby individual interest
supplants the interest of the Association.

Adhere to the legally recognized concepts of “duty of care, loyalty and obedience.”

Refrain from any discussions or actions which may be inconsistent with anti-trust statutes.

Periodically discuss emerging issues within the profession and society, exploring ways in which the Association might serve the membership and public relative to those trends.

Request additional information or clarification from staff whenever you believe it necessary to make an informed decision.

Finance/Audit Committee: Develops operating budgets and fiscal policy for the Association.

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Lifelong Learning

Education Committee: A series of subcommittees that develop educational programming for the Midwest Veterinary Conference, new one-day programs, and alternative CE vehicles. These include Alternative Medicine, Animal Behavior, Equine, Food Animal, Pet Animal, Practice Management, Veterinary Exploration Conference, Public Health, Shelter Animal, and Technician.

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Stewardship

Student Activities Committee: Coordinates and explores avenues for supporting veterinary students personal and professional development. Fosters cooperation with the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Leadership Institute: The OVMA Leadership Institute was developed to train recent graduates to become future leaders in the veterinary community. Apply Now!

» Click to Read More about Leadership Institute

The Ohio Veterinary Medical Association’s Leadership Institute program seeks to redesign leadership in veterinary medicine while creating tomorrow’s leaders for the benefit of the individual and the profession.

This goal is achieved through a curriculum that includes pertinent topics such as team building, leadership coaching, effective public speaking, human resources, practice management skills, media communication and more. Leadership Institute graduates leave the program empowered with a stronger sense of direction and leadership allowing them to step up to the challenges that face the veterinary community.

Participants meet seven times over an eight-month period for one-day interactive sessions. Participants also have the unique opportunity to serve as presiders during the Midwest Veterinary Conference.

Any OVMA member whom has been out of veterinary school for 15 years or less is welcome to apply. There is no fee associated with participating, and the OVMA will provide food and lodging when necessary for attendees.

Leadership Institute Committee: Responsible for planning activities of the Leadership Institute.

Economic Issues Committee: Explores emerging trends in economics of veterinary medicine; provides information to assist members and students in meeting economic challenges now and in the future.

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Compassion

Confidential Assistance Group: Assists veterinarians with personal challenges relating to impairment.

Veterinary Emergency Preparedness Committee (Formerly Disaster Assistance): Focuses on guidelines, roles and information relating to veterinarians roles in animal care during disasters, and information to assist the animal owning public in such situations.

Peer Review Committee: Investigates and seeks to resolve concerns between clients and veterinarians that principally reflect breakdowns in communication.

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Community

Diversity Committee: Promotes opportunities for inclusion and awareness within the veterinary profession relative to our commonality and our differences; seeks to create an organizational environment where diversity is valued, explored and respected.

Equine Advocacy Committee: Identifies issues, positions, and programs relating to equine practitioners and their clients.

Food Animal Committee: Development of programs and ideas to foster interest in food animal medicine among students; drafting of food animal medicine and welfare related recommended policy statements; and, opportunities for the exchange of ideas among food animal practitioners.

Legislative Committee: Reviews proposed legislation and regulatory changes that impact the veterinary profession. Makes recommendations as to public policy positions for the organization.

Public Relations Committee: Develops programs to educate the public on various aspects of the veterinary profession and animal care. Promotes a sense of community within the profession.

Veterinary Public Health Committee: Focus on public education materials relating to zoonotic diseases and other public health concerns.

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