WVVMA Board Spring Meeting Minutes

WVVMA Board Spring Meeting Minutes

Fillmore Van Buren Conference Room

Greenbrier Resort -White Sulfur Springs, WV

April 23, 2015

Roll call:

Dr. Shawn Sette, Dr. April Munique, Dr. Holly Kossuth, Dr. Danny Montgomery,

Dr. Scott Moore, Dr. Frank Cary, Dr. Kourtney Morrissette, Dr. Allan McNeel, Dr. Josh Hunter, andKitty Ball

Dr. Sette called the meeting to order and read the mission statement.

Special guests and presentations:

Dr. Gary Brown, AVMA District 5 Representative: Leadership positions available that anyone here can fulfill. Dr. Brown would be happy to get anyone in touch with people who are interested. Volunteers for AVMA work hard for the association and for our profession.

Dr. Ted Cohn, AVMA President:Dr. Cohn wants to meet as many AVMA members as possible and listen and take information back to the AVMA. Starting last January, AVMA is creating a teaching plan called Strategy Management Position (SMP). 20,000 members and 5,000 student members were contacted and asked what they valued, what they use/products, what they expect, etc.A plan was created on how the AVMA can help.He wants to figure out a plan and objective on how to be more helpful and how the AVMA can serve its members better.

AVMA Veterinary Economics Division- This will teach the association about the economics of the profession-markets, the drivers, how we can shape our future, understand ways to influence the markets, increase demand for vet services, different client approaches, etc. Reports and executive summaries are available for leaders to read on the economical aspect of the profession. This is a committee that interests a lot of people. Next year, the AVMA wants to start a research division on how to increase practice profitability.

Dr. Sette discussed how important it is for members to consider joining committees.

Dr. Terry Taylor, VVMA President: Dr. Mike Dicks spoke at theVirginia Veterinary Conference in Roanoke, Virginia. He was a great keynote speaker at the meeting. The VVMA has 1414 members, about 439 students, and would like to increase their membership. The VVMA has 3 full time staff members and a contracted lobbyist. The VVMAis very active with VMCVM in providing assistance and financial support for students; the host a student picnic and tubing event;theprovide stethoscopes (along with Chesapeake Veterinary Cardiology Associates) for the incoming class; the Mentor Program; scholarships; and they provide flash drives to each new graduate at graduation containing contact info, pictures from their previous four years and VVMA membership information. The VVMA puts on an annual CE meeting. The VVMA helps with fundraising for PAC (Political Action Committee) of Virginia, and have widespread communication and a big online presence. There are other association activities such as the VA State Animal Response Team, VVMA Industry Council, Rabies Awareness Week, and their Membership Referral Program. They have a Legislative Day which provides a Legislator breakfast then theyattend a work lunch session at the capitol and discuss legislative updates.

Dean Kent Hoblet, Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Assistant Dean, Dr. Richard Meiring:There was discussion on the high caliber of students from West Virginia;WVU students have made a good impression as well. WV student, Jody Richardson went abroad to Uganda.The Council of Education is under scrutiny right now. MSU went through the accreditation process last fall. The thoroughness of the site visit is very long. MSU is fully accredited for the next 7 years.Students have 27,000 cases per year, 7,000-8,000 ER cases (required rotation), shelter medicine program, visiting 20 shelters a year. Students’ average 70 spay neuters before they graduate.

Students matched well for internships.They discussed Hillary May (WV student) who won a communication award and Dr. Henry Wan, a very successful MSU researcher. The school also has a new necropsy unit. Dr. Meiring discussed a job site page, but it would be better if vets could send positions available to him, so he can disperse the information to students. There are 8 students from WV this year going into theclass of 2019 and MSU-CVM had 20 applicants from WV. There were two students at large from WVU; several students graduating soon. Gracie Skaff from Charleston was a WVVMF scholarship recipient, and sends her appreciation.The next coating ceremony will be in June.

Dr. Terry Swecker, Interim Hospital Director, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine:Dr. Swecker thanked the WVVMA for referrals, for help with their students (6 students on board for next fall) and scholarship support. He discussed mentor program and how well it works, and appreciated continued letters to the HEPC.

Meeting minutes: Dr. Danny Montgomery made motion to accept minutes from the Winter Meeting, January 23, 2015, and thephone meeting, March 3, 2015. Dr. Morrisette seconded. Motion passed.

Dr. Montgomery delivered the Treasurers’ report. End of yeartotal assets were $300,295.The association has been making profits yearly.As of the end of March, $352,000.The 2015 Greenbrier meeting is doing better, and the Winter Meeting was a great success, less was spent and we made more. We spent $3000 more than last year (2014), but still doing well. The Foundation has $87,000. Donations for scholarships and cards going out and cards are being sent in frequently. Dr. Scott Moore made motion to accept both reports, Dr. Frank Cary seconded. Motion passed.

Kitty Ball delivered the Executive Director’s Report:172 members. The 2015Winter Meeting was a big success with 50 DVMs and 31 technicians.Greenbrier spring meeting anticipated to go well, several veterinarians registered. 2015 PRVC will be at the Greenbrier again.

Committee reports:

Veterinary Awareness Committee, Dr. Sette (Dr. Seiler unable to make it):WVU Davis-Michael Career Day isSeptember 19, 2015.We donate around $2500 a year to support this event.

Funding for the students seats (HEPC) is taking a small hit (1.5% decrease). Costs per year will be $21,158. It has been requested that the students call HEPC about how important the funding is for them.

AVMA Delegate’s Report, Dr. Holly Kossuth:Dr. Kossuth asked about approaching potential young leaders to go to VLC on board testing days.

Legislative report, Dr. Frank Cary: Bills this year:

• SB30: Raw Milk Bill. passed and then vetoed by the Governor
• HB2475: Vet Tech bill (to change requirements for licensure) died in the House Committee
• HB2239: Umbrella Medical Board
• HB2103 Posting of infractions on line

Dr. Cary mentioned if you know a delegate or a representative that we can contact when bills arise that we can talk to, utilize them, and contact the committee to help with bills.

Dr. Sette - Board of Vet Medicine -Umbrella bill did not make it out of committee but showed we need to be more diligent about legislation.

Public Education Committee, Dr. Sette (Dr. Radcliffe unable to make it): Dr. Moore discussed Metro News ads (WV Radio Corporation) with particular shows around the entire state. They have 3 stations:Sportsline with Toni Caridi, Morning Drive, and Talkline with Hoppy Kerchival. We would get 414 commercials over an 18 day period on 23 stations with Hoppy.Sportsline has 30 stations but generally an all-male demographic. Morning Drive news would provide 1 time a day for 27 days.Hoppy’s demographics better (more women) and can pick up his show anywhere in the state. The goal is to drive people to go into their doctor’s office and increase revenue. Content and cost built in (30 second commercial).Dr. Terry Taylor suggested after the ad, direct them to the website and have a referral service listed like local veterinarians. Dr. Cary made a motion that we pursue the $4000 level advertisements, develop a committee to follow and pursue it. Dr. Morrisette seconded. All in favor, 1 against (Dr. Montgomery).

WVVMF Report, Dr. Allan McNeel: The foundation is continuing to do well. This year’s recipients are from MSU (Charleston native, GracieSkaff) and VMCVM (Marshall County native, Clarissa Nehalf). Auburn has not announced their recipient yet. Raffle tickets will be sold at the registration desk during the weekend, lots of great vendors (cornhole set, football tickets, etc.) Will draw during Saturday night 4-5pm Happy Hour.

CE Report, Dr. Scott Moore: Winter meeting did well in Charleston. We had great sponsorship and exhibitors, great site, great speakers. Technician sessions were a hit and we will offer them every winter (need to be better associated with our technicians). More DVMs came to the winter meeting than this Greenbrier meeting in 2014.The 2016 Winter Meeting will be at Waterfront Place in Morgantown.We want to keep the winter meeting in a rotation so we can accommodate members statewide. The 2015Large Animal Meeting will be at Charleston Marriott Hotel. PRVC, Nov 13-15, 2015, Dr. Joe Romano is chairing it. Planning is going okay but it is difficult to find sponsors. The Annual Spring Meeting for 2016 and 2017 will be back at Greenbrier. Dates for 2016 are April 14-17th. 2017 is TBD and are trying not to coincide with the CVC meeting. Vendors optedoutof this meeting to be there. Speakers this year are exceptional. By June, we want to have our keynote speaker for next 2016. This helps generate more attendance. If anyone has names for future speakers, let Dr. Moore know. Discussed having Dr. Dicks as a speaker (but keynote speaker has to be science based). Amazing how schools help fund our meeting.This meeting schedule is more conducive for people that come as single day attendees. Also, having happy hour straight out of meeting keeps vendors happy and people can do as they please afterwards. It doesn’t tie up everyone’s evening.

Leadership Development, Dr. Holly Kossuth: Four regions need to be filled;regions 1, 2, 6 and 4 and will be voted upon at the 2016 Annual Business Lunch in April.

Old Business:

• Streamline credit card company price increase for processing- the association earns around $6000/year and the company will provide equipment if you switch over to them. However, Dr. Kossuth pointed out that their representative has not been great about telling clients of perks such as filling out certificate providers and getting $20 off.There have been several delinquencies from this company that we are not happy with. We have a contract with them until 2017, but there may be a no compete clause in it. We want to figure out if the association wants to continue with them. Several individuals are not happy with their services; do we want to still deal with them? We can formulate a letter discussing the issues. Dr. Holly Kossuth will attempt to discuss grievances with the representative.

• Approved Dr. Sette’stravel to MSU coating ceremony June 26, 2015.

• Password protecting meeting minutes/notes on website-Kitty will test it out and send the password to us.

• Constitution/Bylaws- 3 votes need to be made. Want to reduce the number of votes to 5% and 7 members (but does that refer to board meeting or association meetings too?)Question on if we can say 5% at annual business meeting and 7 members at board meetings. Will table the motion on the quorum for the next meeting (sect 4 and article 9 issue). District representative issue (issue 7),we are not having district meetings to elect the district representative.We need to rewrite the statement electing the representatives at the annual meeting by eligible voting members. Also the vote will occur at the annual meetingwhen specified. The voting for these changes will be voted on next meeting 2016. We need to make a motion to change the constitution for district representative election. Motion made to change bylaws on district representative elections by Dr. Cary, seconded by Josh Hunter. Motion passed.

• Dr. Sette explained how to vote at the business luncheon. We need 75% of members to vote “Yay” for it to pass.We will count the number of blue badges/name tags held up at the luncheon. Those with the blue badges are voting members.

• “Loser or winner pays” issue-WVBVM rule-If board has disciplinary action against you, vet is responsible for all legal fees (vet’s and theirs). Their funding is limited and finite, so they generally cannot spend past what they’ve allotted, so that is to our advantage. But, will get consultation from attorneys before next board meeting to discuss this issue.

• Revamping by-laws- boardwill start focusing on this after this meeting and the policy and procedures manual- need to agree with the bylaws. As the bylaws change, the policy and procedures manual must coincide.

New Business:

• New Members: Dr. Moore made motion to accept new members and Dr. Hunter seconded.

• 9 life members applications have been turned in, 8 of which were approved at the Winter Meeting- made motion to approve Dr. Swan-Dr. McNeel made motion and Dr. Hunter seconded. All in favor. Motion passed.

• PRVC compensation package- 2015 plan- Staff will receive $10,000base payment. Then average profit over last 3 years is subtracted then remainder is left to divide among the other 3 VMAs.Profit goes to the respective VMAs depending upon the number of members coming from those states. Concern is 1/3 it too high? Will discuss next meeting. Still needs clarification.

• President-Elect as AVMA Alternate Delegate- Question as to if we make it someone other than the president-elect and if so, would it have to be a Bylaw change.

• Kitty is asking for a new email domain through Gmail to phase out Outlook and AOL. Want to get rid of both emails because the Outlook and AOL email has too much junk attached. Want to switch to Google mail @ $5/month. $50 a year per user. Kitty needs approval to switch email accounts for $60 which will streamline and unify everything. Dr. Moore made motion to switch emails, several seconded. Motion passed.

• Temporary work permits must be renewed every 60 days if new graduates cannot take licensing in June at $200 every time you renew. Question posed if board would want to pursue this with the WVBVM about giving a temporary permit until the next available testing date, and not renewing permit every 60 days. Dr. Hunter will look into this further.

• The Factline Newsletter will feature a sponsor page for the PRVC.

• VVMA asked that the WVVMA contribute $500 towards stethoscopes for the incoming class at VMCVM. Dr. Tyrell’s office has been donating all stethoscopes to new students. It is getting costly so asking VMAs to contribute. Maryland is not contributing.Suggestion to also entertain the notion of giving stethoscopes to Mississippi students. Dr. Montgomery made motion togive stethoscopes this year but not make it a yearly commitment due to cost. Motion to give $500 this year to Our WV first year VMCVM students. All in favor, none against. Dr. Cary also made motion to givestethoscopes to our WV first year Mississippi students. About $75/scope, Dr. Allan McNeel seconded.

• $500 towards pizza at mentor program for theVMCVM Mentor Program. Dr. Cary made motion to donate the money for the pizza, Dr. Moore seconded. All in favor.Also, try to make it known that WV is contributing.

• Dr. Sette adjourned meeting. Dr. Montgomery made motion to adjourn and seconded by Dr. Holly Kossuth