AVMA faces many issues in the future. As the professional organization that collectively brings together all veterinarians in the U.S. it is a real challenge to be all things to all people. Representing the profession to the public is a high priority as is meeting member needs. I have had conversations with veterinarians who questioned the need to be an AVMA member—what value it had for them. As a 20-year member, I had accepted this was important and hadn’t stopped to compile why it was important. I’m glad they made me stop and think. I know the value it holds for me: it is a critical means of networking in my professional community, it provides essential legislative and advocacy for my professional issues, and it is a collective voice for veterinary medicine to the public. But how can we better convey this value to more members, especially those who may be considering leaving AVMA membership?
I started digging around—you know—on the internet. I found a paper from almost 10 years ago titled the “Value of Membership in Professional Associations.” In it, the authors discuss the trends that have been identified as essential to an association’s ability to maintain value to its members and to society at large. I include a few of them here because as AVMA leaders, we should remember them in order to achieve success and fulfill our Strategic Plan (https://www.avma.org/About/Governance/StrategicPlanning/Documents/strategic_plan_2015-2017.pdf).
The authors conclude with the statement: “To promote self-organization, leaders need to clarify their purpose and values, minimize bureaucracy, and understand the critical importance of knowledge sharing and trust.” Now this captures critical elements we must capitalize on to remain a viable member association. Clarify our purpose, share knowledge, and foster trust and support within our veterinary community.
Reference:
http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/icce/unpan022719.pdf
I started digging around—you know—on the internet. I found a paper from almost 10 years ago titled the “Value of Membership in Professional Associations.” In it, the authors discuss the trends that have been identified as essential to an association’s ability to maintain value to its members and to society at large. I include a few of them here because as AVMA leaders, we should remember them in order to achieve success and fulfill our Strategic Plan (https://www.avma.org/About/Governance/StrategicPlanning/Documents/strategic_plan_2015-2017.pdf).
- The importance of meaning and purpose. AVMA must provide meaningful relationships and contributions in order to attract and retain members.
- Inclusivity of a variety of backgrounds and viewpoints in order to raise awareness of differences and emphasize the value of these differences. This must happen internally and externally if AVMA is to have an effective message to the public.
- Synergy among generations is a key to achieving inclusivity. If AVMA can better foster the relationships between the generations we will have sustainability.
- Transparency to provide more openness and accountability with less emphasis on the disadvantages and more on the advantages. This transparency should apply to all levels of AVMA activity.
- We must view our association as a living organization. In a world where things are constantly changing, our association must be willing to let go and not try to control everything.
The authors conclude with the statement: “To promote self-organization, leaders need to clarify their purpose and values, minimize bureaucracy, and understand the critical importance of knowledge sharing and trust.” Now this captures critical elements we must capitalize on to remain a viable member association. Clarify our purpose, share knowledge, and foster trust and support within our veterinary community.
Reference:
http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/icce/unpan022719.pdf
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