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The History of the AVAP

The origins of what we now know as the Association of Veterinary Advancement Professionals (AVAP) can be traced to an organization of veterinary college fundraisers who began meeting in the mid-1980's under the auspices of the Association of Veterinary Development Professionals (AVDP). In the mid-1990's, Jeffrey S. Douglas, communications director at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, began examining the role of communications and public relations as it was being practiced in the nation's colleges of veterinary medicine as part of graduate work he was conducting in corporate and professional communications. In early 1998 Douglas produced a 27-page research study entitled "Institutional Advancement Staffing at North American Colleges of Veterinary Medicine" and began organizing the communications professionals employed in colleges of veterinary medicine with an eye toward establishing a professional society. Douglas subsequently met with Chandy Christian, president of AVDP, and executive director of college relations at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Raleigh, and the two agreed to establish a broader, institutional advancement-oriented continuing education program for veterinary college deans, fund-raising and communications professionals in conjunction with the 135th annual meeting of the American Veterinary Medical Association in Baltimore. Featuring the late Patrick Jackson, one of the giants of the 20th century public relations profession as keynote speaker, the presentation of Douglases' research and different programs in fundraising and communications, the meeting attracted close to 80 people and was considered a resounding success. During the business meeting of the AVDP which occurred on the following day, July 27, Douglas made a presentation concerning the expansion of the existing AVDP into an organization that would include communications and alumni relations professionals as well. The group then voted to amend the by-laws to create the broader organization that is known today as the Association of Veterinary Advancement Professionals.

BY-LAWS
ASSOCIATION OF VETERINARY
ADVANCEMENT PROFESSIONALS (AVAP)

ARTICLE I

Name
The name of this organization shall be the Association of Veterinary Advancement Professionals. It shall be referred to in the By-Laws hereafter as the Association.

ARTICLE II

Objective
The Association seeks to aid, benefit, and improve the skills of development, public relations, alumni relations, and continuing education professionals, thereby enhancing the professionalism of these programs in colleges and schools of veterinary medicine and benefiting the institution, people, and the animals they serve, and by extension, promoting the ability of the profession of veterinary medicine to best serve society.

ARTICLE III

Membership
Voting privileges shall be granted to one representative representing each area of development, public relations, alumni relations and continuing education functions from each member institution.
Special membership may be granted to individuals from time to time and requests for special memberships for those outside the above categories shall be considered on an individual basis.

ARTICLE IV

Dues
No dues will be assessed for membership. This will be reviewed annually after the financial status of the Association is determined.

ARTICLE V

Officers
Officers shall be a President, Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The officers will be elected from the membership at the close of the annual meeting for the following terms: President and Vice President, one year; Secretary, two years; Treasurer, indefinite term.

Section I

The PRESIDENT shall:
(i) Preside over all meetings, including the Executive Committee (see Article V, Section II), using acceptable parliamentary procedure.
(ii) Install newly elected officers at the conclusion of the term of office.
(iii) Serve as the official spokesperson for the Association.
(iv) Organize and officiate at the annual meeting associated with his/her term.

Section II

The VICE-PRESIDENT shall:
(i) Preside at meetings in the absence of, or at the request of, the President.
(ii) Serve as a member of the Executive Committee and as the Program Committee Chair.
(iii) Assume the office of President upon installation by the retiring President at the annual meeting when the latter completes the term of office, whether for one year or two years.

Section III

The SECRETARY shall:
(i) Keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings of the Association.
(ii) Serve as a member of the Executive Committee.
(iii) Maintain a file, for at least five years, including copies of all correspondence, reports, and communications received or sent in the capacity of Secretary.
(iv) Maintain or cause to maintain up-to-date names and address of members in the official directory and the e-mail list serve.

Section IV

The TREASURER shall:
(i) Receive, record, and deposit all monies collected and pay all bills incurred by the Association as it conducts its business.
(ii) Provide an annual report to the membership of the financial status of the organization at the annual meeting.

Section V

The NOMINATING COMMITTEE, consisting of three members appointed by the President, shall submit one or more names for each position to be filled (President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, plus two Members-at-Large to serve on the Executive Committee). The Vice-President will automatically succeed the President. Names shall by submitted to the Association voting membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting, and additional nominations may be made from the floor. Vacancies occurring in any of three offices between elections shall be filled by appointment by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VI

The Executive Committee

Section I
The President, in consultation with the Executive Committee shall carry out the policies of the Association, and serve as the administrative office. He/she shall be responsible for preparing an agenda for the annual meeting, to be distributed to members before the meeting.

Section II
The Executive Committee shall consist of the four officers of the Association plus the immediate Past President of the Association, and two Members-at-Large. Members-at-Large are elected from the membership for terms of two years at the close of the annual meeting and shall assist the Executive Committee in planning for the annual conference and thereby be exposed to leadership opportunities within the organization. The President of the Association shall also Chair the Executive Committee with the Vice-President functioning as Vice-Chair of the Executive Committee.

Section III
Meetings may be called by the President, or any two Executive Committee members, provided written notice (via e-mail is acceptable) is sent to each member of the Executive Committee at least three weeks prior to the meeting. A majority of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE VII

AAVMC Advancement Committee
The AAVMC Advancement Committee provides for four members to represent the Association. Members representing development, communications and alumni relations shall be appointed by the AVAP president and approved by the AVAP Executive Committee. The Association will reimburse airfare, hotel, and meals for these committee members.

ARTICLE VIII

Association Meetings
The annual meeting shall be held concurrently with the AVMA annual meeting. Ten or more Association voting members shall constitute a quorum.
The President shall schedule a planning meeting prior to the conference for the Executive Committee and one optional member. The Association will allow 15% of the budget at the time of the planning meeting for the airfare, hotel and meals for the attendees.

ARTICLE IX

Amendments

Section I
Any member of the Association or appointed committee may propose amendments to these by-laws.

Section II
A proposed amendment shall be submitted to the Secretary sixty (60) days before the annual meeting.

Section III
The Secretary shall distribute copies of the proposed amendment to the Association members at least thirty (30) days before the annual meeting.

Section IV
An affirmative vote by two-thirds of the voting members at the annual meeting shall be required to amend these by-laws.

Section V
An amendment becomes effective immediately on its approval.

ARTICLE X

Effective Date of By-Laws
These by-laws will become effective immediately on their approval at the annual meeting, which they are presented.

Approved: July 17, 2007.
Revised: July 13, 2009.