AVMA Executive Board roundup

Executive Board members authorized $72,185 from the American Veterinary Medical Association's contingency fund and $150,000 from its reserve fund to support some of the following:

• The establishment of a liaison to the Environmental Protection Agency's Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee

• Establishment of a liaison to the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary's Advisory Committee on National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives for 2020

• Sponsorship of $5,000 for the First International Symposium on Beef Cattle Welfare, hosted by the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University, May 29-30

• No action was taken on a Property Review Task Force report concerning the potential purchase of 2.9 acres next to AVMA headquarters.

• Support of the Global Initiatives in Veterinary Education program with a $15,000 allocation

• $23,350 approved for the 2009 State Public Policy Symposium, with $12,000 allocated to pay for Executive Board members' attendance

• The Group Health and Life Insurance Trusts (GHLIT) charter amendment now allows the trust to provide guidance to the pet-insurance industry. The move could lead to a future GHLIT-endorsed pet-insurance plan.

• Support for a half-day meeting with the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, American Association of Veterinary Clinicians and specialty organizations to discuss the quality of residency and internship programs. The additional day of expenses will cost AVMA $5,100. The meeting is scheduled in conjunction with the AVMA American Board of Veterinary Specialties' annual meeting Feb. 23-24 in Schaumburg, Ill.