Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA)
Mission Statement
The Veterinary Business Management
Association (VBMA) is a national student-managed organization intent on
improving the veterinary profession through increasing business knowledge.
We share the belief of many other veterinary professionals -- in order to
provide the best care for animals, we need to increase our knowledge about
subjects outside of the medical realm.
We feel that bringing business management issues to
veterinary students is integral to the education of a
well-rounded veterinarian and the advancement of veterinary
medicine as a profession. This knowledge of business will
translate into increased sales, stronger veterinarian-supplier
relationships, and allow veterinarians to practice better
medicine.
Though veterinary business management issues are a large
concern, our organization is not limited to solely promoting
veterinary business management issues. Others issues include
managing debt, how to plan for the future, client interaction,
and the importance of managing personal finances. It is our
belief that a veterinarian cannot be successful professionally
without first having a firm control of their personal finances.
In addition this association has been created for and is
controlled by all those that are concerned with broadening their
knowledge of the veterinary business. We have several goals that
we would like to see the VBMA fulfill:
- Increase student and veterinarian interest
and awareness regarding their financial affairs,
entry into the job market, personal management
skills, and opportunities that are available to
persons with a VMD/DVM degree.
- Involve students and veterinarians in
discussions with knowledgeable veterinary
practice management consultants and advisors.
- To provide a forum for learning life skills
and the principles of successful business
management
Officers
President: Brittney
Dawson
bdawson@vetmed.wsu.edu
President Elect:
Melanie Bowden
VP: Lexi Scott
Treasurer: Laurel
Plemmons
Secretary: Abbi Olson
Public Relations:
Hana Kazunas
Chapter Coordinator:
TC Chartkunchand
Advisor: Dr. Richard
DeBowes
Upcoming Events
On Saturday April 14th, 2012 the VBMA club will be at the open
house in the Veterinary Hospital! Please come and find out more
about membership and opportunities with VBMA.
Please check our club board for more information about our
events.
Certificate Program
The VBMA Certificate Program offers a variety of evening seminars that focus
on the many aspects of business, ranging from accounting to client
communications to personal finance. To complete the program you must be a dues
paying VBMA member and attend two courses in Communications and Accounting,
attend electives equaling twelve credits total and complete a Capstone Project
(one credit). Presently, we are working with faculty and staff to have the
Certificate Program recognized by WSU CVM as well as through Washington State
University. This would enable the Certificate Program to appear on one's WSU CVM
transcript and fulfill the individual's goals of being able to manage a business
in their future career.
Veterinary Business Management Association Constitution January 2010
Washington State University Chapter
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of this organization will be the Washington State University Veterinary
Business Management Association (WSU-VBMA).
ARTICLE II
Purposes
SECTION 1. To increase student interest and awareness regarding issues pertinent
to their financial affairs, preparation for entry into the job market, and/or
the veterinary businesses in which they will be engaged after graduation.
SECTION 2. To involve students in discussions led by knowledgeable veterinary
practice management consultants.
SECTION 3. To provide a forum for learning life skills and the principles of
successful business management.
ARTICLE III
Membership
SECTION 1. Any Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine
student may be a member of the VBMA. This organization will not discriminate on
the basis of age, color, gender, handicap status, height, marital status,
national origin, political persuasion, race, religion, sexual orientation,
veteran status or weight.
Only Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine students may be
voting members or officers.
SECTION 2. A person becomes a member of this organization upon payment of
his/her dues.
ARTICLE IV
Officers
SECTION 1. The officers of the VBMA will be the President, President Elect,
Vice President, Secretary and/or Treasurer (this may be one or two officers).
SECTION 2. The officers will be elected at a regular VBMA meeting in the spring
semester and will take office immediately upon election, except the
President-elect position, which will be an appointed position at the President’s
discretion.
SECTION 3. An opportunity for nominations of candidates will be provided and
announced prior to the election meeting.
SECTION 4. Officers will be elected by a majority of those club members present
and voting who have paid their dues.
SECTION 5. Vacancies occurring among the offices will be filled at the next
regular meeting after the vacancy occurs, by the appointment of the President,
provided however that upon a vacancy in the position of President, the President
Elect will become President.
SECTION 6. The duties of the officers will be as follows:
1. President (one year position) – To preside over all meetings of the VBMA
and all meetings of the VBMA officers; to administer the VBMA program; to
represent the VBMA in an official capacity.
2. President Elect (two year position with first year as president elect
and second year as president)– To assist the president in maintaining a
well-organized association by providing continuity between years in office, and
to take over as president in the second year of their term. To preside in the
absence of the President. To assist in the planning and implementation of
educational symposiums each academic year and to act as liaison between the
chapter and WSVMA.
3. Vice President –To maintain the list of membership; to perform such
other tasks as the President may assign, to plan and implement, with advice from
fellow officers, a schedule of meetings and/or educational symposiums during
each academic year and to act as liaison between the chapter and IVMA. .
4. Secretary/Treasurer – To prepare the minutes of all regular VBMA
meetings; to send official VBMA correspondence; to coordinate preparation and
distribution of VBMA publications, to receive and distribute VBMA funds upon
authorization by the Chairman; to coordinate fund raising activities; to update
and maintain chapter website and bulletin board, and to photograph events.
ARTICLE V
Appointed Positions
The President will appoint, with the consent of the majority of the officers,
such project directors, committee chairmen, committees, as may contribute to the
successful operation of the VBMA.
ARTICLE VI
Dues
Each member will pay $10.00 dues per year and will not be entitled to vote at
VBMA meetings until his/her dues have been paid in full.
VBMA Thanks the following sponsors
Graciously Accepting Sponsors. Please contact Kristen Konzek at
konzek@vetmed.wsu.edu for
more information on sponsorship opportunities.
"The VBMA and My Future Success"
Veterinary Student Professional Development Program
