Mission Statement

OFFICERS:

• President-  Travis White travisw@vetmed.wsu.edu
• President Elect- Andrew Burton andyfburton@vetmed.wsu.edu
• Vice President-  Allison Berday aberd@vetmed.wsu.edu
• Secretary- Sarah Jo McIntyre sarah@vetmed.wsu.edu
• Treasurer- Ben Quarrles benquarrles@vetmed.wsu.edu
• Marketing Chair- Zach Anderson zachary@vetmed.wsu.edu

Travis White:  Many veterinarians earn significantly less than their potential due to a lack of business acumen and failure to utilize management practices proven to improve business performance. These deficiencies are not do to a lack of want, but to a lack of knowledge. Given the fact that very few veterinary students have a strong business background it is essential that each of us take an active role in our education and seek out those educational opportunities that will make us more successful. The Veterinary Business Management program allows us to do just that. With the skills gained through this program we become more marketable to future employers as well as gain the necessary skills needed to function in the dynamic world of veterinary business. It is for these reasons that I would like to serve as President-Elect to WSU’s Veterinary Business Management Association. If this goal is not realized, I am willing to serve in any capacity that will benefit and allow this program to flourish. Thank you.

Andrew Burton: I would like to be a part of the leadership of the Veterinary Business Management Association because I have a deep interest in being the best veterinarian I can be.  It seems to me that the best way to get the highest quality treatment for our patients and the best value to our clients is to run an efficient business. I have worked in several different working environments and I find that organizations with the best business practices provide the most enjoyment and are the most successful.  As future president, I would like to help to encourage the learning of good business skills that are needed in the veterinary medicine through presenting seminars that will help us learn the best business practices. With the wonderful opportunities that I have had so far in the VBMA, I already feel far more prepared to go out and interview for my first job.  I know what a business plan can do for my company.  I understand the many benefits of building a strong staff. I would love to see more students join the VBMA, especially the certificate program, so they too could gain the knowledge that I have.

My name is Allison Berday and I believe I would be a wonderful addition to the board of VBMA officers because not only am I an extremely organized person, but I have been involved in club activities for as long as I can remember.  Once thought by friends to be the “Queen of the Club Scene”, I have held various positions in many organizations including the Pre Vet Club, Honors Program, Mortar Board, and served as Vice President of my sorority.  I would like to be a part of the VBMA team because I feel I can contribute years of experience in leadership to the program and at the same time, learn so much from my peers.  I would like to focus my efforts in this organization because I feel that business certification and appreciation is crucial to our future as veterinarians.  Please consider me for the position of secretary of VBMA.  Thank you and have a wonderful rest of the week!!

Hello all! I am Sarah Jo McIntyre and I am a first year vet student and certificate member, interested in being secretary of VBMA! I asked the veterinarian that I worked with back home, "If you could do it over again, what would you change?" He responded by saying, "Business classes, I knew nothing and I felt like I was drowning out in the real world. Vet school makes you a great doctor but not a good businessperson. Get your hands on as much business as you can!" So I was very excited when I heard about VBMA. I have had much experience with being officers in many other organizations including Pre-Vet Club, 4-H, Up 'til Dawn, and RHA. I'm excited to get to know you all better while we are getting to know our business better!

Ben Quarrles: I’m interested in continuing on in the treasurer position for the WSU-VBMA organization.  This past year has been an exciting time for the VBMA and we have many great things planned for you in the upcoming year.  This position has allowed me to serve you in many more ways than just tracking the finances and it is through this service that I have developed a passion for the VBMA organization that is far beyond that of when I first joined.  Integrity and honesty are very important to me, and this is essential when it involves the money you entrust to us.  I hope to continue serving you in the highest capacity possible as the VBMA treasurer.  Thank you!

Events

Constitution

Veterinary Business Management Association Constitution
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.

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.