The Certification Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2025-2027 offices of the Chairperson, Co-Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, and Directors (2).
Qualification Requirements:
Members of the Certification Board must have been certified members in good standing for a minimum of three years to be eligible to hold office. The Chair must also have served on the Certification Board of Directors as an Officer for a minimum of one complete term prior to serving as Chair.
No two members from or representing the same organization, practice, or group of practices under the same ownership or management may hold office simultaneously (includes educational and consulting organizations).
Candidates must not be engaged in any activities or the development of any aids that assist certification candidates in preparation for the CVOM or CVPM examination.
Candidates must not be engaged in regular educational activities that are applicable to the program eligibility standards or prepare candidates for the examination.
All candidates must acknowledge and agree to these program policies/agreements (included in the nomination form):
- Code of Conduct Policy
- Volunteer Agreement
- Conflict of Interest Policy
Two (2) Letters of Recommendations are required for each nominee. Current or past employers, supervisors, co-workers, peers, and colleagues are all good sources to complete the letters of recommendation. Share this linked Recommendation Form with the individuals you select to complete this form on your behalf. Recommendation letters must be received by February 28, 2025.
Responsibilities and Job Description:
All Certification offices are non-paid volunteer positions. Officers must be able to attend all meetings of the Board of Directors (currently monthly video calls), as well as the Annual General Membership Meeting (held in conjunction with the VHMA Annual Meeting and Conference).
Officers receive a $750 per diem toward travel expenses to attend the Annual Membership Meeting, and a complimentary VHMA Annual Meeting and Conference registration.
Below is a general job description for all Certification Board Members. Additional duties for each position are outlined in the Certification Governing Documents. For a copy of the CVPM Governing Documents contact the VHMA Office at: CVPM@vhma.org.
- Attend all board and general membership meetings.
- Adhere to the certification program's mission, policies, and procedures.
- Assist the board in setting policy consistent with the mission and purpose of the certification program.
- Assist the board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities.
- Ensure legal and ethical integrity and maintain accountability.
- Ensure effective organizational planning. Actively participate in an overall planning process and assist in implementing and monitoring the plan's goals.
- Inform others about the certification program.
- Suggest possible nominees to the board who can make significant contributions to the work of the board and the certification program.
- Keep up to date on developments in the veterinary management field.
- Review agenda and supporting materials prior to board and membership meetings.
- Support the certification staff and assess his or her performance.
Legal Responsibilities
Under well-established principles of nonprofit corporation law, a board member must meet certain standards of conduct and attention in carrying out his or her responsibilities to the organization. These standards are usually described as the duty of care, the duty of loyalty and the duty of obedience.
Duty of Care
The duty of care describes the level of competence that is expected of a board member and is commonly expressed as the duty of "care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise in a like position and under similar circumstances." This means that a board member owes the duty to exercise reasonable care when he or she makes a decision as a steward of the organization.
Duty of Loyalty
The duty of loyalty is a standard of faithfulness; a board member must give undivided allegiance when making decisions affecting the organization. This means that a board member can never use information obtained as a member for personal gain but must act in the best interests of the organization.
Duty of Obedience
The duty of obedience requires board members to be faithful to the organization's mission. They are not permitted to act in a way that is inconsistent with the central goals of the organization. A basis for this rule lies in the public's trust that the organization will manage donated funds to fulfill the organization's mission.
Nomination Process:
All nominations need to be submitted by February 28, 2025. The Secretary will publish the slate of nominations by May 7, for the membership’s review. Once the slate of nominations is published, additional nominations for such positions may be submitted in writing to the Secretary over the signature of fifteen certified members eligible to vote, not less than ninety (90) days, June 6, prior to the annual membership meeting. The Secretary will deliver an official ballot to each certified member eligible to vote by June 21. Ballots must be returned by July 21, and the results will be announced at the CVPM General Membership Meeting on Friday, September 5, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, LA.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Certification Board at (518) 433-8911 or CVPM@vhma.org.