On March 5-6, 2010, eighteen members of the AOVET Specialty came together for a strategy retreat in Boston, Massachusetts. The purpose of this retreat was to develop the basis for a new AOVET community, which will include a sound governance structure and an education and membership network that interested individuals around the world can come to rely on.
The primary discussion topics for this retreat included:
§ Governance structure
§ Positioning of the AOVET community
§ Strategic priorities for AOVET education
§ Community development
As a result of these deliberations, the AOVET Board structure has been adapted. The Board will include the international Chairperson as well as two regional Chairs from Europe and North America. In addition, the Board will oversee three Commissions representing AOVET Education, R&D, and Community Development. The individuals who are to fill these roles will be announced after they are voted in at the next AOVET Specialty Board meeting on April 26, 2010.
The strategic priorities that have been decided on are to:
Establish a strong AOVET membership network
§ Governance structure
§ Positioning of the AOVET community
§ Strategic priorities for AOVET education
§ Community development
Expand and strengthen AOVET education
§ Increase the amount of AOVET educational activities worldwide and double the number of participants from 1'000 to 2'000 within five years
§ Expand AOVET teaching activities, especially in new regions
§ Strengthen the role of AOVET education in specialist training around the world
Address demographic and regional needs within AOVET
§ Adapt the AOVET governance structure to reflect regional needs while maintaining a lean overall governance structure
§ Actively involve the "next" generation of veterinarians in all aspects of AOVET
Expand AOVET’s R&D influence with the AO as well as globally
§ Expand AOVET's influence in verifying animal models within AO research
§ Position AOVET as the authority on defining standards for animal models
We at AOVET International, would like to thank all the participants of the AOVET Strategy Retreat for their support and dedication throughout this event. Your contributions were extremely helpful and very much appreciated!