• Michael Chaddock, DVM, Washington DC

• Nick DePompa, DVM, Auburn, AL

• Daniel Edge, DVM, Lewisville, NC

• Chana Eisenstein, DVM, Willits, CA

• Ted Eudy, DVM, Sante FE, NM

• Malcolm Kram, DVM, Betterton, MD

• Terill Udenberg, DVM, Vernon, British Columbia

• Scott Weber, VMD, West Sacramento, CA

• Michelle Ardan, LVT, Technician Representative, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

• Nikki Wright (Penn 2014), Student Representative, Philadelphia, PA

• Ken Gorczyca, DVM , Executive Secretary, San Francisco, CA

• Past-President - Jennifer Thomas, DVM, Royal Oak, MI

Please feel free to contact any of our officials directly, or if you have general questions, e-mail at: info@lgvma.org

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Membership

Membership in the LGVMA is open to anyone regardless of occupation, education, sex or sexual orientation. For the full voting rights and privileges assigned to various types of members, see our By-laws.

LGVMA Annual Dues:

• Veterinarian - $50
  
• Intern/Resident & New Grad Vet (up to first 2 years) - $20
  
• Veterinary student - $5
  
• Technician (CVT, AHT, RVT, LVT, LAT) - $20
  
• Technician student - $5
  
• Veterinary assistant/staff - $20
  
• Friend - $50
  
• Spouse/Auxillary - $10
  
• Retired Persons - $20
  
• Organization Sponsor - $100
  

LGVMA membership is for 1 year from the date of payment of dues.

Apply Now!

Benefits:

Your membership dues support our many programs for GLBT veterinarians, technicians, veterinary practices and students. Among other things, membership entitles you to:

• Access to the Members Only section of this website
  
  
• Inclusion in our online Membership Directory, which is confidential and available ONLY to members in good standing
  
  
• "LGVMA's Good News!" Newsletter
  
  
• All new members joining in 2008 will receive a complimentary copy of the LGVMA-sponsored lecture at July 2007 AVMA Conference in Washington DC, Sexual Diversity in the Animal Kingdom by Dr. Joan Roughgarden
  
  
• Placement of free ad in newsletter and/or website
  
  
• Access to LGVMA's List-servs for communication between members

Some of the LGVMA Programs supported by your Membership Dues and Donations include:

• Annual Board and Membership Meetings
• Annual Scholarships for veterinary students and veterinary technician students
• Educational and Social meetings at national veterinary conferences
• Members only website and list-serv
• Support of GLBT issues related to veterinary medicine
• Support of GLBT Student activities and student externships

To request more information (including a complimentary copy of our latest newsletter) e-mail us at: info@lgvma.org

Our History

In the mid-l970s, a courageous gay veterinarian placed an ad in The Advocate announcing a gathering of AGvets (American Gay Vets) at a Las Vegas veterinary conference. Soon after, he got a phone call from an angry board member from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), asking him if he was the degenerate who placed the immoral ad in that magazine?!!

The next 15 years found a scattered, informal network of gay & lesbian veterinarians meeting through mutual contacts, word-of-mouth and chance.

In 1991, two San Francisco-based veterinarians, Diana Phillips and Ken Gorczyca, started organizing under the acronym I'M GLAD (International Membership of Gay and Lesbian Animal Doctors). Almost single-handedly, Diana and Ken started putting together an informational newsletter and building a mailing list of interested individuals world-wide.

I'M GLAD received a shot-in-the-arm in 1994, when the AVMA Annual Meeting was held in San Francisco. Naturally, this location brought a large lesbian & gay turn-out and generated what became the First Annual Meeting of what would eventually evolve into the Lesbian & Gay Veterinary Medical Association.

Since then, the LGVMA has grown by leaps and bounds. We currently have over 150 members in the United States and Canada, as well as Europe and Australia. We have accomplished many of our objectives and have ambitious plans for the future.

If you would like to be involved, we would love to have your input. Please contact us at:

LGVMA
584 Castro St. #492
San Francisco, CA 94114-2500
FAX: 503-213-8749
E-mail: info@lgvma.org

Constitution and By-laws

Section 1: In case of dissolution, the assets of the Association shall be distributed to Amercian Veterinary Medical Association, Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and/or American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges for scholarships or grant-in-aid LGBT veterinary or veterinary technician students.

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By-Laws

Article 1: ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Section 1: A nomination committee composed of at least (2) board members shall be appointed each election year by the President. The President shall designate a Nomination Committee Chair from among the members.

Section 2: The slate of candidates shall be presented to members in good standing not later than 30 days prior to annual meeting.

Section 3: Ballots shall be sent to members in good standing either by separate first class mail or electronically. Members in good standing shall have thirty (30) days from the mailing (postmark) to return the ballot or respond electronically.

Section 4: No member shall be nominated to national office unless that member has been a member in good standing for at least one year preceding the nomination, unless agreed to at the discretion of the board of directors. Nominations for student director are exempt from this requirement.

Section 5: New officers shall be installed as officers at the conclusion of LGVMA’s annual meeting immediately following the election.

Section 6: Board Members shall be elected for three year terms. Board terms will be set up to overlap, so that new members are elected annually. There is a two-term limit for the board members, unless otherwise deemed necessary by the board. After a one year sabbatical from the board, individuals can return to the board. Student board member term is two years. Executive Secretary is exempt from the term limits.

Section 7: At the discretion of the Board of Directors, an Executive Secretary may be appointed or employed. The term of appointment or employment is determined by the board. Additional staff or contract workers may be hired as deemed necessary by the Board of Directors.

Article 2: DUTIES OF BOARD MEMBERS

Section 1: Board Members and Executive Secretary are expected to attend the Annual Meetings of the Board of Directors and the Membership, and all board meetings, either in person or by teleconference.

Section 2: Duties of Board Members - Job Description:

LGVMA Board members are critical players in LGVMA’s short-term and long-term success in reaching our mission and maintaining our viability. Board members are key stakeholders who play a very important role in both governing LGVMA and actively raising awareness and funding for the agency. Board members are the single largest and most solid financial supporters of LGVMA both through individual giving and bringing supporters to LGVMA who have donated generously. LGVMA is dependent on Board members support in order to continue our mission.

Board members are expected to:

a) Understand and support LGVMA’s mission;

b) Attend Board meetings (7-10 per year) and committee meetings as possible;

c) Agree to make LGVMA a philanthropic priority during Board membership;

d) Assist in the governance of LGVMA;

e) Review the financial reports of LGVMA and assume the fiduciary responsibility of a Board member;

f) Participate in a committee of the Board. Currently these are the Executive Committee composed of the Boards’ officers; Finance, Student Scholarship, Nomination;

g) Assist in the development and fundraising activities of the Board. These include providing assistance in planning the development program; educating your community and contacts about LGVMA; identifying potential donors; rating and evaluating potential donors; cultivating major donor prospects; opening doors for LGVMA for public relations and fundraising efforts; and, in some cases soliciting donors;

h) Be a team player within the Board of Directors;

i) Work with the Executive Secretary as needed;

j) Assist in the evaluation of the Executive Secretary;

k) Monitor and evaluate the success of LGVMA’s development program;

l) Evaluate the success of the Board of Directors and participate in improving performance;

m) Play a role in the strategic planning of LGVMA and assist in guiding LGVMA in setting its future direction;

n) Attend Board Retreat to help guide LGVMA.

Board members have diverse skills and expertise, but all share legal, fiduciary, oversight, and fundraising responsibility. Board leadership and the Executive Secretary will meet periodically with members to assess roles and responsibilities and personal commitment.

Section 3: Duties of the President:

a) Be the highest executive office of LGVMA having general oversight of business, and performing such other duties as pertaining to this office;

b) Appoint the Newsletter Editor in cooperation with the Executive Secretary subject to ratification by the Board of Directors;

c) Appoint Chairs for the organization’s committees in cooperation with the Executive Secretary subject to ratification of the Board of Directors;

d) Preside at the Annual board of Directors and Membership Meetings, as well as Executive board meetings that may be called between Annual Meetings. The President shall keep the Board of Directors informed, as for as expedient, or administrative matters, as they arise;

e) Authorize withdrawal of funds from the treasurer for payment of obligations incurred by the Board of Directors of the paid membership at the Annual Meeting;

f) Appoint a member to fill the unexpired term of any Board Member or Executive Secretary who is unable to continue or resigns from office subject to ratification of the Board of Directors;

g) Serve as liaison to AVMA/CVMA;

h) Appoint Executive Secretary, subject to ratification by the Board of Directors. The President shall appoint a committee to search for an Executive Secretary;

i) Work with Executive Secretary, and Executive Board, to guide association agenda;

j) Act with Executive Secretary as the public relations contact person(s).

Section 4: Duties of the Vice President:

a) Assist the President in any and all duties requested;

b) Preside at the Annual Board Meetings or any interim Executive Meetings in absence of the President.

Section 5: Duties of the Directors At-Large:

a) Assist the President in any and all duties requested;

b) Participate in standing and ad-hoc committees.

Section 6: Duties of the Secretary:

a) Oversee maintenance of electronic registry of members, minutes of the Executive Board, Board of Directors and membership meetings and other non-financial records of LGVMA, and perform other duties as usually pertain to this office;

b) Have charge with Executive Secretary of the official board correspondence of LGVMA;

c) Oversee the on-line electronic confidential membership directory;

d) Provide all incoming officers with a copy of the Constitution and By-Laws and a Board Handbook prior to the Annual Meeting at which they assume office;

e) Oversee on-line calendar, message board and be listserve liaison. Members can forward items to be placed on calendar.

Section 7: Duties of the Treasurer:

a) Be custodian of all funds belonging to the Association and submit a financial statement at each Annual Meeting and as needed or requested ;

b) Oversee distribution of dues notices by first class mail or electronically to all members annually;

c) The Treasurer’s Books shall be audited by a professional accountant, as needed or required;

d) Pay all bills and expenses as authorized by the Annual Budget;

e) Oversee the development of the Annual Budget with the Executive Secretary 60 days in advance of the Annual Meeting. If annual budget is not approved, than the prior years budget is maintained, unless membership is able to vote on alternatives.

Section 8: Duties of Newsletter Editor:

a) Produce a quarterly newsletter, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors;

b) Oversee distribution of newsletter. The newsletter can be mailed by first class mail or electronically.

Article 3: CHAIRS OF SUCCESSION

Section 1: If the President resigns or is unable to serve, the order of succession shall be: 1) Vice President, 2) Secretary, 3) Treasurer, 4) Past-President, and 5) Directors At-Large in their order of seniority of term of office and second, if necessary, by order of seniority in LGVMA membership.

Section 2: If the Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, or Directors-At-Large resigns or is unable to serve, the President shall appoint an individual to assume the position of the individual who resigned or was unable to serve, with approval of the board.

Article 4: NEWSLETTER

Section 1: The LGVMA shall try to publish a quarterly newsletter.

Section 2: A copy of LGVMA’s Good News! is sent to all members in good standing ,the LGVMA public relations list and Friends of LGVMA.

Section 3: The yearly subscription rate and advertising rates for LGVMA’s Good News shall be determined by the Newsletter Editor and the Executive Secretary and then approved by the Board of Directors.

Article 5: FINANCE

Section 1: The annual dues paid by all categories of members shall be determined by the Board of Directors and reviewed annually.

Section 2: The fiscal year shall begin January 1 and end December 31.

Section 3: A member whose dues are not postmarked or electronically sent one month after date of expiration of membership shall be considered not in good standing and, therefore, forfeit the right to vote and will be removed from the on-line directory and moved to inactive membership status.

Section 4: Annual Budget is developed by the Treasurer, President and Executive Secretary and submitted to board for approval, and then submitted to membership for approval.

Section 5: Annual Fundraising appeal is developed by the Executive Secretary and or President with guidance of Board, and is sent to membership to help fund student scholarship fund and other special projects.

Article 6: COMMITTEES

Section 1: Standing Committees shall be Award Committee, Student Scholarship Committee, Nomination Committee, Executive Committee, and Program Committee; appointments for Standing Committee Chairs are made by the President and are usually two one years in length. Committee Chairs may select committee members for the President’s approval.

Section 2: The President may appoint ad hoc committees, as the need arises. The length of appointment for ad hoc committees can vary depending on the committee assignment.

Article 7: AMENDMENTS

Section 1: Proposed amendments to these By-Laws shall be first submitted in writing to the Board of Directors. If approved by two-thirds of the Board of Directors, proposed amendments shall be submitted to members in good standing for vote.

Section 2: Ballots on proposed amendments to these By-Laws shall be submitted in writing to members in good standing for a separate vote, and shall be sent by first class mail or electronically. Members in good standing shall have thirty (30) days from the mailing date (postmark or electronic date) to return the ballot by first class mail or electronically. Amendment approved by two thirds of the membership voting shall become effective immediately unless otherwise specified.

Article 8: DISSOLUTION

Section 1: Impeachment proceedings may be brought against any Board Member for failing to execute the duties of their office, misappropriation of LGVMA assets, resources or properties, or professional misconduct as defined by the American Veterinary Medical Association or the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.

Section 2: Impeachment proceedings can be initiated upon a written petition by ten (1) members in good standing to Board of Directors: the Board of Directors shall act on impeachment petition within sixty (60) days. If the Board of Directors finds the petition has merit and established cause for impeachment, then ballot for impeachment shall be submitted to members in good standing by separate first class mail ballot. Impeachment requires approval by two-thirds of the membership voting and shall be come effective thirty (30) days after receipt of the ballots.

Article 9: ARCHIVES DEPOSITORY

Section 1: The archives depository for the LGVMA shall be the electronic organizational library.

Article 10: CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

Section 1: Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised shall be Parliamentary manual.

Section 2: All board ELECTRONIC votes and motions must be approved as governed by local law.* Votes at meetings need a majority to be approved.

*Since LGVMA is currently incorporated in Washington DC, it is a requirement that all board decisions made outside regular board meetings (with proper notice, quorum assembled, minutes recorded, all view points voiced, etc) can be made by “written or electronic resolution in lieu of a meeting, but requires unanimous consent of all board members for passage."

Definition of Quorum:
One-third of the number of directors, but no less than three, fixed by the bylaws and constitution, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The act of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the board of directors, unless the act of a greater number is required by law or by the LGVMA Constitution or Bylaws.

Section 3: Organizational and Board communication is archived by an internet list-serve.

Article 11: ANNUAL AWARDS

Section 1: Achievement Awards for individuals and organizations will be given out that the Annual Meeting if outstanding individuals are evident each year. Nominees should evidence commitment to improving the quality of veterinary services to animals belonging to the LGBT community ; for bettering the professional environment for animal health professionals; for enhancing the academic learning environment for LGBT veterinary and/or veterinary technician students; and/or for contributing to the advancement of equality of the LGBT community or of the mission of LGVMA. Awards are given without regard to recipients’ sexual orientation.

Section 2: Scholarships for veterinary and veterinary technician students will be given out at the Annual Meeting or annually as determined by the Board of Directors. Nominees should evidence commitment to improving the quality of the veterinary profession in relation to the mission of LGVMA; for enhancing the academic learning environment for LGBT veterinary and veterinary technician students; for contributing to the advancement of equality of the LGBT community in society; and/or other outstanding community/or academic service. Scholarships are given without regard to recipients’ sexual orientation. The amount of each scholarship and number given out each year are determined by the Board of Directors.