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Bylaws – Article I – Membership

ARTICLE I

(CVMA Bylaws – Current to January 2022)
(Proposed/to be adopted in April 2022)

Section 1. Types of Membership

Voting membership shall consist of the following types: Active, Public Service, Faculty, Residency, Recent Graduates, Retired, Life, and Distinguished Life.

Non-voting membership shall consist of the following: Honorary, Non-Resident, Hospital Staff, Registered Veterinary Technician, CVMA Certified Veterinary Assistant, Veterinary Medical/RVT/CVA Student, Foreign Exchange Student Temporary, and Leave of Absence.

Membership in any organization which advocates the overthrow of the government by force and violence is incompatible with any type of membership in the Association.

Section 2. Qualifications for Voting Membership

A. Active Membership

  1. Any person who holds a degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or an equivalent degree of veterinary medicine from a school accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA-COE), or has Educational Committee for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) certification, or has the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE) certification, or is licensed to practice veterinary medicine by the State of California, and whose ethical, moral and professional qualifications comply with this Constitution and Bylaws, is eligible for Active Membership in the Association.
  2. Active members shall have the right to vote on all propositions submitted to the membership at large, the right to vote upon the election of the members of the Board of Governors, the privilege of attending meetings of the Association, and shall be eligible for any office or honor within the scope of the Association.

B. Public Service Membership

  1. Qualifications for Public Service Membership shall be the same as for Active Membership except that these persons shall be employed by state, federal, city or county governments, or be in the military service on active duty.
  2. Public Service members shall have the right to vote on all propositions submitted to the membership at large, the right to vote upon the election of the members of the Board of Governors, the privilege of attending meetings of the Association, and shall be eligible for any office or honor within the scope of the Association.

C. Faculty Membership

  1. Qualifications for Faculty Membership shall be the same as for Active Membership except that these persons shall be full time employees on the faculty of a college or university accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
  2. Faculty members shall have the right to vote on all propositions submitted to the membership at large, the right to vote upon the election of the members of the Board of Governors, the privilege of attending meetings of the Association, and shall be eligible for any office or honor within the scope of the Association.

D. Residency Membership

  1. Qualifications for Residency Membership shall be the same as for Active Membership except that these persons shall be engaged in a full-time program of graduate study, postgraduate study, internship, or residency at a college or university accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges; or in a residency program approved by an AVMA-COE recognized veterinary specialty board or college.
  2. Residency Members shall have the right to vote on all propositions submitted to the membership at large, the right to vote upon the election of the members of the Board of Governors, the privilege of attending meetings of the Association, and shall be eligible for any office or honor within the scope of the Association.

E. Recent Graduate Membership

  1. Qualifications for Recent Graduate Membership shall be the same as for Active Membership except that these persons shall be up to four (4) years removed from earning one of the degrees described in Article I, Section 2(A)(1).
  2.  Recent Graduate members shall have the right to vote on all propositions submitted to the membership at large, the right to vote upon the election of the members of the Board of Governors, the privilege of attending meetings of the Association, and shall be eligible for any office or honor within the scope of the Association.

F. Retired Membership

  1. Any person who has been an Active Member of the Association for at least twenty (20) years, including the preceding ten (10) years, who is employed as a veterinarian less than thirty (30) days per year, has attained the age of sixty-five (65) years, and who has requested retirement status in writing to the Board of Governors may be elected to Retired Membership by that body.
  2. Retired members shall have the right to vote on all propositions submitted to the membership at large, the right to vote upon the election of the members of the Board of Governors, the privilege of attending meetings of the Association, and shall be eligible for any office or honor within the scope of the Association.

G. Life Membership

  1. To be eligible for Life Membership a member must have paid Association dues for a minimum of twenty-five (25) years including the preceding ten (10) years and must have attained the age of seventy (70) years.
  2. Qualifications for Life Membership shall be the same as those for Active Membership except that Life Members shall be those members who have been exempted from payment of dues by vote of the members of the Board of Governors.
  3. Life Members shall have the right to vote on all propositions submitted to the membership at large, the right to vote upon the election of the members of the Board of Governors, the privilege of attending meetings of the Association, and shall be eligible for any office or honor within the scope of the Association.

H. Distinguished Life Membership

  1. This is the highest membership category to be conferred upon a member of the Association.  It indicates an individual of the highest caliber in the profession who has been a member for a period of twenty-five (25) years, has gone above and beyond the ordinary dues-paying obligations and has actively participated in the Association.
  2. The Distinguished Life Membership category indicates that the veterinarian’s service has been exemplary and shall include active voting rights for life and exemption from dues and registration fees for the CVMA Annual Meeting.
  3. To be nominated, the veterinarian’s name together with a synopsis of Association qualifications must be presented to the Board of Governors at least ninety (90) days prior to the next CVMA Annual Meeting by five (5) colleagues of the nominee who have been members in good standing of the Association for the preceding ten (10) or more years.
  4. The candidate(s) will be reviewed and approved by the Ways & Means/Presidents Council Committee before being forwarded to the Board of Governors for final confirmation.An affirmative vote of at least twelve (12) members of the Board of Governors is required for approval.
  5. Recognition of the Distinguished Life Membership shall be made at a meeting designated by the Board of Governors.
  6. Distinguished Life Members shall have the right to vote on all propositions submitted to the membership at large, the right to vote upon the election of the members of the Board of Governors, the privilege of attending meetings of the Association, and shall be eligible for any office or honor within the scope of the Association.

Section 3. Qualifications for Non-Voting Membership

A. Honorary Membership

  1. Any person who has served the veterinary profession in an exemplary manner may be proposed for Honorary Membership in the Association provided that such proposal be made in writing and signed by at least five (5) Active Members and referred to the Board of Governors for consideration.  An affirmative vote by at least twelve (12) members of the Board of Governors shall be necessary for election to Honorary Membership. The candidate(s) will be reviewed and approved by the Ways & Means/President’s Council Committee before being forwarded to the Board of Governors for final confirmation.
  2. Honorary Members shall be exempt from the payment of all dues and assessments.
  3. Honorary Members shall not have the right to vote or hold office, or any right or title to any property of the Association. They shall have the privilege of attending any meeting of the Association open to voting members.

B. Non-Resident Membership

  1. Any person who holds a degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or an equivalent degree of veterinary medicine from a school accredited by the AVMA-COE, or is licensed to practice veterinary medicine by the State of California, whose residence and practice is located entirely outside the territorial limits of the State of California, and whose ethical, moral, and professional qualifications comply with this Constitution and Bylaws, is eligible to apply to the Board of Governors for election to Non-Resident Membership in the Association.
  2. Non-Resident Members shall not have the right to vote, hold office, or any right or title to any property of the Association. They shall have the privilege of attending any meeting of the Association open to voting members.

C. Hospital Staff Membership

  1. Persons who do not have a degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or an equivalent degree but who are employed in a veterinary practice may be eligible for election as a Hospital Staff Member.
  2. Eligibility for Hospital Staff Membership in the Association shall be contingent upon the signature of an active Association member.
  3. Hospital Staff Members shall not have the right to vote, hold office, or any right or title to any property of the Association.
  4. The procedure for admission to Hospital Staff Membership shall be the same as the procedure for admission to Active Membership as outlined in Article I, Section 4.

D. Registered Veterinary Technician Membership

  1. Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) may become RVT Members with annual dues as established by the Board of Governors.
  2. RVT Members shall not have the right to vote, except they shall have voting representation in the Board of Governors and the House of Delegates, nor shall they hold any right or title to any property of the Association. RVT Members may serve on committees of the Association, and may attend the joint meeting of the Board of Governors and House of Delegates held in June of each year.
  3. The procedure for admission to RVT Membership shall be the same as the procedure for admission to Active Membership as outlined in Article I, Section 4.

E. Certified Veterinary Assistant Membership

  1. Certified Veterinary Assistants may become CVA Members with annual dues as established by the Board of Governors.
  2. CVA Members must have attained the age of eighteen (18) years.
  3. CVA Members shall not have the right to vote, nor shall have voting representation in the House of Delegates, nor hold any office, nor hold any right of title of any property of the Association. Such CVA members may serve on committees of the Association.
  4. The procedure for admission to the CVA Membership shall be the same as the procedure for admission to Active Membership as outlined in Article I, Section 4.

F. Veterinary Medical/RVT/CVA Student Membership

  1. Any student regularly enrolled in (a) the professional curriculum of any school which is accredited by the AVMA-COE to confer the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or an equivalent degree in veterinary medicine, (b) the professional curriculum of any school which is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities or the California Veterinary Medical Board to confer the degree of Registered Veterinary Technician or an equivalent degree in veterinary technology, or (c) a student actively enrolled and progressing in the CVMA Certified Veterinary Assistant Program, and whose ethical and moral qualifications comply with the Association’s Constitution and Bylaws, is eligible for Student Membership in the Association.
  2. Student Members shall be exempt from the payment of all dues and assessments.
  3. Student members shall have the privilege of attending any meeting of the Association and its various committees open to voting members.
  4. Student members shall not have the right to vote or hold office, or any right or title to any property of the Association.
  5. One or more Student Member(s) attending a college or university within the State of California may be appointed by the President of the Association to each committee of the Association.

G. Foreign Exchange Student Temporary Membership

  1. Foreign Exchange Students who do not reside in the United States and who are attending UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine or Western University of Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine may become temporary Members for a maximum of three (3) months.
  2. Foreign Exchange Student Temporary Members shall not have the right to vote, nor hold office, nor hold any right or title to property of the Association.
  3. The procedure for admission to Foreign Exchange Student Temporary Membership shall be the same as the procedure for admission to Active Membership as outlined in Article 1, Section 4.

H. Leave of Absence Membership

  1. An Association member unable to partake of the benefits of the Association, due to physical or mental disability which places restrictions on the ability to perform veterinary work, may be granted a Leave of Absence for a period of up to one (1) year, by submitting a written request to the Board of Governors.
    a.  To be eligible for Leave of Absence Membership a member must submit a doctor’s verification and expected length of disability.
    b. If the Board of Governors grants such a request, the member will be carried on the Association’s rolls as a Leave of Absence Member and will not be subject to payment of dues during this period.
    c. A Leave of Absence may be extended beyond one year at the discretion of the Board of Governors.

Section 4. Procedure for Admission to Active Membership

A. Application for admission to Active Membership must be made on a form prescribed by the Board of Governors and shall be signed by the applicant.

 

B. The applicant’s signature on such application form shall constitute acceptance of and intention to be bound by the Association’s Articles of Incorporation, Constitution, Bylaws, and Code of Veterinary Ethics, together with all future amendments of any such Articles, Constitutions, Bylaws or Code of Veterinary Ethics which may be duly adopted pursuant to the provisions thereof.

 

C. The application form shall be filed with the Executive Director of the Association accompanied by such dues as shall be prescribed by the Bylaws of the Association.

 

D. The determination of admission to Active Membership resides solely with the Board of Governors. The Executive Director shall publish the names of new members in one of the Association’s Official Publications.

 

E. If a written objection to any applicant is received by the Executive Director, the application shall then be referred to the Board of Governors for reconsideration.

 

F. If an application is rejected by vote of the Board of Governors, all dues submitted with the application shall be refunded to the applicant by the Executive Director, together with a statement that such action is by direction of the Board of Governors.  A rejected applicant may appeal in person or in writing at the next meeting of the Board of Governors.

 

G. Active Membership shall endure for life from the time of election unless terminated as hereinafter provided.

Section 5. Standard Qualifications

The Association, acting through the Board of Governors, shall be the sole judge of the moral, ethical, and professional qualifications requisite for admission to, or continuation of, or reinstatement of any kind of membership in the Association.

Section 6. Termination of Membership

A.    Any member in good standing may voluntarily resign membership in the Association by transmitting a written resignation notification to the Association.

 

  1. Dues paid in advance for the remainder of the current year shall be considered the property of the Association and no refund need be made.

 

B.    Membership shall cease automatically if membership dues, or any part thereof, remain unpaid after the expiration of the time for payment.

 

C.    Any member whose license or certification has been suspended or revoked by the Veterinary Medical Board has violated the Constitution or Bylaws of the Association, the professional or ethical standards or principles promulgated by the Association, the Veterinary Medical Board or the AVMA, or who has otherwise engaged in conduct unbecoming a member of the Association, may be subject to admonishment, censure, suspension, and/or expulsion from the Association as directed by the Board of Governors

 

  1. Upon being notified of the occurrence of any of the above-listed circumstances, the Board of Governors may, in its sole discretion, review the matter and determine the appropriate membership-related sanction, if any, to be imposed upon the member.
  2. A minimum of twelve (12) affirmative votes of the Board of Governors is necessary for suspension and/or expulsion from the Association (except in cases of non-payment of dues in which case expulsion shall occur automatically).
  3. The decision of the Board of Governors relative to the issuance of any of the membership-related sanctions described in this Section 6. C. shall be absolute and final.

 

D.    Any member of the Association who is terminated from membership in their[1] constituent association may be terminated from membership in the Association.

 

[1] These Bylaws eschew the use of the personal pronouns “he,” “she,” “him,” “her,” “his,” and “hers” in favor of “they,” “them,” and “their.”

Section 7. Membership Reinstatement

A.    Anyone losing membership in the Association for any reason may apply for reinstatement at any time by written petition to the Board of Governors.

 

  1. Upon the filing of a written petition for reinstatement, the petitioner may, if they so desire, request a personal meeting with the Board Governors in furtherance of the reinstatement petition. The Board of Governors shall have the sole discretion to grant or deny the request for a meeting, basing its decision on whether or not it believes such a meeting will help to facilitate its consideration of the reinstatement petition. In cases where the Board of Governors decides to grant the petitioner’s request for a meeting, such meeting shall not be required to follow any particular format, and the Board of Governors shall have the sole and exclusive authority to define the substantive and logistical parameters of such a meeting.
  2. Upon the receipt of a petition for reinstatement, the Board of Governors shall have the sole and exclusive discretion to grant or deny the petition. If the petition is granted, the Board of Governors shall have the sole and exclusive discretion to reinstate the petitioner to the same class of membership in the Association as previously held or such other class of membership as is deemed appropriate.
  3. The decision of the Board of Governors relative to the reinstatement or non-reinstatement of a petitioning individual shall be absolute and final.

Section 8. Membership and Rights Thereof Not Transferable

A.    Neither membership in the Association, nor any certificate proving such membership, nor the interest of any member in the Association, or any of the assets thereof, shall:

 

  1. Be subject to execution, or become or be an asset of the estate of any deceased member, or of any member who may become insolvent or bankrupt;
  2. Descend to, or vest in the heirs, legatees or devisees of any member;
  3. Be transferable or assignable in any form either by the voluntary act of any member, or by operation of law.

 

B.    In the event of death of any member or of any attempted transfer of assignment of membership, the interest of that member shall automatically be canceled, revoked, and terminated.

Section 9. Non-Membership Categories

A.    CVMA Supporter

 

  1. Persons who do not qualify for any membership category but who are vitally interested in and concerned with the profession of veterinary medicine and the activities of the Association may be eligible for election as a CVMA Supporter.
  2. There shall be a CVMA Individual Supporter category. The applicant shall pay the full active dues amount.
  3. There shall also be a CVMA Company Supporter category. The initial company applicant shall pay the full active dues amount. Subsequent applicants shall pay one-half (1/2) the active member dues amount.The Association, acting through the Board of Governors, shall be the sole judge of the moral, ethical, and professional qualifications requisite for admission to, or continuation of a CVMA Supporter.
  4. CVMA Supporters shall not have access to the CVMA Directory, the right to vote, hold office, or any right or title to any property of the Association.