If you’re evaluating the impact of physical distancing requirements on meeting room capacity, you’ll find this new online tool to be helpful. Created by Banquet Tables Pro, the calculator works in two ways — by the number of people required, or by the square footage of the room; the calculator presents results with various distances between people. Check out the tool here. ...

Many VMAE members have learned from Jeffrey Cufaude at VMAE conferences – and now Jeffrey has created a free 30-minute webinar: Facilitation Essentials for Online Meeting Mannagement. The video presents tips and practices to help you navigate the world of virtual meetings with ways to prepare, enhance participation, and lead your online gathering. The video can be found here. Thanks, Jeffrey, for sharing this resource with VMAE colleagues!   ...

Dr. Larry Garcia, at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, has obtained institutional approval to conduct a survey to assess veterinary practice and practitioner readiness for natural and man-made disasters. The VMAE Board of Directors agreed that disaster preparedness is an important topic and that VMAE would bring this survey to your attention. Dr. Garcia shared the following introduction and survey link, which can be used in or adapted for communications to your VMA members: Hello, my name is Dr. Lawrence “Larry” Garcia. I am a Clinical Assistant Professor...

The Pride Veterinary Medical Community (PrideVMC) is excited to announce the recipients of two new student awards, the PrideVMC Student Diversity Bonus Award and the PrideVMC Student Intersectionality Award. Both awards are sponsored by Merck Animal Health. Jessica Rutten and Kaitlin Brown are the award winners because of their commitment to diversity and inclusion, the professionalism of their award applications, and the creativity and innovation evident in their application assays. Each award recipient will receive a $4,000 scholarship on behalf of Merck Animal Health. Read more here. ...

Leading successful organizational change depends in large part on how much influence you have and whether you can help people understand how the change benefits them, writes Art Petty. "Once people see themselves as part of the changing environment and feel empowered to define how the change impacts them, resistance melts," he writes. Read more here.  ...

Seeking Your Input – Digital Education VMAE invites your participation in a brief survey in regard to current and planned digital education offerings at your VMA. All the information needed to respond is in your head – no data searching required, only 5-6 minutes of your time is requested! Based on member request, one area we’re gathering information on is webinars. The question about honorarium paid to presenters is permissible (in terms of anti-competitive concerns that can surface when such questions are asked via the listserv) because only aggregate (versus individually identifiable)...

Despite our desire to gather in San Diego for the VMAE | Summer Conference 2020, the public health crisis has caused VMAE (like our members!) to make other plans.  Based on tremendous interest by members seeking to construct a framework for delivering virtual educational events, I’m excited to share this news: VMAE | Summit Strategy to Implementation: Maximizing the virtual event opportunity Monday – Friday | June 22-26, 2020 | 1-5 PM Daily EDTPlease hold the dates on your calendar for a virtual experience that will deliver the content you’ve requested, the interactive...

Greetings, colleagues – VMAE is pleased to announce two great Thursday gatherings – one on May 21 and another on May 28. Join your colleagues in these VMAE | Live! Virtual Town Halls: The COVID-19 Pandemic: Present and Future ImpactsThursday, May 21 – 12:05-12:55 PM Mountain timeThe public health crisis has touched every facet of life and each component of the veterinary community.  Our Strategic Initiative Partners have responded in exemplary ways, developing resources at lightning speed to assist veterinary professionals in adapting to new protocols of behavior, safety, service, and practice....

VMA Partners –On behalf of Mars Veterinary Health and our U.S. practices – Banfield, BluePearl and VCA – I wanted to thank you for the fantastic work you’re doing managing the COVID-19 pandemic.While this is a global crisis, it certainly manifests itself and requires careful management at all levels, and the work you’re doing with your elected officials, state boards and other key stakeholders has been incredible. Your tireless efforts to communicate with your members and ensure they have the latest information and resources they need to stay safe has...

Merck Animal Health is sponsoring a three-part Facebook Live webinar series with industry experts who will provide insight on how to best help the veterinary team navigate this challenging time. Please feel free to share these events with your members. Webinar 1 Your mental health is important. Join Merck's Facebook Live #InThisTogether webinar on Thursday, April 23 at 1 PM ET, with moderator Dr. Christine Royal and guest contributor Dr. Elizabeth Strand, for answers to your questions about stress management and mental well-being during COVID-19.Dr. Elizabeth Strand is the Founding Director of...