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It is an exciting, transformative time for ACVS, and the College is eager to assemble a pool of candidates for this year’s president-elect and regents election that is representative of ACVS’s changing membership.
As ACVS pursues an updated governance structure that separates certification functions from membership activities, the responsibilities of the president-elect and regents elected this year will change over the course of their terms. In their first year, they will assume the traditional role of the Board of Regents (board). In their second and third years, certification-related duties will transition from the board to the Certification Council. At that time, the board’s primary focus will be providing strategic guidance and high-level oversight of membership services and activities and the operation of the College.
The coming shift in the board’s responsibilities creates opportunities and the desire for Diplomates to bring a wider variety of experiences to the board. As a result, the nomination process will differ from past years. The Nominating Committee, which reviews nominations and puts candidates forward to the board for approval for the slate of candidates, will strive to identify Diplomates with varied experience and skills that can support the board’s changing responsibilities.
Open positions
The board consists of four officers (chair of the board, president, president-elect, and treasurer) and six regents with an equal distribution of large and small animal members. The Nominating Committee requests nominations and encourages self-nominations for the following open positions beginning in October 2025:
President-elect
• Small animal this year
• Per ACVS bylaws, must have been an ACVS Diplomate for a minimum of 13 years and
a prior regent or treasurer
• Will serve a three-year term: as president-elect (October 2025-26), as president
(October 2026-27), and as chair of the board (October 2027-28)
Large Animal Regent
• Per ACVS bylaws, must have been an ACVS Diplomate for a minimum of 10 years
• Will serve a three-year term as regent
Small Animal Regent
• Per ACVS bylaws, must have been an ACVS Diplomate for a minimum of 10 years
• Will serve a three-year term as regent
Board member commitment
The board meets for two days at three regularly scheduled board meetings each year: in the winter, usually in February (virtual); in the summer, usually in June (in person); and in October in conjunction with the Surgery Summit. Additionally, the board holds monthly one- to two-hour virtual meetings or as needed. Attendance is expected to ensure a voting quorum. Nominees must understand that their enthusiastic participation, ability to devote sufficient time to prepare, and attendance are essential.
Nomination process
To nominate someone or to self-nominate for any one or more of the open board positions, please submit the Election Nomination Form by 5 pm (ET), April 4. Each nominee (a person nominated by someone other than themselves or a person who is self-nominating) will be required to complete the Board Candidate Application form. Upon receipt of a nomination, the ACVS staff liaison to the Nominating Committee will forward the Board Candidate Application form and any instructions and deadlines for completion.
Reach out to me at rmclaughlin@lsu.edu with questions about the nomination process.
Thank you for your continued support of the College.
Ron McLaughlin, DVM, DVSc
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Chair, ACVS Nominating Committee
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