Legislation
Article I: Title
This organization, established in 1974, shall be known as the VIRGINIA
ASSOCIATION OF LICENSED VETERINARY TECHNICIANS INCORPORATED
(VALVT). On January 31, 1991, this organization was formally incorporated before the
State Corporation Commission for the Commonwealth of Virginia, and is hereafter
referred to as the Association.
Article II: Purpose/Objective
The purposes of the Association are as follows:
1. To provide a means of communication among its members
2. To expand the knowledge of the licensed veterinary technician
through continuing education
3. To maintain a code of high ethical standards, a professional image
and an honorable relationship with licensed veterinarians
4. To promote public awareness of the value of th profession
5. To promote full utilization of the skills possessed by licensed veterinary
technicians
Article III: Declarations
Section 1: Licensed Veterinary Technician
The Board of Veterinary Medicine may license veterinary technicians to perform, in the
employ of a person licensed to practice veterinary medicine and under his/her immediate
and direct supervision and control, acts relating to maintenance of the health or treatment
of any animal. A person licensed as a veterinary technician may not receive
compensation for such acts other than such salary as he/she may be paid by the
employing veterinarian. No person licensed as a veterinary technician may perform
surgery, diagnose or prescribe medication for any animal.
Section 2: Charter
The Association shall be chartered for the protection of the membership.
Section 3: Nondiscrimination
The Association shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national
origin, sexual orientation, sex, marital status or disability.
Article IV: Membership
Section 1: Terms
Yearly membership shall run from January 1 of any given year to December 31 of the
same calendar year. There shall be four membership classifications within the
Association, as described in Sections 2-5
A formal application of membership must be submitted yearly for renewal for each
category of the membership.
All applications for membership shall be formerly approved as specified in the
Procedures Manual. Members shall not be delinquent of set dues.
Responsibilities of membership shall include
  •  Communicating with elected and appointed Association officers concerning
policies or regulations that affect the organization,
  •  Supporting the Association officers in any endeavor to protect and promote
Licensed Veterinary Technicians in Virginia,
  •  Observing professional and ethical standards,
 Participating in Association committees or events, and
  •  Notifying the Association Executive Director of any changes of personal contact
information.
Section 2: Active Member
Active members in the Association shall be those persons licensed by and in good
standing with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Board of Veterinary Medicine and
residing in or practicing in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Active members shall have
full voting privileges and shall be eligible to hold office upon approval of their
membership application and acceptance of dues.
Section 3: Associate Members
Associate members of the Association shall be those persons who satisfy one of the
following criteria:
1. Is a graduate of an AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology program,
currently licensed in another state, residing in the Commonwealth of Virginia,
and is awaiting licensure approval by the Virginia Board of Veterinary
Medicine.
2. Is a graduate of an AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology program,
residing in another state and is currently licensed within that state of
residence.
Associate members may not vote in Association elections or hold executive offices.
Associate members may serve on committees.
Section 4: Student members
Student members in the Association shall be those persons who are currently enrolled in
an AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology program and who reside in the
Commonwealth of Virginia. Student members receive a complimentary membership and
may attend programs sponsored by the Association at student rates. Student members
may not vote in VALVT elections or referendums or hold executive offices. Student
members will be issued a complimentary associate member status from the date of
licensure until December 31 of that calendar year.
Section 5: Affiliate Member
Affiliate members of the Association shall be those persons or groups not described in the
above Active, Associate or Student categories, such as veterinarians or professional
groups associated with veterinary medicine. Affiliate members may not vote in
Association elections, hold executive offices or serve on committees. Affiliate members
will receive a quarterly newsletter.
Section 6: Dues
Membership to the above categories may be subject to annual fees as established by the
Executive Board. The fiscal year of the Association shall be January 1st through
December 31st. Annual dues are payable to the Association between December 1st and
December 31st of any calendar year, for the following year. Payments received after the
yearly deadline of December 31st are considered late and shall not be prorated. A member
whose dues are in arrears shall be considered a nonmember. Membership may be
reinstated by application approval and payment of dues.
Article V: The Executive Board
Section 1: Elected officers of the Association
The elected officers of the Association shall consist of the President, President-Elect,
Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer and Member Service Coordinator. These officers,
with other appointed officers, shall compose the Executive Board. Elected officers shall:
A. Be elected by the general membership by balloted vote
B. Be approved, active members of the Association
C. Pay membership dues each year
D. Serve as a representative of the Association
E. Conduct all routine business of the Association
F. Perform duties as outlined in the Constitution and Procedures Manual
G. Maintain an accurate record of his/her official activities
H. Attend all Executive Board meetings
Section 2: Election of Officers
A. Eligibility: Only active members in good standing with the Association may
be nominated for elective offices. Additionally, a nominee for the office of
President-Elect must have previously held an office on the Executive Board.
B. Nomination and Elections: Only active members of the Association may
submit a nomination for an office. The Election Committee will receive
nominations for impending offices throughout the fiscal year. The Election
Committee Chair will submit a slate of nomination to the Executive Board by
October 31 of each calendar year. The Election Committee will secure the
written acceptance via mail or any other technological means of all nominees
before preparing the nomination slate (ballot).
C. Ballots/Voting: Ballots will be sent to all active members by mail or any
other technological means and shall be returned to the VALVT no later than
the date designated by the committee for the vote tabulation. Elections are
confirmed by a simple majority vote. Ties will be decided by simple majority
closed balloted vote of the Executive Board.
D. Installation and Terms of Office: Newly elected officers will be installed at
the annual general business meeting. Terms of office shall begin at the close
of that general business meeting and end at the installation ceremony
conducted at the annual general business meeting when the term of office is
completed. Length of term is specified below (Article 5 Section 3).
Section 3: Duties of Elected Officers
A. President
  •  Term of office shall be one year
  • Shall supervise and direct the affairs of the Association
  • Shall act as the spokesperson for the Association
  • Shall preside at all meetings
  • Shall have the power to create any office and make appointments that
he/she may deem necessary to aid him/her in the fulfillment of his/her
duties subject to the approval of the Executive Board
  •  Shall have the power to appoint all committees and committee
chairpersons
  •  Shall have the power to break any voting tie of the Executive Board
  •  Shall be responsible for the Association’s website (VALVT.org) or
appoint the chairperson of the Association website committee
  •  Shall attend and represent the Association at all Board of Veterinary
Medicine meetings
  •  Shall serve on the Professional Affairs Committee and assist with the
planning of VALVT Legislative Day
B. President-Elect
  •  Term of office shall be one year with automatic succession to the office of
President the following year
  •  Shall serve on the Continuing Education Committee
  •  Shall work with the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association Continuing
Education Committee
  •  Shall plan or supervise all continuing education programs sponsored by the
Association
  •  Shall be accountable for the integrity of the Association’s budgeted funds.
C. Vice President
  •  Term of office shall be two years
  •  Shall serve in the absence of the President, shall hold power of the President
and shall be responsible for all the duties of the President during this absence
  •  Shall serve as Editor in Chief of the Association newsletter
  •  Shall be responsible for the job opportunities list
 Shall on a quarterly basis provide to the membership a newsletter via mail
and/or through the use of technological means.
  •  Shall be accountable for the integrity of the Association’s budgeted funds.
  •  Shall serve as the Association’s representative to the National Association of
Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)
D: Secretary/Treasurer
  •  Term of office shall be two years
 Shall keep a record of the minutes of all meetings of the Association
  •  Shall serve on the elections committee
  •  Shall notify the membership of the election results
  •  In the absence of the Secretary/Treasurer, the Member Service Coordinator
will assume the duties of this office
  •  Shall sign checks in the absence of the Executive Director and serve as the
secondary signature on the financial account
  •  Shall on a quarterly basis review the financial records of the Association with
the Executive Director
  •  Shall be responsible for all official correspondence of the Association
  •  Shall ensure a draft fiscal budget by October 31 of each year for the upcoming
fiscal year
E: Member Services Coordinator
  •  Term of office shall be two years
  •  Annually review member benefits, brochure and recruitment
  •  Shall maintain a written and pictorial history of the Association
  •  Shall attend all meetings and functions and record acknowledgments of their
significance to the progress of the Association
  •  Shall submit an annual year-end statement on the accomplishments of the
Association to be reported in the Association newsletter and posted on the
website, as well as filed in the VALVT yearbooks
  •  Shall serve as a Liaison to the Virginia Veterinary Technology programs,
including communication with the programs and their student representatives
on a regular basis
  •  Shall serve on the Liaison, Membership and Awards Committees
  •  Shall serve in the absence of the Secretary/Treasurer
Section 4: Resignation Procedures
Any officer wishing to resign his/her position must notify in writing all the remaining
members of the Executive Board. Notification of resignation must occur a minimum
of 30 days prior to the date of resignation.
Section 5: Dismissal
Any officer believed to be unable to continue in an office due to poor health,
nonattendance of meetings and/or malperformance of duties, as set forth in this
Constitution and Procedures Manual, shall be subject to dismissal. A majority vote by
the Executive Board shall be required for dismissal.
Section 6: Vacancy Procedures
In the event of a vacancy in the office of the
a. President: The President-Elect shall assume the duties of this office in addition
to the duties of the office of the President-Elect. At the next General
Membership meeting, the President-Elect shall assume the office of the
President as stipulated in the Automatic Succession to Higher Office Protocol.
b. President-Elect: The Executive Board shall designate another elected officer to
assume the duties and responsibilities of this office until such time as the
Election Committee makes arrangements for a special election for the office of
President-Elect.
c. Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, or Member Service Coordinator: The
Executive Board shall appoint a substitute for the vacant position until the next
annual nomination or election.
Section 7: Consecutive Terms
The same individual may not occupy the same elected office for more than two
consecutive terms.
Section 8: Appointed Positions
Appointed positions of the Association shall consist of the Regional Directors and
other positions as deemed appropriate by the Executive Board. Appointed positions
shall have no limits on term of office. Appointees shall:
a. Be approved, active members of the Association
b. Pay annual membership dues
c. Serve as an ambassador of the Association
d. Attend all Executive Board meetings. If unable to attend, Appointees must
submit reports prior to scheduled meetings.
e. Have full voting privileges for executive decisions
f. Maintain an accurate record of their official activities
Section 9: Duties of Appointed Positions
1. Each Regional Director shall:
i. Serve as a representative of the Association
ii. Coordinate continuing education activities of his/her
region as outlined in the Procedures Manual
iii. Serve as a representative of the members from that
region to the Executive Board
Section 10: Student Representatives
A student representative from each Veterinary Technology program within the
Commonwealth of Virginia shall be invited to attend all Association and
Executive Board meetings. Students shall submit reports to the quarterly
newsletter. Students shall have no voting privileges and receive no other benefits
other than membership in the Association.
Article VI: Executive Director
The Executive Director shall be an independent contractor appointed by the
Executive Board. The Executive Director must have served on the VALVT board
and must maintain an active membership in the Association. The position shall be
appointed for a five-year term with annual review. The Executive Director has no
voting rights on the board.
The Executive Director shall:
  •  Receive and distribute all official information of the Association to
officers via mail or other technological means
  •  Approve membership in the Association and maintain an accurate
membership list
  •  Oversee VALVT financial accounts and be an authorized signatory for
accounts
  •  Receive and process conference registrations
  •  Maintain records of attendance for VALVT conferences (Fall and Virginia
Veterinary Conference)
  •  Coordinate information for the website and update in a timely manner
  •  Assist new officers in acclimating to their positions by serving as a
resource for information and by offering assistance in completing their
duties as outlined in the Constitution and Procedures Manual
  •  Serve as the main contact person for the VALVT
  •  Represent the VALVT at the Board of Veterinary Medicine, VVMA
meetings, etc., as needed when a board member cannot attend
  •  File any tax and legal documents for the Association as required
  •  Perform other duties as requested by the current Executive Board
Article VII: Records
All official records of the Association are the property of the Association. Officer
records shall be kept on file for a minimum of two years plus the current year.
Financial records shall be kept for a minimum of seven years. Following
completion of a term of office, resignation or dismissal, an officer or appointee
shall turn over all records pertaining to his/her office to the Executive Board
within 30 days.
Article VIII: Association Meetings
Section 1: General Business Meetings
There shall be at least two annual membership/general business meetings each
calendar year.
Section 2: Executive Board Meetings
The Executive Board shall meet a minimum of once each quarter in person or via
technological means.
Section 3: Notification of Meetings
The President shall notify all members of the Executive Board of the meeting
date.
Section 4: Attendance
Attendance of Executive Board meetings is mandatory for all officers and
appointees. Failure to attend two consecutive meetings may result in dismissal for
elected officers. This regulation shall be waived for Appointees if reports are
submitted on time and duties of office are being fulfilled as per this Constitution
and Procedures Manual.
Section 5: Format
Any official meeting of the Association shall be conducted in accordance with the
simplified version of Robert’s Rules of Order.
Article IX: Finances
Section1: Financial Status
The Association shall be a nonprofit organization and shall raise funds when
necessary.
Section 2: Fiscal Year
The fiscal year shall be from January 1 of any given year to December 31 of that
same calendar year.
Article X: Dissolution of the Treasury
In the event that the Association should dissolve, all funds remaining in the
Treasury at that time shall be donated equally to the student organizations of the
AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology programs in the Commonwealth of
Virginia.
Article XI: Newsletter
Section 1: Purpose
The Association Newsletter shall serve as the primary means of communication
between the membership and the Executive Board. The current Vice President
shall serve as Editor in Chief.
Section 2: Publi~tioD Schedule
The Association Newsletter shall be published and distributed once each quarter.
Section 3: Distribution
Current members in an classifications are entitled to receive the Association
Newsletter via mail or other technological means. This is to include all student
members. Complimentary copies may be distributed as designated by the
Executive Board.
Article XU: Amendments
Section 1: Constitution and Procedures Manual Review
The President shall review the Constitution at the end of his/her term.
Amendments may be proposed as necessary. Review shall take place not less than
every five years but not more than every two years.
Section 2: Presentation
Proposed amendments shall be signed by a minimum of five active members and
submitted in writing to the Executive Board. Submitted amendments shall be
presented to the general membership 60 days prior to a voting deadline.
Section 3: Voting
Proposed amendments shall then be presented to the active membership for vote.
Section 4: Passage
The Constitution may be amended by a simple majority vote by active members,
Section 5: Adoption
Upon passage. the amendment shall be added to the Constitution and the
membership will be notified of said passage and its addition to the Constitution.
Amended August 7, 2011 () ;. h;Q L s/T I {}

Passage by Members October 15, 2011