The Committees:
Fundraising: At least 10 people will be responsible for ordering merchandise and organizing four clothing sales throughout the year. They will also coordinate vendor fairs, silent auctions, and other activities intended to raise money for SCAVMA events. Fundraising members work in conjunction with other students and SCAVMA Committees at the MVMA Convention*, Annual Open House, Student Sales, and other events that come up during the year.
*The 1st year class gold members will be asked to volunteer at the coat check during the MVMA Convention (traditionally the convention is held the first weekend in February).
Hills: At least 9 people will work with the Hills Representatives to coordinate and distribute Hills pet food under the Hill’s College Feeding Program. Each member will be required to commit a minimum of 1 hour per month to the feeding program each semester. This will include helping with the organization and distribution of food orders to CVM students, faculty and staff.
Member Relations: At least 5 people will coordinate creation and distribution of the 2nd year surgery packs to include ordering of supplies, packaging of materials, and distribution to the students. Other duties by The Member Relations committee are to include distribution of SCAVMA materials to class mailboxes on an as need basis by the SCAVMA executive board. Surgery packs are needed by the students early in the spring semester of classes. This committee will be responsible for keeping the lunchroom environment clean and friendly (clean weekly). Annual nominations for SCAVMA executive officers will be coordinated by this committee, including the distribution and counting of ballots. In addition, they will be responsible for collecting, writing, and submitting nominations for up to two National SCAVMA Teaching Awards. The committee may also be asked to work on other faculty nominations for University or CVM awards. SCAVMA nominations are traditionally held in Feb-March each year.
Open House: At least 15 people will be in charge of organizing the annual CVM Open House, held in the spring (March or April) of each year. Preparations for this event include mailings to vendors, clubs, organizations, and interest groups both within and outside the University, coordinating publicity and events, and working the day of the Open House**. This is the College’s opportunity to present itself to the public and share the value of veterinary medicine to the community at large.
**All 1st year class members will be asked to volunteer at open houses many events.
Social: At least 10 people will organize and operate the annual Spring Beach Party (March or April) and the Spring Softball or Volleyball Tournament with faculty. Committee members, with the assistance of the MVMA, will also help plan the MVMA Welcome Back BBQ in the fall of each year. Additionally, the committee may be asked to help with arrangements for other events that come up during the course of the year.
Community Outreach: At least 8 people will be asked to speak individually or in small groups about veterinary medicine and veterinary medical school. Speakers may be asked to work in a variety of settings, including grade schools, youth groups, career fairs, and other events. Speaking engagements may occur during school hours, require transportation, and necessitate minimal preparation. Larry Bjorklund is the administrative contact for these engagements. In addition, the committee should be available to assist in any planned community events put on by the CVM, such as the Mini-Vet School. This committee will be responsible for orchestrating fundraising event(s), with all proceeds going toward the Josh and Friends fund and the AVMA selected “One Health Challenge.” You will be the lead on this project and receive support from the other U of M veterinary students and SCAVMA committees with planned events. Reaching the financial goal will allow our SCAVMA to competitively compete with the other CVM’s across the country in the Josh and Friends Challenge and “One Health Challenge.” For more information visit: The Josh and Friends website and JAVMA News Article on Josh and Friends.
Symposium Fundraising: At least 5 people will be responsible for holding fundraising events to help pay for attendance of University of Minnesota SCAVMA members at the National SAVMA Symposium in March. This will include, but is not limited to, 1) Finals Week Care Packages and, 2) planning the Exhibitor Fair in late February or early March where veterinary companies are invited to the CVM to display their products and services in exchange for a fee. Planning these events will involve letter writing, phone calls, preparing needed supplies for each event, advertising the event to both the hospital and students, as well as the actual event itself. Students will be encouraged to think of additional fundraising opportunities to help defray rising costs of travel to this exciting annual event.
Seminar: At least 6 people will be responsible for securing speakers to supplement classroom lectures and interests through informational seminars. Additionally, this committee will make arrangements for rooms to hold the seminars, advertising and food and beverages for the events.
1) One of these seminars should be held during the evening or on a weekend (traditionally in the Fall). A special budget is provided for this seminar, and the committee will be responsible for arranging the location and providing a meal for attendees. This seminar should take a good effort to arrange, and possibly host a nationally renowned speaker – someone from outside the college to talk on relevant issues of concern to students in the CVM.
2) Committee members should work in close coordination with the SCAVMA Vice-President to arrange speakers for the monthly SCAVMA General Meetings. This may require correspondence, “thank you” letters, etc. Each member of the committee should be responsible for arranging at least one General Meeting speaker.
Click here to view the 2012 Committee Assignments
