{"id":17892,"date":"2026-03-18T15:50:15","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T19:50:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.acvs.org\/?p=17892"},"modified":"2026-03-18T15:50:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T19:50:15","slug":"acvs-revises-some-bylaws-recommendations-based-on-feedback","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.acvs.org\/es\/news\/acvs-revises-some-bylaws-recommendations-based-on-feedback\/","title":{"rendered":"ACVS revises some bylaws recommendations based on feedback"},"content":{"rendered":"

ACVS appreciates\u00a0the\u00a0feedback\u00a0Diplomates shared\u00a0on the proposed bylaws.\u00a0There is support for the overall direction of the proposed governance change.\u00a0Today we share\u00a0additional\u00a0clarity\u00a0in a few areas.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Certification fees and membership dues<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

With the separation of certification functions and membership activities,\u00a0it is important for\u00a0ACVS\u00a0to separate certification related fees from membership dues. ACVS plans to implement a new\u00a0fee\u00a0structure in 2027 where the\u00a0portion\u00a0of the current annual membership dues that support certification functions will\u00a0transition\u00a0into an annual certification fee.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0<\/span>annual\u00a0certification fee<\/span><\/b>\u00a0will directly\u00a0support the certification program, including the resident training and examination process. The annual certification fee will also provide legal protection and continued use of the DACVS credential. The annual certification fee will be\u00a0required\u00a0to\u00a0retain\u00a0Diplomate status.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0<\/span>annual membership\u00a0dues<\/span><\/b>\u00a0will be voluntary.\u00a0Diplomates who\u00a0choose to\u00a0maintain\u00a0their\u00a0membership\u00a0in the College\u00a0will\u00a0continue to\u00a0access\u00a0exclusive\u00a0membership benefits and services,\u00a0such as\u00a0subscriptions to\u00a0<\/span>Veterinary Surgery<\/span><\/i>,\u00a0access to\u00a0<\/span>ACVS Connect<\/span><\/a>, and preferred pricing for continuing education, including reduced registration to the Surgery Summit.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cap on\u00a0annual\u00a0fee\u00a0increases<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

In the feedback received, some\u00a0Diplomates noted concerns about the proposed removal of the current 3.5 percent annual dues\u00a0increase\u00a0limitation.\u00a0The intent was to give the Board of Regents flexibility to set fees based on the operational needs of ACVS as certification and membership functions become more distinct. Many respondents feel the cap provides accountability and offers important predictability.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In response to the feedback, the\u00a0Board of Regents revised the\u00a0recommendation. Rather\u00a0than\u00a0eliminating\u00a0the cap,\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span>updated proposal would\u00a0establish\u00a0a 5 percent annual cap that would apply to the certification fee, not membership dues<\/span><\/b>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The adjustment to annual cap ensures accountability and predictability Diplomates have called for while providing the Board of Regents with necessary flexibility to respond to economic conditions and operational realities of the College.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As\u00a0membership will become voluntary beginning in 2027, membership dues would not carry a formal cap in the bylaws. Instead, membership pricing would be\u00a0determined\u00a0based on the programs, services, and resources offered to members.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Membership requirement for board service<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Some Diplomates expressed\u00a0support\u00a0for\u00a0keeping minimum membership requirements\u00a0for Board\u00a0of Regent\u00a0and officer\u00a0eligibility that balances the importance of engagement and a deeper understanding of the College without limiting\u00a0strong candidates.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In response to the feedback,\u00a0the Board of Regents\u00a0has revised the\u00a0recommendation\u00a0as follows:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Board eligibility: reduce the membership requirement from 10 years to 5\u00a0years<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • Officer eligibility: reduce the membership requirement from 13 years to 8\u00a0years<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      The revision reflects a balanced shift from a time-based eligibility threshold to a qualifications-based evaluation. Candidates will continue to be vetted through the nominations and elections processes to ensure they possess the skills and experience necessary to serve effectively.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      The revised bylaws will be presented to the membership for a vote in April. Diplomates\u2019 engagement in this important process is appreciated. Their feedback received has been instrumental in ACVS\u2019s revised recommendations. ACVS remains committed to transparency as we move forward together.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      ACVS appreciates\u00a0the\u00a0feedback\u00a0Diplomates shared\u00a0on the proposed bylaws.\u00a0There is support for the overall direction of the proposed governance change.\u00a0Today we share\u00a0additional\u00a0clarity\u00a0in a few areas.\u00a0 Certification fees and membership dues\u00a0 With the separation of certification functions and membership activities,\u00a0it is important for\u00a0ACVS\u00a0to separate certification related fees from membership dues. ACVS plans to implement a new\u00a0fee\u00a0structure in 2027 where […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17892","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-diplomate"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.acvs.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17892","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.acvs.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.acvs.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acvs.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acvs.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17892"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.acvs.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17892\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17914,"href":"https:\/\/www.acvs.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17892\/revisions\/17914"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.acvs.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17892"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acvs.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17892"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acvs.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17892"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}