Hello friends! How’s your summer so far? I hope you’ve been able to take some time to relax and have a little fun in the sun. Wisconsin summers go by fast, so don’t wait too long to get out there. And don’t forget the bug spray. The summer pests are extra pesty this year.
Speaking of time flying by too fast, I can’t believe I’m already more than halfway through my one-year term as your WVMA President. It’s been a productive seven months, and I’ve enjoyed—and been challenged by—every second of it.
If you’re like I was about a year ago right now, you might be wondering what the WVMA presidency is all about. Maybe you’re thinking about stepping into a leadership role someday and want to know more before you make the leap. Let’s take a look at what it takes, and you can take it from there.
The Nuts and Bolts
Just like any profession these days, the WVMA presidency comes with its fair share of emails, Zoom calls, and conference room meetings. But those typical tasks are just a small part of this role. It’s the measurable parts that matter most. To me, the real nuts and bolts of what makes a good president come down to paying attention to five things on a daily basis. (P.S. There are more than five, but these are the must-haves):
Representation: There are two questions on my mind at all times, no matter what we’re working on: What would members think about this? And, How does this issue impact our members? It’s our job as leaders to be the voice of every veterinarian in the state. And it’s a job we don’t take lightly.
Connections: When I’m out and about, personally and professionally, I make a point to connect. I listen to veterinary team members talk about struggles and successes, and I learn how other VMAs operate. To me, the best way to find solutions is to sit at tables other than our own.
Accessibility: Much of this role is about showing up. Being available goes a long way in gaining trust. I want members to know we’ve got their backs. The only way to do that is to be there when they need us. This means attending meetings at the AVMA level to hear from peers in other areas of the country and on different sides of the issues.
Readiness: A lot of my time is spent staying up to speed and ready for what’s next. Getting familiar with the big issues helps me ask the right questions. I do a fair amount of reading and try to squeeze it in between patients, on weekends, and during travel.
Perspectives: Agreeing to disagree can be uncomfortable at times, but different views can lead to positive change. Persisting through the perspective process has been the biggest challenge and biggest highlight of my term so far.
You’ve Got What It Takes
Some of you might not think you have what it takes to step up and lead. Trust me, that’s not even close to true. I believe we’re all capable of leadership in some way, especially veterinarians. We’re trained for this stuff because we’re in the trenches, every day. It doesn’t matter if you’re in academia, research, small animal or large, we all have that same empathetic, make-change-happen mindset. And we’re always ready to stand up for the profession we love.
Are there required skills that might be out of your comfort zone, sure. But you can’t grow if you’re always comfortable. For example—public speaking. It can be intimidating, but wow what an honor! I’ve had the privilege of addressing the UW SVM Class of 2025 at the Bluecoat ceremony (about 600 people), emceeing the WVMA Leadership event, and speaking to legislators in our state and at the nation’s capitol. It’s humbling (and a little scary) to be the face of the WVMA in these moments, but I treasure every single one of them.
What’s not required? Doing it alone. My fellow board members are always there to support me. And the WVMA staff keeps me on-task at all times with meeting agendas, scheduling assistance, presentation talking points, even help writing this Voice article. This small but mighty team of five does the lion’s share of the work but often stays behind the curtain. Many thanks to them.
Ready to Take the Leadership Leap?
If you’re interested in taking on a leadership role with the WVMA, your first step is to put yourself out there. Volunteer for board work, any board. It’ll teach you about board structure and what it means to have a duty of care and honor. Then, tell somebody. If you keep it to yourself, it might get overlooked. So many of you would make amazing leaders, but if nobody knows you’re interested, it could quickly turn into a missed opportunity. If any of this sounds like something you’re ready to jump into, let us know. We’re here and ready to help you get where you want to go.
One last thing before I go—I want to congratulate my friend and colleague, Dr. Becky Johnson, on becoming our first Board-elected President-Elect. Dr. Johnson is the perfect example of presidential material, and we couldn’t be more excited to see where she takes us next year. “Be like Becky” and take the leadership leap. I know you’ve got what it takes.