MVMA’s Student Programs and ASVMAE’s Guide to Student Programs

1. MVMA’s Student Programs and ASVMAE’s Guide to Student Programs Karlene Belyea, MBA Executive Director

2. Which Heartland states… Have veterinary schools? Don’t have vet schools? • Michigan • Illinois • Indiana • Ohio • Iowa • Minnesota • Missouri • Wisconsin • Kentucky • Nebraska • North Dakota • South Dakota

3. What process did Michigan go through to get it’s student programs in place?

4. Who is MVMA? • Represents 2,150 veterinarians and veterinary students • Approximately 76% of total veterinarians and 78% of students • Operating since 1883 • 4 Staff

5. Where were we 6 years ago without a student program? • 1,648 veterinarian members • No student members or student involvement • Excellent financial shape • Happy members (mostly older) • Great CE programs • Not attracting a whole lot of new grads

6. Why focus on students? • Need to attract Gen X and Gen Y members • Students have little interaction with practitioners • Students are not exposed to the “hot topics” • VMAs need to raise visibility in the college • They are the future of the profession!

7. What were our goals? • Raise MVMA’s visibility with students and in the college • Create a relationship with students before graduation • Strengthen the relationship with faculty at the college & increase membership • Provide programs for the students that: • allow them to interact with practicing veterinarians • make them aware of legislative initiatives • make them aware of hot topics in the profession • make them aware of career opportunities

8. How did we begin? • Conducted research by interviewing students, faculty and members • Evaluated what was done in the past • Rewrote our bylaws to allow for student affiliates • Wrote & implemented a student plan in 2005 • Evaluated results

9. Interactive program with students • Partnered with SCAVMA and provided live programs • Put on lunch/dinner programs twice a year with each individual class which included small group discussions • Presented to students at orientation • Presented to students at White Coat Ceremony • Presented to students at Graduation

10. It pays to be an MVMA student affiliate • Free name tags for 1st year students ($9 value) • Free suture or course packs for 2nd year students ($60 value) • Personalized MVMA lab coat at Transition Ceremony for 3rd year students ($35 value) • Educational presentations and dinner (never pizza!) • Round table sessions with individual classes on hot topics • Discounts on school supplies • Job shadowing opportunities • Student electronic-newsletters

11. It pays to be an MVMA student affiliate - continued… • Access to MVMA’s web resources & “Members Only” area • Participation on MVMA Committees • Guidance/training on the legislative process • Discounts and free registration at events • Business cards • Financial support for student projects and groups ($6,000/year) • Student Committee • Discounts on computers, insurance, rental cars and more • Free legal advice • Access to MVMA’s “Answer Team” (expanded mentoring) • Student news and spotlights in our publications • Free books, CDs and DVDs for students and/or the college • Summer job assistance • Access to our career center • Networking opportunities

17. Student Affiliates • Pay only $45 once when they join if they are a SCAVMA member • Pay only $50 once if they are not a SCAVMA member • Earn SCAVMA points by attending MVMA committee meetings • 318 of the 400 students at MSU are MVMA Student Affiliates • Student savings = $200+

18. Evaluation of Goal Attainment after 4 years • 78% of students are members • Faculty membership grew from 50% to 70% at that time • Students indicate that they are more knowledgeable about hot issues since our meetings • Students know our staff and key members well

19. How can we help other states develop programs for students? • ASVMAE to the rescue!

20. What did ASVMAE do to help? • Put together the Recent Grad Task Force (which also addressed students) • Surveyed ASVMAE members on their programs for students • Compiled results • Created the Guide to Veterinary Student Programs!

21. Student Orientations • Send membership info BEFORE they get to campus • Important for VMAs to be involved in the first few days • Presentations during formal orientation • Request that applications be filled out during orientation • Student Open House or Welcome Ceremony • Freshman Luncheon with VMA Board members and faculty at each table • Other fun events – picnic/BBQ when students return to school

22. Scholarships & Awards • Scholarships - $1,000-$4,000 over 1-4 years (can be Class Representatives) • Research grants • Endowed scholarships • Awards – valedictorians and others

23. Class Representatives • Can be paid or unpaid positions • Helps to recruit other students as members and graduating students as veterinarian members • Create a job description • Gives them meaningful leadership experience

24. Participation in VMA Conferences • Free or reduced fees on registration • Some pay hotel and modest stipend • Special events – breakfasts, receptions • Dinner with mentors • “After Party” for students – band, refreshments, etc. • Pay students to help with registration

25. Visibility at Student Events • VMA should make sure they have a presence at all major student events • Consider asking someone to “adopt” a class and follow them through their 4 year program

26. Educational Programs • Monthly, biannual or quarterly programs • Practice management, life skills, ethical issues, animal welfare, legislation, “hot topics”, etc. • Illinois VMA-class on the politics of vet medicine • Provide food & bring practicing veterinarians • Do as individual class meetings or with a bigger group like SCAVMA • Open forums/round table discussions

27. Be a Presence on Campus • Hold a Board meeting on campus every year and an open forum luncheon with students • Meet with classes, class reps, SCAVMA, student clubs • Hold VMA committee meetings on campus and encourage students to attend • ISVMA Veterinary Heritage Collection & Commons • Create a study area for students with internet access

28. Encourage Student Participation • VMA Board of Directors & Committees • Set up videoconferencing at the school • Have students coordinate events like Lobby Day or other PR events • Hire students to work CE events

29. Student Committees • Representatives from each class and SCAVMA • Determines student member benefits and activities • Allocates grants given to student clubs

30. Mentoring • Partner with your CVM • Match mentors/mentee by specialty or interest • Provide training materials/sessions • “A” Team – Answer Team (MI) • Vetbook – online with Facebook (CO) • Fun events designed to “meet and greet”

31. White/Blue Coat Ceremonies • Many VMAs provide coats with their logos and the students’ names • Speaking opportunity for VMA • Provide food at a reception after or luncheon before

32. Faculty Advisors • Critical to have faculty involved since they have great influence on students • Assign a faculty advisor to coordinate events with the VMA • Have them help coordinate leadership development and training activities

33. Job Fairs & Job Assistance • Career fairs • Interview opportunities • Intern & externship programs • Website – Veterinary Career Network • Speed Networking • Interview/resume workshop • Assistance with summer jobs

34. Good ideas that some VMAs are doing or exploring • Facebook • Twitter • YouTube • Podcasts • Webinars • Listserves • Blogs

35. MVMA is on Facebook and Twitter! Join us at: • www.facebook.com/ilovemyvet - 700+ “fans” • www.twitter.com/michiganvma - 120+ “followers” • www.facebook.com/ilovemyvet - 700+ “fans” • www.twitter.com/michiganvma - “followers”

36. Pre-Graduation Events • Hold an event to give graduating students instructions, forms, etc. they will need to graduate and become practicing veterinarians • Distribute membership applications • Discuss the importance of joining and how they will relate differently to the VMA as veterinarian members • This is one of the last visibility opportunities you’ll have with that class!

37. “Turn in your completed MVMA application for a FREE year of membership today and get a FREE flash drive!”

38. Flash Drives Contain… • NAVLE/NBVMA Information • License Information – MDCH and Board of Veterinary Medicine • Drug License Information – DEA & Board of Pharmacy • USDA Accreditation • Michigan Law for Veterinarians • Important Agency Contact Information • MVMA’s FAQ’s • Info on Compensation Models & Salary Negotiations • Tips for Your Job Hunt • “A”nswer Team/Mentoring Information • New Grad MVMA Application • MVMA Member Benefits

39. Graduation & Parties • Speaking at graduation • Providing food/refreshments • Be sure VMA membership applications are distributed through several venues

40. Student Dues • Many VMAs have student memberships • Some are free • Some are $10/year • $45 for all 4 years (just pay once) • Everything in between

41. Student Member Benefits • Educational presentations, round table discussions and fun events • Job shadowing opportunities • Student electronic-newsletters • Networking opportunities • Mentoring opportunities

42. Student Member Benefits • Access to web resources & “Members Only” area • Participation on Committees and Board of Directors • Guidance/training on the legislative process • Financial support for student projects and groups • Student news and spotlights • Summer job assistance • Access to our career center • Student “short courses” (podiatry, dentistry, emergencies) • Travel stipends for students attending national meetings • Inclusion in online social networking groups

43. Discounts for Students • School supplies • Health insurance • Auto insurance • Travel insurance and/or services • Car rental • Computers

44. Freebies for Students • Dorland’s Medical Dictionary • Stethoscope • Lapel pins • Nerd books • Surgery CDs • Free course packs • Free suture packs • Normals cards • White/Blue coats • Slip leashes • Business cards • Leather portfolios with VMA logo • Business card holders with VMA logo • Professional liability insurance • Cowbells – Mississippi • Engraved nametags for lab coats • Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook

45. Other Ideas • Emergency student fund • Budget for student chapter to use at their discretion • Booth space at conferences • Hire summer interns to work on VMA programs • Coordinate club activities • Bandaging wet labs

46. See suggested timeline for student activities • Prior to the first year of vet school • Year 1 • Year 2 • Year 3 • Year 4

47. Have questions? • belyea@michvma.org or (517) 347-4710 “It’s all fun and games until someone ends up in the cone of shame…”