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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE: The world is run by those who show up — so where are you?
May 28, 2026
It is often stated that “the world is run by those who show up.” That is indeed true; to affect change, participation is required.
A great privilege of being president is attending many provincial veterinary conferences and Annual General Meetings (AGMs). In addition to the opportunity for continuing education (CE), conferences are fun, they facilitate engagement with other members and are generally well attended. However, AGMs, which often happen concurrently, are entirely another matter. For most organizations, an AGM is not only a requirement but an important opportunity for members to ask questions of council, debate and vote on bylaw changes, and ultimately to elect council members. Sadly, attendance at many of these meetings is often remarkably poor. Not only are there few members present, but many participants are “seasoned” like me, with few or no recent graduates. This is worrisome because many decisions made at the board level and voted on during these meetings will affect younger veterinarians the most. The veterinary world is in upheaval. Having functional professional associations with good member engagement and boards that follow the principles of good governance, representing the interests of all members, has never been more important.
Across Canada there are huge shifts in our profession, including various practice models, evolving public perception and expectations, advances in artificial intelligence and telemedicine, and expanding roles of Registered Veterinary Technologists. Concurrently, we are striving to operate a viable business, with sustained or expanded access to care.
Moreover, there are many changes underway regarding how veterinary medicine is regulated throughout Canada. In most cases, these are long overdue. However, changes come with challenges; not all changes proposed may be ones you support, or perhaps they would benefit from minor revision. Therefore, veterinarians need provincial advocacy bodies to work for them on the provincial level, and the CVMA to work for them in partnership with the provincial bodies on national issues. For any regulatory or advocacy body to work well, participation of members like you is needed to attend meetings, vote, volunteer for committees, and stand for council.
I understand most don’t consider an AGM fun and would rather interact with friends and classmates. Although everyone is genuinely busy, decisions made at these meetings and who is elected will assuredly affect you, directly or indirectly. If larger practices sent at least 1 associate every year, smaller practices once every 3 years, and rural regions had at least someone attend annually, AGM attendance could triple.
Attendance at AGMs is not low because members are not interested in the issues on the agenda; a quick look at any veterinary social media platform will tell you otherwise. However, despite much discussion online, without follow-up and action, it is simply “hot air.” Every advocacy body has challenges balancing the wants of its members and what is possible from legal and financial perspectives. Councils are composed of members who volunteer much time, energy, and expertise to their association. They make decisions based on the best information available and often with prolonged deliberation. Members have every right to disagree with these decisions; however, they should also be present to hear council explain rationale. Actively participating in a meeting, voicing your concerns, and listening to others, requires effort.
You must show up to vote or to run for council. As individuals, we can either sit on the sidelines and let change happen to us or we can get involved and have change be something that happens with us. You decide. I sincerely hope to see you all at the next AGM.
–Tracy Fisher
