January 2005 | Vol. 23, No. 1

Last Chance to Submit a Candidate Nominations for 2005 SVU Election

The SVU Nominations Committee, chaired by Melissa Vickery, is now soliciting candidates for SVU officer positions for two-year terms from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2007; as well as three elected technologist positions on the Board of Directors for three-year terms from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2008.

Deadline for the Candidate Profile Forms and Nominations Forms for the 2005 SVU Election to be received at the SVU office is Friday, January 7, 2005.

One of the duties of the President-Elect is to chair the Nominations Committee. Seeking potential leaders of our society is an important challenge and I would like to encourage potential candidates by sharing a few thoughts from new members to the Board and more seasoned members, who have participated in many areas of the Society over the years.

Why Board Service? Why not I say. Participating in the Society through Board service and serving on committees is the most important way SVU members add to the strength of the Society. Our members are our biggest assets, and when members aspire to Board and committee service, the Society is assured that the vision of the members is spoken through leadership. Members of the Board of Directors are a voice of representation for the members and directly help SVU reach and surpass its goals in the medical community.

Kari Olmsted, BS RVT, who is a new Board member this year, shared this thought with me regarding why she wanted to participate on the Board. “I appreciate the opportunity to represent my colleagues, particularly those with similar background and experience, as I can understand and relate to their needs with enhanced sensitivity.”

Sharing of talents and knowledge is another benefit of participation. We all have unique experiences, background and education to bring to the profession and it is critical to share with others to help maintain the quality and integrity of our profession. Resources and the ability to network and utilize those resources are important to our specialized profession.

Finally, continued participation through committee involvement, whether chairing the committee or being a member of the committee, and/or Board service helps to promote professionalism, enhance skills and participate in providing continuing education.

Rekindle the excitement of your profession and become an active participant in helping SVU achieve its Mission Statement: “To represent the best interests of SVU Members and provide quality vascular ultrasound services by providing educational, scientific and literary activities to our members, patients and the public.”

Officer positions that are up for election in 2005 are President-Elect, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Currently, as President-Elect, I have the privilege of becoming SVU President on January 1, 2006.

To be considered for nomination as a Board candidate for the 2005 election, an individual must:

• have been a SVU member in good standing (dues paid) for a least one year;
• have achieved and maintained a professional credential in vascular technology;
• have provided service to SVU on a local or regional level, chapter level, and or national level;
• be formally supported by their employer to participate in SVU Board meetings, conference calls and other Board activities in accordance with SVU travel policies; and
• disclose existing and/or potential liaisons with other professional societies/organizations prior to acceptance of a nomination to run for an SVU Board position.

Only technologists whose primary employment activities is performance of noninvasive vascular testing, supervision of vascular personnel and/or management of a noninvasive vascular testing or diagnostic facility, education and/or training in the field of vascular technology, and/or currently receiving full-time training as vascular technologists are eligible to serve on the SVU Board. A member whose primary employer is a corporate vendor is not eligible for a Directors position.

All officer candidates must have been an SVU member in good standing for two years and have served within the past three years as a member of the Board of Directors for at least a year. Candidates may nominate themselves or may be nominated by a peer. Please use the SVU Candidate Profile Form and Nominations Form found in the Members Only Section of the SVU website (or contact the SVU office to fax you a copy).

Once the Nominations Committee presents its recommendations for the officer and Board Candidates to the Board, ballots will be mailed to the membership and will also be available online in the Members’ Only Section of the SVU website.

Please note that the Bylaws state that additional nominations for Directors may be made by petition signed by at least 25 SVU members, and with written permission of the nominee. Such petitions must be received at the SVU national office by Friday, February 4, 2005.

Each of us has gifts and talents; participation in SVU can bring both personal and professional satisfaction with further insight into your profession. I encourage you to find where your gifts and talents can be of use in your Society.

Melissa Vickery, LPN-B, RVT
President-Elect