Constitution and Bylaws
Rhode Island Veterinary Technician Association
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
Article I - Title
The Association shall be known as the Rhode Island Veterinary Technician Association, hereafter
referred to as the Association.
1. The terms Licensed, Certified, or Registered Veterinary Technician will be used to identify any
such person that has passed national and/or state veterinary technician exams and holds a current
license, certificate, or registration in the United States.
2. The term veterinary support staff refers to any other member of the veterinary health care team
such as a veterinary assistant, veterinary receptionist, veterinary office manager, kennel person,
etc.
3. The term DVM or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine refers to any person having completed a
doctorate in veterinary medicine and is licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state of
Rhode Island.
4. Within this document the term Veterinary Technician will refer to all persons covered in item # 1
above.
Article II - Purpose/Objective
The purposes or objectives of the Association are as follows
1. to promote the professional and educational advancement of Veterinary Technicians and
Veterinary Support Staff.
2. to enhance the knowledge and skills of the Veterinary Technician and the Veterinary Support
Staff through continuing education programs and sponsored seminars,
3. to promote the interests of Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Support Staff through state,
provincial, and federal legislation,
4. to promote and maintain the professional image and high ethical standards of the Veterinary
Technician and the Veterinary Profession,
5. to promote the rights and privileges of Veterinary Technicians
6. to promote progressive and humane medical care for all creatures,
7. and, to promote and maintain a cooperative professional relationship with the veterinary
medical profession
Article III - Membership
Section 1. Active Membership VT:
Active members in this category shall be Veterinary Technicians in good standing. All active
members shall have voting privileges.
Section 2. Student Membership: Individuals enrolled in either an AVMA accredited Veterinary
Technology Program or Animal Science equivalent program to qualify.
Section 2. Membership dues:
Membership to the above categories may be obtained after formal application and payment of
dues are given to the Association for approval. Annual Dues are due by the 1st of January of each
year. Only active members in good standing may vote for officers or in other affairs of the
Association. The fiscal year of the Association shall be January 1st through December 31st and
dues paid at any time during the calendar year apply only to the year in which they were paid.
Section 5. Revocation of Membership:
If, in the opinion of the Executive Board, a member of the Association (either active or student) is
believed to have participated in activities which grossly misrepresent or undermine the profession
and/or the Association, said member shall be notified in writing of this belief and invited to a
hearing of his/her views or rebuttal. The hearing shall be held by the Executive Board within a
reasonable period of time following notification. A majority vote of members present by secret
ballot will decide the revocation.
Article IV - Officers, Their Election and Duties
Section 1. The Officers of the Association:
The elected officers of the Association are the President, Past-President, Vice-President,
Secretary, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Member-at-Large, and
Newsletter Editor. These officers shall comprise the Executive Board. Each shall have one vote in
Executive Board Meetings, the president voting only to break a tie. If two positions are combined,
this dual position shall have only one vote (i.e. Secretary/Editor)
Section 2. Election of Officers:
A. Eligibility: Only active members in good standing with the Association may be nominated for
elective offices.
1. The elective offices are: President, Past-President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer,
Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, and Member-at-large.
2. The President must have served at least one year on the Executive Board in the year
preceding election to the office of President and must be a Veterinary Technician.
3. NAVTA State Representatives are also bound by the rules and regulations governing NAVTA
as well as RIVTA.
4. Other Executive Board positions must be held by veterinary technicians that are active
members in good standing.
B. Nominations and Elections: Nominations for officers will be submitted by the active
membership to the Board for review and balloting. Ballots will be mailed to all voting members
when an election run off is necessary
C. Terms of Office and Installation: Newly elected officers will be installed at the end of the year
preceding the year of their term. Officers must be re-elected every two years to maintain the same
or another board position. No term of office shall be held for more than four consecutive years.
Executive Board positions should be filled with by residents of Rhode Island.
D. Vacancy: In the event of a vacancy the board shall nominate a person to fill the position, and
upon acceptance, install said person for the remainder of the fiscal year.
E. Resignation Procedures: Any member of the Executive Board who wishes to resign his/her
position must notify the Board in writing of his/her intention and the date which the resignation will
be effective.
F. Duties of the Officers:
.1. President--the President shall:
a. preside at all meetings of the Executive Board and the general membership meetings,
b. set the agenda,
c. represent the Association in all matters,
e. appoint the chairpersons of any committees formed, outline their duties, and monitor their
progress,
f. promote increased membership through public speeches and etc.,
g. oversee the budget with the treasurer,
h. act as the spokesperson for the Association to the press, the public and related organizations,
i. and promote the Veterinary Medical Profession, the Veterinary Technician, and the Veterinary
Support Staff including their relationships to public health and agriculture.
.2. Past President—the Past President shall:
a. act as an advisor to the Executive Board,
b. be available to sit on committees and speak on behalf of the association,
c. and serve as the liaison to the Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association.
3. Vice-President—the Vice-President shall:
a. serve as the Continuing Education Committee Chairperson and oversee and be privy to all
decisions, arrangements, etc. of this committee, and
b. serve as acting President in case the elected President is unable to serve.
4. Corresponding Secretary—the Secretary shall:
a. assist the President in keeping accurate files of all state/provincial/national technician
associations,
b. be responsible for any correspondence unless otherwise delegated.
c. Will aid the corresponding secretary in maintaining membership files and membership packets.
d. Will act as the NAVTA State Representative
5. Recording Secretary:
a. Record the minutes of all meetings of the Executive Board and General membership meetings.
b. Will aid the corresponding secretary in maintaining membership files and membership packets.
6. Treasurer:
a. assist the President in keeping accurate records of membership,
b. keep an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements for a period of not less than 5
years, and
c. receive and have charge of all funds of the Association, deposit such funds in a bank
designated by the Executive Board and provide for expenditure of such funds as directed by the
Board.
7. Member-at-Large--the Member-at-Large shall:
a. attend all Board Meetings,
b. be able to accept chairmanships of committees,
c. not be limited to one person.
Assist the Treasurer as needed
8. Organizational Advisor
a. Help the executive board with association business
b. Serve as certification and examination chair
c. Maintain contract with Professional Examination Services, serve as contact person for VTNE
and related issues
Article V - Amendments
Section 1. Presentation:
a. Amendments may be proposed by written petition signed by 5 active members of the
Association.
b. A proposed amendment shall be submitted to the Executive Board at least thirty days before a
general meeting.
c. Copies of amendment proposals shall be distributed to the voting members of the Association
at least 14 days prior to a general meeting.
Section 2. Passage:
The Constitution and By-Laws may be amended by the Executive Board, by a two-thirds vote of
the active members of the voting body present and voting.
Section 3. Adoption:
Approved amendments will be formerly adopted at the meeting at which they were passed, and
will become effective at the close of said meeting unless otherwise stipulated in the amendment.
Article VI -Credentialing
1. The Executive Board of the Association will act as the credentialing body.
2. All certification matters will be forwarded to said group for review and approval.
3. Certification requirements in the state of RI are officially recognized as follows:
Aquiring a passing score of 425 (criterion referenced passing score) or higher on the VTNE and
one of the following:
1. Either an Associates or Bachelors degree from an
AVMA accredited college program and a letter of
Recommendation
2. A Bachelor's Degree in animal or biological
sciences, with one year of full time practical work
experience and a letter of recommendation
3. An Associates Degree in Animal or biological
sciences, with three years of full time practical work
experience and a letter of recommendation
4. 5 years of full time practical work experience and a
letter of recommendation
Certification must be renewed annually. Individuals renewing their certification must complete 12
continuing education units prior to renewal. Continuing Education Units must be received from an
approved venue.
Certification also expires on December 31. All CEU
must have been obtained in the 12 month period prior
to renewal.
Individuals seeking certification in RI must be members
of the RIVTA.
Certification renewal form and proof of continuing
education credits must be submitted with membership
renewal.
Veterinary Technicians do not need to be certified to
be members of the RIVTA
Copyright © Rhode Island Veterinary Technician Association 2004
All Rights Reserved
