Veterinary Cardiovascular Society
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting 2023
4pm-5pm 10th November 2023
Chesford Grange Hotel, Warwickshire
Present:
Apologies for absence: Claire Denny, Jonathan Elliott
No matters arising from AGM 2022
Vote: Are the minutes a correct reflection of the AGM 2023– everyone in the room voted yes. Proposed Paul Wotton, seconded Emily Dutton.
Regular contact with other BSAVA Satellite chairs is allowing for ongoing discussion on general animal health, welfare, arranging CPD session. There is a call for measures to liaise better/more efficiently with other satellites and Geoff Culshaw (GC) is hopeful there may be training for committee members of all satellite committees. Any members’ thoughts on how to utilise or link up with this initiative are welcomed by GC.
Limited progress this year, with difficulty finding a mutual way forward with Petsavers with level of support of mentees. GC has approached VetLife and BSAVA with the potential for them to take this forward, upcoming meeting with BSAVA scheduled on 30th November 2023 to review progress
If you are in receipt of an award, there is an expectation to present. We have had one grant awarded and paid with recipient subsequently absconding on duties. Large time burden, source of frustration and difficulty trying to rectiofy the issue. ou are in receipt of their duties to present an update which causes large time burdens to chase.e GC reminded members of the expectations of those receiving a travel bursary.
Secretaries’ report
Election of new members; Adeel Khan, Adele Fryers, Adam Yates, Alexander Brown, Ana Almeida Warren, Becky Pritchard, Carlos Fernando Agudelo Ramírez, Chris Seal, Diana Azevedo, Dylan O Toole, Elizabeth Williams Louie, Ellen Gill, Ellie Gowshall, Emma-Louise Parton, Frane Ivasovic, Gavin McDonagh, Hannah Junge, Hazel Reid, Iryna Varkholiak, Isabelle Piotrowski, Jessica Sage, Jodi Burgess, John von Kieckebusch, Joshua White, Julia Maloney, Kostis Galanakis, Kristen Bush, Lindsay Wright, Luke Beeby, Luke Green, Michal Korcz, Michelle Mortimer, Mikkel Bjerknaes, Ólöf Loftsdóttir, Sally McGrath, Sam Barton, Sheena Lewis, Siddharth Sudunagunta, Stuart Drewrey, Sydney Harrington, Tamara Beatriz Lugo Ferreira, Tatiana Dias, Virginia Reef, Yaiza Falcon, Julia van Spijk, Claire Underwood, Myrran Hills, Jude Morton, Puspendra Jha, Hannah Battensby, Celine Loubiere, Struan Henderson, Charlotte Clements, Liza Ebeck, Christina Dollimore, Linda Williams, Abigail Stout, Eva Buschmann, Ingrid Vernemmen, Mackenzie Lynch, Karl Bouvenizer, Dina Dodic, Rajka Turner, Lindsay Ward
First and seconded by David Dickson and David Sewell. All new members voted in by the majority. Noted that some new members had lapsed membership and were rejoining the society.
Newly awarded CertAVP(VC): Emma Louise Waller, Candice Cadwallader, Hiu Chung Cheryl Chan, Ana Paulo da Silva Felix Pentel, Francesca Peter, Kyriaki Tsikala, Jennifer Wright
Newly awarded Advanced Practitioners in Veterinary Cardiology: Mark Andrew Neall, David Alexander Evans, Siao-Shan Lim, Adam John Quigley, Laura Ida Korenchy, Charlotte Dawn Aspinwal
New ECVIM Diplomats: Catheryn Partington, Domingo Casamian-Sorrosal, Inigo Sanz, Maria Oliveira, Frane Ivasovic
Joint Petsavers/VCS Research Grants:
Petsavers will not be offering this in 2024 as it is their 50th anniversary in 2024 and they intend to fund a PhD post instead
Expected to resume in 2025
As a result there will be no joint Petsavers/VCS grants in 2024
Usually there are 2 grants: £10,000 per grant
One awarded to Jose Novo Matos in 2023
Joint Horse Trust/VCS Small Project Grant:
1 grant: £10000 per grant
Applications:
How to apply: https://horsetrust.org.uk/research/research-funding/
Deadline: Applications open all year round, considered on a quarterly basis
Alistair Gibson memorial fund/BreathEazy Ltd Bursary
1x Bursary: £1200 for a member to pursue further education
Application form available from VCS Secretary
Applications open soon. Deadline 28th February 2024
Successful applicants to be announced at VCS Spring meeting 2024
The successful applicant will be expected to provide a short presentation on their course/training activity and the benefits at the VCS Spring meeting the following year (2025)
ACVIM/ECVIM Travel Bursaries
2 x ECVIM travel bursaries: £800 each
2 x ACVIM travel bursaries: £1000 each
In person attendance amounts (reduced by 50% if on-line attendance only)
Applications open soon, deadline 28th February 2024
Successful applicants announced in April at VCS Spring meeting 2024
Expected to present findings in November at VCS Autumn meeting 2024
Applicants must be a VCS member
There has been one award where the recipient has absconded, not providing an update as per the agreed terms of the award. Despite numerous attempts at contact by email, telephone, and contacting centre of work, this recipient has not engaged or provided reasons for non-compliance with terms of the award. Discussion followed with the following key points:
VOTE: Are members in favour of penalising those who accept a grant and subsequently defer on their responsibilities to present?
Proposed by Rachel Blake, seconded by Geoff Culshaw
There was a vast majority against this motion and this was not carried forward at this time, the VCS committee will continue to work with the recipient to deliver on the award.
VOTE: Approval of accounts by members
VOTE: Are VCS members happy that reaccreditation assessment sessions will be underwritten by VCS with the expectation the meetings are fully funded by those attending
Proposed by Hannah Stephenson, seconded by David Dickson
Passed with vast majority
Chairperson:
Gavin McAulay
Treasurers:
Vicky Ironside – to start 2023 vice Katya Potter
Claire Denny – to start 2024 vice Laura Koremchy
Website/proceedings:
David Hurley
Secretaries
Julie Hamilton-Elliott
Sid Sudunguntha
Proposed: Geoff Culshaw
Seconder: Laura Korenchy
Voted in with majority
VOTE: Should we explore clinical audit further with plan to then be publishable on the VCS website for members in the future
Proposed by Geoff Culshaw, seconded by Jo Duke McEwan, passed by majority
Next meeting: VCS Spring Meeting, Manchester 20th March 2024
Next AGM: Autumn Meeting 8-9th November 2024