Vetnuus | November 2023 2 « BACK TO CONTENTS We often hear paraphrases of belonging to an association such as “it pays to be associated”, but is there any worth or benefits of belonging to a professional association? An association is defined as a group of persons who share common interests or a common purpose and who are organized with varying degrees of formality. The history of the South African Veterinary Association (SAVA) had a useful prelude and a very eventful course. The first step towards the establishment of a locally organised veterinary profession dates from the inauguration of the Transvaal Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) on 16 February 1903. The Cape of Good Hope followed with the Cape of Good Hope Veterinary Medical Society on 1 November and the inaugural meeting of the Natal Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) took place in Pietermaritzburg on 19 November 1909. At a TVMA meeting on 23 June 1910, there was general agreement that a South African Veterinary Medical Association should be formed out of the TVMA, CVMS and NVMA. The TVMA took the initiative and the South African Veterinary Association (SAVA) was inaugurated on 1 April 1920, a professional association whose aim is to serve its members and to further the status and image of the veterinarian. The history of the SAVA has, however, never been static. New objectives are continually being identified by the current policymaking body, the Federal Council. Implementation of future decisions will continue to shape the history of this erudite and dynamic association. Have you ever wondered what is it about people who are members of an association that makes them soar above colleagues? Professional associations give their members the power to make real changes in their line of work. If your goal is to further your career and make meaningful connections, then you should join a professional association. Professional associations are like a home away from home. They give you a sense of security and belonging in your career. Joining a professional association comes with incredible benefits. Furthermore, it makes your professional life that much easier and smooth sailing. You will get help as a member through networking and research. You’ll also get exclusive access to several resources, and most importantly, you will learn not by reading alone, but by interacting with smarter people. Some benefits that you will reap are: • Access to information and resources regarding all aspects of your profession. • An opportunity to network with like-minded, and often highly qualified individuals. It is often said that a real doctor treats more than one species. That is so true and the daunting diversity of the veterinary professions can only be managed by associating with the “smarter people” in your field of interest. • The most important thing about joining these associations is the relationships you build. • Professional and personal development. An association is an organisation for members by members. It is not a company that provides all sorts of services against payment. It is members who uphold and serve to enhance the careers of their peers. I want to thank every member that is willing to serve in SAVA. Your contributions are often overlooked. What is concerning though, is that many branches and groups are struggling not only to survive but to get members willing to serve on their management structures. We must stop asking what SAVA is doing for us. We must ask what we can do, not for SAVA, but for the development of fellow colleagues. In the words of Edward Everett Hale: “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success”. Let us be proud of our professional association developing our colleagues for over 100 years. Let all of us be willing to serve thereby learning and developing ourselves in the process, to make SAVA the success as envisaged by those greats before us. v Kind regards, Paul van der Merwe From the President Dear members, “A man only learns in two ways, one by reading, and the other by association with smarter people” – Will Rogers 24-Hour, Toll-Free Helpline: 0800 21 21 21
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTc5MDU=