College Connection Winter 2020 Winter 2020 | Page 2

COLLEGE COUNCIL ENDORSES RECOMMENDATIONS ON DIVERSITY , EQUITY AND INCLUSIVITY
COUNCIL FINALIZES POLICY FOLLOWING DISCUSSION
COUNCIL NEWS
CUSTOMER DIVERSITY TASK FORCE

COLLEGE COUNCIL ENDORSES RECOMMENDATIONS ON DIVERSITY , EQUITY AND INCLUSIVITY

At the December meeting , Council was pleased to receive the final report from its Customer Diversity Task Force . The task force was established in December 2019 to review the delivery of College services and resources to veterinarians with consideration to gender , race and generation .
The task force , which included nine members of Council and College staff and was chaired by Dr . Shannah Kavonic , reviewed College resources and processes in relation to initial licensure , communications and quality practice .
Council endorsed the task force ’ s recommendations which include :
– establishment of a working group to discuss challenges faced by international registrants from nonaccredited / non-English speaking jurisdictions
– utilization of preferred gender pronouns in general communications from the College
– encourage utilization of preferred gender pronouns by Council and Committee members in connection with their College role
– support for appplicants and licensed members in identifying their preferred pronouns for use in communicating with the College
– development of a public statement that denounces systemic racism and establishment of an action plan to foster an environment that reduces bias and racism and promotes equity
– commission an independent review of Council ’ s processes to eliminate any unforeseen racism in its work
Although the task force ’ s work plan did not reference systemic racism , the task force made a recommendation based on tragic events occurring in 2020 which brought systemic racism to the forefront for individuals and organizations .
At the December meeting , Council received an education session on systemic racism and regulation .
Watch for more information on Council ’ s work in this important area .
FORMS OF ENERGY

COUNCIL FINALIZES POLICY FOLLOWING DISCUSSION

On the policy agenda at its December meeting , Council again reviewed and approved two policy documents related to the use of forms of energy in the treatment and / or care of animals .
Although Council approved documents on this topic in June , publication of the documents was delayed due to two continuing discussions concerning the use of transabdominal diagnostic ultrasound for pregnancy checks in sheep and goats , and the use of forms of energy by certified paraprofessionals offering animal rehabilitation .
The College has been considering policy development in this area since it began its legislative reform work in 2014 . The need for clearer oversight stemmed from concerns regarding the risks of harm or potential harm associated with the use of different forms of energy on animals .
Council has done extensive research in reviewing the risks to animals .
Council approved both a position statement and a policy statement on this important area . The position statement articulates Council ’ s position on who can use the forms of energy in treating animals . Forms of energy are divided into three categories based on the potential for harm . The policy statement presents the classification for each form of energy .
Following debate , Council approved the documents with additional clarifications . These two documents are available on the College website .
2 College Connection Winter 2020 cvo . org