Association for Vascular Access Ava

“AVA requires annual elections that are open to all of the organization's members. All members are entitled to vote online. AVA has a separate nomination committee that oversees the annual elections for officers and directors as well as any policy or organizational changes.”

“All of AVA's key employees, including the CEO, review its annual Form 990 for accuracy and to ensure that all data is as accurate as possible. In addition, the Form 990 is reviewed by AVA's officers and directors-at-large before it is filed to ensure the board's agreement with its contents.”

“Each officer and director is required to sign the "Policy on Avoidance of Conflict of Interest, Loyalty and Confidentiality" annually.”

“AVA's governing body, its board of directors, actively participates in all compensation-related discussions. Moreover, the board approves all compensation-related decisions for the organization's CEO, the top management official, as well as for all staff members. The board uses data as to comparable compensation for similarly qualified persons in functionally comparable positions at similarly situated organizations. Further, the board keeps record of contemporaneous documentation and record keeping with respect to decisions regarding the compensation arrangement.None of AVA's officers or directors are compensated for their services; these individuals are volunteers.”

“AVA will provide its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, annual information returns and financial statements upon request. AVA's bylaws are available on the organization's web site, www.avainfo.org. The Treasurer's Report is part of the Annual Business Meeting Agenda at the annual AVA conference. AVA contracts with an independent accounting firm which conducts an annual audit of its books and records; this report is available to the public upon request.”

“OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 4: Strategic Planning - During 2013, AVA continued to focus on its comprehensive strategic plan which includes specific program and management goals. These goals include creating an interdisciplinary curriculum sharing best practices and promoting research in vascular access, optimizing professionals' knowledge and skills, implementing tools to increase the scientific rigor of conference presentations and JAVA manuscripts, crafting a global strategy for AVA, defining AVA's research roles and determining the geographic and technological options for delivering education. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 5: E-VAN - AVA continued to publish its quarterly, electronic newsletter which keeps vascular access professionals up-to-date on important AVA news and the latest technological and educational information. E-VAN is distributed by email to AVA members as a benefit of membership and is also available on its website. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 6: Memberships - AVA is the leading multidisciplinary vascular access organization comprised of committed professionals. Nurses, pharmacists, physicians, and vascular access industry representatives have all discovered the value of professional excellence, education, and networking opportunities available through AVA membership. AVA is committed to bringing its members the most current vascular access educational information and introducing new product innovations to assist in improving practice and patient outcomes. AVA is a vibrant, active organization with a great feeling of camaraderie among its members. AVA's individual and corporate membership continued to grow during 2013. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 7: Suzanne LaVere Herbst Award for Excellence in Vascular Access - AVA awarded its yearly Herbst Award which publicly recognizes individuals who make substantial contributions to the vascular access practice by improving patient outcomes and/or contributing to the science of vascular access. The award includes payment of registration fees to attend AVA's annual conference as well as airfare and accommodations. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 8: Other Programs - AVA supports various educational programs and workshops throughout the year to educate vascular access professional members. In addition, AVA continues to monitor trends within the profession to ensure that new developments, practices and studies are communicated to its members.”