Spring has arrived, and everyone is preparing for another growing season. ARPAS is also examining how to maintain growth. Current membership in ARPAS is 1,418, which includes 63 graduate students. One change that your Executive Committee will recommend is the addition of a graduate student representative to the Governing Council. This is being recommended to bring another perspective and fresh ideas for the Governing Council to consider as we look at how we best serve the next generation of professional animal scientists. Details on how to nominate a graduate student will be available in the near future, so be thinking about someone you might nominate!

About 25% of the ARPAS membership (n = 421 respondents) answered the recent ARPAS 2018 journal name-change survey and questionnaire providing valuable information. The ARPAS editorial team met by conference call April 9 to discuss the input. Here I summarize some of the key responses from members and readers. I have also added some comments to update you on several forward-looking efforts happening with The Professional Animal Scientist (PAS).

Voting opens April 17th for the 2018 election.

The 2018 ARPAS elections will open 4/17/18 thru 5/17/18.  An email notification will be sent to all members with information about the 2018 nominees and how to cast a vote.

National ARPAS has started 2018 well with revenue generation in line with expectations. Through the first two months of the year, we are sitting with 49% of our revenue and support budgeted position. Fortunately, the bulk of our membership dues are collected early in the year; however, membership activity could be stronger. We always have room for new members and encourage everyone to share the value of ARPAS with their colleagues and any students with whom they interact.

How do I request my Continuing Education Units (CEUs)?

Reporting Continuing Education Units (CEU) is simple through the ARPAS website. Just log on to the site at www.arpas.org and click on Submit CEUs. Not only is your CEU record instantly updated when you enter your meetings online, but the system also keeps a convenient submission history in case you wish to check your past entries. Don’t see a meeting you want to report on the approved list? No problem! You can submit any meeting to be approved and posted on the list before you enter it online. Remember, 16 CEUs are required each year to maintain your registration, and up to 16 CEUs can be carried over to the following year.