When I was a practicing veterinarian, I had no aspirations to own my own practice. It occurred to me how out-of-character that was for me in some ways, because I have always been assertive and a go-getter. But I had no desire to order drugs or hire and fire employees, or pay light bills and deal with water in the basement of a clinic. I just wanted to see clients, treat pets, and have the drugs in the cabinet when I needed them!


So it was when I started ATN. I was far more interested in the service side of things than in the business side of things. It didn’t help at all that we received little or no training in vet school about business. (None, as far as I recall. There was not even enough time to learn all the medicine we needed to learn for a half-dozen species of animals, much less business courses! If a vet or MD isn’t a natural business-person, they are wise to hire an office manager!) Whenever I would commit to … “Tomorrow, first thing in the morning, I’m going to attend to some of the business needs of this organization!”—well, a mom would call in tears and it was a no-brainer. There was no way I would say, “Sorry, honey, I need to develop an infrastructure for ATN, so you’ll just have to manage on your own!”


When Julie came on board, she added a marketing and business brain, but she, too, found herself holding lots of moms’ hands. Not to mention living with LuLu. And Kelly handles many of the administrative tasks, which significantly helps keeps things running. But still, the business side of this organization struggles.


I am trying to acquire VISTA volunteers, and was rapidly moving in that direction in the spring. But my co-applicant has hit some struggles in her mental health office and for now, this process is stalled. VISTA volunteers help non-profit organizations much like ATN develop the infrastructure necessary to survive and thrive. Hopefully we can make this happen eventually.


So where is this all this leading? ATN has added yet another business brain in the form of Rebecca. We will (gasp, cough) be attending to business matters at our upcoming conference (can I go take a swim during the meeting?) Dear Rebecca took a look at our current state of business affairs and experienced heart palpitations. She and Julie are thinking of our upcoming board meeting. (Glad someone is … I’m on to other things!) Parliamentary procedure? I don’t recall studying that in Small Animal Medicine, or Equine Surgery, or Parasitology. Rebecca is worried about stepping on my toes, but I hastened to assure her I know my limitations and I am thrilled when someone else attends to that which I abhor ... Julie learned that truth early on!

So, for my part in this adventure otherwise known as a Board Meeting (my highly business-oriented husband wryly pointed out last night at dinner that it wasn't a "BOD meeting"), I am to define my vision for ATN. Now that I can do. Kelly suggested this off-loading of my thinking might make good blog fodder. So that is what I am going to do. In the next few posts, I will outline my vision for ATN. And I will welcome feedback from you folks. Where should we take this organization? What do you want to see provided to families like yours? What are your global aspirations? Chime in, please!


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