The Board of Directors (BOD) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) met November 23, 2008, after the ASHA National Convention in Chicago. Following are highlights of the Board's discussions and actions taken during the meeting.
Opening Remarks
President Gottfred recognized all the staff and volunteers who supported a wonderful and tremendously successful 2008 Convention. She then thanked the following board members who are completing their terms on December 31 2008:
- Noma B. Anderson, Immediate Past President
- Dennis L. Burrows, Vice President for Standards and Ethics in Audiology
- Mary U. Hooper, Chair, Speech-Language Pathology Advisory Council
- De Anne W. Owre, Vice President for Government Relations and Public Policy
- Brian B. Shulman, Vice President for Speech-Language Pathology Practice.
The current and new board members in attendance acknowledged the tremendous contributions of these outgoing board members and expressed their gratitude for their service.
Executive Director Update
Executive Director Pietranton reported that preliminary counts indicate attendance at the Chicago Convention exceeded budgeted projects. Current estimates are that more than 12,500 people attended.
Report from the Ad Hoc Committee on Nominations and Elections
The Ad Hoc Committee on Nominations and Elections Practices was charged to conduct a review and evaluation of ASHA's current nominations and elections practices and the nominations and elections practices of similar national organizations, and develop recommendations for enhancing ASHA's board cultivation efforts and submit those recommendations to the Board of Directors. The purpose of this Committee was to determine if there are better ways that ASHA can approach nominations and elections and if so, implement those changes over the next few years.
A a result of their extensive deliberations, the Committee presented a full report of its activities that included specific recommendations to enhance ASHA's formal and informal leadership development and cultivation efforts and improve the nominations and elections processes.
The Board voted to accept the report and thanked the Committee for their work.
Property Update Review
- Leasing Update: Negotiations are well underway with another association to lease the remainder of the 5th floor. A lease is expected to be executed within the next few weeks with occupancy by June 1, 2009. These leases are an additional non-dues revenue source.
- 10801 Rockville Pike: As reported in previous Board meetings, Centex, the national home builder that was to buy the Rockville Pike property, withdrew from its contract with ASHA. By virtue of its withdrawal, Centex forfeited to ASHA a $4 million deposit as well as studies and engineering drawings of the Rockville Pike property that are valued at nearly $1 million. The site plan for the property has been approved by Montgomery County and can be used by another property developer to build on the property without having to go through the lengthy and costly approval process. There is active interest in the report from a qualified buyer and ASHA representatives are in the process of negotiating an agreement with them.
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