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This update focuses on ASHA's Member Value Proposition.
ASHA's Value
ASHA's multifaceted programs and broad array of products and services can sometimes seem complex and even a bit overwhelming. ASHA has had more than eight decades to respond to member needs and what has resulted can be daunting to fully explain, even by seasoned volunteers and staff. President Sue Hale has been particularly proactive in communicating ASHA's Value to members throughout 2009. I'd like to take this opportunity to share my thoughts as well.
ASHA's commitment is to a nationally recognized certification credential that is easily transferred and that conveys a proven record of professional achievement to academia, government, patients, and consumers. When I think about the CCCs, I am tremendously proud of the national recognition and professional credibility certification provides. In a time when there is significant pressure from related fields interested in encroaching on our services, certification is a key factor in distinguishing our professions and protecting our patients.
Members have access to the latest scientific information through peer-reviewed journals, with advanced online searching capabilities, and a complete archive dating back to the first journal in 1936. In addition, I am very excited about how ASHA is taking the journals beyond print, with new features such as audio and video files that will accompany articles.
With ASHA's focus on evidence-based practice, we are leading the way in helping our professions use evidence-based resources and tools in clinical settings.
Members can stay current about recent trends and issues in our professions through access to The ASHA Leader and numerous online newsletters. I think of The ASHA Leader as much more than a traditional association publication. It is a member-driven publication with content that is timely, relevant, and on the leading edge of the scientific and clinical thought of our professions.
ASHA's robust Web site provides every member with instant access to up-to-date information on hundreds of topics. It has become integral to how we provide essential information and transactions for members and the public. There are literally tens of thousands of pages of online resources available at your fingertips, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
I am very proud of ASHA's proven track record on Capitol Hill. Every year we can demonstrate to members how the interests of the professions are represented and advocated to federal regulators and legislators. This ensures that public and private insurers properly reimburse our services and that new capabilities of our members are recognized and rewarded.
ASHA has also been the leader in raising the positive public image of audiologists and speech-language pathologists. From our "Listen to Your Buds Campaign" to our "Early Warning Signs" program, ASHA's numerous public information efforts reach millions of consumers each year, and almost a third of the visits to ASHA's Web site are from the public.
ASHA provides tremendous leadership opportunities. Our Association is a member-governed, member-centric organization. Every day I work with our volunteer leaders who consistently tell me that their leadership skills were honed and enhanced through their involvement with ASHA.
We help make sure that the strength and integrity of our academic degrees are recognized and maintained through the application of rigorous and widely respected academic accreditation standards. CAA accreditation assures that programs designed to prepare incoming professionals maintain a high level of academic quality.
When I describe our commitment to ethical standards, I am particularly proud of the fact that not only has ASHA been a leader in establishing ethical standards, we also enforce those standards for audiology and speech-language pathology to protect the reputation and integrity of the professions and help ensure the welfare of those served.
Establishing and enforcing standards is the right and responsible thing for professions of integrity to do—we do both.
When I walk around the National Office, I see numerous experts in audiology and speech-language pathology. Our staff experts are available to members through the Action Center with the information on topics ranging from the latest practice trends to changes in government regulations.
In addition, the knowledge base of National Office staff extends to marketing expertise and support. Members have access to a wide range of materials to market our professions to constituents. These are meticulously researched, professionally produced and frequently updated materials, in a variety of formats.
Membership in ASHA also brings a built-in network of thousands of colleagues, researchers, and leaders in audiology and speech-language pathology. Resources such as ASHA's Special Interest Divisions, online discussion forums, conferences, and social media presence, all contribute to that network and make it easy for members to connect.
ASHA actively supports the mission of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation which funds masters and doctoral scholarships, research grants, and projects that foster innovation in communication sciences and disorders. As a member of the ASHFoundation Board I am directly aware of the talented students they support and the gifted scientists who benefit from your contributions.
ASHA is a place for learning, with professional development opportunities that cover hundreds of topics of interest to our professions. Whether its ASHA webinars, online tools, packaged courses, books, virtual conferences, videos, CDs, mini-seminars, webcasts, focused conventions, the national Convention, or thousands of additional courses through our network of CE providers, membership in ASHA means access to continuing education.
I urge you to review the complete list of ASHA's value to members. I think you'll agree that when it comes to our members and our professions, ASHA truly does "Make a Difference."
National Office Staff Updates
The following individuals are new to the ASHA staff since August 2009:
- Carolyn McTaw, Executive Assistant
- Katherine Semakula, Certification Case Manager
- Frank Wisswell, Editorial Assistant
- Zeresenay Wolday, Member Services Representative, Finance Unit
Recent ASHA and ASHA National Office Awards
- For the second year in a row, ASHA was named an "exceptional" business in Maryland by the Gazette of Politics and Business as part of their "Exceptional 53 Awards" program.
- For the fourth time in the five times it has been given, ASHA was named one of The Washingtonian magazine's 50 Great Places to Work. This recognition is a tremendous help to ASHA's staff recruitment and retention efforts.
- CEO Update, a trade publication, recognized ASHA as a "Top Place to Work."
The Next Executive Director Update
Update on ASHA's Public Information Initiatives.
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