What is the role of governance in an Association?
Association governance exists to identify and achieve the association's mission, vision, and its strategic objectives and outcomes. Associations are most successful when they are driven by strategic plans that define expected outcomes and have a plan-focused governance structure.
Do associations ever review their governance?
Yes. Associations periodically review their governance to determine if it continues to meet the needs of its members. This periodic review is important because a governance structure that served the association well in the past may no longer be satisfactory in meeting the needs of the association and its members.
Has ASHA reviewed its governance recently?
Yes. In 2005, ASHA appointed an Ad Hoc Committee on Governance Structure and Process to conduct a review and evaluation of ASHA's current governance structure to determine if it continued to, meet the Association's governance needs and the needs of members and the professions. The last review was completed in 1997.
Did the Committee recommend any changes?
Yes. The Committee recommended that ASHA move from a bicameral (two governing bodies) to a unicameral (single governing body) governance model that includes a 16-member Board of Directors (BOD). The committee also recommended that ASHA establish an Audiology Advisory Council and a Speech-Language Pathology Advisory Council each comprised of 53 members (one member from each state; one representative from the District of Columbia, NSSLHA, and from the constituency of members who reside outside of the United States).
Why did the Committee recommend this change?
Since 1998, ASHA's governance has been shared between a 13-member Executive Board and a 150-member Legislative Council (LC). The system worked well enough, but it was large and complex, slowing decision-making. The Committee agreed that a unicameral model would create a governance structure that is responsive to ASHA member wants, needs, and trends; serves members and the professions efficiently and effectively; meets current and future governance challenges; and is satisfying to those members who are involved in ASHA governance activities.
What will be the role of ASHA's new Board of Directors?
The BOD is responsible for carrying out fiduciary and governing responsibilities such as approving the budget; approving position statements, guidelines and other policy documents; creating and dissolving standing committees, councils, boards, ad hoc committees; creating and dissolving special interest divisions; and making decisions in the best interest of ASHA members, the professions, and the Association based on timely advisory information from various stakeholders.
What is the role of the two new Advisory Councils?
The Advisory Councils are responsible for discussing and ranking issues of concern to members, advising the BOD on issues the Board brings to the Advisory Councils and on issues that need to be considered as the Association engages in strategic planning, reviewing ASHA's approved budget and forecasts and providing input and recommendations on budget items to be considered in the development of the next year's budget, participating in the formal peer review of all ASHA policy documents, and electing representatives to the Committee on Honors, Committee on Nominations and Elections, Government Relations and Public Policy Board, and Financial Planning Board.
How will the new Board of Directors represent the unique needs of both professions?
The BOD will have four audiology-designated positions and four speech-language pathology positions. Audiologists will vote for audiologists and speech-language pathologists will vote for speech-language pathologists. In addition, the Chair of the Audiology Advisory Council (AAC) will be elected by AAC members; the Chair of the Speech-Language Pathology Council (SLPAC) will be elected by SLPAC members and both will serve on the Board of Directors.
What body approved the Committee's recommendations?
The Committee prepared a report, ASHA's Governance Structure and Process: A Proposed New Model, which was submitted to ASHA's LC at their meeting in March 2007. The LC voted by a wide margin (122-21) to adopt the new governance structure recommended in the report (LC 1-2007).
Can I play a role in ASHA's new governance structure?
Absolutely! The Committee on Nominations and Elections (CNE) is seeking nominees for positions on the BOD who have vision, a willingness to engage in active deliberation, and leadership skills that will advance ASHA's Strategic Pathway to Excellence. The CNE is also seeking nominations for every position on both 2009 Advisory Councils. There will be no incumbents in the 2008 Advisory Council elections for service beginning in 2009. Participation in the nominations process is more important than ever!
- Position descriptions for the BOD and Advisory Council positions can be found on ASHA's Web site.
- Nominations may be submitted for positions on the Board of Directors using the BOD Online Form.
- Nominations may be submitted for both Advisory Councils using the AC Online Form.
- Nominations must be received by January 18, 2008.
Where can I find out more about ASHA's new governance structure?
Information on ASHA's transition to a new governance structure can be found in the May 8, 2007 and July 17, 2007 issues of The ASHA Leader or read the full report [PDF] from the Ad Hoc Committee on Governance Structure and Process.