Abstract: Amend ASHA Bylaws to require members of the Executive Board to complete their terms before having their names placed in nomination
RESOLVED, That the Bylaws of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Section 4.3.c, Nominations, be amended as follows:
A committee consisting of…The Legislative Council may, by two-thirds vote, make no more than two additional nominations for each office…. A nominee may be any member of the Association including a Councilor who must express willingness to serve if elected. Members of the Executive Board may not be considered for nomination for an Executive Board office in any year they are serving on the Executive Board.
RATIONALE: There seems to be a perception by potential candidates for national office that Executive Board members on the slate have an unfair campaigning advantage. For example, members of the Executive Board would have an opportunity to use Association travel funds that might result in direct or indirect campaigning, and Board members have visibility through Association publications and activities.
Also, members of the Executive Board need to focus their attention on the Association's needs rather than on campaigning for office.
Finally, eligibility criteria for many Association committees require an intervening period before a member can be considered for re-appointment.
OUTCOME(S): It is anticipated that this resolution would result in a larger pool of candidates for president of the Association.
BUDGET IMPACT: None.
PROGRAMMATIC IMPACT: Passage of this resolution may encourage potential candidates to seek election to national office by decreasing the perception and/or possibility of unfairness and addresses concerns expressed by previous candidates for national office (see attached Frederick/Schneiders report, page 6).
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