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This is another in a series of occasional ASHA Executive Director updates. These updates are intended to provide ASHA members with a more in-depth view of various National Office units, their key member services and the names and roles of ASHA staff in those units. Information about recent staff changes and ASHA National Office recognitions/awards is also included.
Many thanks to those of you who have provided feedback regarding the previous updates (posted on the ASHA Web site) or suggestions for future ED updates.
This update provides a brief retrospective look at a few key aspects of the Association.
ASHA: Looking Back – Looking Forward
For many of us, the end of one year and the beginning of another is a natural point in time to stop and think about where we've been and where we're heading, so too for organizations. While there are many items on my list of ASHA's 2007 activities, events, resources, and accomplishments, there are three in particular that I 'd like to reflect on with fellow "Headliners" – ASHA's new strategic plan, new governance structure, and new national office.
ASHA's New Strategic Plan
In 2007 ASHA implemented a "balanced scorecard" approach to strategic planning and management – to assure a disciplined framework for planning and effective processes for aligning budget, strategic plan, execution and accountability/performance measures. The initial outcomes of this approach include: A New Vision Statement
ASHA: Making effective communication, a human right, accessible and achievable for all. An Updated Mission Statement
ASHA: Empowering and supporting speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists by:
- Advocating on behalf of persons with communication and related disorders
- Advancing communication science
- Promoting effective human communication
Four Strategic Themes
There are the "pillars of excellence" that underscore and guide all that we do:
- Two Professions, One Discipline
- Scientifically Based Professional Practices
- The Member Experience
- Advocacy
I hope you look for further details about ASHA's renewed and revitalized strategic efforts and initiatives via The ASHA Leader, Web site and email messages throughout 2008.
ASHA's New Governance Structure
Effective December 31, 2007, ASHA's governance structure of an Executive Board and a Legislative Council, which had been in place since 1969, was officially sunset. The Association's new governance structure reflects current expectations and technologies and is designed to assure: increased and direct communication between members and a single governing body - the Board of Directors (BOD), greater accountability, increased autonomy for the professions, more responsive and efficient governance, and greater member engagement.
In the new governance structure:
- The BOD is composed of 16 positions (President, President-Elect, Past-President, 10 Vice Presidents, two Advisory Council Chairs [one in Audiology and one in SLP], and the Executive Director [ex officio]).
- There will always be at least four members from each profession (i.e., four from Audiology and four from SLP) on the BOD at all times that will function as standing BOD subcommittees dedicated to the interests and needs of each respective profession.
- Two (one for Audiology and one for SLP) 53-person Advisory Councils – with one audiologist and one SLP from each state, the District of Columbia, international affiliates and NSSLHA serving on the respective profession-specific Councils.
- Election of profession-specific positions (i.e., VP for Academic Affairs in Audiology, VP for Academic Affairs in SLP, VP for Audiology Practice, VP for SLP Practice, VP for Standards & Ethics in Audiology, VP for Standards & Ethics in SLP, Chair of the Audiology Advisory Council, and Chair of the SLP Advisory Council) only by members of that profession.
More information about ASHA's new governance model is available online.
During Convention in Boston we had the opportunity to acknowledge, thank and honor the thousands of ASHA members who have served on the Legislative Council and/or Executive Board over the past 38 years – once again, sincere and heartfelt thanks to all who have served ASHA so well over those years as the volunteer leaders and visionaries for our professions and the Association.
10801 Rockville Pike was "ASHA's home" for 26 remarkable years. During that time ASHA experienced growth that is nearly unprecedented in the Association community:
- The number of members grew from approximately 35,000 to over 127,000
- The Association's budget went from $5.8 million in 1981 to $42 million
Those 26 years also witnessed: the emergence of Special Interest Divisions, the journals AJA and AJSLP, The ASHA Leader, and the ASHA Web, and numerous standing ASHA Committees, Boards and Councils, to name just a few changes in the Association - as well as remarkable advances in the scope and science of our discipline and professions.
ASHA's new home at 2200 Research Boulevard is a "green" building that was completed on time and within budget. Please consider this my personal invitation to each of you to come for a visit and a tour whenever you are in the Washington, DC – Rockville area. I know you will all be proud of the building and how it symbolizes the strength and vitality of our discipline and professions.
National Office Staff Updates
The following individuals are new to the ASHA staff since November, 2007:
- Clayonia Colbert-Dorsey, CE Provider Manager
- Angela Foehl, Director of Private Health Plans Advocacy
- Latoya Martin, Administrative Assistant, Association Governance Operations Team
- Geoffrey Wessel, CE Provider Manager
The following individuals have left ASHA to pursue other opportunities:
- Alice Cabrera Elspas, Photographer/Graphics Designer
- Sue Dolan, Manager, CE Provider Services
- Nancy Gibson, Public Relations Manager
- Ann Mosher, Public Relations Manager
- Elizabeth Mundinger, Director of Federal and Political Advocacy
Recent ASHA and ASHA National Office/Staff Awards
- Renee Tross, Exhibits Manager has earned the Certification in Exhibition Management designation, CEM.
- Steve White, Director, Healthcare Economics and Advocacy, has been honored by Ithaca College. The previously named Faculty Excellence Award has been changed to the "Steven C. White Faculty Excellence Award" in appreciation for all Steve's service to the department of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, the school of Health Sciences and Human Performance, and to Ithaca College.
The Next Executive Director Update: 2007 National Office Operational Efficiencies
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