2020 Resolutions and Motions

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Bylaws be amended to sunset the Audiology Advisory Council and the Speech-Language Pathology Advisory Council; and further 

RESOLVED, That the approved ASHA Bylaws go into effect at 12:00 a.m. on January 1, 2021; and further

RESOLVED, That actions necessary to implement the ASHA Bylaws at 12:00 a.m. on January 1, 2021 be initiated prior to January 1, 2021; and further 

RESOLVED, That per Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, this is a conforming amendment* in which all amendments in this bylaws’ resolution are needed in order to sunset the Advisory Councils and therefore are not dividable; and further

RESOLVED, That if these bylaws changes are approved, an ad hoc committee will be formed to create a new Committee of Ambassadors whose composition will be similar to that of the current advisory councils with a charge focused on advocacy and outreach. 

*CONFORMING AMENDMENTS

The 11th edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised describes “Conforming Amendments.” Amendments are considered to be “conforming” when they are all needed in order to achieve one end. And because they all need to pass or fail together, they are not dividable, but they are amendable.

Discussion open until 2/8. Voting to occur at the February 2020 BOD meeting.

Approved: 15-0

RESOLVED, That the proposed new American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Assistants Code of Conduct (2020) be approved; and further,

RESOLVED, that the ASHA Assistants Code of Conduct be effective as of June 1, 2020.

Approved: 13-0

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors approve ASHA’s partnership with other international speech-language-hearing organizations to jointly plan and execute international conferences in five countries. The proposed countries and international partners for engagement are as follows:

• 2021 — ASHA will work with the Comité Permanent de Liaison des Orthophonistes/Logopèdes de l’Union Européenne (CPLOL) to plan a joint conference that will convene in Bilbao, Spain.
• 2022 — ASHA will work with the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP) and the New Zealand Speech-Language Therapists’ Association (NZSTA) to plan a joint conference that will convene in Auckland, New Zealand.
• 2023 — ASHA will work with the Asia Pacific Society of Speech, Language and Hearing (APSSLH) to plan a joint conference (location to be announced).
• 2024 — ASHA will work with the Emirates Speech-Language Pathology Society (ESLPS), the Middle East Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (ME-OTO), and the Saudi Society of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology (SSSLPA) to plan a joint conference that will convene in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
• 2025 — ASHA will work with a country to be determined to plan a joint conference.

Approved: 15-0

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) approve the Board of Ethics (BOE)–proposed new Issues in Ethics statement (IES) titled Ethical Reporting (2020).

Approved: 11-0

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) approve the Board of Ethics (BOE)–proposed new Issues in Ethics statement (IES) titled Ethical Use of Social Media (2020).

Approved: 11-0

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) support the 9th Annual Johns Hopkins Critical Care Rehabilitation Conference in 2020. ASHA will be recognized on the conference website and in printed materials, as well as have a free exhibit table at the conference. In return, ASHA will promote the conference to members using appropriate and available communication vehicles, including the online communities, the ASHA Now newsletter, social media outlets, and the ASHA website; and further,

RESOLVED, That the affiliation with the Johns Hopkins Critical Care Rehabilitation Conference be added to ASHA’s annual Membership and Affiliations list beginning in 2021.

Approved: 14-0

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) establish the Ad Hoc Committee on the Committee of Ambassadors (hereafter, “the Committee”), charged with further developing the charge, composition, policies, and procedures that will form a Committee of Ambassadors (CoA), and further

RESOLVED, That the Ad Hoc CoA will review the following list of possible engagement activities for members of the CoA:

• Give a standardized informational presentation at various state conventions as well as to universities and other professional groups
• Get involved in state legislative efforts
• Maintain a log of communications with ASHA’s Government Affairs and Public Policy (GAPP) team regarding advocacy-related activities with national and state government officials
• Connect with GAPP to make special requests to the CoA to contact legislators
• Serve as media contact person for local media
• Write editorials and/or op-eds for local media outlets
• Coordinate activities for Better Hearing and Speech Month in their state/territory
• Write articles in state association newsletters or postings on the state website
• Communicate on state social media sites
• Assist with organizing state lobby days
• Engage with National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) groups
• Participate in state leadership development activities
• Promote ASHA Civility and/or other initiatives, and further

RESOLVED, That the Committee comprise 10 individuals, including the chair, and that seven of the committee members shall have voting rights. The Committee on Committees will appoint voting committee members—these members shall consist of the chair as well as three audiologists and three speech-language pathologists. Three ASHA staff members, by virtue of their position, shall serve on the Committee without vote. Representation on the Committee is as follows:

• one chair—the chair can be from either profession (voting member),two current or past Speech-Language Pathology Advisory Council members (voting members),
• two current or past Audiology Advisory Council members (voting members),
• two current or past Government Relations and Public Policy Board members (voting members),
• ASHA’s director, Association Governance Operations,
• ASHA’s director, Government Affairs and Public Policy, and
• ASHA’s director, Public Relations, and further

RESOLVED, That the president-elect of the BOD shall serve as BOD liaison and shall participate in all activities of the Committee and that the ASHA chief executive officer (CEO) appoint the ex officio, and further

RESOLVED, That the “Policy” section of the Standard Operating Procedures for the Ad Hoc COA be approved, and further

RESOLVED, That the basic structure of the CoA comprise 54 audiologists and 54 speech-language pathologists representing each state, Washington, DC, international organizations, U.S. territories, and NSSLHA, whose members will be appointed by the Committee on Committees for 3-year terms, and further

RESOLVED, That the overall charge to the CoA be focused on advocacy and outreach within the designated area (i.e., state, Washington, DC, international organizations, U.S. territories, and NSSLHA) represented by the committee member, and further

RESOLVED, That the Committee further develop recommendations related to the charge of the CoA, service eligibility requirements, financial requirements, roles and responsibilities of the members, and standard operating procedures and submit them in the form of a resolution to the ASHA BOD by September 1, 2020. 

Approved: 13-0

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) accept the report submitted by the Ad Hoc Committee on Graduate Education for Speech-Language Pathologists.

Approved: 14-0

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Bylaws be amended to transition to a hybrid election for the BOD; and further

RESOLVED, That the approved ASHA Bylaws go into effect on January 1, 2021; and further

RESOLVED, That actions necessary to implement the ASHA Bylaws on January 1, 2021, be initiated prior to January 1, 2021; and further

RESOLVED, That per Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, this is a conforming amendment* in which all amendments in this bylaws resolution are needed in order to transition to a hybrid election for the BOD and, therefore, are not dividable.

*The 11th edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised describes “Conforming Amendments.” Amendments are considered to be “conforming” when they are all needed in order to achieve one end. And because they all need to pass or fail together, they are not dividable, but they are amendable.

Approved: 11-4

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) establish the Ad Hoc Committee on Bilingual Language Competence and Service Delivery (hereafter, “the Committee”), charged with (a) determining proficiency needed across modalities for service delivery in languages other than spoken English, (b) confirming additional knowledge and skills needed to provide services to bilingual individuals, and (c) evaluating potential mechanisms and consequences of verifying language proficiency and additional knowledge and skills for bilingual service delivery; and further   

RESOLVED, That the Committee form as soon as the appointments are made and that the Committee conclude its work on December 31, 2021; and further  

RESOLVED, That the Committee conduct its work primarily via email and web meetings, and one face-to-face meeting to be held at the National Office in 2021, if funding is approved in the 2021 budget; and further  

RESOLVED, That the Committee members be appointed by the Committee on Committees and include not more than 10 individuals representing various perspectives on related issues, with each member possessing one or more of the following qualifications: practicing ASHA-certified bilingual clinician; ASHA-certified bilingual audiologist; ASHA-certified bilingual speech-language pathologist; native speaker of a language other than spoken English who has practiced in their native language in another country; bilingual speech-language pathology or audiology assistant with interpretation and/or translation experience; academician from a communication sciences and disorders (CSD) program with a bilingual emphasis track; expert in bilingual language development; a staff ex officio to be appointed by the CEO, and ASHA’s vice president for planning (who serves as BOD liaison); and further  

RESOLVED, That the Committee chair be approved by the Committee on Committees; and further  

RESOLVED, That ASHA’s chief executive officer appoint the ex officio; and further  

RESOLVED, That the Policy section of the Standing Operating Procedures of the Ad Hoc Committee on Bilingual Language Competence and Service Delivery be approved. 

Approved: 13-0

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) establish an Ad Hoc Committee on the Scope of Practice for Audiology Assistants (hereafter, “the Committee”) charged to (a) draft a Scope of Practice for Audiology Assistants, (b) analyze the results of peer review from certified audiologists and regulators, and (c) recommend a Scope of Practice for Audiology Assistants to the ASHA BOD; and further,

RESOLVED, That the Ad Hoc Committee on the Scope of Practice for Audiology Assistants comprise eight members—six audiologists (all ASHA members, representing academia, government/military, clinical, and private practice) and two audiology assistants; and further,

RESOLVED, That the ASHA BOD, acting as the Committee on Committees, approve the following individuals to serve on the Committee:

• Sharon A. Sandridge, PhD, ASHA BOD Vice President for Audiology Practice, as chair, who will also serve as the BOD liaison;
• Nancy Cheadle, AuD – academician focused on AUD-A certificate program development (Idaho State University);
• Susan Fulton, PhD – academician and VA hospital (Southeast Missouri State University);
• Kristi Gravel, AuD – pediatric audiologist (University of Minnesota Medical Center – Pediatrics);
• Lyndsey Nalu, AuD – private practice (Adept Audiology, Sarasota, FL);
• Judy Schafer, PhD – VA audiologist (VA Medical Center in Washington, DC);
• Sofia Pevzner, BA – audiology assistant (Steward Health Care, Brighton, MA); and
• Debra “Colette” Strother, MA – CAOHC-trained audiology assistant; and further, 

RESOLVED, That the chief executive officer (CEO) appoint the staff ex officio; and further,

RESOLVED, that one face-to-face meeting be held in 2020, if possible, with follow-up virtual meetings/conference calls in 2020 and 2021; and further,

RESOLVED, That the Committee submit the proposed Scope of Practice for Audiology Assistants to the ASHA BOD by April 30, 2021; and further,

RESOLVED, that the Policy section of the Standard Operating Procedures of the Committee be approved.

Approved: 15-0

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) approve the renewal of the ASHA collaboration in official relations with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to continue implementing joint activities in selected countries of Latin America and the Caribbean for a 3-year term starting in 2021 and ending in 2023.

Approved: 14-0

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) accept the Recognition of Specialized Continuing Education (“Specialty ACE”) Feasibility Study Report submitted by the Continuing Education Board (CEB).

Approved: 15-0

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) approve the suspension of the balanced budget provision for the 2020 ASHA Approved Budget due to the extreme financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ASHA’s revenue and expenses, and further 

RESOLVED, that any resulting deficit in the 2020 Approved Budget may not exceed $700,000.

Approved: 13-0

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) authorize the use of funds from the Special Opportunities Fund for the development of The Future of Learning workplan.

Approved: 14-0

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) authorize the use of funds from the Special Opportunities Fund for the development of The Future of Learning workplan.

Approved: 14-0

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) approve the Board of Ethics (BOE)–proposed revised Issues in Ethics statement (IES) titled Client Abandonment (2020), as revised from the 2019 version of the same name.  

Approved: 14-0

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) approve the Board of Ethics (BOE)–proposed revised Issues in Ethics statement (IES) titled ASHA Board of Ethics Jurisdiction (2020), as revised from the 2016 version of the same name. 

Approved: 14-0

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) renew the recognition of the following speech-language-hearing associations through December 31, 2025: 

• Louisiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association 
• The Maryland Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Inc. 
• Massachusetts Speech Language and Hearing Association 
• Minnesota Speech-Language-Hearing Association 
• Mississippi Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Incorporated 
• Missouri Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Inc. 
• Nebraska Speech-Language-Hearing Association 
• The Nevada Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Inc. 
• New Hampshire Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Inc. 
• New Jersey Speech-Language-Hearing Association 
• New Mexico Speech-Language and Hearing Association 

Approved: 13-0

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) approve the establishment of a Committee of Ambassadors (CoA) charged with acting as Ambassadors of ASHA by providing advocacy on and communication about the priorities of the association to officials, constituents, peers, and the general public at the workplace, local, state, and national levels; and further

RESOLVED, That the CoA will have the following duties related to Advocacy: 

• Disseminate information about what ASHA advocacy is and what ASHA advocacy does; recruit ASHA members to become actively engaged in ASHA advocacy activities;
• Build and sustain relationships with lawmakers;
• Collaborate with state associations and network advocates (SEALS, STARS, and STAMPS or equivalents) on ongoing state advocacy activities; 
• Provide input when solicited to the Government Affairs and Public Policy Board on Public Policy Agenda priorities; and
• Collaborate with the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) on student-focused advocacy; and further 

RESOLVED, That the CoA will have the following duties related to communications outreach: 

• Serve as an information source for media and public speaking and other media opportunities (such as articles and posts) in coordination with ASHA staff;
• Encourage and engage in civil social media use and promote ASHA’s Civility Principles;
• Champion ASHA’s stated commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• Collaborate with NSSLHA student leaders in ASHA public outreach (national, state, and local officers and members) and communication activities;
• Participate in ASHA outreach engagement opportunities;
• Cultivate relationships with local and regional media outlets, public forums, and civic groups;
• Encourage and assist ASHA members in initiating grassroots outreach; 
• Provide outreach activity reports through identified means;
• Actively participate in two-way communication with other committees, boards, councils, and SIGS of ASHA; and
• Participate in state leadership development activities; and further 

RESOLVED, That the CoA comprise 54 member audiologists and 54 member speech-language pathologists who represent each state, Washington, DC, international constituents, (members who reside outside the United States), U.S. territory, and NSSLHA and who possess voting rights; and further 

RESOLVED, That, based on ASHA records, each member of the CoA must be a member in good standing of ASHA (or of NSSLHA in the case of the student members) from the state in which they reside or constituency they represent; and further 

RESOLVED, That all members except the student members be appointed by the Committee on Committees for one 3-year term or until their successor is appointed, and that terms of office for student members of the CoA shall be determined by NSSLHA and shall not exceed 3 years; and further 

RESOLVED, That the members of ASHA’s Advisory Councils (ACs) transition to the CoA upon the sunset of the ACs on January 1, 2021, and that AC members shall finish any remaining AC term on the CoA; and further 

RESOLVED, That the CoA will have one vice chair and one chair and shall rotate the positions between the profession of audiology and speech-language pathology, operating as follows: 

• The chair and vice chair shall simultaneously serve as a representative of their state on the CoA and have voting rights;
• The Committee on Committees will appoint the vice chair, who shall serve a 1-year term and automatically become chair for one year at the end of their term;
• The vice chair shall act as chair of the committee in the absence of the chair;
• The CoA chair shall serve a term of 1 year or until a successor has been appointed by the CoC; and
• A CoA chair whose term as a CoA member expires during their term as chair shall have their term as a CoA member automatically extended until the end of the term as CoA chair; and further 

RESOLVED, That the president-elect of the BOD shall serve as BOD liaison and shall participate in all activities of the CoA, and that the ASHA chief executive officer (CEO) shall appoint the ex officio; and further 

RESOLVED, That the CoA Standard Operating Procedures Policy Section be approved. 

Approved: 15-0

RESOLVED, That ArticleIV, Section 4.2.9, of the ASHA Bylaws be amended as follows (see underlined text) to change the title of an ASHA Board of Directors member from “Vice President for Government Relations and Public Policy” to “Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Policy”:

9. Vice President for Government RelationsAffairs and Public Policy

Approved: 15-0

RESOLVED, That Article VIII, Professional Standards and Ethics, Section 8.1, Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, of the ASHA Bylaws be amended to include references to the Assistants Certification Program, certified assistants, and the Assistants Code of Conduct as follows (proposed new language is underlined; text to be deleted is crossed out): 

8.1. Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology 

The Association, by action of the Board of Directors, shall establish and maintain a programs of clinical certification,and advanced clinical specialty certification, and assistants certification. The Association shall establish the Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CFCC), which shall: define the standards for clinical certification and apply those standards in the certification of individuals; define the standards for clinical specialty certification; and make essential certification decisions as listed in the semi-autonomous entities agreement. The CFCC will accept, process, and rule on applications submitted for the creation of a Specialty Board and will monitor each Specialty Board in the implementation of mechanisms to verify compliance with the specific clinical specialty certification requirements. Members of the CFCC shall be appointed following policies established by the CFCC. The CFCC shall have final authority to establish and revise the standards and processes for: clinical certification of audiologists and speech-language pathologists and audiologists, clinical specialty certification programs, and recognition programs for support personnelassistants certification; and to suspend or withdraw clinical certification of audiologists and speech-language pathologists, and certification of assistants, audiologists in cases where clinical certification was granted on the basis of inaccurate information or where the individuals failed to comply with the clinical certification maintenance requirements. Subject to the application of established appeal procedures, all decisions of the CFCC including those above, as well as initial denial, suspension, withdrawal, or reinstatement of certification, shall be final. The CFCC authorizes the Board of Ethics to apply the Code of Ethics to certificate holders and to apply the Assistants Code of Conduct (hereafter, “Code of Conduct”) to certified assistants for violations and to impose sanction(s). 

Approved: 15-0

RESOLVED, That Article VIII, Professional Standards and Ethics, Section 8.3, Board of Ethics, of the ASHA Bylaws be amended as follows to meet certification best practices, comport with industry standards, and show transparency in professional discipline (proposed new language is underlined; deleted text is crossed out): 

8.3 Board of Ethics

The Association shall establish a Board of Ethics that shall (1) formulate, publish, and, from time to time, amend a Code of Ethics (hereinafter the "Code") containing the professional responsibilities by which members and certificate holders shall be bound and a Code of Conduct by which certified assistants shall be bound; (2) develop educational programs and materials on ethics for distribution to members and certificate holders, certified assistants, academic programs, and others; (3) adjudicate complaints alleging violations of the Code of Ethics and the Code of Conduct; and (4) make essential decisions as listed in the Semi-Autonomous Entities Agreement. Members of the Board of Ethics shall be appointed by the Committee on Committees. The Board of Directors shall approve any revisions to (1) the Code of Ethics, (2) the Code of Conduct, and (3) the procedures formulated by the Board of Ethics for processing allegations of Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct violations to ensure that they comply with basic due process considerations. The Board of Ethics shall determine sanctions for violations in its discretion as it deems appropriate, including a Reprimand; Censure; Suspension of membership and/or certification; Revocation of membership and/or certification; Withholding of membership and/or certification; ethics examination; and/or continuing education hours. Any appeal from a Board of Ethics Further Consideration shall be decided by the ASHA Ethics Appeal Panel. 

Approved: 15-0

RESOLVED, That Article XI of the current ASHA Bylaws be amended to read as follows (underlined text to be added), and further 

Article XI— Honors and Fellowship

11.1. Honors of the Association

The Honors of the Association recognize distinguished contributions to the discipline of communication sciences and disorders and are the highest honors the Association can give. The Honors of the Association may be presented to an individual member or an International Affiliate upon recommendation by the Committee on Honors and approved by 75% vote of the Board of Directors voting on the recommendation. 

RESOLVED, That this change go into effect January 1, 2021. 

Approved: 15-0

RESOLVED, That BOD 12-2018 be rescinded; and further

RESOLVED, That the ASHA Board of Directors (BOD) approve the revised charge and composition of the Committee on Leadership Cultivation (CLC) as indicated below (deletions indicated by strikeout; additions are underlined); and further

RESOLVED, that the CLC charge is to oversee leadership development efforts, cultivate future Board of Directors leaders, and provide broad strategic coordination of all leadership development efforts to ensure a strong pipeline of diverse, talented, qualified, and willing candidates for all committees, boards and councils. .to help ensure a strong volunteer pipeline for ASHA’s committees, boards, and councils; thus the CLC will

• provide strategic guidance and insight of leadership development needs for ASHA members;
• ensure that there is a diverse, talented, qualified, and willing pool of candidates for all committees, boards, and councils, including the BOD; and
• elicit feedback from the Committee on Nominations and Elections (CNE) and examine aggregated candidate demographic data to inform the committee’s work; and further

The CLC shall oversee implementation of the BOD approved recommendations of the 2013 Ad Hoc CLC report that will enhance ASHA’s leadership development efforts.

RESOLVED, That the CLC comprise nine13 members plusincluding the chair, as delineated below:

• Members shall be five audiologists (includes one audiology student), five speech-language pathologists (includes one speech-language pathology student), and three individuals from either profession including the chair. All Eleven of the members, including the chair, have voting rights. Two members shall be the current president and president-elect of NSSLHA and shall serve without voting privileges.
• Six Seven of these members will have completed a 2-year term on the CNE immediately prior to serving on the CLC; in the event that one or more of the CNE members is not available, the CoC shall appoint an alternate member, preferably someone who has served on the CNE.
• Of the remaining four six CLC members, one will be an early career professional (ECP) who is a member younger than 30 years of age or with fewer than 5 years in the professions; one other member will be a graduate of ASHA’s Leadership Development Program (LDP) or the Minority Student Leadership Program (MSLP); and the third and fourth member will be the vice chair and chair, respectively, of the CLC, both of whom shall be past ASHA BOD members. The fifth and sixth members will be the current president and president-elect of NSSLHA.
• CLC terms (except for that of the vice chair) will be staggered 2-year terms, and the term of office shall begin on January 1. The NSSLHA representatives shall begin their terms on July 1.
• The chair and vice chair of the CLC shall be former BOD members of ASHA, and they shall be appointed by the CoC. The CLC chair shall serve a 2-year term. The vice chair shall serve a 1-year term and act as chair of the committee in the absence of the committee chair. The vice chair shall automatically become chair at the end of the 1-year term. The vice chair shall be appointed in the second year of a chair’s term; and further

RESOLVED, That the immediate past president of the BOD shall be the BOD liaison to the committee and further

RESOLVED, That the ASHA BOD approve the Standard Operating Procedures for the Committee for Leadership Cultivation.

Approved: 15-0

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Board of Directors (BOD) approve the extension of the Ad Hoc Committee to Develop Guidance for Members and Students for Engaging Globally in Clinical, Scholarly, and Other Professional Activities (hereafter, “the Committee”) to May 31, 2021, to enable the Committee to complete its charge. 

Approved: 15-0

RESOLVED, That, in order to integrate fully the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Special Interest Groups (SIGs) into the Association financially and programmatically (in accordance with the 2010 recommendations of the Task Force on Special Interest Divisions Structure, Programs, and Operations), a representative of the ASHA SIGs shall be included on the ASHA Board of Directors (BOD).

RESOLVED, That, in accordance with its charge to advise the BOD and recommend policies and actions, this representative shall be a member of, and elected by, the Board of Special Interest Group Coordinators (BSIGC).

Denied: 0-15

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) approve the extension of the Ad Hoc Committee to Provide Technical Assistance to the Ministry of Public Health (MPH) of Ecuador to educate service providers on communication disorders, under the ASHA/Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) collaboration to October 31, 2021, to allow the Ad Hoc Committee to complete its charge.

Discussion open until 10/17. Voting open 10/19–10/21.

Approved: 11-0

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) approve the 2021 Public Policy Agenda.

Approved: 14-0

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors authorize the use of funds from the Special Opportunities Fund for implementation of the following activities: 

• Interprofessional Education and Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (IPE/IPP) Communications Campaign, Resources, and Education for Strategic Objective #2 (SO2), Advance Interprofessional Education and Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (IPE/IPP).
  Amount: $90,000
• 2021 Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) Science Teaching Symposium and podcast for Strategic Objective #3 (SO3), Enhance the generation, publication, knowledge translation, and implementation of clinical research.
  Amount: $35,000
• Speaker honoraria and production costs associated with the ASHA Certification programs (in-person at Connect or online) for Strategic Objective #4 (SO4), Enhance service delivery across the continuum of care to increase value and access to services.
  Amount: $15,000
• Initiatives to increase the influence and demonstrate value of audiology and speech-language pathology services for Strategic Objective #5 (SO5), Increase influence and demonstrated value of audiology and speech-language pathology services.
  Amount: $116,122
• Initiatives that will allow ASHA to (1) continue strategic content dissemination of assets from That’s Unheard Of via YouTube, Scribble Ion software, and other social media platforms and (2) revise and update Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) tools and resources to help members increase their cultural competence for Strategic Objective #8 (SO8): Increase members’ cultural competence.
  Amount: $71,600
• Initiatives to replicate the ASHA Faculty Development Institute to increase cultural competence for the following Strategic Objectives: SO2, SO3, SO4, and SO8.
  Amount: $65,000 

Discussion open until 11/8. Voting open 11/9–11/11.

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) approve the establishment of a framework allowing for ongoing operation of editorial boards for each of the ASHA journals and empower the Journals Board to dynamically adjust the composition of editorial boards, in terms of sizes, roles, and allocations by journal, in keeping with the Journals Board’s charge to “monitor the effective functioning of the editors and the editorial boards”; and further, 

RESOLVED, That BOD 52-2015, which authorized the establishment of an editorial board for each of the journals and detailed the specifications necessary for their initial implementation, be rescinded so as to allow for the operating framework for ongoing operations to be put in place. 

Discussion open until 11/8. Voting open 11/9–11/11.

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) supports the recommendation that an accreditation program be established for optional clinical doctoral programs in speech-language pathology, and further  

RESOLVED, That the ASHA BOD requests that the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) consider establishing an accreditation program for optional clinical doctoral programs in speech-language pathology. 

Approved: 15-0

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) appoint Varleisha Gibbs, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, as a member of the NAHSA Board of Directors for a 3-year term, effective January 1, 2021, and ending December 31, 2023; and further  

RESOLVED, That the ASHA BOD reappoint Lisa Cole, ASHA Chief Staff Officer, Communications,  as a member of the NAHSA Board of Directors for a 3-year term, effective January 1, 2021, and ending December 31, 2023.

Approved: 15-0

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) approve funding to enhance (a) the value placed on services provided by holders of the CCC-A and CCC-SLP credentials, with a special emphasis on ASHA-certified school-based members, and (b) the ASHA Member value proposition through renewal of the Value of the CCCs campaign, which promotes the value of the services of ASHA Certified Members. Key and select decision makers in positions to hire, supervise, evaluate, and make referrals to ASHA Certified Members will remain the primary external campaign audience, although lawmakers and policymakers will  be the focus of outreach and ASHA Certified Members who are from underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds will be a focus of enhanced promotion. The primary internal audience will be ASHA Certified Members themselves; and further  

RESOLVED, That, for 2021, the ASHA BOD approve the use of the Special Opportunities Fund to provide financial support for the Value of the CCCs campaign at an annual level not to exceed $750,000, with up to $75,000 of that amount spent annually for campaign outreach to national lawmakers and policymakers and up to $75,000 for enhanced promotion of ASHA Certified Members who are from underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds; and further, 

RESOLVED, That, for 2021 and 2022, the BOD provide annual funding at the same level (and with the same level of funds designated for outreach to lawmakers and policymakers and promotion of ASHA Certified Members who are from underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds) from the Special Opportunities Fund. 

Approved: 14-1

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) approve the Board of Ethics (BOE)–proposed new Issues in Ethics statement (IES) titled Ethics and Delivery of Care in Public Health and Safety Emergencies (2020). 

Approved: 15-0

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors approve ASHA becoming a member of the Thrive Coalition; and further 

RESOLVED, That ASHA membership on the Thrive Coalition is without financial obligation or requirement to participate in or support the Thrive Coalition’s advocacy efforts; and further 

RESOLVED, That ASHA membership in the Thrive Coalition entitles participation in quarterly coalition meetings and the opportunity to provide input on and access to information and materials related to the Thrive Coalition’s advocacy efforts; and further 

RESOLVED, That the Association’s formal affiliation with the Thrive Coalition shall be reapproved annually with the list of ASHA’s membership and affiliations with external organizations; and further 

RESOLVED, That the Associate Director of Federal Affairs serve as a liaison between ASHA and the Thrive Coalition. 

Approved: 15-0

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) approve that ASHA promise a contribution of up to 2% of estimated 2024 and 2025 membership dues (between $0 and up to $928,245 in year 2024 and between $0 and up to $947,539 for year 2025) to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (ASHFoundation) for the years 2024 and 2025; and further 

RESOLVED, That this contribution be conditional upon ASHA’s 2020 Operating Fund net income being at least 2% of estimated 2024 and 2024 membership dues before the contribution is made. 

Approved: 15-0

RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) promise a contribution of $0 to up to $300,000 in 2020 to its consumer affiliate, the National Association for Hearing and Speech Action (NAHSA). This contribution will be used to support projects, programs, activities, and their related costs that focus on consumers and feature the communications professions and/or communications professionals and/or areas of interest to both. The allocation of this contribution would be in keeping with ASHA’s Strategic Pathway; and further 

RESOLVED, That this contribution be conditional upon ASHA’s 2020 consolidated net income being adequate to make such a contribution. 

Approved: 14-0

MOVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Board of Directors (BOD) approve the revisions to the policy section of the Committee on Nominations and Elections (CNE) Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Approved: 10-1

MOVED, That the Board of Directors appoint Tarja Berry, AuD, CCC-A, to the Maine position on the Audiology Advisory Council (AAC) for a 3-year term effective January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2022.

Approved: 12-0

MOVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Board of Directors support the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD)  Principles for Specific Learning Disability Eligibility: Practice and Policy Considerations for States and School Districts in the following three areas:  

1. Effective Use of Instructional Response Data in Evaluation for Special Education due to a Specific Learning Disability
2. Selective Use of Data on Cognitive Assessments Within a Special Education Evaluation for a Child Suspected to Have a Specific Learning Disability
3. A Comprehensive Evaluation for Special Education for a Child Suspected to Have a Specific Learning Disability  

Approved: 14-0

MOVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) appoint ASHA member Laura Dreisbach, PhD, CCC-A, to serve as liaison representative to the International Ototoxicity Management Guideline Working Group (IOMG) effective immediately and ending December 31, 2022.

Approved: 13-0

MOVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) appoint ASHA member Charles E. Bishop, AuD, PhD, CCC-A, to serve as ASHA’s representative to American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Guideline Update Group (GUG) on the Clinical Practice Guideline: Tympanostomy Tubes in Children.

Approved: 15-0

MOVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) appoint ASHA member Elizabeth Walker, PhD, CCC-A/SLP, to serve as ASHA’s speech-language pathology representative to American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Guideline Update Group (GUG) on the Clinical Practice Guideline: Tympanostomy Tubes in Children.

Approved: 14-0

MOVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors supports the report developed by the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities (NJCLD) titled, The Use of Response to Intervention to Inform Special Education Eligibility Decisions for Students with Specific Learning Disabilities.

Approved: 14-0

MOVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors issue the following statement in response to current racially motivated violence.

Stop the Silence; It’s Deafening

ASHA members know firsthand what happens when people’s voices are silenced. We know what happens when people don’t hear or understand. We also know well the change that can occur when people can effectively communicate, when they have a voice, when messages are heard, received, and acted upon.

We also know how important it is to voice concerns and communicate the need for change in our country. We stand with those who stand against violence of any kind, especially recent racially motivated violence. We stand in opposition to any actions that silence change and progress, as well as those actions that impede and interfere with mutual respect and dignity.

Engaging in effective, respectful communication is critical for challenging the status quo and is an essential tool for understanding and exploring our differences and similarities. ASHA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is deeply rooted in purposefully fostering meaningful, open, and constructive dialogue from diverse constituencies. ASHA supports its members in making effective communication, a human right, accessible and achievable for all. We encourage our members to speak up in the face of injustice, to speak up to advance equity and access, and to do what’s in their sphere of influence to empower and support their colleagues, and the clients/patients/students they serve.

Approved: 13-0

MOVED, That the Board of Directors issue the following statement to oppose racism against Black people:

ASHA explicitly condemns systemic racism and oppression, and the violent acts that took the lives most recently of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd—and so many before them. We support our Black audiologists, speech-language pathologists, related professionals, and students, as well as Black clients/patients/students and their families. We stand with these individuals in supporting their communities, protecting their families, and fighting for their children’s opportunities. We stand with our members who are distressed, saddened, angry, and calling for change.

We commit to rooting out the systemic inequities that exist in our communities—within our professions, our schools and universities, and workplaces. Most ASHA members provide services in education and health care settings, institutions with pervasive histories of systemic racial discrimination in the United States. This is a time for evaluating our individual and collective contributions to maintaining the status quo and our responsibility to change it. We must identify meaningful solutions that address the challenges facing Black people to enable every person to be heard, to feel safe, and to thrive.

ASHA’s Envisioned Future states that by 2025, “inclusive policies and practices are in place within the Association and throughout the discipline, to ensure that there is a diversity of perspective that informs professional practice and decision-making.” Of ASHA's eight Strategic Objectives, two of them—Increasing the Diversity of the Membership and Increasing Members' Cultural Competence—relate to this outcome. These diversity ideals and a culture of inclusion are not possible if every professional, student, client, and patient is not seen and heard.

Diversity and Inclusion is a fundamental part of our organization. ASHA has an enduring record of developing high-quality programming, tools, resources, and information for our members and those they serve to address historically under-represented populations. However, we know that our sustained action following this statement will be what matters most.

ASHA is committed to engaging in discussions with members about the current racial climate within our country and within our professions. We will establish additional mechanisms for listening to our members who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)—especially our Black members—to share their unique realities as CSD professionals and students. We will expand existing offerings for increasing culturally responsive approaches, including cultural humility, and establish anti-racist initiatives to find effective solutions to enhance equity and inclusion within our Association, our professions, and society.

Approved: 15-0

MOVED, That the BOD approve revisions to the SIG Volunteer Leadership Handbook and Operational Guidelines.

Approved: 15-0

MOVED, that the Board of Directors approve the following appointments for terms beginning January 1, 2021.

Audiology Advisory Council
Anne Sommer (Indiana)

Speech-Language Pathology Advisory Council
Erin Leigh-Ann Browning (West Virginia)
Jessica Waldron (Wyoming)

Approved: 15-0

MOVED, That the Board of Directors approve Giselle Carnaby to receive Honors of the Association for 2020.

Approved: 15-0

MOVED, That the Board of Directors approve Michael Cevette to receive Honors of the Association for 2020.

Denied: 4-11

MOVED, That the Board of Directors approve Celeste Roseberry-McKibbin to receive Honors of the Association for 2020.

Approved: 13-2

MOVED, That the Board of Directors approve Froma Roth to receive Honors of the Association for 2020.

Approved: 15-0

MOVED, That the Board of Directors approve Dennis Ruscello to receive Honors of the Association for 2020.

Approved: 15-0

MOVED, That the Board of Directors approve Andrew Stuart to receive Honors of the Association for 2020.

Approved: 14-1

MOVED, That the Board of Directors approve Pamela Wiley to receive Honors of the Association for 2020.

Approved: 15-0

MOVED, That the Board of Directors approve Christine Yoshinaga-Itano to receive Honors of the Association for 2020.

Approved: 15-0

MOVED, that the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) appoint Katharine Fernandez, AuD, PhD, CCC-A, to serve as a second liaison representative to the International Ototoxicity Management Guideline Working Group (IOMG) of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) effective immediately and ending December 31, 2022.

Approved: 14-0

MOVED, That the following individuals be approved as co-chairs for the 2022 Convention Program Committee for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention to be held in New Orleans, Louisiana (2022) and serve on the Scientific and Professional Education Board (SPEB) in 2021 in a consultative role: 

• Mark DeRuiter, Audiology
• Edie Hapner, Speech-Language Pathology

Approved: 15-0

MOVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors approve the following performance measure for Strategic Objective #5: Increase Influence and Demonstrated Value of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Services. 

New PM: Participation by Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists in Alternative Payment Models 

Baseline: 0% (2020)
Target: 10% (2025)

Approved: 14-0

MOVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) approve the revisions to the policy section of the Committee on Nominations and Elections (CNE) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

Approved: 14-0

MOVED, to reaffirm that the 2021 ASHA dues will remain at the same rate as the 2020 dues.

Approved: 15-0

MOVED, that the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Board of Directors acknowledge and accept the 2019 audit report.

Approved: 15-0

MOVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors approve the updates/revisions to ASHA’s Envisioned Future 2025. 

Approved: 15-0

MOVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Board of Directors approve the revisions to the BOD position descriptions including the new position descriptions for the BOD Member at Large in Audiology and the BOD Member at Large in Speech-Language Pathology. 

Approved: 15-0

MOVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) appoint ASHA member Martin B. Brodsky, PhD, ScM, CCC-SLP, to serve as ASHA’s representative to American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) consensus guideline update group on tracheostomy care.

Approved: 15-0

MOVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors approve the proposed 2020 ASHA budget.

Approved: 15-0

MOVED, That a one-time exception be made to the Special Opportunities Funds criteria to allow the Value of the CCCs Campaign be funded for an additional two years.

Approved: 14-1

MOVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors approve the updated policy section of the Speech-Language Pathology School Issues Advisory Board (SIAB) Standard Operating Procedures.

Approved: 15-0

MOVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Associations (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) appoint the following individuals with the designated position and terms to the Political Action Committee (PAC): 

• David Alexander, AuD, CCC-A, as Chair-elect for a one-year term starting January 1, 2021, and ending December 31, 2021.
• Shari Robertson, PhD, CCC-SLP, as Member for a four-year term starting January 1, 2021, and ending December 31, 2024.

Approved: 14-0-1

MOVED, That the Board of Directors approve the following advocacy position that provides additional detail, specificity, and guidance to the Association’s advocacy efforts throughout 2020: 

Support public policies that prioritize access to safe and efficacious vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration for audiologists and speech-language pathologists providing in-person service delivery during the pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). 

Approved: 15-0

MOVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Board of Directors approve the revisions to the Committee on Honors (COH) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) policy section. 

Approved: 15-0

MOVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors (BOD) approve changes to the strategic outcomes and performance measures for Strategic Objective #6: Increase Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within the Association and the discipline:

Previous Objective, Outcome and Performance Measures:

Strategic Objective #6: Increase the diversity of the membership
Strategic Outcome: Increased diversity of ASHA members in the areas of individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds, Bilingual Service Providers, and men.

Performance Measures:

1. % of diversity of the ASHA Membership
2. % of diversity of the ASHA Membership within the first 5 years of affiliation

Change Strategic Outcome to:
ASHA has implemented equitable practices and CSD is a more diverse and inclusive discipline.

• ASHA standards and systems support an inclusive and equitable culture within the discipline, and provide increased access to the professions for individuals from racial/ethnic populations that are under-represented in CSD
• ASHA’s standards and systems prepare Audiologists and SLPs for effectively serving BIPOC clients/patients/students
• ASHA provides tools and opportunities to foster civil, respectful, and anti-racist and nondiscriminatory practices in professional interactions
• ASHA’s membership includes more individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds, Bilingual Service Providers, and men.

Change Performance Measures to:

1. % of individuals from under-represented groups and males enrolling in CSD academic programs
   % of individuals from under-represented groups and males graduating from CSD academic programs
2. % of members who report actions & approaches indicative of cultural competence
3. # of times resources, tools, & opportunities for enhancing professional interactions are accessed
4. # of participants in ASHA Ally Initiative and using the Ally/Anti-racism Toolkit
5. % of individuals from under-represented racial/ethnic backgrounds engaging in ASHA activities
6. % of diversity of the ASHA Membership
   % of diversity of the ASHA Membership within the first 5 years of affiliation

Approved 13-0