ASHA Membership

Using our collective voice to advance the professions

Make the most out of your ASHA membership or affiliation and get engaged! Write an article, be a mentor, advocate for the professions, or participate in one of the many other opportunities available. Whatever your interests, we have something that's right for you.

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Committee Spotlight!

Meet ASHA member Nicole Raia, ScD, CCC-A. In this short interview, Nicole shares highlights about her experience serving on ASHA’s Government Affairs and Public Policy Board.

How do you see the work of the board making a difference?

The work of the Government Affairs and Public Policy Board (GAPPB) is critical to ensure that the changing needs of ASHA’s members are heard both federally and within their states. The GAPPB not only looks to expand policies that affect members and the patients/students/clients, but also to protect the Scopes of Practice and our autonomy. However, this work is not and cannot be the totality of advocacy done on behalf of the professions.

The GAPPB listens to members with an eye on proposed policy changes from other groups and decides what is most critical currently. ASHA’s GAPP Staff create resources for members to use to advocate, help set up opportunities to speak to stakeholders, and meet with stakeholders as well. Members need to use these tools to make sustainable policy.

Can you share a memorable moment or accomplishment during your time on the board?

The value of persistence in advocacy is most memorable for me. As part of our work, the GAPPB has an annual Hill Day when we meet with representatives to talk about bills we are trying to get passed and need their vote. During my first Hill Day, we were scheduled to meet with the staffer of a House Representative who represented one of our board members’ offices. It was not a great meeting. It was actually terrible. The staffer was well prepared. He really didn’t let us speak and had rebuttals to every point we tried to make to show the value in the Medicare Audiology bill. We made no progress.

The following year, we were scheduled to meet again with the same staffer to discuss the same Bill. Those of us who had met with him the previous year were less than optimistic that this would be productive, but we did it. What a different experience! The same staffer not only listened intently, asked relevant questions, and took notes on the importance of the Audiology Bill, but also asked if the Representative could tour his constituent’s office and see the work that our members did. We would have missed that opportunity if we had given up after the first meeting.

What advice would you give to someone considering joining an ASHA board, council, or committee?

Do it, and don’t wait for what you think may be the perfect time. I think often ASHA members think that the “perfect time” is when they are less busy. That time never comes. I’ve never met an ASHA member who didn’t have their hand in 12 pots simultaneously, professionally and personally. Contrary to popular belief, volunteering on an ASHA board, council, or committee is not all time-consuming, and there is flexibility. It takes a few hours a month (some months as little as one or two). Most meetings are often in the evenings and remote. Volunteering is highly organized, and the ASHA staff does a tremendous job supporting the volunteers’ work. It does take a little personal organization and planning, but I’m still waiting to meet an ASHA member who didn't master those before having their CCC’s.

I’ve found myself less frustrated with both my career and with the profession as an active ASHA member and have made more milestones in my personal life since joining the board.

Also, don’t wait until you “have more experience.” Early Career Professionals are critical members of boards, councils, and committees. ASHA needs your insights just as much to make sure the unique needs of new professionals are met and resources are accessible and relatable.

ASHA members who meet the eligibility criteria can update their membership type for discounted fees.

Graduate Student Membership: Open to any current, certified ASHA Member who has been an ASHA Member for at least one year and is a full-time or part-time student pursuing a degree in CSD (or a related field) at a regionally-accredited institution. The annual dues for Graduate Student Members are $150.

Life Membership: Open to any current ASHA member who is age 65 or older the year of application to be eligible for the subsequent year. For example, a member turning 65 in 2025 will be eligible in 2026. The member must also have 25 consecutive or 35 cumulative years of ASHA membership. The annual dues for Life Members are $71.