Speak Out October 2016

Association news

Call for Board nominations

This key leadership role offers a wonderful opportunity to develop new skills and contribute significantly to the strategic direction of the Association and the speech pathology profession. Directors are required to attend four board meetings each year. Board nomination forms and an information package are available on our website. Each nomination must address key selection criteria and completed nomination forms must be received at national office by Tuesday 31 January 2017. The appointments will be effective from the 2017 Annual General Meeting in May for a period of two years. Any voting member is encouraged to nominate, while retiring directors are eligible to renominate. Elections will be held if more than three nominations are received. For further information, please see the director position description, contained within the policy and procedures manual, available on the Speech Pathology Australia website or contact a current director, or Chief Executive Officer Gail Mulcair.

Speech Pathology Australia’s Board of Directors are responsible for the strategic development, implementation and evaluation of the Association's policies and procedures within the rules of the Constitution. Three directors are elected to the office bearer positions of president, vice president operations (VPO) and vice president communication (VPC), which forms the Board Executive Subcommittee (BES). Under the Association’s Constitution Board nominations are currently being sought for four positions. Directors hold major responsibility within the Association and as such, many directors have never previously undertaken a role with similar legal, financial and strategic management responsibilities. Every possible support and assistance is provided by experienced directors, especially members of the Board Executive Subcommittee, the chief executive officer and national office staff.

Association Strategic Plan Review Get involved!

SPA requests intermediaries at NT Royal Commission into the detention of children Recently the Australian and Northern Territory Governments announced a Royal Commission into the detention of children in the Northern Territory, following media reports of mistreatment of young people detained in youth justice settings. There is robust evidence from Australia and internationally that between 50 and 90 percent of young offenders have underlying communication problems and that there is a correlation between the seriousness of offences and language problems. It is likely that the majority of children who will provide evidence to the Royal Commission will have clinically significant but previously unrecognised and untreated speech, language and communication problems. These children will find it difficult to give evidence to the Royal Commission. Communication problems are likely to compromise a child’s ability to comprehend instructions or questions, to tell a story or event in a logical and sequential manner, to understand the complex language used in the Royal Commission and/or to express themselves adequately. Their ability to provide meaningful testimony, to tell their story, or to respond to questioning will be reduced. In August, Speech Pathology Australia wrote to the Royal Commission requesting that the commission employ the use of independent, trained communication intermediaries to assist children to provide evidence during the hearings. At the time of writing, a response from the commissioners had not been received. Speech Pathology Australia is currently preparing a written submission to the Royal Commission and will publish it on our website in due course. Members can follow the process of the Royal Commission at www.childdetentionnt.royalcommission.gov.au Ronelle Hutchinson Manager Policy and Advocacy

The Association’s Strategic Plan is due for review and updating for the three years 2017- 2019. An essential part of informing the development of a new strategic plan is the feedback and contribution of Association members. Building on the extensive consultation undertaken for the Speech Pathology 2030 project, your input is vital to identifying the areas of strategic priority for the Association in the coming period. Some questions for your deliberation and response include: • From the vision and aspirations contained within the Speech Pathology 2030 report, what do you feel are the top three priorities for the Association to progress over the next three years? • Do you feel that there are other areas of strategic importance that have not been captured in the Speech Pathology 2030 report? • Do you have any other comments? You can provide your contribution by either contacting your local Branch chair, a director of Speech Pathology Australia, or the Association National Office directly by telephone on 1300 368 835 or via email on execassist@ speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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October 2016 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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