Speak Out October 2020 DIGITAL EDITION FINAL

Association NEWS

Board Meeting Report AUGUST 2020

The third Board meeting for 2020 was held virtually, on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 August 2020. The meeting included two highly informative presentations. The first on the topic of Ethics was presented by the Association’s Ethics Board Chair, Dr Trish Bradd and Manager, Ethics and Professional Issues, Trish Johnson. The second on the topic of Association’s Governance, focused on the composition of the Board of Directors and was facilitated by Denys Correll from Association’s Forum. A range of items were discussed during the meeting, with some of the key points outlined below: 2020-2022 Strategic Plan Acknowledging that there has been significant disruption to the progress on certain key deliverables of the new Strategic Plan due to COVID-19, the Board was pleased to review the overall progress report outlining work taking place across a range of strategies. The Board also reviewed the previously identified priority projects noting certain revised timelines. The current priority projects remain as follows: • Develop a framework for identifying advocacy priorities and forming strategy, being cognisant of current government policy, and utilising available evidence and data. • Engage with PHNs and other local networks to support identification of specific local community needs and gaps in access to services. • Communication Access: Terminology and national standards development. • Build a range of promotional campaigns that have consistent messaging to increase general public awareness, and that of other professions (e.g. GPs/ PHNs, teachers/principals), regarding communication disability and swallowing difficulties as well as the breadth of role of speech pathologists. • Build evidence of the impact and cost benefit of speech pathology services. • Conduct speech pathology profession workforce analysis. Part A – Capture and Understand the workforce trends to identify strategies to support the profession now and into the future. 2021 National Conference After careful discussion, and given advice received on continuing risks and disruption due to COVID-19, the Board has agreed to approve that the 2021 National Conference proceed as an online/virtual conference only.

The National Conference Manager and Northern Territory Conference Planning Committee will continue to plan and coordinate the Conference, with information disseminated to all members via eNews on Tuesday 2 September. Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) The ‘Reflect’ Reconciliation Action Plan has now concluded, with Reconciliation Australia indicating that a number of incomplete items can be rolled into the ‘Innovate’ Reconciliation Action Plan. The ‘Innovate’ Reconciliation Action Plan is now in draft format, with this to be released shortly for feedback. University Accreditation The Australian Catholic University Bachelor of Speech Pathology and Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) at the Melbourne, North Sydney and Brisbane campuses and Charles Sturt University’s Master of Speech Pathology program were awarded Full Accreditation for a period of 5 years. Branch Chair and Vice Chair recognition The Board is pleased to acknowledge and recognise the significant contribution of members holding key Branch Executive positions, with Branch Chairs and Vice Chairs to be offered certain National Conference and professional development offerings, within the year of their tenure. National Office The significant impacts of COVID-19 restrictions continue to be felt within Victoria, where Speech Pathology Australia’s National Office is located. Accordingly, all National Office staff continue to work remotely. In acknowledging the significant level of work undertaken by staff during this time, the Board of Directors has approved the CEO’s recommendation to provide two additional leave days to support staff well-being and in recognition of the continuing strong efforts. Accordingly, the National Office will schedule to be closed on Monday 2 November and Thursday 24 December (ahead of the Melbourne Cup Public Holiday and Christmas closure period, respectively). In addition, it was noted that staff have been provided access to a new Employee Assistance Program. A range of policies relating to staff employment and industrial relations were also recently reviewed and adopted by the Board. The Board will next meet on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 November 2020. This meeting will include consideration of the Association’s 2021 financial budget. The format of this meeting will be confirmed in late October.

Gail Mulcair Chief Executive Officer

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October 2020 | Speak Out