Speak Out October 2020 DIGITAL EDITION FINAL

Association NEWS

Call for nominations Speech Pathology Australia Awards SPA acknowledges excellence in speech pathology practice and the voluntary work undertaken by members through the following nationally recognised awards. Life Membership: Life membership is the highest honour accorded by the Association and confers Practising or Non Practising membership on a person for the rest of their life. It recognises outstanding leadership and committed service to the Association and the profession over many years. Fellowship: Fellowship of Speech Pathology Australia is a public professional honour awarded to a member with considerable experience, responsibility and standing within the speech pathology profession. The award recognises and celebrates members who have achieved excellence in a field of speech pathology practice. Fellowship is a membership category, and an ongoing honour. Recognition of Service : Awarded by the Association to up to three members annually in recognition of ongoing, valuable and voluntary service to the Association. Nominees may have contributed to the Board, Branch Executive, Branch Portfolios, Task Groups, Conference Planning Committee, etc. Early Career Award: This award is open to new graduate practising members in recognition of ongoing, valuable and voluntary service to the Association at either a National or Branch level. Nominees may have contributed to Branch Executives, Branch Portfolios, Task Groups, Conference Planning Committees, etc. In most cases, nominees will have held positions on Committees or Portfolios as students. Community Contribution: Awarded by the Association to recognise outside agencies, which have made a significant and valuable contribution to speech pathology. If you know of someone who deserves the honour and recognition of an Association award, applications must be submitted on the official award nomination forms. Awards for 2021 close on Friday 26 February 2021. Late submissions will be considered for 2022 awards. For more information visit the website or email execassist@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Call for Board nominations

In accordance with Speech Pathology Australia’s Constitution, nominations are currently sought to fill three upcoming vacancies on the Board of Directors. Please note: Under the current Constitution the Association cannot have any more than two Directors from any one state or territory. Given that there are two Queensland based Directors continuing in their current term, the Association cannot accept nominations from Queensland based members on this occasion. Speech Pathology Australia’s Board of Directors is responsible for the strategic development, implementation and evaluation of the Association's policies and procedures within the rules of the Constitution. 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, the Chief Executive Officer and National Office staff. 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 Sunday 31 January 2021. (Late nominations cannot be considered). The appointments will be effective from the 2021 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 four nominations are received. For further information, please see the Director Position Description, (contained within the Policy and Procedures Manual available on Speech Pathology Australia’s website), or contact the Association’s Chief Executive Officer, Gail Mulcair, gmulcair@ speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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Speak Out | October 2020