Speech Pathology Australia Annual Report 2020

President’s report 2 020 wi l l remain in our col lective memory for the rest of our l ives. It was a year that disrupted and tested us. It chal lenged this profession, its members, our cl ients, our work l ives, our pol itical and social structures, and indeed our global community. It continues to chal lenge us, but also in a year of unprecedented change, it helped define our profession and our Association. Early in the year, the Association’s Strategic Plan 2020- 2022 was approved by the Board. The new strategic plan is founded on three pi l lars: our voice, our impact, and our workforce. Over the course of the plan’s three years Speech Pathology Austral ia wi l l continue its work towards the aspirations outl ined within the ground-breaking Speech Pathology 2030 – making futures happen report. When the plan was released, we evaluated the values of our organisation. These are Cultural Responsiveness, Excel lence, Innovation, Person Centred Practice, and Professional ism and Ethical Practice. It was over the course of 2020 we learnt how, although plans changed from the outset, our values guided us in our actions. January, February, and early March were ‘busy as usual’ times for the Association, establ ishing the initial goals of the Strategic Plan. The last face to face meetings of Branch Chairs and the Board of Directors occurred during this time. Just over a week later, on the 23rd of March, the Association’s National Office closed its Wi l l iam Street doors. In l ine with government guidel ines and protocols put in place at that time, al l staff were directed to commence working from home. Due to preparations already in place, national office staff made this transition seamlessly. By the next day they were supporting members in making their own transitions into telepractice. They continued to keep members informed about the pandemic and its evolving impacts on the profession. We cannot thank them enough for this. Comprehensive materials were rapidly developed to support the move to telehealth; al l professional development events were moved onl ine (via a new Learning Hub); and new guides, tools, and resources were developed for members. This included a new Infection Prevention and Control Guidel ine for Speech Pathologists; Guidance for service del ivery, cl inical procedures, and infection control during COVID-19 pandemic; and an interactive Risk Assessment Tool. A COVID Advisory group was put into place, composed of a number of members, and this ensured responses and resources were specific, targeted, and effective. Whi le many of the initial goals in the Strategic Plan had to be put on a hiatus, our Values guided how we set in motion our response. The Association responded to concerns as they continued to arise over the year. Meanwhi le, it also released two major pieces of work that had been in development wel l before 2020. These were the Association’s 2020 Code of Ethics, and the Professional Standards for Speech Pathologists in Austral ia. The new Professional Standards came into effect on the 1st of January 2021. They reflect a broad and expanding scope, and recognise the increasing diversity of roles within the profession. The Code of Ethics detai l how speech pathology in Austral ia is enacted, what the publ ic can expect of us, and guarantees the qual ity of the services we del iver. Both these core documents are of their time, formed on the feedback and aspirations of thousands of members and our stakeholders. As a result, they consol idate our identity as the professional body that assesses and treats communication and swal lowing abi l ity across the l ifespan.

In 2020, Speech Pathology Austral ia continued its journey towards Reconci l iation. We observed a number of important dates including Sorry Day, NAIDOC Week, and National Reconci l iation Week. The Association released two important statements. Released in National Reconci l iation Week, the first recognised the theme, “In this Together”, supporting members to engage and develop in this important cultural event. The second was a strong declaration on the Association’s opposition to al l forms of racism. Both statements received overwhelmingly encouraging feedback from our members, and the Association wi l l continue to encourage and support every member in their own journey towards Reconci l iation. Both statements are reproduced in ful l in this annual report. Speech Pathology Austral ia membership numbers continued to rise to record levels. In February 2020, Speak Out celebrated reaching the mi lestone of 10,000 members, and by the close of 2020, our membership stood at 11,174. This marks an increase of just over 13 per cent on 2019 numbers. With this rise in membership, increased interest and engagement in local State and Territory Branches was evident. Branch Chairs welcomed new members to meetings through a variety of innovative means. The onl ine format meant members from outside of metropol itan cities were able to join and interact. In a turbulent time, we recognise the efforts of Branch Chairs and their Executive teams, and thank them for helping to forge ahead with local connections. This year, the added chal lenges of 2020 were ably met by the Board Directors who also volunteer their time, ski l ls and perspectives on strategy. At the 2020 AGM we welcomed Al ison Smith and Bronwyn Sutton whose valuable contributions to the Board were immediately evident. Exiting from the Board were Bel inda Hi l l and Eddie Ong. Their advice wi l l continue to inform the Association, with Bel inda continuing to work alongside our Ethics Board, and Eddie with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee. Our Association’s abi l ity to serve its members and their cl ients during this difficult year was only possible because of the dedication of the Association’s Chief Executive Officer and National Office staff. This combined team has ensured that the business of the organisation continued to be conducted in a professional, strategic, and efficient manner throughout the highs and lows experienced in 2020. Without the ski l l, knowledge, and expertise of our CEO, Gai l Mulcair, Speech Pathology Austral ia would not be the outstanding professional association it is today. 2020 was the year in which al l aspects of l ife changed and was chal lenged. The terms “unprecedented times”, “pivot”, and hopes for a “new normal” were bandied about. During this difficult year, I was privi leged to watch how we gathered together, embodying the values of our Strategic Plan, and emerged with growing membership, and with an even stronger professional culture and defined identity. I have no doubts whatsoever, that Speech Pathology Austral ia is strongly placed to face the future and respond accordingly to the chal lenges that wi l l inevitably arise. It is with this pride that on behalf of the Association, I present our 2020 Annual Report.

Timothy Kittel National President

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2020 ANNUAL REPORT Speech Pathology Australia