CSHA – Colorado Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Board of Director (BOD) members are elected for a two-year term with the exception of the President who serves a three-year term.

BOD membership is open to all CSHA members (SLP, AUD; can be new members); no previous Board service is required for most offices, however, a candidate for President must have served on the board for at least one year. Benefits of BOD membership/participation include:

Direct input into continuing education offerings
Strategic planning for CSHA (including alternative educational offerings, web-site improvements, goals for legislative influence, etc.)
Ability to participate in Council of State Speech-Language-Hearing Association Presidents (CSAP)
Advise Colorado’s Advocacy Advisors
Advise Colorado’s School Education Advocacy Liaison (SEAL)
Networking with colleagues across settings
Reduced conference rates
A great time with a great group of people!!!

The BOD meets meets through phone conferencing every month. There may be a few live meetings during the year at discretion of the president. Each term consists of the first year in the Elect position where the primary duties involve assisting the current office holder and the second year as the primary office holder. The President also remains on the Board as Past President for an additional year.

Following is a listing of the positions and their primary duties:

President

serve as Chair of the Board of Directors
serve as a member of the Personnel Committee
participate in the annual strategic planning process
monitor the activities of all committees
preside at meetings of the general membership of CSHA
serve as the primary spokesperson for CSHA
notify officer candidates of election results
consult with the Board of Directors on the appointment of chairs of committees
represent Colorado on the Council of State Association Presidents
participate in the mentorship of the successor

President-Elect

The President-Elect is mentored by the current President by participating in meetings, phone calls, and communication exchanges regarding CSHA leadership.
In the absence of the President or in event of his or her inability or refusal to act, the President-Elect shall perform the duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President.
The President-Elect shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the President or by the Board of Directors.

Vice President of Education

serve as the Chair of the Education Committee
coordinate education activities and opportunities as outlined in the strategic plan
review, update and develop procedures for education activities
recruit committees to achieve education goals for the strategic plan
assist Central Office in managing the education/convention budget and notify the Board of Directors on budget status
participate in the annual strategic planning process
mentor the Vice President Elect for Education in meeting the goals of the strategic plan and duties of the education committee

Vice President of Membership

serve as Chair of Membership Committee
report membership activity/status at Board meetings and at annual membership meeting
be in charge of preparation and mailing out annual membership renewal forms, in conjunction with Central Office
develop plans to promote membership and develop the membership campaign
participate in the annual strategic planning process
participate in the orientation of the successor

Vice President of Public Policy

Monitor all legislation introduced at the Colorado State Capitol and identify legislation with an impact on speech language pathologists.
Identify legislation that could have a significant impact on speech language pathologists for the Board. Prompt discussion by the board if needed.
Review an updated list, created by CSHA’s lobbyist, of all legislation at the state level
Resolve any issues that arise within the regulatory process
Monitor national legislation and communicate specific impacts to patients and practitioners in Colorado.
Communicate with ASHA and board members regarding legislative proposals
During the sunset review period of Colorado’s Speech Language Pathology Practice Act:
- Work with the lobbyist to continue the legislation
- Write ASHA state grant to assist with the cost of the lobbyist
- Attend committee meetings and/or arrange for other SLPs to attend committee meetings
- Communicate with the state policy analyst in charge of the sunset review process

Treasurer

*Note: This position works closely with the CSHA Office

the CSHA Office will prepare monthly financial summary
Present the financial summary at meetings of the Board of Directors
serve as member of:
- a) Budget Committee (Chair)
- b) Personnel Committee
present a summary of CSHAs financial status to the general membership at the Annual Meeting
prepare and present the annual budget to the Board of Directors at the November Board meeting
oversee the official records, including reconciling bank accounts monthly
arrange for periodic internal and external audits as needed
participate in the annual strategic planning process
participate in the orientation of the successor
to assume responsibility for financial contracts, including research, negotiate and review signing of financial contracts

Communications Director

Gathers and edits newsletter content
Records/compiles minutes at monthly board meetings
Contributes to CSHA’s social media presence/monitor Facebook communication
Contributes to the continuing development of the website
Participates in the orientation of the Communications Director-Elect.

Communications Director-Elect

Spends the year learning the duties of the Communications Director
Actively participate in board meetings
Fills in for Communications Director as needed recording meeting minutes
Contributes to CSHA’s social media presence

Student Liaisons

The student liaisons are undergraduate juniors or seniors from each of the three universities in Colorado with programs in speech, language and hearing sciences.

They participate in conference meetings via telephone with the CSHA executive board, and communicate via email about current matters of the profession.
The student liaisons are updated on current events and news associated with CSHA.
They also help organize a yearly panel of professionals who meet with students from all three programs. This panel answers questions provided by the students about their careers in the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology fields in different settings.
The student liaisons are the connection between Board members and current students.
The student liaisons learn about advocacy, and share with their peers communications regarding possible volunteer, observation, and internship opportunities.

ASHA State Liaisons

State Education Advocacy Leaders (SEAL)

State Education Advocacy Leaders (SEALs) are appointed by ASHA recognized state speech-language hearing associations to advocate on education issues. These issues may include caseload/workload, salary supplements, and maintenance of personnel standards in school settings. SEALs can be speech-language pathologists or audiologists. The State Education Advocacy Leaders were established in 1999 under ASHA’s Priorities. The mission of the SEALs network is to enhance and perpetuate the advocacy, leadership, and clinical management skills of school-based ASHA members at the state and local levels to influence administrative and public policy decisions that affect the delivery of speech-language pathology and audiology services in school settings.

State Advocates for Medicare Policy (StAMP)

StAMP participants are appointed by ASHA recognized state speech-language-hearing associations. They advocate for Medicare coverage and reimbursement of audiology and speech-language pathology services in the states.

The StAMP representative is responsible for establishing or enhancing effective links to medical directors, consultants, and key personnel with

Medicare administrative contractors (MACs)
Medicare regional office officials
state health agencies (certify Medicare facilities)
consumer groups
other related professionals

State-Based Reimbursement Network (STARS)

The State Advocates for Reimbursement (STARs) are ASHA-member audiologists and speech-language pathologists who advocate in their states for improved health care coverage and reasonable reimbursement. Their targets are key decision-makers in private corporations, public agencies, and the local legislature. Examples are health care insurance executives, benefits administrators, state insurance department officials, and state congress members. STARs create advocacy strategies and share skills with the state speech-language-hearing associations that appoint them.

STARs form a true network. They link states together and to ASHA through monthly conference calls, a STARs-only e-mail discussion group, and periodic meetings. STARs are individuals who:

are proactive;
will eagerly assist colleagues and others with advice and information;
can help seek solutions when members face challenges to their economic viability; and
must count on their colleagues (you) to help them effectuate positive changes in private health insurance and Medicaid.

CSHA Positions and Duties