National Speech – Language Hearing Association

1. National Speech – Language Hearing Association What we do for you…and what you can do for us!

2. Points for discussion… • Membership • Leadership structure of the association • Programs available for members • Importance of student involvement • What NSSLHA can do for it’s members

3. NSSLHA Background Information… • The National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) is an association for students managed by students. • The National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) is a pre-professional association for students interested in the study of communication sciences and disorders. • National policy and activities are governed by 10 students (Regional Councilors) and five ASHA members (Faculty).

4. Benefits of NSSLHA Membership • Two issues of Contemporary Issues in Communication Science and Disorders (CICSD), a NSSLHA publication. • Three issues of NSSLHA's newsletter; NSSLHA NOW. • A print subscription to The ASHA Leader. • A print subscription to your choice of one of the following ASHA journals: American Journal of Audiology; American Journal of Speech Language Pathology; Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research; or Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools. • Access to the "members only" areas of the NSSLHA and ASHA Web sites, which include all ASHA journals, ASHA's Literature Review Service, and convenient membership dues renewal.

5. More benefits of national membership… • Discounted Associate Affiliate membership in ASHA's Special Interest Divisions. • Discounts on the purchase or lease of a new car from Subaru of America. • Discounts on ASHA or NSSLHA products and publications. • Technical assistance and resources from ASHA. • A NSSLHA credit card with no annual fee for the first year (approved application required). • Professional liability, medical, and dental insurance through plans available exclusively to NSSLHA members. • Eligibility for the NSSLHA to ASHA Conversion Program Discount, which represents a significant savings on dues and fees for your first year of ASHA membership and certification.

6. NSSLHA to ASHA Conversion • Many students find this to be one of the biggest benefits of NSSLHA membership. • The program allows students with 2 consecutive years of membership in National NSSLHA to transfer their membership to ASHA at a discounted rate. • If you only have one year membership in National NSSLHA, qualify for the recent grad conversion rate.

7. Without membership in NSSLHA… • The initial fee for membership and certification for ASHA without membership in NSSLHA is: • $486.00 • The conversion rate really helps a new grad cut down on costly expenses when beginning their career! • Students who qualify for the conversion rate are eligible to receive the discount until August 31st of the year following their graduation from their Master’s program.

8. Benefits ~ Last but not least! • A reduced registration fee for the ASHA convention! • A student that is not a NSSLHA member would not receive the same discount. • Great opportunity to experience the conference as a student; so take advantage of the discount before you are an ASHA member! • These rates are taken from the 2006 convention and are subject to change in 2007!

9. NSSLHA Membership • National NSSLHA has 303 independently operated chapters located on college campuses and universities in the United States, Canada and Greece. • There are approximately 13,000 student members.

10. NSSLHA keeps on growing! • Rough estimates provided from the past few years • Gradual increase is noted and expected to continue as NSSLHA continues enhancing member benefits. • 2003 = ~12,000 members • 2004 = ~13,000 members • 2005 = ~15,000 members

11. Who are NSSLHA Members? • NSSLHA members consist of: • Undergraduate students • Graduate students • Doctoral students • NSSLHA members study Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Speech and Hearing Science.

12. NSSLHA consists of an Executive Council that volunteer their time. Members of the council include: 10 Regional Councilors (students) 5 Consultants (faculty members) A Director of Operations at the ASHA National Office. The Structure of NSSLHA Leadership…

13. Beth Myers, Vice-president 2nd Year Masters SLP; Clarion University Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Nova Scotia, Quebec Danielle Lyons 1st Year Masters SLP; Adelphi University New York, Greece, Saudi Arabia Region 1 & Region 2

14. Kathryn A. Quinlan, President 4th year doctoral student; speech and hearing science; Vanderbilt Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia Sarah Macris 2nd year masters SLP; The Ohio State University Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Ontario Region 3 & Region 4

15. Kimberly Croteau 2nd Year Doctorate Audiology; James Madison Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia Mollie Carson 2nd year Masters SLP; University of Minnesota Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota Region 5 & Region 6

16. Laura Gingrich 1st year Masters SLP; University of Northern Iowa Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin Emily Lucas 1st year Masters SLP, Saint Louis University Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi Region 7 & Region 8

17. Elisa Valdes 2nd year Masters SLP; Texas Tech University Arizona, Montana, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Wyoming, Alberta, Puerto Rico, Mexico Kristina Celani Undergraduate Senior; University of California at Santa Barbara Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia Region 9 & Region 10

18. Want to find out more information about the EC? • Visit the NSSLHA website for more information on our Executive Council! • http://www.nsslha.org/nsslha/council/

19. List of programs… • Advocacy Program for Students • Chapter Development • CSD Career Awareness Day • CSD Student Survival Guide • E-mail Announcements • NSSLHA Day at the ASHA Convention • NSSLHA Honors Program • NSSLHA Loves Campaign • Regional Project Grants • Community Service Grants • NSSLHA Representation at State Association Conventions and CSD-related Activities • Student Representation Within the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

20. Specific information on NSSLHA programs • Advocacy Program for Students • A Asserting the need for student advocates, and emphasizing their value for the cause.P Preparing students for the role they will undertake as advocates.S Simplifying the process, removing the overwhelming nature of democracy, and replacing it with a less intimidating, step-by-step procedure that students can reasonably follow. • NSSLHA Regional Project Grant • NSSLHA Chapters in good standing are eligible to receive funds ranging from $300 to $1000 to support educationally oriented projects designed by NSSLHA members with the goal of benefiting the students within a given region.

21. More program information • NSSLHA Community Service Grant • NSSLHA Chapters in good standing are eligible to receive matching funds up to $1000 to purchase equipment (e.g., AAC devices, computers and/or peripheral computer devices) or other materials (e.g., clinical tests, software) to donate to a nonprofit organization. • NSSLHA Honors Program • Annually, the Executive Council of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) awards Honors to outstanding students, faculty, chapters, and individuals that have made significant contributions to both the Association on a national and local level and to the discipline of human communication sciences and disorders. 

22. COMING SOON! • NSSLHA is working on a new strategic plan. The suggestions made today will be considered during the planning process. • On-line Praxis and Research courses available to members • Enhanced publication opportunities

23. What is the importance of student involvement? • Why should students become involved with pre-professional organizations at a local and national level? • There is strength in numbers. • You become a better advocate for the professions. • You become a better professional.

24. What can YOU do? • As students: • Volunteer time in organizations • Affiliate with professional groups • Run for offices to develop leadership skills • Attend state association Legislative Council meetings • Network with students & professionals whenever possible • Initiate activities and share your ideas • As professionals: • Discuss personal professional development • Take time to mentor students • Personal interest = success for students!

25. Don’t wait until it’s too late…become involved today! • Passive acceptance of the teacher's wisdom is easy to most boys and girls. It involves no effort of independent thought, and seems rational because the teacher knows more than his pupils, it is moreover the way to win the favor of the teacher, unless he is a very exceptional man. Yet the habit of passive acceptance is a disastrous one in later life. It causes man to seek and to accept a leader, and to accept as a leader whoever is established in that position. -- Bertrand Russell • The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant. -- Max De Pree