SpeakOut_Apr2015_FINAL_web

Board of Directors – February meeting report

The first Board meeting for 2015 was held on 27–28 February. Some highlights from the meeting include: • The Board discussed the need to host a Board Election to elect two of the three candidates, from the State of Victoria, to Speech Pathology Australia’s Board of Directors. (Information regarding the voting process was circulated, via email, to all Voting Members of the Association.) • Student engagement and membership is being considered, as the number of university programs and students increase across Australia. work currently underway to produce a project brief with a strategic advocacy focus on world health policies. • Community Representatives continue to be sought to join Speech Pathology Australia’s Ethics Board. • The Association’s appointed auditors, E Passaris and J Szafraniec, of Grant Thornton, joined the meeting to discuss the 2014 Financial and Audit Reports . The Financial Report for the end of 2014 was approved by the Board. • The Association continues to seek support from Ministers, Shadow Ministers and Advisors, at a Federal and State/Territory level, as we await the Government’s response to the Senate Inquiry Recommendations . • The Association remains committed to the International Communication Project , with

• A Lobbying and Policy Strategy Development Breakfast, aimed at developing advocacy capacity within the membership, is planned for the 2015 National Conference. • A Stakeholder Engagement Reception (involving politicians and key invited guests), hosted by the ACT Chief Minister and scheduled to occur prior to the National Conference dinner, was confirmed. • With a growing staff, the National Office premises has been of inadequate size for some time. Following significant consideration over the past twelve months, the Board approved the lease of new premises, while renting out the Speech Pathology Australia-owned offices in Bank Place. • The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Framework was discussed, with the Board indicating that they envisage implementation of a broad Reconciliation Action Plan, with wide-ranging impacts, not limited to accreditation. Given the size of the project, this will need to be considered for the next Strategic Plan. • The CBOS 2011 Transferability Report is currently in the process of being finalised, with a well-received presentation given by project officer, C Brebner, at the University Accreditor’s Training Day. • The timeline for Speech Pathology Australia’s Research Grant Program is being reconsidered, with the current timeline not well suited to undergraduate research. The Board will next meet on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 May 2015, ahead of the National Conference, C hallenge, B roaden, R evolutionise, Canberra 2015 . Gail Mulcair Chief Executive Officer

'Recognise Health' initiative launched in March

On 5 March , Gail Mulcair, as Chief Executive Officer of Speech Pathology Australia, attended the launch of ‘ Recognise Health ’ in Canberra. Recognise Health is an initiative of the Lowitja Institute that aims to promote understanding of the important link between health, wellbeing, and constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The initiative brings together more than 117 non-government organisations across the Australian health system. More information and photos of the Recognise Health launch can be viewed at www.lowitja.org.au/ recognisehealth/launch .

Speak Out April 2015

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www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au