Speak Out low res October 2016

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12 Speak Out October 2016
The Association’s Strategic Plan is due
for review and updating for the three years 2017-
2019.
An essential part of informing the development of a
new strategic plan is the feedback and contribution
of Association members. Building on the extensive
consultation undertaken for the Speech Pathology
2030 project, your input is vital to identifying the
areas of strategic priority for the Association in the
coming period.
Some questions for your deliberation and response
include:
• From the vision and aspirations contained
within the Speech Pathology 2030 report, what
do you feel are the top three priorities for the
Association to progress over the next three
years?
• Do you feel that there are other areas of
strategic importance that have not been
captured in the Speech Pathology 2030 report?
• Do you have any other comments?
You can provide your contribution by either
contacting your local Branch chair, a director of
Speech Pathology Australia, or the Association
National Office directly by telephone on
1300 368 835 or via email on execassist@
Association
Strategic
Plan Review
Get involved!
Speech Pathology Australia’s Board of
Directors are responsible for the strategic development,
implementation and evaluation of the Association's policies
and procedures within the rules of the Constitution.
Three directors are elected to the office bearer positions of
president, vice president operations (VPO) and vice president
communication (VPC), which forms the Board Executive
Subcommittee (BES).
Under the Association’s Constitution Board nominations are
currently being sought for four positions.
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, especially members of the Board
Executive Subcommittee, 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 Tuesday 31 January 2017.
The appointments will be effective from the 2017 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 three nominations are received.
For further information, please see the director position
description, contained within the policy and procedures
manual, available on the Speech Pathology Australia website
or contact a current director, or Chief Executive Officer Gail
Mulcair.
Call for Board nominations
Association news
SPA requests intermediaries
at NT Royal Commission into
the detention of children
Recently the Australian and Northern Territory Governments
announced a Royal Commission into the detention of children in the
Northern Territory, following media reports of mistreatment of young people
detained in youth justice settings.
There is robust evidence from Australia and internationally that between
50 and 90 percent of young offenders have underlying communication
problems and that there is a correlation between the seriousness of
offences and language problems.
It is likely that the majority of children who will provide evidence to
the Royal Commission will have clinically significant but previously
unrecognised and untreated speech, language and communication
problems. These children will find it difficult to give evidence to the Royal
Commission. Communication problems are likely to compromise a child’s
ability to comprehend instructions or questions, to tell a story or event in a
logical and sequential manner, to understand the complex language used
in the Royal Commission and/or to express themselves adequately. Their
ability to provide meaningful testimony, to tell their story, or to respond to
questioning will be reduced.
In August, Speech Pathology Australia wrote to the Royal Commission
requesting that the commission employ the use of independent, trained
communication intermediaries to assist children to provide evidence during
the hearings. At the time of writing, a response from the commissioners
had not been received. Speech Pathology Australia is currently preparing
a written submission to the Royal Commission and will publish it on our
website in due course. Members can follow the process of the Royal
Commission at
Ronelle Hutchinson
Manager Policy and Advocacy