Speak Out August 2017

Association news

SPA Board report – May 2017 THE MAY 2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING WAS HELD AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE, SYDNEY ON 26 – 27 MAY 2017. SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MEETING INCLUDE:

Submissions and advocacy The Association’s representations and actions were noted across a range of areas, including mental health, youth justice, access for students with disability within schools, aged care and the NDIS. Particular mention was given to the significant progress on the NSW Speech Pathologists within Schools project, which has received NSW Department of Education funding, and will be launched in the near future. University Accreditations were ratified by the Board for the following programs: • Bachelor of Speech Pathology, Bachelor of Speech Pathology Honours and Master of Speech Pathology at Flinders University, • Master of Speech Pathology at the University of Melbourne, • Master of Speech and Language Pathology at Macquarie University. Competency Based Occupational Standards (CBOS) The Board ratified the plans for the development of a steering committee to commence scoping the review of CBOS in keeping with its periodic review cycle. Mutual Recognition Agreement The Board reviewed the final amendments to the Mutual Recognition Agreement and while certain points of clarification will be sought, in principle agreement was given for the revised agreement to be signed at the ASHA Convention in November 2017. Member Communities and Branch Facebook Groups The significant number of members participating within closed Facebook groups was noted. The Board will seek further data on the demographics of those involved in Facebook groups, specifically wishing to review the age of members utilising social media and to consider effective engagement strategies across the broader membership. Marketing Strategy The Board agreed to engage a marketing strategist to facilitate a workshop with Directors, Branch Chairs and staff to form a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy. The Board will next meet at National Office in Melbourne on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 August. Gail Mulcair Chief Executive Officer

Appointment of auditor The Board appointed HLB Mann Judd as the Association’s auditors, to complete the audit of the 2017 financial accounts. 2017-2019 Strategic Plan Discussion centred on prioritisation of goals, resourcing considerations, identification of risks to completion, mitigation of identified risks, progress reporting and maintaining the plan’s currency. The Board determined that the priorities in the short term included: • Communication Accessible Communities. A communication access collaborative will be formed to determine a clear position and work towards developing accepted national standards. • Advocacy to support the Early Language and Literacy Coalition’s call for a national strategy for early language and literacy in Australia. • To drive Access for All preparation work will begin in areas of for service and workforce mapping. • Timely Service priorities will include specific target groups, such as young people within and at risk of contact with the justice system, as well as continuing work in areas of aged care and disability. • Clients and Communities Driving Service Delivery will initially focus on the formation of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory committee to ensure cultural responsiveness practice within the profession and to advise on a number of initiatives. In order to resource the Association’s strategic and advocacy priorities, a number of positions will become available. Policies In addition to a number of policy revisions, the following new policies were approved and will be uploaded to the website shortly: • whistleblowing and grievance, • member mandatory declaration, • majority world countries and developing communities grants. It was also agreed that the volunteering policy and position statement will be reviewed with member resources developed around participating in volunteer and fundraising activities. Fellowship and awards The Fellowship and Awards Committee will be conducting a review of the Awards criteria, with the aim of strengthening requirements.

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August 2017 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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