Speak Out OCTOBER 2019 V3 DIGITAL EDITION

Association news

Speech Pathology Australia’s Board of Directors met in Melbourne on 9 – 10 August 2019. Following are some of the highlights of the Board’s discussions. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee The Association’s Reconciliation Action Plan continues to progress, with a draft of the narrative and artwork, commissioned for the Plan, presented to the Board. Once finalised the Reconciliation Action Plan, will be submitted to Reconciliation Australia to be approved. The Terms of Reference of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee were amended, with the composition of the Committee broadened. In addition, a number of potential initiatives were discussed, in line with the Association’s commitment, with these to be progressed through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee. Association Branches The ability for all members to get involved in the activities of their local Branch, utilising Zoom technology, was discussed. Members are encouraged to make contact with their Branch, through the details listed on the Association’s website. Ethics Dr Susan Block was appointed for a further three-year term as a Senior Member on the Ethics Board, while Ms Gaenor Dixon was appointed to the Ethics Board Reserve Pool. International representation The Association will be represented at the both the upcoming IALP Congress in Taipei, Taiwan, and the ASHA Congress in Orlando, Florida. The ASHA Congress will also feature a meeting of signatories to the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA). Majority World Countries and Developing Communities Grants The Board reviewed the final reports of two Majority World Countries and Developing Communities Grants. In 2017 Karen Wylie, was successful in obtaining a Majority World Countries and Developing Communities Grant, in the stream “support development or extension of speech therapy training and service delivery”. Karen presented a comprehensive report on her project aimed at supporting and delivering an integrated e-mentoring program, including a framework, structure and set of tools, for volunteer mentoring clinicians in Ghana. In 2018 David Rochus was successful in obtaining a Majority World Countries and Developing Communities Grant, in the stream, “Support of attendance at relevant conferences and seminars, internationally or within the applicant’s majority world country”. David utilised this grant to attend the 2019 Speech Pathology Australia and New Zealand Speech-language Therapists’ Association Joint Conference. David’s report outlines his experiences throughout the conference as both a delegate and presenter. Further information on these two projects will be made available on the Association’s website. Policies and procedures A number of key policies were reviewed and will be made available on the Association’s website shortly, including: 4.14 Director Nomination Review Committee 5.01 Association Branches Board Meeting Report AUGUST 2019

5.02 Branch Elections 9.04 Conference Media 9.05 Promotional Material 10.06 Professional Self Regulation and Certified Practising Speech Pathologist Requirements 11.02 National Conference 11.04 Elizabeth Usher Memorial Lecture 11.05 Sponsored Student Conference Registration 12.02 Special Interest Groups 13.01 Research Grants 13.02 New Researcher Research Grant (prev. Clinician Research Grant) 13.04 Clinician-Researcher Partnership Research Grant (prev. Research, Higher Degree Student Research Grant) Practice documents A range of Practice Documents relating to Speech Pathology in Justice, including a Fact Sheet, Position Statement and Clinical Guideline, were approved by the Board. Once finalised these documents will be made available through the Association’s website. Strategic plan In reviewing the 2016-2019 Strategic Plan the significant amount of work undertaken was acknowledged, with several items highlighted for consideration within the next plan. Discussions were also held in relation to an early draft overview of the 2020-2022 Strategic Plan, following a successful Strategic Planning Workshop in May 2019. The Board will next meet on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 November 2019. This meeting will include consideration of the Association’s 2020 financial budget.

New Staff Member Speech Pathology Australia would like to welcome Jane

Delaney to the role of Senior Advisor, Early Childhood and Education. Jane brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience in the paediatric field. She has worked within public and private health services and has experience working within the higher education sector. Jane is responsible for leading and managing identified projects and opportunities in the areas of early childhood and education.

Jane provides information and advice to enable members to support the provision of high quality supports across these sectors. “I am very pleased to have been appointed to this role and look forward to working with members. As a speech pathologist I have always held a passion for early intervention, to improve outcomes for children, families and communities. This includes working with families, educators and other professionals to support children on their educational journey”. You can contact Jane at jdelaney@speechpathologyaustralia. org.au.

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October 2019 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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