SpeakOut_October2014_eCopy

continuing professional development news

Feedback from participants in CPDLive Online Events Feedback to date has been very positive overall. • For the Live events, multiple comments were received about the interactive nature of the CPDLive event being beneficial; for example “active participation re polls etc. technical support Chat box for qu’s (sic)” and “Polling aspect and interactive ability was helpful.” • Members in non-metropolitan areas also appreciated the online option for CPD; for example: “Congratulations. Really well done and really felt like we are finally overcoming the ‘tyranny of distance’” and “Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic! I live in Alice Springs and I rarely get the opportunity to attend professional development (even to attend Darwin due to the costly nature of flying out of Alice Springs). Thank you for this and I look forward to doing more of these CPD live events!” • Positive comments were also received from those who viewed the Recording including: “I liked the flexibility to watch the recorded session at a time that suited” ; “It was fantastic to be able to pause and process what he was saying” ; “I did the recorded version. It was clear and smooth.” Plus a member emailed feedback to Prof Whitehouse and CC’ed SPA in to this feedback: “I have just watched your on-line presentation from the 26th March. I have been in the autism field for about 20 years and been to many conferences, workshops and talks. Yours is one of the best I’ve heard!!” . However, there were comments about the limits posed by the nature of online events, for example: “Online sessions are great for presentations and Q&As but hopeless for discussion and brainstorming.” Some members also reported finding the format/technology new and unfamiliar, for example: “had trouble with the sound – which unfortunately did not become apparent until the day itself. I was, however, very ably assisted and was able to join after a while.” Registration fees are $88 for SPA members, $66 for SPA Student members, and $176 for Non Members based in Australia (including GST) and $80, $60 and $150 respectively for those participating overseas. This fee has been set to cover the costs of the event including technical and administrative support, speaker fee, and equipment. SPA will continue to offer online events as part of the CPD armament to support members in accessing professional development free of time and geographical constraints.

CPD – who’s who in 2014... SPA Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities are supported by a strong and wonderful team of SPA members in each Branch. • 2014 ACT CPD Leader is Katina Swan. • 2014 NSW CPD Leader is Christine Sheard. • 2014 NT CPD Leader is Melissa Ridd. • 2014 QLD CPD Leaders are Maureen Liddy and Stella Martin.

• 2014 SA CPD Leader is Barbara Lyndon. • 2014 TAS CPD Leader is Alison Gardner. • 2014 VIC CPD Leaders are Linda Crisci and Kate Bridgman. • 2014 WA CPD Leader is Kelly Robinson.

The CPD Leaders and committees are supported by paid staff, who are SPA members. These include CPD Coordinators in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia: • Shirani Gomes, New South Wales CPD Coordinator • Tricia Chardon, Queensland CPD Coordinator • Catherine Quin, South Australian CPD Coordinator • Erin Masson, Western Australian CPD Coordinator • Sharon Crane, Victorian CPD Coordinator Branch CPD committees are supported in the running of their events by staff based at National Office – Sharon Crane, Senior Advisor, Professional Education & Certification (also a SPA member) and Anita Rodricks, Professional Education Administration.

Get to know your CPD committee – spotlight on WA CPD... The WA CPD committee is a large group of enthusiastic speech pathologists from a wide variety of practice areas. The variety in our clinical knowledge helps us to plan a varied PD calendar

each year to meet the needs of Western Australia’s speech pathologists. This year Kelly Robinson has taken over the role of CPD leader from Kim Brookes (who will be greatly missed) after Kim expertly led the committee for over a decade! Kelly (pictured) has been on the committee since 2001 and her clinical background is in paediatrics with a special interest in stuttering. Kelly is joined by CPD Coordinator Erin Masson and CPD committee members Deborah Hersh, Sonya Furner, Jamaica Grantis, Geri Harris, Terri Herne, Michelle Hayes, Mary Hunt, Karen Mews, Mary Claessen, Mary Reynolds, Polly Prior, Katherine Royer and Victoria Bishop.

Sharon Crane Senior Advisor Professional Education & Certification (CPD & PSR)

16 Speak Out October 2014

Speech Pathology Australia