GovernanceNCSHLA Organizational Overview

NCSHLA is a professional association chartered in 1954 that promotes and advocates for the professional practice of the speech, language and hearing sciences, to advocate and to serve as the voice of the profession, and to advocate for communicatively impaired citizens in North Carolina. Today, the organization continues in this tradition and consists of over one thousand speech and audiology professionals across the state.

• Vision, Mission & Core Values
• Structure & Governance
• Sections and Division
• Awards & Recognitions
• Affiliates

NCSHLA Mission Statement

Vision

Communication is the lifeblood of society. It flows and nourishes human interactions on every level and in every place and it is the vehicle by which all thoughts and feelings are transmitted. The North Carolina Speech, Language and Hearing Association dedicates itself to supporting the practitioners, administrators and scientists who, through their collective or individual efforts, seek to serve individuals who are not able to realize all the potential of human communication due to disease, disorder or developmental delay.

Furthermore, the Association will work to provide information to individuals who are in need of services, their families and friends, and institutions who support the provision of communication services in any form or manner.

Mission Statement

The North Carolina Speech, Hearing and Language Association (NCSHLA) will function as a conduit of current and relevant information to speech/language pathologists, audiologists and clients through its publications, annual meetings, website, central office and special events. The Association's overriding objective is for the citizens of North Carolina to be served by theoretically, therapeutically and technologically adept practitioners.

Recognizing that professional networking across the state only strengthens and broadens the services provided by speech/language pathologists and audiologists, the Association will strive to create and further develop opportunities for interaction utilizing all communication modalities available but without de-emphasizing the importance of face-to-face contact.

NCSHLA will monitor the environments in which speech/language pathologists and audiologist practice their trade and the laws, policies and guidelines that govern their practice in order to facilitate improved working conditions, eliminate barriers to effect service provision and increase opportunities for clinicians to grow throughout their individual careers.

NCSHLA will preserve its robust relationship with and build additional links to the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association to maintain strong and viable entities to support the practice of audiology and speech/language pathology.

Core Values

Human communication is essential to social success, happiness and well-being.

Individuals with communication impairments deserve to be served by well-trained practitioners who consistently endeavor to upgrade their skills and knowledge base.

The practice of speech/language pathology and audiology must be based on principals and knowledge that have been and continue to be rigorously tested through the scientific process.

All individuals deserve the highest standards of care regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or social standing.

The services provided by speech/language pathologists and audiologists should be, to the fullest extent possible, equitably available to all the citizens of this state.

NCSHLA Governance

The overall structure of NCSHLA is outlined in its By-Laws and Constitution. Briefly, this consists of the following:

The Board of Directors-The association's board is compromised of member elected by Active and Life members.

Administrative Committees- These committees carry out the policies and positions of NCSHLA as stipulated in the By-Laws. The administrative committees are as follows:

• Finance Committee
• Convention Committee
• Membership and Recognition Committee
• Nominations Committee
• Executive Committee

Standing Committees- The role of the standing committees is to address policies and positions regarding professional issues important to the association. Standing committees are permanent committees designed to consider all matters pertaining to a general area, defined broadly by title. NCSHLA's Standing Committee consist of:

• The Fall Conference Committee
• The Education and Public Information Committee
• The Planning Committee
• The Professional Affairs Committee

Professional & Practice Caucuses- Integrated into the association structure these subsets provide the mechanism whereby each member can be heard and represented in the development of association policies, position statements, and the resolution of issues facing the discipline of human communication and its disorders.

NCSHLA Sections/Divisions

American Academy of Audiology-NC Chapter (AAA-NC) - The purpose of AAA-NC is to provide a forum for all audiologists in North Carolina for the discussion of issues, ideas, policies and advocacy for the profession of audiology and to the hearing impaired individuals served by the profession. The division also provides advice to the NCSHLA board regarding policies related to the practice of audiology, as well as matters related to continuing education.

    » Download The AAA-NC Bylaws

NCSHLA Awards & Recognitions

Each year, NCSHLA honors individuals and organizations for significant contributions and excellence in the field. The following are conferred:

Honors of The Association - As NCSHLA's highest honor, the Honors Awards are conferred in recognition of consistent, long-term, distinguished contributions to the Association or to the communication disorders profession.

• Listing of Honors Awardees

Public Information Award - NCSHLA members honored for outstanding promotional campaigns that have raised awareness of the services of speech/language pathologists and audiologists and have been executed with professionalism and innovation in the content, form, and message.

• Listing of Public Info Awardees

Student Acheivement Award - This award recognizes student work as contributing to the overall betterment and advancement of the specialites.

• Listing of Student Awardees

NCSHLA Clinical Achievement Award - In conjunction with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (ASHF), NCSHLA selects a member to recognize contributions to the advancement of clinical practice in speech/language pathology and audiology.

• Listing of Clinical Awardees

NCSHLA Affiliates

Affiliate organizations are provided support by NCSHLA while it carries out its mission and conducts its programs and activities.

NC Association of Supervisors in Speech/Language Pathology and Audiology (NCASSPA) - Offers networking, information exchange, training and co-sponsorship opportunities to NCSHLA members working in supervisory roles within the professions.

Goals & Mission-Description of NCAASSPA, its goals and history. Includes membership application.

Leadership-2009 Executive Committee Directory.

Governance-NCASSPA Bylaws and Constitution.

Award Honorees-Supervisor of the Year Award

Meeting Minutes- Business Meeting - 08/19/06
Business Meeting - 04/07/06

NCASSPA Newsletter- Fall 2008 - Vol 22 No. 2
Spring 2008 - Vol 22 No. 1

NC Speech/Language Pathology and Audiology Private Practitioners Association