Bylaws

USHA Bylaws

2018

Utah Speech-Language-Hearing Association

ARTICLE I

Purpose of the Association

The purpose of the association shall be to empower our members and community by facilitating excellence in education, awareness of resources, leadership opportunities, and advocacy to advance services provided to individuals with communication and related disorders.

ARTICLE II

Membership

USHA shall have members defined as Active, Associate, Student, and Life.

Section 1. Eligibility

Active Member

Active Membership requires: (1) a graduate Degree in Audiology, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Speech-Language Pathology, or Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences or (2) a graduate degree in a related area with evidence of state licensure and ASHA certificate of Clinical Competence.

Student Member
1. Must be enrolled in an ASHA accredited college or university program.
2. Must pay annual membership dues.
3. May attend meetings of the membership in a non-voting capacity.
4. May serve on committees and act as liaisons in students associations (i.e. NSSLHA).

Associate Member

The Associate Membership is awarded to those persons who hold a degree in a field related to human communication, but who are ineligible for Active Membership, Student Membership, or Life Membership. Associate Members include individuals who are working in a support position offering audiology or speech-language pathology services (e.g., speech-language technicians, speech-language pathology assistants). Associate members:

1. Must pay annual membership dues.
2. May attend meetings of the membership in a non-voting capacity.
3. May serve on committees and act as liaisons for related associations.
4. May not hold offices in the executive committee in the association.
Life Members

Life Members are individuals who have maintained USHA membership for at least ten years and are at least 65 years of age or have served on the executive board for a minimum of 10 consecutive years. Life members:

1. Have annual dues waived.
2. Are not required to renew their membership annually.
3. Must pay USHA conference registration, if attending.

Section 2. Termination of Membership.

Any Member who violates the Articles and/or Bylaws of the Utah Speech-Language Hearing Association or ASHA Code of Ethics may have their membership terminated by a majority vote of the executive board. Members whose membership has been terminated may, upon recommendation of the Professional Matters Committee, can be reinstated after one year by a majority vote of the executive committee.

ARTICLE III

Officers of the Association

Section 1. The Executive Board shall consist of the President, First President- Elect, Past President, Treasurer, Secretary, Chairs, from all standing Committees.

Section 2. Duties and Responsibilities of the Executive Board shall be as follows:

The President shall be the chief executive officer of the association and the term of the office shall be two (2) years. The President shall coordinate the activities of the First President- Elect, Treasurer, Secretary, and Past President. The President shall preside at all meetings. The President shall have the duty and the necessary and proper powers to implement these Bylaws and to conduct the affairs of USHA. In addition, the President shall have those duties and powers as may be prescribed from time to time by the Governing Board. The President shall be responsible for the activities of the Professional Matters and Legislative Matters Committees.
The First President-Elect shall be responsible for the activities of the Program Committee, the Publications Committee, and the Professional Development Committee. Term of office shall be two (2) years.
The Past President shall chair the Nominations Committee and be responsible for the activities of the Long Range Planning Committee, Membership and Recruitment Committee and the Public Relations Committee. Term of office shall be two (2) years.

Section 3. Elections.

President-elect nominees shall be presented at the annual conference.

Current Executive Board members or past Executive Board members are eligible to be nominated for President-Elect.
Voting shall occur either electronically/non-electronically.
Only Active and Life Members in good standing shall be eligible to vote for officers in the Association.
Election shall be decided by plurality of votes cast. In the case of a tie vote, the remaining members of the newly elected Executive Board shall vote by electronic/non-electronic ballot.
The candidate receiving a majority of the Executive Board votes shall forthwith be declared the winner.

Section 4. Appointive Offices.

All appointments shall be made with the approval of the Executive Board. Term of office for appointed positions shall be three (3) years.

The President shall make chairperson appointments to the Professional Matters and Legislative Committees.
The President-Elect shall make chairperson appointments to the Professional Development Committee, Program Committee, and Marketing Committee.
The Past-President shall make chair-person appointments to Long-Range Planning Committee, Membership and Recruiting Committee, and Nominations Committee.
The Treasurer shall be appointed by the President, and
1. Is responsible for the maintenance of accurate financial books of account for USHA;
2. Has charge and custody of all funds of USHA and is responsible for the receipt and disbursement thereof;
3. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the President.
4. Serve as advisor to the Long Range Planning Committee and Program Committee.
5. Provide quarterly financial reports and annual report to USHA.
The Secretary shall be appointed by the President, and
1. Is responsible for records of all proceedings of the Governing Board meetings;
2. Shall ensure that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law;
3. Is custodian of the corporate records and of the Seal of USHA;
4. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the President.

ARTICLE IV

Committees

Section 1. Standing Committees.

Membership and Recruitment Committee
1. This committee shall consist of the Chairperson, a Student Member, and at least three (3) Members.
2. Duties of the Membership Committee shall be:
  1. To receive and process all applications for membership. If questions arise about a candidate’s eligibility, the application shall be presented to the Membership and Recruitment Committee for consideration.
  2. To present to the Governing Board names of applicants to whom membership was denied and the reason for the denial.
  3. To maintain current and accurate records of all Regular, Associate, Student, and Life Members of USHA.
  4. To recruit new Regular, Associate, Student, and Life Members.
  5. To publish annually a directory of current members.
Legislative Committee.
1. This committee shall consist of the Chairperson and at least three (3) members. Two (2) members of the committee, preferably including the Chair, shall live in the Salt Lake City area for access to legislative activities. The Chairperson of the Licensure Board and the ASHA Advisory Councilors will be invited to attend meetings of this committee.
2. Duties of this Committee shall be:
  1. To educate Members of the Legislature regarding general and specific issues of concern to the speech-language-hearing profession.
  2. To monitor and address legislation which impacts the speech-language-hearing profession throughout the year.
  3. To attend public hearings related to issues concerning the speech-language-hearing profession and, if necessary, arrange to have a speaker at these hearings to represent the Utah Speech-Language Hearing Association (USHA).
  4. To serve as a liaison to other allied health and educational agencies to support legislation that is mutually beneficial.
  5. To maintain contact with the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing Board for speech language pathologists and audiologists and to be aware of any licensing issues that require legislative change.
Program Committee.
1. This committee shall consist of the Chairperson and at least three (3) members. It is recommended that the Chairperson has previously served on this committee. The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Coordinator and Treasurer shall be ex-officio members.
2. Duties of this committee shall be to provide programs for regular meetings and provide professional and scientific programs for special meetings.
Public Relations Committee.
1. This committee shall consist of the Chairperson and at least three (3) Members.
2. Duties of this committee shall be:
  1. To maintain contacts and share information with persons and organizations interested in the disorders of speech, language, and hearing.
  2. To speak and act regarding matters of corporation
    policy and professional concern, but only after receiving interpretation and approval of the Second President-Elect.
Professional Development Committee.
1. This committee shall consist of the Chairperson and at least three (3) Members (one of which shall be the CEU Coordinator). Focus of this committee shall be areas of continuing education and supervision.
2. Duties of this committee shall be:
  1. To pursue avenues in which professionals in speech-language pathology and audiology may engage in continuing education for professional growth.
  2. To promote professional development of Members by encouraging collaboration in professional areas such as supervision, specialty certification, public school, private practice, and clinic issues.
3. The CEU Coordinator shall be responsible for overseeing activities for continuing education.
Nominations Committee.
1. This committee shall consist of the Chairperson, which is the immediate Past President, and three (3) Members appointed by the Past President. Term of office shall be for one (1) year.
2. Duties of this committee shall be:
  1. To prepare a slate of two (2) nominees for each elective office.
  2. To verify nominees’ current membership in the Utah Speech-Language Hearing Association.
  3. To obtain the permission of the individuals concerned before submitting their name for nomination.
  4. To submit these nominations to the Governing Board prior to ballot preparation for approval.
  5. To submit the nominations to the Members at least two (2) months preceding the final business meeting of the fiscal year.
  6. To nominate individuals with the approval of the Governing Board to receive awards and honors of the Utah Speech-Language Hearing Association, and the American Speech-Language Hearing Association.
Professional Matters Committee.
1. This committee shall consist of the Chairperson and at least three (3) Members. At least two (2) Members are required to have at least five (5) years of continuous professional experience and membership both in state and national speech-language and hearing associations. The focus of this committee shall be practice issues in various settings. The State Education Advocacy Leader (SEAL) shall be an invited, ex-officio member.
2. Duties of this committee shall be:
  1. To develop and present to the Members suggestions for implementing policies and practices concerned with issues affecting the speech-language pathologists and audiologists in all employment settings.
  2. To act as a professional grievance committee empowered to hear grievances as a body and make recommendations to the Governing Board.
  3. To hear matters of professional interest regarding relationships, ethics, conduct, standards, and the well- being of The Corporation.
Long-Range Planning Committee.
1. This committee shall be chaired by the current Past President. Members shall consist of the Treasurer, the President, a Past President other than the current Past President and two (2) Members at large. The ASHA Advisory Counselor(s) shall be invited.2. Duties of this committee shall be:
  1. To present an Annual Report at the annual Business Meeting.
  2. To develop, update, and monitor a Five (5) Year Plan which will include goals from each committee.
Marketing Committee.
1. This committee shall consist of the Chairperson and at least three (3) Members.
2. Duties of this committee shall be:
  1. To promote the interests of USHA which shall include (but is not limited to) soliciting contributions and donations, soliciting sponsors for the newsletter, the membership directory, and other related corporation publications.

Section 3. Ad Hoc Committees.

Appointments to Ad Hoc Committees may be made by the President with the approval of the Governing Board (e.g., Scholarship Committee).

Section 4. ASHA Advisory Councilors.

During the time USHA is recognized by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA), the election of the ASHA Advisory Councilor(s) and alternates for the Utah Speech-Language Hearing Association will be conducted by and in accordance with procedures specified by the ASHA.

ARTICLE V

Professional Standards, Ethics, and Obligations

Section 1. Obligations.

All Members shall agree to and comply with obligations set forth in the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws of the Utah Speech-Language Hearing Association, and Code of Ethics of the Utah Speech-Language Hearing Association (the same as those of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association), and as otherwise declared by USHA.
USHA shall not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or handicapping condition.
All programs and activities of USHA shall be conducted in the furtherance of this policy.

ARTICLE VI

Meetings

Section 1. Meetings shall be of two types: Regular meetings and special meetings.

Written notice of Executive board meetings shall be posted on the USHA website following each successive board meeting. The Executive Board and the Program Committee will determine the time, place, and agenda of the meeting(s).
There shall be a one (1) regular meeting per year held at the annual conference which will include an updates on USHA business operations, the installation of new officers, and annual committee reports.
Special meetings may be called at any time upon notice by the Executive Board or upon notice by a majority of the Regular Members.

ARTICLE VII

Amendments

Section 1. No amendment of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws shall be made
unless such amendment is the subject of discussion at a business meeting of USHA.

Section 2. No proposed amendment of the Articles or Bylaws may be discussed at a
business meeting of USHA unless written notice thereof, setting forth the proposed amendment(s), shall be sent to the Members at least fourteen (14) days prior to the date of such meeting.

Section 3. Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws shall be made by a two-thirds vote of the Regular and Life Members present at a business meeting at which such a vote is taken.

Section 4. Bylaws of USHA may be suspended by the Governing Board in
the instance of an emergency, but subject to the referendum of the Regular Members at the earliest possible meeting.

Section 5. Notice hereunder shall be complete upon mailing.

ARTICLE VIII

Books and Records

Section 1. USHA shall keep correct and complete books and records of membership and finance and shall also keep minutes of the proceedings of the Executive Board and committee meetings.

ARTICLE IX

Membership Dues

Section 1. Amount of Dues

Dues shall be paid by all members of USHA, with the exception of Students and Life Members.
Membership period is valid for 12 calendar months from initial membership date.
Annual dues correspond with membership period.

ARTICLE X

Rules of Order

Section 1. Except as herein directed, the latest revision of Roberts Rules of Order
shall govern the conduct of USHA.

Bylaws

Scholarship Donation Fund Form