CONSTITUTION OF THE MICHIGAN SPEECH-LANGUAGE-HEARING ASSOCIATION*
The Mission of the Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association (MSHA) is to provide professional support and development, public awareness, and advocacy for professionals in communication sciences and disorders and the individuals they serve.
ARTICLE I - Name
The name of this organization shall be the Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association (hereafter, Association).
ARTICLE II - Purposes
SECTION I. The purposes of the Association shall be:
a) To stimulate exchange of information among persons and organizations and to disseminate information concerning communication disorders through newsletters, publications, and electronic communication;
b) To provide ongoing professional development
c) To encourage investigation and promote understanding of the processes of human communication;
d) To encourage the scientific study of the effects of communication disorders of language, speech and hearing on the human condition;
e) To promote habilitative and rehabilitative methods and services and promote the extension of habilitative and rehabilitative services to individuals whose communication processes are impaired;
f) To foster improvement of clinical services and procedures concerning such disorders;
g) To stimulate support from members of related
professions,
governmental agencies and the public for
persons handicapped by communication disorders;
h) To advance concepts of excellence in training, scholarly research and publication;
i) To encourage membership of qualified professional persons in the Association;
j) To promote appropriate academic and clinical preparation of individuals entering the discipline of human communication sciences and disorders and promote the maintenance of current knowledge and skills of those within the discipline;
k) To advocate the rights and interests of persons with communication disorders;
l) To promote the individual and collective professional interests of the members of the Association.
SECTION II. The Association shall not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, handicapping condition or gender or gender identification. All programs and activities of the Association shall be conducted in furtherance of this policy.
ARTICLE III - Amendments
A proposed amendment to the Constitution may be submitted by the Executive Board or by any member in good standing, to be read at any meeting of the Association. Such amendments may be passed at the next business meeting by a 2/3 vote of the members present.
*Adopted by the Association on March 15, 1972, as a revision of an earlier document. Revised by the Association on March 22, 1974. Article I, Sect. 1 revised March 20, 1981. Section II revised March 26, 2010.
BY-LAWS OF THE MICHIGAN SPEECH-LANGUAGE-HEARING ASSOCIATION*
ARTICLE I - MEMBERSHIP
SECTION I. ELIGIBILITY
a) Members must hold: (1) a graduate degree with major emphasis in speech-language pathology, audiology, education of the hearing impaired, or speech, language, or hearing science; or (2) a graduate degree and present evidence of active research, interest, and performance in the field of human communication.
b) Application for membership shall be at the highest level for which a person is eligible, except as listed in Section 2c for affiliate members.
c) Members must agree to abide by the Code of Ethics of the Association.
SECTION II. Membership shall consist of six classes; Active, Associate, Affiliate, Advocate, Student, and Life.
a) Active members shall be those persons eligible for active membership as defined in Article I, Section 1 (a) and elected to membership in accordance with those procedures as set forth in Article I, Section 3. All members holding a master's degree and working in the field are eligible for and must apply for active membership, (e.g., teachers of the hearing impaired, psycholinguists, psychoacousticians, etc.) These members shall comprise the voting body of the Association. The right to hold office shall be limited to active members.
b) Associate members shall be those persons holding bachelor degrees but less than a master's degree or its equivalent in the field of speech and hearing or education of the hearing impaired. Associate membership shall not entitle the associate member to the rights and privileges of active membership.
c) Affiliate members shall be those persons in allied fields who are interested in an affiliation with the Association. Active members who are currently unemployed are eligible for affiliate membership. Affiliate membership shall not entitle the affiliate member to the rights and privileges of active membership.
d) Advocate members shall be those persons not in the speech-language-hearing profession or allied fields. An example would be parents or caregivers and adult consumers that have an interest in the goals of MSHA as it serves the needs of persons with communicative impairments. Advocate membership shall not entitle the advocate member to the rights and privileges of active membership.
e) Student members shall be those persons who are full-time students in training in speech-language and hearing, or education of the hearing impaired, and who demonstrate their full-time student status by having their college advisor or other appropriate faculty member verify this status. The definition of full-time student shall be left to the discretion of the appropriate college or university. Student membership shall not entitle the student member to the rights and privileges of active membership.
f) Life members shall be persons who have retired from the profession after a minimum of 10 years of professional service and who have held active membership for a minimum of 10 years. Candidates for Life membership shall be proposed by any member of the Association and elected by the Executive Board. Waiver of dues will be made for this membership category. Life members are voting members of the Association.
SECTION III. MEMBERSHIP AND APPLICATION PROCEDURE
a) Candidates for membership shall submit their application to the Vice-President for Membership. A candidate will be accepted for membership when it is determined that the candidate has met the criteria for the level of membership for which application was made.
b) Application for membership in the Association may be rejected by a majority of the Executive Board. The name of the candidate who does not meet the criteria for membership will be brought to the Executive Board, who will approve or reject the candidate's application.
c) The case of a rejected applicant may be presented to the membership for review. The application may be approved for membership by a majority of those voting.
SECTION IV. DUES AND FEES
a) AMOUNT - Membership dues shall be recommended by the Executive Board and approved by a majority vote of the members present at the regular annual Business Meeting, provided that announcement of such proposed vote is made to each member in writing at least 30 days prior to the meeting. The Association also shall be supported by other dues and fees as shall be recommended by the Executive Board.
b) WAIVER OF DUES - Membership dues, registration fees, and all other forms of dues or fees may be waived in whole or in part by the Executive Board.
c) NON-PAYMENT OF DUES - The name of any member whose dues are in arrears on May 1 shall be dropped from the membership roll by the Treasurer after three notices of dues delinquency have been sent to the member. Such a member will be returned to the membership rolls upon the renewal of membership for which he/she is qualified without penalty.
SECTION V. DISCONTINUANCE OF MEMBERSHIP
Any active member may institute expulsion procedures against a member whose conduct is felt to be contrary to the principles of ethics set forth in the Association's Code of Ethics. Such expulsion charges shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall refer such charges to the Committee on Ethics and Standards which will investigate the charges and make appropriate recommendations to the Executive Board. If the Committee on Ethics and Standards recommends censure or expulsion, the charged member shall be invited to discuss the charges and present his/her defense to the charges with the Executive Board. If the accused member is voted guilty of such charges on a written ballot by a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board he/she shall be removed from membership in the Association. Such an individual may petition the Executive Board to have a full review of charges placed on the agenda for the next Association Business Meeting; the Executive Board must honor such a petition. A written ballot shall be taken at the Business Meeting; a 2/3 vote of the membership in attendance at that meeting in favor of the member will negate the vote of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE II - EXECUTIVE BOARD
SECTION 1. BOARD COMPOSITION
The Executive Board of the Association shall consist of a President, a President-Elect, a Past-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Vice President for Public Relations, a Vice President for Legislation, a Vice President for Membership, a Vice President for Professional Development, a Vice President-Elect for Professional Development and a Vice President for Professional Practice.
SECTION II. QUALIFICATIONS
Active members in good standing are eligible to be nominated for an Office or appointed to the advisory assembly of the association. A member may be nominated for office by an active MSHA member who is in good standing, or may self-nominate. The Association shall not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, handicapping condition or gender, or gender identification. All programs and activities of the Association shall be conducted in furtherance of this policy.
SECTION III. NOMINATIONS
An electronic call for nominations will be issued in October of each year. Completed nomination forms must be received at the MSHA Office in November of the same year. The signature of a potential nominee must appear on the nomination form and indicates a willingness to be nominated for office, and, if elected, to serve as an officer of the Association. Each nominee's eligibility status will be verified. A slate of nominees will be prepared by the Administrative Staff and reviewed by the MSHA President, President-Elect, and Immediate Past President. Ballots will be distributed to active members in good standing in December of the same year, and are to be returned by January 10 of the following year. A final report of the elections will be made to the membership at the annual conference.
SECTION IV. ELECTIONS
a) Presidents of the association serve for three years: one as President-Elect, one as President, and one as Past-President. A President-Elect is elected every year. The Vice-President for Professional Development serves two years: one as Vice-President Elect for Professional Development and one as Vice-President for Professional Development. Every year a Vice-President Elect for Professional Development is elected. These terms shall begin on the final day of the annual conference following the election.
b) All other officers shall
be elected to serve a two year term beginning on
the final day of the annual conference following
the election. The
Treasurer, Vice-Presidents for Public
Relations, and Legislation shall be elected for
terms beginning in years ending in even numbers.
The
Secretary, Vice-Presidents for
Membership, Professional Development and
Professional Practice will be elected for terms
beginning in years ending in odd numbers.
SECTION V. DUTIES
The Executive Board shall have general charge and control of the affairs, funds and property of the Association. The powers and duties of the Executive Board are described in the Policy and Procedure manual. Each member of the executive board shall sign a letter of intent annually confirming their commitment to their fiduciary duties during the March Board meeting at convention.
SECTION VI. REMOVAL FROM OFFICE
Any member may institute recall charges against an officer whose conduct is felt to be contrary to the principles of ethics set forth in the Association's Code of Ethics or whose performance in office is considered unsatisfactory. Such charges shall be submitted in writing to the Ethics Committee. The Ethics Committee shall investigate these charges. The charged officer shall be invited to discuss the charges before a vote is taken. If the accused officer is voted guilty of the charges by a written ballot by a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board, such an officer shall be recalled from office. The officer may petition the Executive Board to have a full review of the charges placed on the agenda for the next Executive Board Meeting; such a petition must be honored. A written ballot shall be taken at the Executive Board; a 2/3 vote of the Board in attendance at that meeting in favor of the officer will negate the vote of the Executive Board.
SECTION VII. VACANCIES ON BOARD OF DIRECTORS
a) In case of vacancy in the office of President, that office shall be filled by an elected member presently serving on the Executive Board in the following order of succession.
1) President-Elect
2) Past-President
3) Vice President for Professional Practice
4) Vice President for Professional Development
b) The President shall appoint a member of the Association to fill a vacancy on the Executive Board to serve until the time of the next election as specified by these By-laws. The resultant vacancy in the office of President-Elect shall not be filled until the next election.
ARTICLE III – EXECUTIVE BOARD AND ADVISORY ASSEMBLY
SECTION 1. GENERAL
The Executive Board is the
legally responsible management body and shall
exercise general management of the business and
operations of the Association, operating in
accordance with and administering and
implementing the programs and policies
established by these By-laws. The actions of the
Executive Board shall be reported to the
membership at its annual meeting.
The Advisory Assembly has 16 members including: 10 committee chairs, and 6 members-at-large (appointed by the Executive board). Committee Chairs are appointed by the Executive Board for a 2-year term. The Advisory Assembly shall assist the Executive Board in addressing concerns of professionals working in various work settings, professional development, continuing education, conference programs, student affairs and members at large. In addition, liaisons from the Michigan Speech Language Hearing Foundation (MSHF), Michigan Audiology Coalition (MAC), the 2 ASHA Advisory Council members, and community liaisons with personal interest in the provision of services to individuals with communicative disorders are invited to attend the combined meeting of the Executive Board/Advisory Assembly.
SECTION II. COMPOSITION
The Executive Board consists of those officers listed in Article II, Section 2.
SECTION III. QUORUM
A quorum of an Executive Board meeting be defined as (5) members present in order to conduct any business that is officially binding.
ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES
SECTION I. The Advisory Assembly shall consist of the following standing committees, chairpersons, members at large invited:
Standing Committees:
a) The Audiology Committee.
b) The Public Schools Committee
c) The Community and Hospital Services Committee
d) The Student Affairs Committee
e) The Communications and Networking Committee
f) The Continuing Professional Development Committee
g) Committee on Ethics
h) Committee on Legislative Affairs
i) Finance Committee
j) Program Committee
Members-at-Large:
a) Southeast Michigan
b) Southwest Michigan
c) NE Michigan
d) NW Michigan
e) Upper Peninsula
f) Student
SECTION 2. MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEES
a) The Audiology Committee shall consist of the Audiology Committee Chair and other appointed members. A majority of the committee must consist of members who are audiologists. The Audiology Committee Chair reports to the Vice-President of Professional Practice.
b) The Public Schools Committee shall consist of the Public Schools Chair, and other appointed members. A majority of the committee shall be comprised of members from the public school setting. The Public Schools Committee Chair reports to the Vice-President of Professional Practice.
c) The Community and Hospital Services Committee shall consist of the Community and Hospital Services Committee Chair and other appointed members. A majority of the committee shall be comprised of members with interest and/or expertise in these areas. The Community and Hospital Services Committee Chair reports to the Vice-President of Professional Practice.
d) The Student Affairs Committee shall consist of the Student Affairs Committee Chair and other appointed members. A majority of the committee shall be comprised of students in training. The Student Affairs Committee Chair reports to the Vice-President of Membership.
e) The Communications and Networking Committee shall consist of the Communications and Networking Committee Chair and other appointed members appointed by the Committee Chair. The Communications and Networking Committee Chair reports to the Vice-President for Public Relations.
f) The Continuing Professional Development Committee shall consist of the Continuing Professional Development Chair and other appointed members including a representative from the Program Committee. The Continuing Professional Development Chair reports to the Vice-President for Professional Development.
g) The Ethics Committee shall consist of the Ethics Committee Chair and other appointed members. The Ethics Committee Chair reports to the Past-President.
h) The Legislative Affairs Committee shall consist of the Legislative Affairs Committee Chair and other appointed members. The Legislative Affairs Committee Chair shall report to the Vice-President of Legislative Affairs.
i) The Finance Committee shall consist of the Finance Committee Chair and other appointed members. The Finance Committee Chair reports to the Treasurer.
j) The Program Committee shall consist of the Program Committee Chair(s) and other appointed members, including a representative from the Continuing Professional Development Committee. The Program Committee Chair(s) report to the Vice-President for Professional Development.
SECTION III. MEMBERS-AT-LARGE AND LIAISONS
a) Members-at-Large shall be six (6) persons appointed by the President, representing the NE, SE, NW, SW and UP regions of the state.
b) Members-at-Large shall be voting members of the Advisory Assembly.
c) Non-voting members attending the Advisory Assembly may include a liaison from the Michigan Speech Hearing Foundation (MSHF),the Michigan Audiology Coalition (MAC) and the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology ASHA Advisory Council members.
SECTION IV. MEMBERSHIP ON ADVISORY ASSEMBLEY
Members are appointed to the Advisory Assembly by the President after consultation with the appropriate committee chair. All members of the Advisory Council must be active members of MSHA who are in good standing. A member in good standing must meet the membership criteria for the level of membership for which he/she applied, and must be current in payment of dues. A standing committee chair may invite additional participants who are not MSHA members to join a standing committee on an ad hoc basis. Such appointees do not have the rights and responsibilities of membership, and may not vote.
SECTION V. AD HOC COMMITTEES
a.) The chair and members are appointed by the President for the purpose of performing a specific function of defined duration. All members of Ad Hoc Committees must be active members of MSHA who are in good standing. A member in good standing must meet the membership criteria for the level of membership for which he/she applied, and must be current in payment of dues. An Ad Hoc Committee chair may invite additional participants who are not MSHA members to join that Ad Hoc Committee. Such appointees do not have the rights and responsibilities of membership, and may not vote.
b) In addition to Ad Hoc committees, convened to address short-term and specific issues, the Executive Board may establish specific working committees, such as a Nominations Committee or an Honors Committee. The Nominations Committee Chair is the President-Elect or delegated individual and the committee charge is to develop a slate of nominees for election of Executive Board Members. The Honors Committee is convened by the Vice-President of Professional Practice, with a committee charge of identifying and recommending individuals for MSHA’s Honors of the Association or Distinguished Service Award
ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS
SECTION 1. EXECUTIVE BOARD
The Executive Board shall meet at least 8 times a year, at such times and places as the President may determine. These meetings could be accomplished either in face-to-face format or via teleconference or web conferencing at the discretion of the Board members. Additional meetings of the Executive Board could be called in the case of “emergency action items” requiring immediate action by the Executive Board
SECTION II. ADVISORY ASSEMBLY
The Advisory Assembly would meet with the Executive Board at least 3 times per year (i.e., at MSHA Annual Conference in the spring, a June strategic planning session and a fall planning meeting). Additional meetings of the Advisory Assembly or ad hoc committee meetings of any of the representative groups would occur on an as needed basis to provide exploration of issues and documentation of recommendations to be brought to the Executive Board. Recommendations for action to be considered by the Executive Board will be provided in written form.
SECTION III. ANNUAL MEETING
There shall be an annual meeting of the Membership of the Association in order to conduct the business of the Association, sponsor educational workshops or conferences, and to further the programs of the Association. Additional meetings may also be scheduled by the Association.
SECTION IV. CONDUCT
The annual meeting of the membership of the Association and meetings of the Executive Board shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order.
ARTICLE VI - RECOGNITION AWARDS
SECTION 1. HONORS AND AWARDS
Two types of Association awards, Honors of the Association and Distinguished Service Awards, may be awarded to individuals by the Association upon approval by the Executive Board. An Awards Committee shall be comprised of no fewer than 5 members. A recommendation for Association recognition may be made by any active member at any time to the Committee. These nominations should include a vita of the person nominated and must include the reasons for the nomination. Any recommendation for recognition must be considered by the Executive Board at a regular meeting prior to the presentation of the award and be approved by three-fourths of the Executive Board.
a) Honors of the Association. Honors of the Association shall be awarded to members of the Association in recognition of distinguished contributions in Speech and Language Pathology, Audiology, and/or Education of the Hearing Impaired over a substantial period of time. This is the highest award the Association can bestow.
b) A Distinguished Service Award shall be presented to an individual for a specific outstanding contribution to the Association or the speech and hearing profession.
c) Other committees may establish recognition awards, to be approved by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VII - LIAISON
SECTION 1. LIAISON WITH ASHA ADVISORY COUNCILORS
In order to
promote interaction and liaison between the
Association and individuals elected from
Michigan to attend the American Speech Language
Hearing Association Advisory Councils, MSHA will
invite the ASHA Advisory Council members from
Michigan to attend meetings of the Executive
Board/Advisory Assembly. The role of the
Councilors at such meetings shall be advisory
and informative in nature. Councilors are
not eligible to propose motions or vote at
Executive Board meetings.
SECTION II. LIAISON WITH REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
In order to provide continuing interaction and liaison between the Association and established regional speech and hearing groups, such groups may send representation to the Executive Board meetings, when the following conditions have been met:
(a) a copy of the group's constitution/by-laws shall be approved and filed at the Association office, and
(b) such representation shall be identified in writing to the Association president by the chief officer of the regional group. The role of the representative at such meetings shall be advisory and informative in nature. Such representatives are not eligible to propose motions or to vote at Executive Board meetings.
SECTION III. LIAISON WITH OTHER ASSOCIATIONS
In order to provide continuing interaction and liaison between MSHA and other associations, the president may appoint Association members in good standing to serve as representatives to these associations. Such members shall report back to the Executive Board at meetings of the Board. The role of the representatives at Executive Board meetings shall be advisory and informative in nature. Such representatives are not eligible to propose motions or vote at Executive Board meetings.
ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENTS
The By-laws of the Association may be amended by a 2/3 majority vote of the membership present at a regular Association business meeting or by a 2/3 majority vote of the membership voting via a mail or e-mail ballot. The proposed amendments to be considered at business meetings shall be announced to each member in writing at least 30 days prior to such meetings. Proposed amendments to be considered via mail or e-mail ballot shall be announced to each member in writing at least 30 days prior to the deadline date for the mail-in vote. Proposed amendments may be submitted by the Executive Board or by any member in good standing.
ARTICLE IX - DISSOLUTION
In the event of dissolution of the Association, the assets of the Association shall be transferred to another Michigan state-wide non-profit organization with similar philosophical goals.
*Adopted by the Association on March 16, 1972, as a major revision of an earlier document, Article VI, Sec. 2 was added to the document on October 20, 1972. Further modifications were
made on March 23, 1973, on October 12, 1973, on October 10, 1975, and on March 19, 1976. These By-laws underwent major revisions which were approved October 14, 1977. Revision of Art. V, Sect. 1 (part C) approved Mar. 1979. Art. VI, Sect. 3 added Mar. 1980. Art. V, Sect. 1 ©) and Art. VII, Sect. 1 revised Mar. 82. Art. I, Sect. (a) and ©), and Art. VII revised, April,1983. Additional modifications were approved April, 1989. Modifications to Art. IX, Sect. 1 were approved March 20, 1998. Modifications to the Constitution, Article II, Purposes, Sections I and II were approved March, 2001. Modifications to the By-Laws, Article I, Section 3; Article IV, Sections 2, 3 and 4; Article V, Section 1; and Article VI, Section 3, were approved March, 2001. Modification of By-Laws, Section 1 (a) were approved May, 2005. Modification of these bylaws, to reflect a change in governance structure, were adopted on March 26, 2010.