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.

ISSUE: Continuous growth in the membership of the Association results in an increased number of members who can support the Association, get involved in Association activities and the conduct of its business, and assume leadership positions.

Increased number of professionals, students, and associates, who become members of the Association.

Increased number of members who annually renew their membership.

Increased number of members who participate in and support Association activities and conducting the business of the Association.

INDICATOR OF SUCCESS: 5% increase in MSHA membership.

By September 1, 2005, the Vice-President for Membership will have developed and implemented incentive programs (financial and non-financial) for recruitment and retention of members that will be updated annually.

By July 1, 2006, the Vice-President for Membership will have collected data and information on member needs, recommendations for continuing education, and suggestions on how MSHA can provide value for membership.

By June 30, 2008, the Vice-President for Membership will have annually contacted the student speech-language-hearing organizations in the state to promote their participation in MSHA activities and membership in MSHA.

By June 30, 2008, the Vice-President for Membership will have annually contacted ASHA members and others who are not members to provide information on the benefit of becoming a member of MSHA and promoting membership in MSHA.

By June 30, 2008, the Vice-President for Membership will have will have contacted members who did not renew their membership to determine why they did not renew their membership encouraging them to renew their membership.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ISSUE: An organized concerted effort by the Association to advocate for the professions and individuals with communication, hearing, balance, and swallowing disorders and their families will result in policies and procedures that will improve access to and funding/reimbursement for quality programs, services, and prevention.

Increased legislative and regulatory advocacy activities related to the professions and individuals with communication, hearing, balance, and swallowing disorders.

Increased visibility of the professions and the quality services provided by audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and teachers of the hearing impaired with policymakers, the public, and other professionals.

Increased involvement by members in grassroots advocacy activities.

INDICATORS OF SUCCESS: An annual event will take place in Lansing and in regional areas.

By August 1, 2005, the Vice-President for Legislation will have established and implemented a process for evaluating the effectiveness of MSHA’s lobbying activities.

 

By February 1, 2006, the Vice-President for Legislation will have established a MSHA Legislative Day that is the same day every year and includes activities to promote MSHA as a resource for policymakers and to promote MSHA’s legislative and regulatory agenda.

By December 31, 2006, the Vice-President for Legislation and the MSHA lobbyist will have continued efforts to obtain legislative committee discussion and approval of bill (insert #####) to obtain licensure for speech-language pathologists.

By June 30, 2008, the Vice-President for Legislation will have annually identified the key education and healthcare legislative committees dealing with issues of interest to MSHA and implemented a program of routine face-to-face/electronic grassroots contacts with members of these committees.

By June 30, 2008, the Vice-President for Public Relations will have annually provided information for MSHA members on how to be an advocate.

By June 30, 2008, the Vice-President for Legislation, in collaboration with the MSHA lobbyist, will have annually monitored legislative and regulatory proposals and will have provided recommendations for those issues on which MSHA should advocate.

 

 

 

 

ISSUE: Enhanced communication with members, consumers, and other professionals via the MSHA Web-site, other forms of multi-media communication, and print publications will improve the ability of the Association to share knowledge and information, facilitate participation in Association activities, discuss issues related to the professions, and promote the value of MSHA membership.

OUTCOMES:

Increased use of the MSHA Web-site and collateral materials by members, consumers, and others to obtain professional and consumer information and information related to the Association’s activities.

Increased customized knowledge and information on the MSHA Web-site and in collateral materials for use by members and consumers.

Increased consistent use of the MSHA communication vehicles by the Association’s Board, Vice Presidents, and Committees to promote association activities and conduct business.

Increased number of members who subscribe to the MSHA email list.

1. 10% increase in hits on the MSHA Web-site.

2. 10% increase in use of the MSHA Web-site for conference registration and membership renewal.

3. 10% increase in subscriptions to MSHA’s electronic communication vehicles.

By September 1, 2005, the Vice-President for Public Relations will have updated the format, content, and production value of the MSHA newsletter and will have developed an annual editorial agenda and evaluation process to facilitate publication of a quality newsletter..

By January 1, 2006 the Vice-President for Public Relations will have implemented a new design for the MSHA Web-site and email list to provide increased user friendly access, content, and implemented a process for updating and evaluating the Web-site and email list.

By May 1, 2006, the Vice-President for Public Relations will have proposed revisions and additions of the MSHA’s collateral materials, including the logo, and other ways of branding the Association to increase visibility of the Association with members and nonmembers.

By June 30, 2008, the members of the MSHA Board will have provide monthly updates related to their activities to be posted on the MSHA Web-site, email list, and as appropriate, published in collateral materials.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ISSUE: Efficient governance, management, operations, and adequate financing of the Association results in an Association that can meet and exceed its members’ expectations for an efficiently run and financed organization that provides them with value-added programs and services.

Increased understanding of and efficiency in conducting the Association’s operations.

Increased financial/budget planning, revenues, and reserves.

Increased efficiency in the Association’s governance structure and process.

1. Implementation of a systematic process of budget development, discharge, and review based

upon the MSHA Strategic Plan priorities.

2. Establishment of realistic annual reserve targets.

3. Adoption of a new MSHA organizational structure.

By September 1, 2005, the Vice-President for Finance will have established a standing Finance and Audit committee charged to review the existing MSHA budgeting and reporting procedures and develop a plan for enhancing MSHA’s fiscal management, enhancing revenues, and increasing reserves/net assets.

By September 1, 2005, the President will have conducted a review of internal processes for managing and operating the Association and submitted recommendations, if necessary, for changes to the Board.

By July 1, 2006, the President will have investigated alternative models of governance for conducting Association business and provided recommendations for possible changes.

 

 

 

ISSUE: Availability of a variety of Association sponsored continuing education/ professional development activities results in increase non-dues revenue and in visibility for the Association as a provider of knowledge and information related to communication sciences and disorders that can be used to maintain professional currency and provide value for becoming an Association member.

Increased availability of Association sponsored state-of-the art continuing education/ professional development.

Increased availability and dissemination of customized knowledge and information.

INDICATORS OF SUCCESS: 5% increase in use of MSHA CEU offerings.

By December 31, 2005, Vice-President Continuing Education and Vice-President for Program will have developed a three-year plan for MSHA sponsored continuing education/professional development activities.

By June 30, 2008, the Vice-President Continuing Education and Vice-President for Program will have annually identified and disseminated continuing education and professional development opportunities for speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and teachers of the hearing impaired via MSHA’s communication vehicles.

 

 

ISSUE: An adequate supply of qualified speech-language pathologists and audiologists in education and health care employment settings results in the availability of quality programs and services for individuals with communication disorders.

Maintain current state standards for certification for speech-language pathologists.

Increased availability of data and information related to personnel shortages and vacancies.

A decreased number of reported vacancies for audiologists and speech-language pathologists employed in education and health care employment settings.

By April 1, 2006, the Past President will have collected extant and new data and information related to personnel shortages and persistent vacancies in education and health care settings and data on graduating students and their employment agencies that can be used to inform MSHA activities related to personnel shortages.

By September 1, 2006, the Vice-President for Public Relations will have developed and disseminated a recruitment information packet that can be used by members and others to recruit students into the professions.

By January 1, 2006, the President and Past President will have established a Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (MSHF) to provide scholarships for students and fund research and other projects related to communication sciences and disorders.

See Focus Area: Advocacy for legislative and regulatory strategies related to monitor actions to reduce certification standards.

 

 

 

ISSUE: Promoting and advocating for adequate funding for quality programs, services, and personnel in education and healthcare organizations and institutions of higher education will require a variety of collaborative efforts among organizations.

Increased collaboration between MSHA and other education and healthcare organizations and institutions of higher education organizations that have an interest in promoting quality education and rehabilitation programs and higher education.

By June 30, 2008, the Vice-President for Audiology will have annually continued participation in collaborative projects with the Michigan Audiology Coalition including providing continuing, monitoring legislation and regulations, and implementation of licensure for audiologists.

By June 30, 2008, Vice-President for Education of the Hearing Impaired will have continued collaboration with the Michigan Supervisors for Public School Programs for the Hearing Impaired and the Michigan Chapter of the A.G. Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing related to advocacy and professional development.

By June 30, 2008, the President will have planned, developed, and coordinated an annual meeting of directors of personnel preparation programs in communication sciences and disorders to address issues related to topics of mutual concern such as state-wide personnel shortages, professional development, and membership recruitment.

By June 30, 2008, Vice President for Legislation will have continued collaboration with the Michigan Physical Therapy Association, Michigan Occupation Therapy Association and other allied health organizations on projects related to reimbursement and other legislative and regulatory activities.

By June 30, 2008, the Vice President for Public Schools, Vice President for Legislation, and the Vice President for Community and Hospital Services will have maintained existing relationships with state and national networks and collaborative groups related to education, health, and reimbursement.