Contact the Chairs of Presidency Committees

Financial Advisory Committee

The charge of the Financial Advisory Committee shall be to a) review the annual budget proposal of the TSHA Executive Board, b) recommend policies and procedures for increasing non-dues revenue, and c) review fiscal policies and procedures of the Association and recommend changes, including adjustments in dues, fees, investments and other charges. The Financial Advisory Committee will meet on an annual basis to consider the annual audit review.

• Meeting schedule: 2-3 meetings each year (approximately 3 hours each)
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 1-3

Honors & Awards Committee

The Honors and Awards of the Association are intended to identify and recognize those whose contributions have been significant, outstanding, and excellent. The committee solicits nominations, reviews nominations and makes recommendations to the Executive Board for final selection of honorees.

• Meeting schedule: quarterly, with more frequency October through February
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 2-5 hours, October through February

Leadership Development Committee/TSHA Leadership Academy

The mission of the Leadership Development Committee is to facilitate the development of leaders within TSHA and the Texas Speech-Language Hearing Foundation (TSHF).

• Meeting schedule: Quarterly
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 3-5 hours

Nominations & Elections Committee

Each year the Nominations Committee will solicit candidates for each TSHA office to be elected.

• Meeting schedule: quarterly, with more frequency October through February
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 2-5 hours, October through February

Past Presidents Committee

This committee creates opportunities for past Presidents of TSHA to network, collaborate, and provide feedback to the TSHA Executive Board upon request. Requirement: Members of this committee and its chair have previously served as a President of TSHA. 

• Meeting schedule: no regular meeting schedule, ad hoc meetings as needed
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 1-3 hours

Past VPs Committee

This committee creates opportunities for past Vice Presidents of TSHA to network, collaborate and provide feedback to the TSHA Executive Board upon request. Requirement: Members of this committee and its chair have previously served as a vice president of TSHA. 

• Meeting schedule: no regular meeting schedule, ad hoc meetings as needed
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 1-3 hours

Publications Board

The Association’s publications may include but are not limited to the following: the Communicologist (e-magzine), TSHA Talk (e-newsletter), TXSHA.org website, TSHA Policy & Procedure Manual, TSHA Annual Report, and posts published via TSHA's social media channels.

• Meeting schedule: As Necessary.  Usually virtual
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 1-3 hours

ASHA Liaisons

Contact ASHA Liaisons

State Advocates for Reimbursement (STAR)

The State Advocates for Reimbursement (STARs) are ASHA-member audiologists and speech-language pathologists who advocate in their states for improved health care coverage and reasonable reimbursement.

• Meeting schedule: ASHA meetings monthly, TSHA meeting quarterly
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 3-10 hours

State Advocates for Medicare Policy (StAMP)

StAMP participants are appointed by ASHA-recognized state speech-language-hearing associations. They advocate for Medicare coverage and reimbursement of audiology and speech-language pathology services in the states.

• Meeting schedule: ASHA meetings monthly, TSHA meeting quarterly
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 3-10 hours

State Education and Advocacy Leaders (SEAL)

State Education Advocacy Leaders (SEALs) are appointed by ASHA-recognized state speech-language hearing associations to advocate on education issues. These issues may include caseload/workload, salary supplements, and maintenance of personnel standards in school settings.

• Meeting schedule: ASHA meetings monthly, TSHA meeting quarterly
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 3-10 hours

Contact Audiology Committee Chairs

Audiology Issues Committee

The mission of the TSHA Audiology Issues Committee is to promote and grow the profession of Audiology’s presence in our multi-disciplinary association.

• Meeting schedule: Quarterly 
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 1-3 hours

Audiology Education Committee

The mission of the TSHA Audiology Education Committee is to examine the educational needs of audiologists and audiology students and find ways to provide educational opportunities to meet these needs.

• Meeting schedule: Quarterly 
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 1-3 hours

Contact Education & Scientific Affairs Committee Chairs

General Convention Volunteer Support

General convention volunteers may serve in a variety of roles, including supporting career development services, hospitality/philanthropy projects, university student programming activities for the “Spirit Day” for the Annual TSHA Convention, and general attendee support such as navigation and/or help desk support at the convention. This is a great way to learn more about convention and volunteer opportunities available.

• Meeting schedule: No regular meetings, Meetings in preparation of Annual Convention
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: Convention volunteer hours in February 2024

Contact Member Engagement Committee Chairs

Diversity Committee

The goal of Diversity is to promote diversity and inclusion with professionals, students, and clients across multiple settings. Promoting the development and advancement of underrepresented groups by raising awareness through a variety of informative methods, in order to help build a stronger sense of identity and well-being with professionals, students, and clients. 

• Meeting schedule: Quarterly
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 1-5 hours

Membership and May is Better Hearing and Speech Month Committee

The committee determines how to engage speech-language pathologists and audiologists and ways to promote what speech-language pathologists and audiologists do to improve the quality of life for those affected by communication and related disorders. The chair may serve as one of the members responsible for recruitment or retention and additional volunteers may be utilized to carry out the goals and objectives set forth by this committee.

• Meeting schedule: Quarterly, more frequently in preparation for MBHSM
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 1-5 hours

Social Media Committee

The Social Media Committee helps to provide input and feedback on TSHA’s social media channels, and works to curate content that can be released on TSHA’s social media channels. 

• Meeting schedule: Monthly 
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 2-5 hours for TSHA.

Contact Professional Services Committee Chairs

Business Management Committee

Provide guidance and support to members and clinicians in a variety of practice locations regarding issues of reimbursement, documentation, Insurance changes/challenges and updates.

• Meeting schedule: Quarterly 
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 1-3 hours

CLD Committee

The purpose of the Cultural and Linguistic Diversity (CLD) Committee is to promote, advance, and enhance awareness of and advocacy for best practices related to culturally and linguistically appropriate practice in speech-language pathology and audiology.

• Meeting schedule: Quarterly 
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 1-3 hours

Medical Speech Pathology Committee

The TSHA Medical Committee will have dynamic mechanisms to promote current practice information, education, high-quality resources and collaborations and networking related to Medical Speech Pathology across the state of Texas.

• Meeting schedule: Monthly
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 2-5 hours

Public School Committee

Serve as a resource and advocate for SLPs and SLP-As who are practicing in the public school setting. The committee works closely with the Public School Advisory/Joint TSHA-TCASE Committee.

• Meeting schedule: Quarterly 
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 1-3 hours

Public School Advisory/Joint TSHA-TCASE Committee

The Public School Advisory/Joint TSHA-TCASE Committee shall include a Chair and four committee members who signify statewide as well as rural/urban representation of the public school membership. Members should be serving in a SLP Lead or Supervisory role.

• Meeting schedule: Quarterly 
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 1-3 hours

SLP Assistants/SLP Assistants’ Supervisors Committee

The purpose of the SLP Supervisors and SLP-Assistant’s Committee is to support the SLP/SLP-A relationship with easily accessible training, resources, CEUs, and guidance during clinical practice.

• Meeting schedule: Quarterly 
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 1-3 hours

Telepractice Committee

The purpose of the TSHA Telepractice Committee is to provide a resource for the members of TSHA in their use of telecommunication technology to deliver SLP and Audiology professional services.

• Meeting schedule: Quarterly 
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 1-3 hours

University Issues Committee

The University Issues Committee will provide consultation and direction concerning issues of significance pertaining to personnel preparation and pre-professional education of speech-language pathologists and audiologists.

• Meeting schedule: Quarterly 
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 1-3 hours.

Contact Research and Development Committee Chairs

Assistive Technology Committee

The purpose of this committee is to encourage evidence‐based practices in using assistive technology in the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology and to provide resources for members.

• Meeting schedule: Quarterly 
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 1-3 hours

Continuing Education Approval Committee

TSHA Continuing Education (CE) approval is provided for events which meet the continuing education requirements for renewal of Texas licensure for speech language pathology and/or audiology. The Continuing Education Approval Committee members review these applications submitted for CE to TSHA’s CE approval body and provide feedback as needed. Both speech-language pathologists and audiologists are needed for reviews. Training is provided. 

• Meeting schedule: Quarterly
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: self-determined. 3-5 hours per week recommended

Continuation of Guidelines Committee (COG)

The Continuation of Guidelines Committee (COG) will oversee the development, updating and editing of eligibility guideline manuals and training modules to support professionals working in the schools. The Co-chairs of the committee oversee the formation of workgroups to update the sets of guidelines. Volunteer roles for this committee would be considered for spots on a future workgroup. 

• Meeting schedule: Variable, as work groups meet as needed to complete a guideline
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 1-10 hours/month, depending on role

Professional Development Committee

The Professional Development (PD) Committee will oversee the development, updating and editing, and marketing of professional development content. The PD Committee shall include a chair with a 2-year term.

• Meeting schedule: Quarterly 
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 2-5 hours

Swallowing & Feeding in Schools Task Force

The purpose of this task force is to generate a document to support speech-language pathologists within the school system related to dysphagia services and considerations. 

Webinar Committee

The purpose of this committee is to develop a process and schedule for setting up webinars for TSHA, including evaluating and selecting webinar topics. 

• Meeting schedule: Quarterly 
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 2-5 hours. 

Advoacy Committee Chairs

Member Advocacy Committee

This committee aims to foster collaborative relationships with Texas legislators in order to protect and promote the TSHA Legislative agenda and to increase member involvement within the committee.

• Meeting schedule: Quarterly 
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 1-3 hours

Special Interests Committee

This committee aims to research and provide input on special issues that arise given the advocacy needs in a given year. 

• Meeting schedule: Quarterly 
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 1-3 hours

Student Legislative Advocacy Committee

This committee connects and provides learning opportunities for students interested in advocating on behalf of speech-language pathologists and audiologists and issues relevant to the professions. 

• Meeting schedule: Quarterly 
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 1-3 hours

TSHA Political Action Committee (PAC)

The central purposes of the TSHA-PAC are to raise funds for political contributions and to attempt to influence the election of individuals to state offices in order to promote the interests and needs of the speech-language pathology and audiology professionals and of persons with communication disorders and other related disorders.

• Meeting schedule: Quarterly
• Approximate time spent on projects per month: 1-3 hours