By: Erinn Hengst, MS, CCC-SLP, Nominations and Elections Committee Chair

In 2026, Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA) members will elect a President-Elect, Vice President for Audiology, Vice President for Member Engagement, and Vice President for Professional Services.

Members are encouraged to recommend qualified persons or to self-nominate for these offices. TSHA's Call for Executive Board Nominations is open now through November 5. 

Positions and Responsibilities
 Elected members of the Executive Board are responsible for:

• Oversight of the affairs of TSHA
• Regulations and policies of the organization
• Final authority over TSHA expenditures and the overall TSHA budget
• Development, review, implementation, and evaluation of strategic priorities
• Strategic oversight and support to select group of TSHA committees
• Onboarding new committee chairs
• Attending and participating in TSHA Executive Board meetings and discussions

In addition to the responsibilities outlined above, role-specific responsibilities are outlined below.

President-Elect responsibilities include:

• Serve as parliamentarian for Executive Board discussions
• Serve as Secretary and Chief Financial Officer of the organization
• Coordinate strategic planning review efforts
• Support other duties as assigned by the TSHA President

The Vice President has a two-year term plus time served as a Vice President-Elect between the election and taking office.

Vice President of Audiology responsibilities include: 

• Overseeing committees including but not limited to Audiology Education and Audiology Issues committees
• Providing guidance and support for advocacy matters related to audiology and legislation affecting those with speech and/or hearing disorders

Vice President for Member Engagement responsibilities include: 

• Supporting marketing campaigns and coordinating the strategy and messaging campaigns with the State Office
• Supporting efforts and strategy related to the recruitment and retention of TSHA members
• Analyzing membership trends and reporting trends to the Executive Board
• Supporting grassroots efforts for members to gather and build community
• Overseeing committees including but not limited to Member Engagement and Diversity committees

Vice President for Professional Services responsibilities include: 

• Supporting forums and activities in which members can gather by professional practice areas
• Overseeing committees including but not limited to Business Management, Cultural and Linguistic Diversity, Medical, Public School, Public School Advisory/Joint TSHA-TCASE Committee, SLP Assistants/SLP Assistants’ Supervisors, Telepractice, and University Issues committees

Requirements

• Candidates for office shall have been members of TSHA for at least three years and must be current members of the association.
• Candidates shall have at least two years of experience at the TSHA task force/committee or Executive Council level, serving in the capacity as chair or councilor on at least one occasion. Some exceptions can be made if a candidate served as a chair or councilor at a similar organization.
• The nominator must receive the nominee’s permission to submit his/her name to the Nominating Committee.

Learn more at https://www.txsha.org/About/Executive-Board-Council/Nominations-and-Elections. 

For questions, please contact TSHA Nominations and Elections Chair Erinn Hengst. 

The deadline to apply is November 5. Nominate yourself or a colleague today!