Create a Path to ASHA Leadership Via Related Professional Organizations

Have you ever wondered how to become a member of the ASHA Board of Directors … or ASHA president, for that matter? It won’t happen overnight, but you can move step-by-step along the long path to leadership. There are a number of pathways for achieving an ASHA leadership position; one travels through related professional organizations (RPOs). Several RPOs focus on constituents in communication sciences and disorders. These professional groups collaborate with ASHA. Some examples include the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing (NBASLH), Council on Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Council of State Association Presidents, state speech-language-hearing associations, and more. RPOs provide varied training opportunities to prepare members for service to ASHA. They also serve as avenues for understanding the internal operations of an organization and the broader relationship with ASHA. Further, RPOs offer leadership training through mentoring, committee work, committee leadership and board membership. Often, outstanding leaders rise to the top of RPOs. Take, for example, Elise Davis-McFarland, ASHA president-elect. Her volunteer pathway shows how someone can start the road to leadership by working with RPOs, move into participation on ASHA committees and then onto the ASHA Board of Directors. This post is part of a three-part series on leadership all written by past presidents of ASHA. Ejoy the first two installments: The Many B...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - Category: Speech Therapy Authors: Tags: Advocacy leadership Professional Development Source Type: blogs