BYLAWS
Revised January 2025
MISSION
The Mission of the Louisiana Speech-Language Hearing Association (LSHA) is to:
-Serve individuals in the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology
-Advocate for services provided to individuals with speech, language and hearing needs
-Establish and promote professional development and high ethical and professional standards
-Provide programs and services that meet members’ needs
ARTICLE I. NAME
Name. The name of this organization shall be the Louisiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association (hereinafter called “the Association”).
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
The purposes of the Association shall be:
To encourage basic scientific study and research of the processes of individual human communication with special reference to speech, language, and hearing;
To promote the investigation and prevention of communication disorders;
To foster improvement of clinical services and procedures concerning such disorders;
To exchange and disseminate scientific and professional information among persons and organizations thus engaged;
To maintain and promote high standards of qualifications and ethical practice for speech-language pathologists, and audiologists in the state;
To promote the extension of speech, language, and hearing services within this state;
To advocate the rights and interests of persons with communication disorders and to promote the individual and collective professional interests of Members of the Association.
To represent the membership with respect to issues or concerns affecting the Association or its membership; and
To cooperate with other organizations and agencies to carry on the above purposes.
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.
To provide continuing educational activities and opportunities for professional growth and fellowhip.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Membership Classes and Qualifications
The membership of the Association shall consist of the following: Full Members, Life Members, Associate Members, Student Members, and Affiliate Members.
Full Member: Individuals must hold 1) a graduate degree with major emphasis in speech-language pathology, audiology, and/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.
Life member: Individuals who have attained the age of 65 and who have held Full Member or Associate Member status for 10 consecutive years prior to the age of 65. Additionally, any Past President of the Association shall qualify for Life Membership. Such members may apply for and would be eligible to receive Life Membership upon written request via email to office@lsha.org. Privileges previously accorded to that membership class without payment of annual dues shall continue thereafter.
Associate Member: Those individuals holding at least a bachelor’s degree in the profession of speech-language pathology and/or audiology or education of the hearing impaired, or other professions concerned with human communication and disorders but do not meet the requirements of a Full Member or Student Member.
Clinical Fellow/Provisional Speech-Language Pathologist: Those individuals who present evidence of holding a master’s degree in the field of speech-language pathology who are currently under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist. These individuals will be allowed to renew as a Clinical Fellow for 1 year.
Student Member: Those individuals who present evidence of current full-time matriculation in a graduate or undergraduate program by using their university-affiliated email address, in the field of speech-language pathology, audiology, or speech and hearing science, and who is not eligible for Full Membership or opts to waive benefits of full membership (including voting and office holding privileges) while undergoing full-time graduate studies.
Affiliate Member: Those individuals who do not qualify for the above membership categories, but who wish to be affliated professionally with the Association. These individuals shall be considered non-voting members.
Section 2: Application for Membership
All applicants for membership must complete the application form provided online by the Association and submit the application, along with the current required fees for membership to the Association. The application will be reviewed and accepted if the applicant meets all criteria, and individuals shall be notified if there are revisions to be made to their application. Student membership applications must include a university-affiliated email address.
Section 3: Rights and Responsibilities.
The right to introduce motions at the Annual Business Meeting of the Association, to nominate, to vote, to serve on committees or on the Board of Directors and to hold office shall be limited to Full Members and Life Members who previously held Full Membership.
All classes of membership are bound by the Bylaws and by the Code of Ethics of the Association.
All membership classes except Life Members shall pay dues annually by January 31 of each year for the membership year which runs January 1 through December 31.
The Treasurer shall notify in writing any member who has not paid dues within 45 days of the deadline. Failure to pay dues within this time frame shall result in automatic suspension of membership in the Association, and the Treasurer shall notify the member(s) of such. The Treasurer will report the list of individuals in the subsequent board meeting those accounts that have been suspended. Reinstatement within one year from the date of suspension may be accomplished by the payment of current and delinquent dues. After the period of one (1) year from the date of suspension, membership shall be considered lapsed and re-application for reinstatement for all classes of membership shall be necessary.
Section 4: Resignation
Members may voluntarily withdraw from membership by notifying the Association in writing and surrending their current membership certificate. Any member resigning shall pay all outstanding obligations owed the Association before the effective date of the resignation, and there will be no reimbrusement of dues
Section 5: Suspension of Membership
Any Full Member, Life Member, Associate Member, Clinical Fellow, Student Member, or Affiliate Member who violates the Bylaws or the Code of Ethics of the Association will be suspended upon recommendation by the Executive Committee and by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Board of Directors. Persons who have been suspended may be reinstated after one (1) year upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee and by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1: Directors
The Board of Directors is the governing body of the Association which has authority and is responsible for the supervision, control and direction of the Association.
Section 2: Composition of the Board
The Board of Directors will consist of the following positions: President, President-Elect, Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, Director of Publications, Director of Legislative Affairs, Director of University Services, Director of Continuing Education Activities, Director of Audiological Services, and the Director of Speech-Language Pathology Assistants. The Director of Legislative Affairs will oversee the following Board of Director positions: State Education Advocacy Leader (SEAL), State Advocates for Medicare Policy (StAMP), and State Advocates for Reimbursement (STAR). There shall be at least one student representative who will be an active, non-voting member on the Board of Directors who the Director of University Services will oversee. The Director of Continuing Education Activities with oversee the Junior Continuing Education Activities Chairperson. Life members shall be considered for positions on the Board of Directors.
Section 3: Eligibility for Election to Board of Directors
Individuals nominated to the Board of Directors shall be Full Members or Life Members who have previously held Full Member status and have been members for at least one year.
Section 4: Terms of Office
The Board of Directors will be elected by the membership for terms of two years beginning July 1 and ending June 30.
Directors serving their first two-year term may be re-elected to an additional two year term, after which time they cannot be re-elected without being absent from the Board for at least one year.
No director’s service on the Board can be extended beyond the term limits as stated in 4a) with the exception of the individual elected President-Elect whose term may be extended to allow for completion of the three year rotation as President-Elect, President, and Past President. Ideally, the Junior Continuing Education Administrator will have been in this position for two years prior to taking on the roll of Continuing Education Administrator.
The Student Representative shall be appointed by the Director of University Services for a one-year term. The Student Representative shall be a member in good standing of LSHA and of a Louisiana university NSSLHA Chapter.
Section 5: Vacancies
If for any reason, a vacancy occurs on the Board, the Board of Directors shall, by a majority, appoint a successor from the Full or Life membership to fill the position for the unexpired term as determined eligible (Article IV.3.). Individuals who have filled a Board vacancy and have served eighteen (18) months or longer in this manner will be eligible for regular Board membership in the following election for only a single three-year term. Individuals who have served less than eighteen (18) months will be eligible for regular Board membership and may serve two (2) consecutive three-year terms.
Section 6: Meetings
The Board of Directors will meet no fewer than two times a year, in addition to the annual Convention Meeting. The Student Representative will attend these meetings as a non-voting member.
The presence of a simple majority shall constitute a quorum, which shall include the President or the President-Elect who shall preside at every official meeting.
Proxy voting shall not be permitted. Mail, telephone, voice mail, or electronic voting is permitted.
All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, duly revised.
Section 7: Duties
Duties of the Board of Directors shall include, but are not limited to the transaction of the business of the organization, the determination of date, place and registration fee for the annual convention, approval of the annual budget, and those duties specified by the LSHA Policies and Procedures, and/or assigned by the President of the Association. The Board of Directors may appoint special committees as needed, and these committees shall report directly to the Board as directed.
Section 8. Removal
A Director may be removed from the Board for reasons, including, but not limited to, failure to fulfill the duties of office or violation of the Bylaws or Code of Ethics of the Association. Removal of a Board member may be accomplished by a majority vote of those present and voting at the annual business meeting. Board members must attend at least 80% of the annual board meetings to retain their position on the Board of Directors. Failure to meet these requirements will result in immediate removal from the Board of Directors. Exceptions shall be considered on a personal basis following discussion of the Past President, President, and President-Elect.
Section 9: Insurance
The Association shall obtain appropriate insurance, as deemed necessary, for the annual convention.
Section 10 : Changes
Major changes, additions or deletions in the role and responsibilities and/or policies and procedures must be made by resolution and approval of the majority of all members of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE V. ELECTIONS
Section 1: Elections of Directors
Elections for members of the Board of Directors shall be held annually by electronic ballot prior to the annual convention. The election process may be held at a time deemed by the Board as appropriate in the event that the annual convention is held in the Spring or Summer. Members will be notified of the election results in the newsletter.
Section 2: Procedures for Elections of Directors
The Nomination, Elections and Awards Committee, a standing committee of the Association (see Article V.5.) is responsible for carrying out the election according to the following procedures:
Call for nominations by electronic format.
Verify that nominees meet eligibility criteria as stated in Article III. 3. and Article IV. 3. and 4.; that is, from the general membership or from the current Board of Directors.
Submit the slate electronic means to the membership for election.
Nominees receiving a plurality of votes shall be considered duly elected.
Ballots received after the stated deadline shall not be considered in the election.
The membership shall be notified of the election results at the annual conference and by publication in the newsletter.
Section 3: Election of the President-Elect
The Nominations, Elections and Awards Committee, a standing committee of the Association, is responsible for carrying out the election according to the following procedures:
The Nominations, Elections and Awards Committee shall nominate not less than two candidates, serving on the Board of Directors, for the office of President-Elect.
The election shall be conducted by electronic ballot from among the Full Members and Life Members of the Association prior to the annual business meeting.
The candidate receiving a plurality vote shall be considered elected President-Elect.
Ballots received after the stated deadline shall not be considered in the election.
The membership shall be notified of the election results in the official publication.
Section 4: Election of Officers
Prior to the annual convention, all board members, with the exception of the current President, will be elected by the membership and announced at the annual business meeting.
Section 5: Elections of Nominations, Elections and Awards Committee.
The Nominations, Elections and Awards Committee shall consist of the Past-President, who shall serve as Chair, and at least two other members, one of whom shall be a current member of the Board of Directors, appointed by the President with majority approval of the Board, and one member from the general membership elected by electronic ballot prior to the Annual Business Meeting. Members of the Nominations, Elections, and Awards Committee shall be elected for a two-year term and may not succeed themselves.
ARTICLE VI. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1: Officers and Composition of the Executive Committee
The following positions shall comprise the executive committee of the Association: President, President-Elect, Past-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 2. Eligibility
To be eligible for nomination and voting to the Executive Committee, individuals shall have been a LSHA Full or Life Member for at least two years. Though not required, it is recommended that individuals be members on a LSHA committee for at least one year.
Section 3: Terms of Office
The President-Elect will serve on the Executive Committee for one year as President-Elect and then assume the duties of President. Following that year, the President will assume the position of Past-President. Any term expiring prior to the completion of the sequence of President-Elect, President, and Past-President will be extended as necessary to insure that an individual completes service in all three positions. The number of elected directors will be adjusted accordingly to accommodate the extended term. An individual may not serve more than one consecutive year as President-Elect, one consecutive year as President, and one consecutive year as Past-President.
The secretary shall be elected for a term of one years, with eligibility for re-election, if not prohibited by term limits on the Board of Directors.
The treasurer shall be elected for a term of two years, with eligibility for re-election if not prohibited by term limits on the Board of Directors.
Section 4: Vacancies
If the President is unable to complete his or her term, the President-Elect shall assume the duties of President and following that term shall fulfill the duties of Past-President.
If the President-Elect, Treasurer or Secretary are unable to complete their terms of office, their positions will be filled from the Board of Directors by appointment of the President until the next election is scheduled.
Section 5: Meetings
The Executive Committee will meet as deemed necessary by the President to direct and execute the business of the Association.
Section 6: Duties
The officers will perform those duties in the document entitled “ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF LSHA BOARD, OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS.”
Section 7: Powers and Voting Requirements.
Business must be passed by a majority vote of the members present and voting.
The Executive Committee is empowered to carry to a conclusion all Association matters where the policy has been established by either the general membership of the Association or by the Board of Directors.
Section 8: Removal
A member of the Executive Committee may be removed from office for reasons that include, but are not limited to, failure to fulfill the duties of office or other violations of the Bylaws or Code of Ethics of the Association, by a majority vote of the full Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VII. MEETINGS
Section 1: Annual Membership Meeting
The Association will hold an annual meeting of the regular membership in conjunction with the Annual Convention unless otherwise specified by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Special Meetings
Special meetings of the Association membership may be ordered by the Board of Directors at any time. In addition, ten (10) percent of the Full Members may petition the Board of Directors to call a special membership meeting.
Section 3: Notice
The Board of Directors shall give Association members reasonable notice of all annual and special meetings.
Section 4: General Membership Quorum
The presence of eight (8) percent of the voting membership shall constitute a quorum. A majority of members where a quorum is present is necessary to make a decision.
Section 5: Conduct of Meetings
All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, duly revised.
ARTICLE VIII. STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 1: Standing Committees
The following committees shall remain in effect, and relevant committees to the Association may be added per the discretion of the Executive Committee. Committees shall be listed on the website and modified as needed so that members are aware of, and may join, a committee throughout the year.
Continuing Education
Convention
Nominations, Elections and Awards
Publications
Legislation and Advocacy
Section 2: Responsibilities of Committees
All official committees of the Association will be under the direction and guidance of the Board of Directors. (See also “ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF LSHA BOARD, OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.”)
Chairs of all committees, except Nominations, Elections and Awards, and task forces, shall be appointed by the President of the Association with approval by a majority vote of the Board.
In the event that a committee chair or task force leader is not a member of the Board of Directors, the President will appoint a Board member to serve as a liaison to that committee or task force.
Liaison appointments of Board members to specific committees or task forces will be conducted and renewed on an annual basis.
Section 3: Establishment of Task Forces, and Ad Hoc Committees
The President may appoint committees with specified purpose(s) and specified term limits as necessary to conduct the business of the Association. Such committees are subject to approval by the majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Section 4: Continuation of Ad Hoc Committees and Task Forces
Continuation of an ad hoc committee or task force is accomplished by submission of Request for Continuation by the member of the Board of Directors who has the appointed responsibility for that committee or task force, followed by a majority vote of the full Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IX. DISCRIMINATION
The Association shall not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, age, disability, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identification, or veteran status. All programs and activities of the Association shall be conducted in furtherance of this policy.
ARTICLE XI. AMENDMENTS
The Bylaws may be amended by the following procedures;
Proposed amendments must be submitted to the Board of Directors. Majority vote of the Board shall recommend the amendment to the membership.
Notice of the proposed amendment shall be submitted to the membership by electronic or non-electronic means.
A majority affirmative vote of the members returning ballots within the specified time, shall constitute approval of the Bylaw change.