Hello Region IV,
I hope each of you is doing well! I also hope this newsletter helps you stay informed about what is happening in our region and our field. This past year has brought exciting changes and more opportunities than ever before. 2007 is our 35th anniversary year, and we have some great things planned for each month. We hope you take advantage of the exciting giveaways and special programming. More information is to come, so keep your eyes peeled!
I challenge each and every one of you to become more involved this year, and a new year is a perfect time to start. Become a National member today. In addition to the newsletter, continually check the website to see how NSSLHA is working for you!
Please contact me if there are any questions and/or concerns. I look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Sarah Macris
NSSLHA Regional Councilor- Region IV
The Ohio State University
smacris@gmail.com
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- Highlights from NSSLHA Day at the ASHA Convention in Miami
- McKinley Regional Project Grants & Community Service Grants
- Is your NSSLHA Chapter or Advisor Outstanding?
- Regional Councilor Applications Due Soon!
- News from Around the Region
1. Highlights from NSSLHA Day at the ASHA Convention in Miami
- Alex Johnson, Ph.D. was awarded with Honors of NSSLHA
- Julie Barkmeier-Kraemer from University of Arizona was awarded with Chapter Advisor of the Year Honors
- Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania was awarded Chapter of the Year Honors
- The first annual NSSLHA Member Forum was held for students to discuss their concerns or ideas
- This year's speakers discussed various issues with ethics and finding your niche in ASHA
- Nova Southeastern, this year's NSSLHA Day Ambassadors, donated their stipend to the NSSLHA Loves campaign, which is on its way to reaching the $50,000 goal
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2. McKinley Regional Project Grants & Community Service Grants
McKinley Regional Project Grants
NSSLHA chapters in good standing are eligible to receive grants up to $1,000 to support educational, clinical, and professional development activities for students in communication science and disorders programs. Regional Project Funds should be used to enable NSSLHA members to expand their knowledge of the profession through the development of materials, conferences, workshops, and sessions.
Community Service Grants
This award program funds local chapters that wish to provide resources to nonprofit organizations that assist others living with a communication disorder. NSSLHA chapters in good standing are eligible to receive matching funds assistance up to $1,000 to purchase equipment (e.g., AAC devices, computers and/or peripheral computer devices) or other materials (e.g., clinical tests, software) to donate to a nonprofit organization.
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3. Is your NSSLHA Chapter or Advisor Outstanding?
NSSLHA Chapter Advisor Honors are awarded by the Executive Council to the chapter advisor who has provided sustained and exceptional leadership through their efforts with the local NSSLHA chapter. NSSLHA Chapter Honors are awarded to the NSSLHA chapter that demonstrates a significant combination of: an awareness of student issues and concerns, outreach to the community, educational opportunities, and social and fund-raising activities promoting both the professions and national NSSLHA.
Nominate your Chapter or Advisor by January 31, 2007. Clicking on the links above will provide more information and an application form.
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4. Regional Councilor Applications Due Soon!
NSSLHA is looking for a new Region 4 Councilor! The term begins in July 2007 and lasts 2 years. The following materials are due on or before February 12, 2007: a completed application, résumé, statement of interest, and reference letters from one professional and one student. Please check the NSSLHA Web site for eligibility requirements and more detailed information. I hope you consider applying! This experience has been fun, rewarding, and a wonderful introduction into the professional world.
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5. News from Around the Region (Written in order of submission)
Miami University
Miami NSSLHA president speaking to the OSHLA audience
On October 21, 2006, Miami University's chapter of NSSLHA hosted the First Annual State-Wide NSSLHA Conference. The conference was attended by over 175 people including NSSLHA members, chapter advisors, professionals, and representatives from National NSSLHA, OSLHA, and ASHA. The conference was a day-long event, which included a NSSLHA chapter collaborative session where chapters were mixed and participated in discussions related to their individual organizations, how to collaborate throughout the state, and the field of speech pathology and audiology. There was a wide-variety of breakout sessions, with topics including voice disorders, autism spectrum disorders, leadership opportunities, benefits of student membership in professional organizations, ethical issues in the field, traumatic brain injury, swallowing, and the job market/outlook for the field.
An All-Ohio listserv was created to facilitate the maintenance of communication among chapters and involves NSSLHA members, NSSLHA advisors, and representatives from National NSSLHA and OSLHA. If you would like to be a part of the listserv, please contact Sara Chaney at chaneysg@muohio.edu.
The OSHLA Graduate School Fair held at the conference
Central Michigan University
Their chapter president wrote: "We had a fundraiser at Buffalo Wild Wings and raised enough money ($250-$300) to purchase a BoardMaker for our materials room in the campus clinic. This will help student clinicians with more options to choose from."
Ball State University
Their advisor wrote: "Our NSSLHA group put together a really neat idea for Homecoming this fall, and in doing so, carried home a lot of awards. We voted, our gal was nominated by a sorority, and was the Homecoming Queen—and we are one of the smaller groups represented on Campus. We won 1st place and 2nd in the Banners Contest. They also turned our main office into a 50's diner complete with costumes and soda glasses. It was really cute, and they won 2nd place on campus. They were the "Female Independent Winner" in the bed race and "Best Costumes" in the bed race. Best of all, they had so much fun.
They have also been busy with bake sales and selling t-shirts and hoodies, and candles so they could donate to NSSLHA Loves and the local Autism Group. They are a great bunch of girls."
Wayne State University
One student wrote: "Some WSSLHA members volunteered at the Wayne State University 2006 homecoming game. They helped Wayne State fans to assemble WSU buttons in support of the football team."
From left to right: Ereeny Hannah, Emily Long, Kelly Schweizer (bottom), Melissa Bailey, and Kevin Kuznia.
College of Wooster
Their president wrote: "In December, many of the Communication Sciences and Disorders majors went to a Holiday Tree Decorating Party at Dr. Nancy Aarts's house. We car pooled and traveled to Wadsworth, Ohio, which was about a 30 minute drive. We had a very nice time, and it was the perfect break from the end of the semester assignments. We not only decorated her Christmas tree, but we ate delicious snacks Dr. Aarts made as well as played a long game of "Sorry" on teams."
University of Cincinnati
Their secretary wrote: "The University of Cincinnati NSSLHA Chapter has been very busy this fall quarter. Eight of our members just returned from the ASHA Convention in Miami. We had a great time networking, going to sessions, viewing posters, and meeting fellow NSSLHA members. The NSSLHA Luncheon was a great time and we were even awarded for our large Love's Campaign donation. We were all very excited to meet and have our picture taken with the ASHA president, Dr. Alex Johnson.
Our chapter has been hard at work with several fundraising efforts. We recently raised over $450 by working as baggers at a local Biggs grocery store. We have been holding monthly pizza/bake sales to get the entire Allied Health community involved. NSSLHA t-shirt sales have been a great way to raise money for the Love's Campaign. Through these efforts we have made an impact on the community by spreading knowledge of our major and communication disorders.
We are currently holding a donation drive for the local Ronald McDonald House. To increase involvement we have made it a competition between the students and faculty/staff in our entire College of Allied Health Sciences. To date, we have item donations totaling over $500 including gift cards, a DVD/VHS player, food and other household items. NSSLHA is really helping to create a home away from home for families and their children who are receiving treatment at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center regardless of their ability to pay.
Our Chapter is looking forward to doing even more activities and educational awareness in the winter quarter."
Recertified Chapters in the Region
Congratulations to the following chapters for sending in their annual chapter recertification and are in good standing with the National Office:
- Butler University
- Calvin College
- Cleveland State University
- College of Wooster
- Eastern Michigan University
- Michigan State University
- Northern Michigan University
- Ohio University
- University of Cincinnati
- University of Toledo
- Wayne State University
For those chapters still needing to recertify, please do so ASAP. It is important to remain in good standing with the National Office in order to qualify for scholarships and grants! You can recertify online. If you need help or have any questions, please contact me.
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