Learn more about the Region 5 Regional Councilor Courtney Durham:
Academic status: 1st year Master's Student
Major: Speech-Language Pathology
Expected date of graduation: May 2012
University: East Carolina University
Area of professional interest: Child Language and Dysphagia
I joined NSSLHA because: I received my undergraduate degree in special education and had taught for 4 years before returning back to graduate school. I joined NSSLHA during my provisional year to become more involved in my local chapter and meet other students. During my first year of graduate school, I wanted to become even more involved. I ran for office and became the President of our local chapter. I was excited to take a more active role in our organization, working with our faculty and students to serve those in our community.
I applied for a position on the Executive Council because: I have enjoyed my leadership role in our local chapter. As President I have communicated with our members, fellow officers and faculty to organize events for our community, plan fundraisers and increase awareness to our field. I want to continue making an impact by becoming more involved in our national organization. My ability to interact with and engage others will help me in my role as Region 5 Councilor. Assisting the local chapters in our region, I will keep them well informed about and involved in the national organization and its activities.
During my two-year term on the council, I will be successful if I accomplish: My primary goal is to bring awareness of everything that the national organization has to offer to the local chapters in my region. I feel that many local chapters do not realize the possibilities that are available and that they can benefit from opportunities the national organization has to offer.
I, myself was in this position when becoming President of our local chapter. I want to encourage members to see that involvement with the national organization is more than just attending the national conference. I want to encourage local chapters to get involved throughout the whole year. The national organization helps provide opportunities for local chapters to get involved in their community, legislation and national events. I want to be a liaison that opens doors for local chapters to see the endless possibilities they can accomplish.
My vision for my region is: My vision for the region is to reach out to each local chapter and facilitate communication among our region. I want local chapters within our region more involved with each other, providing more opportunities in our surrounding communities. The unity among chapters can provide not only camaraderie but different viewpoints from different areas so that together we can be successful. So many times the lines of communication become easily broken. I want to facilitate communication between the national organization and local chapters. I want to see more members of local chapters having an increased awareness of not only their local community, but of issues and concerns within our field at the national level.
It takes just one person to start making a difference...imagine what would happen if we had increased awareness with members at each local chapter in our region, each wanting to make a greater difference in their future and the future of their clients.