Checklist for New NSSLHA Chapter Advisors

Congratulations for beginning the most rewarding experience of your professional career. As a NSSLHA chapter advisor, you will be developing the future leaders of the profession.

Getting started as a NSSLHA chapter advisor is easy if you follow these steps: 

• Report the change in advisor to the national office. Complete the NSSLHA Chapter Recertification Form online to update changes in the local chapter. The form asks for the NSSLHA or ASHA membership numbers of the officers and advisor. You do not have to enter that information if you do not have it. We will look up the membership information in the national office when we receive the form.
  
  Also remember to recertify the NSSLHA chapter by December 31, annually.
  
  
• Review the bylaws of the local chapter. If you do not have a copy of the local chapter's bylaws [RTF], check with your office of student affairs (or it's equivalent) for a copy. You can also contact the national office. We maintain copies for any new chapters established since 2000.
  
  
• Hold a meeting with the current officers to debrief on any outstanding issues. Meet with the officers immediately to learn what projects are outstanding. Develop a plan with the officers to resolve all outstanding matters and fix any problems.
  
  If the chapter has not elected new officers, consult the local bylaw provisions related to the election of new officers. In the absence of the bylaws, identify four students that exhibit leadership qualities and select those students to become the new officers. Make sure that these students have national membership with NSSLHA.
  
  
• Read NSSLHA Today and forward information to your students. The national office posts e-mail announcements, titled  "NSSLHA Today" for local chapters. You will find these archived on the Chapters channel of the NSSLHA Web site. These announcements contain timely and relevant information to the chapter and students.
  
  It is important to read these updates and forward the information to students in your program. Keep your e-mail address updated with the national office to ensure that you receive information on a timely basis.
  
  
• Make contact with your NSSLHA Regional Councilor Representative. The ten students selected to serve on the NSSLHA Executive Council are there to advocate for the students. Chapter advisors are encouraged to contact your representative to get on the regional mailing list, to get information about upcoming activities and events in the region, or to simply network with other chapters in the region. 
  
  
• Familiarize yourself with national programs and activities. Use the NSSLHA Web site to link to all the information that you will need to get your chapter participating in:
  
  
  • Advocacy Program for Students
  • CSD Career Awareness Month
  • CICSD Mentoring Program
  • Community Service Grants
  • Graduate School Fair
  • McKinley Regional Project Grants
  • NSSLHA Loves
  • NSSLHA Day at the ASHA Convention
  • NSSLHA Day Chapter Ambassadors Program
  • NSSLHA Honors Program

• Download the NSSLHA Chapter Brochure, visit the FAQ section,  and bookmark the Chapter Resource section of the NSSLHA Web site.
  
  Everything that a NSSLHA chapter needs to operate is available on the NSSLHA Web site. Download the NSSLHA Chapter Brochure [PDF] for useful tips to maintain your NSSLHA chapter. Visit the FAQ section of the NSSLHA Web site for quick links to answers to some commonly asked questions about operating and maintaining a NSSLHA chapter. Bookmark the Chapter Resources section of the Web site to link to application forms and guidelines for most national programs.
  
  
• Contact the national office whenever you need additional assistance.National office staff is available Monday–Friday between the hours of 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Eastern Time for assistance. In the absence of national office staff, please feel free to contact the Action Center at 800-498-2071 for assistance.