Bylaws of the
South Dakota Speech Language Hearing Association

(Revised 2009)

ARTICLE I

Name

The name of this organization shall be the South Dakota Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

ARTICLE II

Purpose

Section 1. The purpose of this Association shall be:

A. To promote speech and hearing as a science and as a profession.

B. To encourage basic scientific study of the processes of communication and promote investigation of communicative disorders.

C. To stimulate the exchange and dissemination of information pertaining to the normal aspects of speech, hearing, language, eating, feeding, swallowing, voice, cognition; speech pathology; audiology; and language therapy.

D. To encourage and foster the growth of professional services for individuals with speech, hearing, and language disorders in the State of South Dakota.

E. To promote understanding and cooperation among the educational, medical, and other related professions, as well as the general public, in the area of Speech Pathology and Audiology.

F. To establish and maintain a close relationship with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

G. To promote the prevention of disorders of human communication.

H. To promote high standards and ethics for the academic and clinical preparation of individuals entering the discipline of human communication sciences and disorders.

I. To promote the acquisition of new knowledge and skills for those within the discipline.

J. To promote the individual and collective professional interests of the members of the Association.

K. To advocate on behalf of persons with communication and related disorders.

 

Section 2. Nondiscriminatory Policy

A. The Association shall not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender identification, sexual orientation, or handicapping condition.  All programs and activities of the Association shall be conducted in furtherance of this policy.”

ARTICLE III

Membership

The membership of this Association shall consist of four classes: Active Members, Associate Members, Affiliate Members and Life Members.

 

Section 2. Eligibility

research, interest, and performance in the field of human communication. Those persons who were active members as of August 31, 1968 may retain continuous membership without satisfying the graduate degree requirement.

B. Associate Member. Persons who hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology and/or Audiology and who are interested in promoting the purposes, objectives, and activities of the South Dakota Speech-Language- Hearing Association are eligible for Associate Membership.

C. Affiliate Member. All students in the areas of Speech Pathology and/or Audiology as well as other persons who are interested in promoting the purposes, objectives, and activities of the South Dakota Speech-Language- Hearing Association are eligible for Affiliate Membership.

D. Life Member. Permanent life membership shall be automatically granted to those who have been both an Active Member in good standing for ten consecutive years and have reached the age of 65.

 

Section 3. Membership Privileges

A. Active Members shall have full membership rights and responsibilities, which 

include voting and holding office.

B. Associate Members may serve as chair or as a member of Association Committees, attend all Association meetings and may speak from the floor upon any matter being discussed, but they shall not be privileged to vote or serve as an Officer of the Association.

C. Affiliate members may attend all Association meetings and may speak from the floor. They may not be privileged to serve as chair of Association Committees, vote, or serve as an Officer of the Association.

D. Life Members shall have full active membership rights and responsibilities.

E. All members of the South Dakota Speech-Language-Hearing Association shall agree to be governed by the Code of Ethics of the Association, which is the Code of Ethics of the American Speech Language Hearing Association.

 

Section 4. Application for Membership

B. Applicants for membership shall submit a completed application and such evidence as is required to establish membership classification.

C. Renewal applications will be due by March 1^st. 

D. New members shall be accepted throughout the year.

E. The membership year shall be from January 1^st through December 31^st.

ARTICLE IV

Dues

A. The annual dues of the Association shall be determined by a majority vote of the Officers of the Association.

B. Life members will not be required to pay dues.

ARTICLE V

Officers

Section 1. Officers of the Association

A. Officers of the Association consist of: President-Elect, President, Past- President, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President for Speech Pathology, Vice President for Audiology and Editor.

B. The President-Elect will be elected and serve three consecutive terms, as President-Elect, President and Immediate Past President, respectively or until a successor is elected. All other Officers of the Association will be elected for two-year terms.  Elections will be completed following the Annual Meeting of the Association by voting Members of the Association via electronic or non- electronic ballot, with terms commencing January 1^st.

C. Officers shall be Active Members of the Association.

 

Section 2. Power and Duties of Officers

A. The President shall:

2. preside over all regular business meetings of the Association and the Executive Council;

3. call emergency meetings of the Association and the Executive Council or any of its committees;

4. appoint members to standing committees at the recommendation of the Executive Council, and to appoint special committees as the need arises;

5. appoint a parliamentarian to rule on the order of each business meeting;

6. promote the interests of the Association in all ways;

7. serve as chair of the legislative committee;

8. coordinate the annual convention to be held during the year served as President.

 

B. The President-Elect shall:
1. preside over all meetings of the Association and the Executive Council in the  absence or disability of the President;
2. serve as chairperson of the publicity committee;
3. succeed to the Presidency in the event of resignation or incapacity of the President;
4. succeed to the Presidency upon completion of his/her term as President- Elect;
5. coordinate the annual convention to be held in the year of his/her term as President.

 

C. The Past-President shall:
1. serve as the chairperson of the committee on nominations;
2. serve as the chairperson of the committee on awards;
3. promote the interests of the association in all ways.

 

D. The Secretary shall:
1. record and file the minutes of all official business meetings of the meetings of the Association, both of the Executive Council and of the general business meetings;
2. collaborate with the membership chair to oversee membership applications, membership lists, and correspondence of the association;
3. receive and file copies of reports of officers and committee chairpersons;

4. keep a record of action taken on applications for membership;

5. maintain a current membership list;
6. conduct the correspondence of the Association as directed by the President or the Executive Council or both;
7. serve as a member of the Committee on Membership;
8. make election ballots available;
9. receive ballots and tabulate election results.

 

E. The Treasurer shall:
1. collect and safeguard the Association’s lawful funds subject to the expressed wishes of the Association in official meetings;
2. serve as a chairperson of the Budget Committee;
3. maintain accurate, up-to-date records of receipts and payments.

 

F. The Editor shall:
1. have general supervision of all publications of the Association;
2. serve as chairperson of the Committee on Publications.

 

G. The Vice President for Speech Pathology shall:
1. serve as a member of the committee on scholarship & recruitment;
2. assist with convention duties assigned by the President-elect;
3. promote the interests of the association in all ways.

 

H. The Vice President for Audiology shall:
1. serve as a member of the Continuing Education Committee;
2. assist with convention duties assigned by the President-elect;
3. promote the interests of the association in all ways.

 

ARTICLE VI

Elections

Section 1. Terms of Office
The term of office shall be from 1 January to 31 December and shall be as designated below or until successor can be elected:

President ……………………………one year
President-Elect …………………..one year
Past-President …………………...one year
Vice-President of SLP…………..two years
Vice-President of Aud…………..two years
Secretary …………………………..two years
Treasurer …………………………..two years
Editor …………………………..…..two years

 

Section 2. Election Procedures

A. The Committee on Nominations shall submit a slate of nominees for Association office to the voting membership at the annual business meeting.

B. Further nominations may be made from the floor.

C. Election shall be by electronic or nonelectronic ballot made available by the Secretary to the entire active membership within seven days following the annual business meeting.

E. The position of President-elect will be open for nominations and election every year. Elections for the positions of Treasurer and Vice President of Audiology shall be held in odd numbered years and elections for the positions of Secretary, Vice President of Speech-Language Pathology and Editor shall be held in even numbered years.

 

Section 3. Vacancies

A vacancy in any position of the Officers of the Association shall be filled in accordance with the following procedures:

A.   If the vacancy is in the presidency, the President-Elect shall automatically become President for the remainder of that term and for the term for which elected.

B.    If the vacancy is in the office of President-Elect, the Officers of the Association shall elect an active member of the association to fulfill the duties and obligations of the office, but such person shall not succeed to the presidency.  At the next election, a President and a President-Elect shall be elected via separate elections.

C.   If the vacancy occurs in the office of Past-President, the last former President willing to serve shall complete the unexpired portion of the term.

D.   If a vacancy occurs with the Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President of Speech Language Pathology, Vice President of Audiology or Editor, the Officers of the Association shall elect an active member to complete the unexpired portion of the term.  

 

Section 4. Removal From Office

Any elected Officer of the Association may be removed from office via the following procedures:

A.   by a vote of five of the current Officers of the Association

B.    by a written petition signed by 2% of the members of the Association on the last annual count and approval of the petition as indicated by two-thirds vote of returned electronic or nonelectronic ballots by the members of the Association

C.   An Officer will be removed if no longer a member in good standing of the Association

 

ARTICLE VII

Executive Council

Section 1. Designation

The Executive Council of the Association shall consist of all Officers of the Association who will retain active membership in the Association, as well as any Association Committee chairs and representatives as deemed necessary by the President.  Only Officers of the Association will be privileged to vote at Executive Council meetings.

 

Section 2. Meetings
Annual meetings of the Executive Council shall be held each year at the time and place of the annual convention. Special meetings may be held at any other time when necessary and called by the President.

 

Section 3. Quorum

 

Section 4.Powers and Duties

 

ARTICLE VIII

Committees & Representatives

Section 1. General Duties

The regular, continuing business of the Association shall be carried by the committees listed in the following sections. The Officers of the Association shall establish and dissolve standing committees, working groups and other entities necessary to conduct the Association’s business, as well as change the designation, member qualifications and terms as they see fit.  Such committees may include by are not limited to the committees described in the following sections.  The Chairpersons of each active committee shall be responsible to the Executive Council and shall make a report at the annual business meeting.

Section 2. Committee on Nominations

The Committee on Nominations shall consist of the Past President and two appointed members who shall prepare nominations for all officers to be elected and submit these nominations to the membership.

Section 3. Committee on Awards

The Committee on Awards shall consist of the Past President and two appointed members who shall solicit nominations for Association and ASHA awards from the membership each year. Award recipients will be selected by the Executive Council from the nominations.

Section 4. Committee on Membership

The Committee on Membership shall consist of the Chairperson, The Secretary, the Treasurer and additional members as shall be required to discharge the duties of the Committee. The Committee shall maintain a current membership list and exercise general supervision over matters relating to membership.

Section 5. Committee on Scholarship & Recruitment

The Scholarship and Recruitment Committee shall consist of at least one member of each state-approved training institution and other members deemed necessary by the Executive Council. Responsibilities shall be:

A. to provide career information upon which students can make appropriate career decisions;

B. to provide public education and general information about the field;

C. to solicit and recommend nominations for student scholarships awarded by the association.

Section 6. Committee on Publicity

The Committee on Publicity shall consist of a chairperson who shall be the President-Elect and other members deemed necessary by the Executive Council. The Committee shall provide necessary and appropriate publicity in the best interest of the Association.

Section 7. Committee on Publications

The Committee on Publications shall consist of a chairperson who shall be the Editor and other members as deemed necessary by the Executive Council.  The Committee shall provide the members of the Association with newsletters and any other publications, electronic or nonelectronic, necessary for the benefit of the professions. 

Section 8. Budget Committee

The Budget Committee shall be chaired by the Treasure and shall be responsible for establishing a proposed budget for the Association.

Section 9. Code of Ethics Committee

The Code of Ethics Committee shall consist of a chair, all Officers of the Association, and any other members appointed by the Executive Council.  The Committee shall review all written alleged violations of the Code of Ethics and act upon such violations as indicated in Article XII.

Section 10. Committee on Continuing Education

The Committee on Continuing Education shall consist of the chair, who is the Continuing Education Coordinator, the Vice President of Audiology and any other members deemed necessary by the chair.  The chair shall report continuing education opportunities to the Executive Council.  This committee also collaborates with the President-Elect and President in the coordination of the Annual Convention.

Section 11. Legislative Committee

The Legislative Committee shall consist of the chair, who will be the President, and any other members as deemed necessary by the chair.  The Legislative Committee shall:

A.    research current and proposed legislation, as well as past legislation attempts relating to issues affecting members of SDSLHA and their clientele

B.    survey members as indicated

C.     collaborate and consult with ASHA leaders, other professions, other State Associations and legislators in order to write legislation that will benefit the professions and sciences of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, as well as individuals served by said professions.

A. Advisory Councilor
    B. Council of State Association Presidents (C-SAP) Representative
    C. State Education Advocacy Leaders (SEAL) Representative
    D. State Advocate for Reimbursement (STAR) Representative
    E. ASHA Continuing Education (CE) Coordinator

    F.    State Medicare Administrative Contractor(SMAC) Network Representative

 

ARTICLE IX

Publications

The Association shall publish on-going newsletters, a directory of the membership roll, and such other publications as are recommended by the Publications Committee and approved by the Executive Council. All members in good standing shall receive the Association’s publications without additional charge. The Association shall use electronic communication and other means of technology to encourage memberships and participation in the association, and disseminate professional information as the need arises throughout the year.

ARTICLE X

Association Honors

Section 1. Honors of the Association

A. The Honors of the Association shall be conferred on a member by a three-fourths vote of the Officers of the Association.

B. Honors of the Association shall be conferred in recognition of distinguished contributions to the Association or to the field of Speech Pathology or Audiology, or speech and hearing science, and is the highest honor the Association can give.

ARTICLE XI

Meetings

The meetings of the Association shall be held annually at the time and place designated by the Executive Council. The program of each annual meeting shall consist of at least one business meeting of the Association.

 

ARTICLE XII

Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Association in all cases to which they are applicable and to the extent they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation, or with any policies or rules of order the Association may adopt.

ARTICLE XIII

Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics of the South Dakota Speech-Language-Hearing Association shall be the Code of Ethics of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The Code of Ethics shall contain principles of professional and scientific responsibilities by which Members shall be bound. Any violations shall be brought to the Code of Ethics Committee for action.  Charges of violations shall be presented in writing to the Code of Ethics Committee. After proper investigation, if the Code of Ethics Committee finds the charges warranted, it may issue warning to the member in question. If the warning is disregarded, or if the nature of the violation is such as to render warning inappropriate, the Code of Ethics Committee may take disciplinary action. The accused Member may present a statement in his or her behalf to the Code of Ethics Committee; but, if no statement is offered, the Code of Ethics Committee may act without it.

ARTICLE XIV

Amendments and Revisions

Section 1.

Section 2.

ARTICLE XV

Indemnification

The Association shall indemnify all officers; employees; committee; council; and board members; and all other volunteers of the Association for their activities conducted according to the policies and procedures of the Association, and shall purchase insurance for such indemnification to the extent determined by the Officers of the Association.

 

ARTICLE XVI

Dissolution

This Association may be dissolved in accordance with law.  Any assets remaining after payment of costs and expenses of the dissolution proceedings, payment of debts, obligations and liabilities of the Association shall be distributed to NSSLHA organizations at South Dakota colleges and universities with recognized graduate programs in Speech Language Pathology and/or Audiology.