The name of this organization shall be the Northeastern-Speech-Language Hearing Association of Pennsylvania. (NESHAP).

Article II--Parliamentary Procedures

Procedures of all official meetings of this Association shall be conducted according to the current Robert’s Rules of Order.

Article III--Objectives

The objectives of this Association shall be:

1.  To promote a better understanding of the speech, language, and hearing impaired.

2.   To facilitate communication among those persons working with and/or responsible for the speech, language, and hearing impaired.

3.   To contribute to the professional growth of the membership.

4.   To encourage interdisciplinary cooperation and understanding.

5.   To interact with the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association as a recognized regional association.

 

Article IV--Membership

Section 1. Eligibility

There shall be four (4) categories of membership; Professional Membership,  Provisional Professional Membership, Associate Membership and Student Membership

 

(a)    Professional Membership:

Professional members must hold a Master’s degree or its equivalent with major emphasis in Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, or Speech, Language or Hearing Science; or (2) a master’s degree or its equivalent and present evidence of active research, interest and performance in the field of human communication.

 

(b)   Provisional Professional Membership

Provisional Professional members must hold a Baccalaureate degree in Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology or Deaf/Hard of Hearing Education. Provisional Professional members shall have the right to vote and hold offices.

 

(c)    Associate Membership:

All persons having an interest in the objectives of this organization may elect to become Associate members of this Association. Associate membership shall not be available to individuals who qualify for Professional or Provisional Professional membership. Associate members may neither vote nor hold office, but may serve as members of committees.

 

d)   Student Membership

Student membership is available to all students carrying a minimum of twelve (12) credits per semester. Student members may neither vote nor hold office.

Section 2. Life Membership

The executive Council may approve Life Membership status to Professional and Provisional Professional members meeting the following criteria:

(a)    Age 62.

 

(b)   Five (5) consecutive years of membership immediately prior to age 62.

Section 3. Membership Area

Individual membership is open to any person meeting membership requirements regardless of place of residence.

Article V—Dues

Section 1. Determination

The annual dues of the Association for Professional, Provisional Professional, Associate and Student members shall be recommended by Council and approved by the voting membership.

Section 2. Payment

The Vice President for Membership shall mail renewal membership forms prior to the annual Fall meeting of each year. Renewal memberships should be received by September 30.

Section 3. Membership Year

The membership year will commence on September 30.

Article VI—Council Representatives

Section 1. Responsibilities

(a)    A council member shall serve for a two (2) year period and may succeed himself/herself.

 

(b)   The council member’s name shall be submitted to Executive Council at the end of each two year period.

 

(c)    It shall be the responsibility of the council member to attend 50% of all meetings of Council and the Association. Failure to do so without just cause will result in termination from Council.

 

Article VII- Officers

Section 1. Designation

The officers of this Association shall be: President, Vice President for Program, Vice President for Local Arrangements, Vice President for Membership, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section 2. Responsibilities

(a)    President:

The President of this organization shall be elected by the membership at the Spring meeting of each even numbered year for a term of two (2) years. S/he shall assume her/his duties at the close of the Annual Spring Meeting. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Association. It shall be her/his duty to preside at all general membership meetings of the Association and the Council. S/he shall have the authority to call special meetings of the Council or any of its committees. With the approval of the Council, s/he may appoint committee chairpersons. S/he shall promote the interest of the Association in all ways. S/he shall act as the liaison person between the PSHA Executive Council and the NESHAP Council. The President may succeed himself/herself.

 

(b)   Vice President for Program:

The Vice President for Program shall be elected by the membership at the Spring meeting of each even numbered year for a term of two (2) years. To allow for early planning and continuity, the previous Vice President for Program will plan the upcoming Fall conference. The new Vice President will begin planning the next Spring conference. S/he shall assume all responsibilities delegated to her/him by the President. S/he shall assume her/his duties at the close of the annual Spring meeting. In the event the President is unable to carry out her/his responsibilities, the Vice President for Program will assume the responsibilities during the interim. The Vice President may succeed himself/herself.

 

(c)    Vice President for Local Arrangements:

The Vice President for Local Arrangements shall be elected to serve for two (2) years by those members present at the Spring meeting of each odd numbered year and shall assume the duties of the office immediately. S/he shall be responsible for contacting facilities to schedule fall and spring workshops and winter and summer executive council meetings. S/he shall arrange the schedule for the workshop in conjunction with the Vice President for Program. S/he shall also arrange rooms, food, AV equipment and overnight accommodations for speakers as needed for meetings. S/he shall mail notices for executive council meetings. The Vice President for Local Arrangements may succeed himself/herself.

 

(d)   Vice President for Membership:

The Vice President for Membership shall be elected to serve for two (2) years by those members present at the Spring meeting of each odd numbered year and shall assume the duties of the office immediately. S/he shall be responsible for keeping records of all memberships. The Vice President for Membership may succeed himself/herself.

 

(e)    Secretary:

The Secretary shall be elected to serve for two (2) years by those members present at the Spring meeting of each odd numbered year and shall assume the duties of the office immediately. S/he shall record and report the minutes of all meetings of the full membership and of the Council. The Secretary may succeed himself/herself.

 

(f)     Treasurer:

The Treasurer shall be elected to serve for two (2) years by those members present at the Spring meeting of each even numbered year and shall assume the duties of the office immediately. S/he shall receive all funds of the organization and disperse from same. S/he shall keep records of all receipts and expenditures and make report of finances to the membership at the business meetings. S/he shall take care of all financial transactions pending approval of Executive Council. The Treasurer may succeed himself/herself.

Article VIII- Executive Council

Section 1. Designation

The Executive Council shall consist of all the officers of the Association as well as members showing interest and willing to make this commitment. The immediate past president shall also serve as a member of Council. Standing committee chairpersons shall also be members of Council

Section 2. Duties

The Council shall assist the President and the Vice President for Program in planning meetings and shall discuss policy and such other matters as may be pertinent to the interests of the membership. Each council member is entitled to one (1) vote. Council shall carry out such duties as may be assigned to it by the vote of the membership. In the event of vacancy of any office, the Council shall appoint another member to finish the unexpired term of office.

Section 3. Meetings

The Council shall meet at the direction of the President no less than twice each year.

Article IX—Committees

Section 1. Committee Designation

The regular continuing business of the Association shall be carried on by the following committees as needed:

Constitution Revision Committe

Scholarship Committee

Honors Committee

Section 2. General Duties

All committees are directly responsible to the Executive Council for duties and responsibilities.

Section 3. Committee Membership

All members are eligible for appointment to committees of this Association.

Article X-- Ethics

Section 1. Code of Ethics

This Association shall abide by the Code of Ethics as established by the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Section 2. Responsibility

The Executive Council shall determine appropriate methods in dealing with ethical practice matters.

Article XI—Meetings

Section 1. Time and Place

There shall be at least a Fall and Spring meeting of the organization each year. The place of the meeting shall be designated by the Vice President for Program and the Vice President for Local Arrangements with the approval of the Council. Necessary changes in these arrangements may be made by the Vice President for Program with the approval of the President.

At least one business meeting shall be held annually.

Section 2. Expenditures

Expenses for the program shall be presented to the Council by the Vice President for Program for approval of payment.

(revised October 2002)

(approved by Membership April 30, 2025)