We always welcome people who are interested in helping MSHA become a better professional organization for its members.
Honors Committee:
The Honors Committee helps to recognize the outstanding members of our organization by:
- 1) Recommending recipients of the Association Awards to the Executive Board
- 2) Executing the awards and recognition process
Contact: April Jardes, VP for Professional and Public Relations
Email: msha@showmemsha.org
Member Engagement Network:
The Member Engagement Network is made up of statewide regional leaders who connect MSHA members together in order to:
- 1) Expand membership benefits and recruit new members
- 2) Shape the future of our organization through new and innovative ideas
- 3) Assist in planning and implementing new policies and programs to meet the needs of the membership
- 4) Create networking opportunities to increase MSHA involvement
Contact: April Jardes, VP for Professional & Public Relations
Email: msha@showmemsha.org
Outreach Interest Group:
The Outreach Interest Group is a statewide network of providers who:
- 1) Disseminate information about the professions to the general public
- 2) Maintain a flow of information to various news media especially during Better Hearing and Speech Month in May
- 3) Write informational articles for the MSHA Link and community publications
- 4) Propose activities for the Annual Convention to motivate MSHA members to advocate with stakeholders and educate the public about our professions
Contact: April Jardes, VP for Professional and Public Relations
Email: msha@showmemsha.org
Multicultural Interest Group:
The Multicultural Interest Group is a network of MSHA members united in order to:
- 1) Disseminate evidence-based information for the provision of quality intervention services to minority populations
- 2) Increase opportunities for membership and involvement of under-represented groups
- 3) Provide for the inclusion of multicultural affairs in all MSHA services and programs
- 4) Create networking opportunities for providers who are interested promoting the needs of individuals from minority groups at the Annual Convention
Contact: Laura Randen, VP for Clinical Services
Email: msha@showmemsha.org
Audiology Network:
The Audiology Network increases opportunities for MSHA audiologists in order to:
- 1) Connect, collaborate and meet the needs of hearing professionals
- 2) Disseminate information to news media especially during Better Hearing and Speech Month in May
- 3) Provide input regarding the needs of audiologists to affect change with legislators and primary stakeholders
- 4) Confer with the MSHA Executive Board on retention and recruitment of audiologists
- 5) Create networking opportunities for audiologists at the Annual Convention and MSHA events
Contact: Lauren Felton, VP for Audiology Services
Email: msha@showmemsha.org
Early Childhood Network:
The Early Childhood Network connects early childhood providers around the state in order to:
- 1) Share information regarding the provision of early childhood intervention
- 2) Address the continuing education needs and topics of importance to MSHA members working within early childhood settings
- 3) Disseminate information about early childhood speech-language milestones and concerns
- 4) Create networking opportunities for early childhood providers at the Annual Convention
Contact: Shannon Neier, VP for School Services
Email: msha@showmemsha.org
School Services Network:
The School Services Network is made up of the largest constituency of MSHA members and provides opportunities for members to:
- 1) Collaborate and share information among professionals employed in the public schools
- 2) Address concerns of MSHA members regarding caseload, ethics, certification, etc.
- 3) Promote the continuing education needs of MSHA members who work in the public schools
- 4) Disseminate information/interpretation regarding changes in Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) or American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) regulations
- 5) Create networking opportunities for school service providers at the Annual Convention
Contact: Shannon Neier, VP for School Services
Email: msha@showmemsha.org
Clinical Service Network:
The Clinical Service Network helps providers in hospitals and rehab clinics connect in order to:
- 1) Address concerns of MSHA members regarding rehab/clinical issues
- 2) Share information on the complex needs of patients requiring speech-language and swallowing services in hospitals, rehab centers and skilled nursing facilities
- 3) Disseminate updates/interpretations regarding changes in ASHA regulations, licensing procedures, accrediting bodies (i.e., Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations [JCAHO] or Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities [CARF]) or third party payers
- 4) Create networking opportunities for clinical service providers at the Annual Convention
Contact: Laura Randen, VP for Clinical Services
Email: msha@showmemsha.org
Communication Network:
Contact: Kelli Maeder, VP for Communications
Email: msha@showmemsha.org
Legislative Advocates:
The MSHA Legislative Advocates are a network of providers who band together in order to:
- 1) Raise awareness of state/federal legislative and regulatory proposals concerning MSHA members
- 2) Converge at the capitol and disseminate information to lawmakers during the MSHA Legislative Day in February regarding bills important to the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology
- 3) When called upon, assist the MSHA Lobbyist with spearheading calls-to-action regarding legislative issues
- 4) Increase the impact and power of MSHA’s voice by recruiting fellow members to join advocacy efforts and through networking opportunities at the Annual Convention
Contact: Emily Buxbaum, VP for Legislative Affairs
Email: msha@showmemsha.org
Convention Volunteer:
You will be responsible for directing session check-in, introducing the speakers, coordinating distribution of items for the session (if necessary) and ensuring the sessions run smoothly during the MSHA Annual Convention.
Contact: MSHA Central Office
Phone: 888-729-6742
Fax: 888-729-3489
Email: msha@showmemsha.org
Convention Planning Team:
The Convention Planning Team is responsible for planning, organizing and implementing the annual two and half day meeting of professionals from across the state.
Contact: MSHA Central Office
Phone: 888-729-6742
Fax: 888-729-3489
Email: msha@showmemsha.org