What is an advisory council?
An advisory council is
a voluntary collection of individuals who are assembled to make
recommendations and provide background for board decisions.
What is the Advisory Councils’ relationship to the
Board of Directors?
ASHA’s
single governing body is its Board of Directors (BOD). Per the
ASHA Bylaws (section 4.1), the BOD actively promotes the
objectives of the Association, operating in accordance with and
administering and implementing the programs and policies
established by the Bylaws and by the BOD.
ASHA’s Speech-Language Pathology Advisory Council and Audiology
Advisory Council serve in an advisory capacity to the BOD. Their
role is to provide advice to the BOD about issues of interest to
the Association. The opinions that the Advisory Councils provide
to the BOD help the BOD make decisions about the Association. The
responsibility for those decisions rests completely with the BOD.
Is an advisory council similar to a focus group?
Yes,
ASHA’s Advisory Councils may be thought of as standing focus
groups—where a group of individuals with common interests are
brought together as a way to gain information about a specific or
focused issue. Like focus groups, ASHA’s Advisory Councils can
provide valuable information on how groups of people think or feel
about a particular topic, provide a way to evaluate existing
Association programs, and help improve the planning and design of
new programs.
Why did ASHA establish advisory councils?
ASHA
established two advisory councils to identify and discuss the
critical and/or emergent issues of concern to Association members
and to the two professions. The information and/or recommendations
provided by the Advisory Councils are used by the BOD to help
inform decisions regarding the programs and services that should
be provided for members and supported by Association resources.
What are the specific responsibilities of ASHA’s Advisory
Councils?
Per the
2007 Governance Restructure Plan (LC 1-2007), ASHA’s Advisory
Councils are responsible for a) discussing and ranking issues of
concern to members, b) advising the BOD on issues that the need to
be considered as the Association engages in strategic or forward
planning, c) providing advice to the BOD on issues that the BOD
brings to the Advisory Councils, d) reviewing the approved
Association budget and making recommendations for future programs
and services that support ASHA’s Strategic Pathway to Excellence,
e) participating in the formal peer review of all ASHA policy
documents, and f) electing the Chair and Vice Chair for their
respective councils, nine members to the Committee on Honors, six
members to the Committee on Nominations and Elections, two
members to the Financial Planning Board, and two members to the
Government Relations and Public Policy Board.
What is the desired skill set of an Advisory Council member?
An Advisory Council should demonstrate the ability
to listen, analyze, think strategically and creatively, and work
well with people individually and in a group. Ideally, a member
is willing and able to consider multiple viewpoints about
controversial issues. A member must have the willingness and
ability to prepare for and attend annual meetings and engage
effectively and responsibly in discussions in face-to-face and
web-based environments – participation throughout the year is
essential. In addition, a member should possess the ability and
willingness to develop certain skills if one does not possess
them, such as, learning more about the substantive program areas
of the Association and issues identified by members, understanding
financial statements, and learning to use the technology tools
(e.g., web-based discussion forum, group email lists) that support
full participation as an Advisory Council member.
What is the role of the leadership of the ASHA Advisory Councils?
Each
council elects a Chair and Vice Chair, who are members of their
council. In addition, the Chairs also serve on the BOD and provide
a direct line of communication between the BOD and each Council.
The Chair serves to facilitate the council’s ability to address
its roles and responsibilities throughout the year. The Vice Chair
provides support to the Chair and the council at the Chair’s
request.
What can be done to ensure the effectiveness of an
advisory council?
To be
effective, it is essential that Advisory Council members have a
clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities and commit
the time and attention necessary to fulfill these
responsibilities. In turn, the Association must clearly articulate
the specific purpose of the Advisory Councils.
