MSHA COMMITTEES
We always welcome people who are interested in
helping MSHA become
a better professional organization for its
members.
Honors Committee:
The Honors Committee is responsible for the recommendation to
the Executive Board of the recipients for the Association
Awards.
Contact:
Elizabeth McKerlie, VP for Professional & Public Relations,
Phone: 816-413-6760, Fax: 816-413-6765, Email:
emckerli@nkcsd.k12.mo.us
Membership and Recruitment
Committee: The
duties of the Membership and Recruitment Committee are to recruit
new members, provide input to the EB when planning new policies
and programs to meet the needs of the membership, as well as
expand and emphasize member benefits.
Contact: Elizabeth McKerlie, VP
for Professional & Public Relations, Phone: 816-413-6760, Fax:
816-413-6765, Email:
emckerli@nkcsd.k12.mo.us
Public Relations Committee:
The duties of the public relations committee shall consist of
disseminating information about the Association’s activities to
the general public; maintaining a flow of information to various
news media; periodically writing informational articles for
non-professional periodicals which are related to the professional
aspects of the association; coordinating activities and providing
information to the news media for May is Better Hearing and Speech
Month; and planning an Association Reception at the annual ASHA Convention.
Contact: Elizabeth McKerlie, VP
for Professional & Public Relations, Phone: 816-413-6760, Fax:
816-413-6765, Email:
emckerli@nkcsd.k12.mo.us
Multicultural Concerns Committee:
The multicultural concerns committee was established to address
the concerns raised by the minority membership of the
Association. The committee functions to increase minority
participation in the Association, to assist in the development of
provision of quality services to minority populations, and to
provide for inclusion of multicultural concerns in all Association
services and programs.
Contact: Sharon Sowder, VP for
Clinical Services, Phone: 417-257-5959, Fax: 417-257-5814,
Email:
meow11172002@yahoo.com
Audiology Affairs Committee:
The Audiology Affairs Committee is broad in its scope. Its
purpose is to address the professional concerns of all MSHA
audiologists. The committee typically meets once during the
annual MSHA Convention. Depending on the issues before the
committee, members may be assigned information seeking tasks or
projects. Committee members, depending on their location in the
state, may be asked to attend meetings or concern to Missouri
audiologists and report back to the committee.
Contact: Kerri Helms, VP for
Audiology Services, Phone: 314-977-2944, Fax: 314-977-1615,
Email: helmska@slu.edu
Early Childhood Committee:
The Early Childhood Committee coordinates the annual Early
Childhood Workshop. The other major focus of the Early Childhood
Committee is working with phonology issues. An early childhood
meeting is held in the spring at the annual MSHA Convention. If
necessary, additional meetings are held in the summer and winter
at a centralized location. Articles are submitted for the MSHA
newsletter to inform the MSHA membership of activities and topics
related to Early Childhood. Committee Chairs welcome all
suggestions for addressing the continuing education needs of MSHA
members working within Early Childhood settings and addressing
concerns of MSHA members regarding Early Childhood topics.
Contact: Brenda Martien, VP for
School Services, Phone: 417-581-9289, Email:
bmartien@centurytel.net
School Affairs Committee:
The duties of the School Affairs Committee include addressing the
continuing education needs of MSHA members working in the Public
Schools; coordinating the Annual Issues and Answers workshop;
disseminating information/interpretation regarding changes in DESE
or ASHA regulations; addressing concerns of MSHA members re:
caseload, ethics, certification, etc. in public schools.
Contact: Brenda Martien, VP for
School Services, Phone: 417-581-9289, Email:
bmartien@centurytel.net
Rehab/Clinical Issues
Committee: The
duties of the Rehab/Clinical Issues Committee include addressing
the continuing education needs of MSHA members working within
Rehab/Clinical settings; disseminating information/interpretation
regarding changes in ASHA regulations, licensing procedures,
accrediting bodies (i.e., JCAHO or CARF), or third party payers;
addressing concerns of MSHA members re: Rehab/Clinical Issues.
Contact: Sharon Sowder, VP for
Clinical Services, Phone: 417-257-5959, Fax: 417-257-5814,
Email:
meow11172002@yahoo.com
Legislative Committee:
The Legislative Committee represents the membership in matters
related to audiologists, speech-language pathologists and
consumers of our services on local, state and federal levels. We
provide testimony at state legislative and administrative
committee hearings and contact the media and offices of state
government about issues relevant to consumer protection and our
profession.
You have the opportunity to
volunteer to be a member of either the “legislative network” or
the “legislative committee.” The network is active in contacting
legislators within their districts about issues and bills before
the general assembly important to the Association. The committee
is active in drafting legislation, particularly in Missouri, and
providing testimony in Jefferson City at legislative committee
hearings. The committee is responsible for planning MSHA
Legislative Day, an annual event to promote our profession and
make our professional needs known to legislators.
Meetings are not held on a
regularly scheduled basis due to the “timely” importance of many
of our efforts. We prefer to contact committee members by email
or telephone to provide updates and request assistance with goals
of the committee.
Contact: Lynnette Cowherd, VP
for Legislative Affairs, Phone: 660-584-7127; Email:
cowherdl@huskers.k12.mo.us
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
We always welcome people who are interested in helping MSHA become
a better professional organization for its members.
