SECTION 1. The name of this organization shall be the Georgia Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

ARTICLE II. MISSION AND OBJECTIVES

SECTION 1. MISSION. The Georgia Speech-Language-Hearing Association is a professional association of individuals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human communication disorders that (a) advocates for the professional interest of its members and the individuals they serve, and (b) provides a forum for the exchange of professional information and ideas.

SECTION 2. GOALS

The GSHA will modify its governance structure to facilitate the responsiveness of the Association to the needs of its current and future membership.

The GSHA will implement a system of professional accountability.

The GSHA will advocate for the professional interest of its members by supporting the passage of related legislation and governmental policies.

The GSHA will monitor and encourage the development of new practices, technology and resources in order to provide opportunities for the professional growth of its membership.

The GSHA will collaborate and cooperate with external organizations and agencies to advance the professional interests of its membership.

ARTICLE III. PRINCIPLES OF ETHICS

SECTION 1. All members of this Association agree to abide by the principles and Code of Ethics of the Georgia Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. Classes of Membership. The membership of this Association shall consist of five classes: Regular Members, Associates, Students, Life Members, and Honorary members. The Regular Members shall comprise the voting body of the Association. The right to hold office shall be limited to the Regular Members.

SECTION 2. Eligibility

A. Regular Members

The academic requirements for Regular Members shall be:

A Masters Degree or equivalent with major emphasis in speech-language pathology, audiology, speech and hearing science, or education of the hearing impaired.

A Masters Degree or equivalent in another field and evidence of active research, interest and/or performance in the field of human communication.

The requirements for election as a Regular member may be waived in special instances by two-thirds vote of the Executive Council.

B. Associates shall be persons who have at least a Bachelor's Degree; but who do not meet the academic requirements for Regular Membership.

C. Students

Students shall be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate or graduate program in one of the following areas:

Speech/Language Pathology, Audiology, Speech and Hearing Science, or Education of the Hearing-Impaired.

A related field with demonstrated evidence of active research, interest, and/or performance in the field of human communication.

D. Life Members

Life members shall be persons who have held membership for ten years and have attained the age of 65.

Eligible Regular Members may apply for and automatically receive Life Membership with all privileges of a Regular Member. Annual dues will be waived for life.

E. Honorary Members

By special action, the Executive Council may confer Honorary Membership upon a person who has made unusual contribution to the Georgia Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

The Honorary member shall be informed of the honor, and the reasons for it, by the presentation of an appropriate document.

SECTION 3. Application for membership shall be requested by letter stating the institution conferring the degree(s) and the major area of interest. Membership will be granted to those eligible upon payment of dues.

SECTION 4. The membership/fiscal year shall be from July 1 through June 30.

ARTICLE V. OFFICERS

SECTION 1. The officers shall consist of a President, President-Elect, immediate Past-President, Vice-President for Internal Affairs, and Vice-President for External Affairs.

A. The President, President-Elect, , Past President, Vice-President for Internal Affairs, and Vice-President for External Affairs shall hold office for a term of one (1) year.

B. The President and President-Elect shall not serve consecutive terms in the same office.

SECTION 2. Officers shall be elected at an annual meeting of the Association or by mail ballot and shall take office the following July.

A. The slate of not more than three (3) candidates for each office shall be presented by the Nominating Committee at an annual meeting or by mail.

B. The Nominating Committee shall consist of Regional Representatives with the immediate Past President serving as chair.

C. Additional nominations for officers may be made from the floor or by the mail. All nominees shall be considered by the Nominating Committee for placement on the ballot.

D. Election shall be by a majority of the votes cast by secret ballot or by mail ballot. If on the first ballot none of the nominees for a particular office receive a majority of the votes cast, a second ballot shall be taken on the two nominees receiving the highest number of votes on the first ballot.

E. If the vote is by mail, the returned ballot must be postmarked within thirty (30) days of the mail-out.

ARTICLE VI. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

SECTION 1. The President

Shall preside at all regular meetings of the Association.

Shall preside at all meetings of the Officers' Committee.

Shall call special meetings of the Association or any of its committees.

Shall establish necessary committees and appoint committee chairs and associate chairs.

Shall upon the advice and consent of a majority of the Executive Council appoint members to fill vacancies which may occur in the officers of the Association.

Shall present standing committee chair and associate chair appointments for approval by a majority of the Officers' Committee.

Shall define the duties of a committee whenever such duties have not been adequately defined by the Association.

Shall promote the best interest of the Association

In conjunction with Officers' Committee and Long Range Strategic Planning Committee, shall prepare and present the Annual Management Plan (AMP).

Shall oversee all official correspondence of the Association.

Shall oversee financial issues of the Association.

Shall oversee contracted personnel for management of the Association, lobbying and legal services.

Shall communicate and collaborate with the Officers' Committee regarding Association business and execution of duties.

SECTION 2. The President-Elect

Shall be vested with the powers of the President when for any reason the President becomes unable to attend to the Presidential duties. If it becomes impossible for the President to complete the term of office, the President-Elect shall assume the duties.

Shall coordinate activities of designated committees and Regional Representatives.

Shall perform, at the direction and discretion of the President, other duties not otherwise assigned by the Constitution or Standing Rules.

Shall ascend to the position of President.

Shall serve as an ex officio member of the Long Range Strategic Planning Committee.

Shall chair the Honors Committee.

SECTION 3. The Past President

Shall chair the Nominating Committee for election of officers.

Shall coordinate activities of designated Association committees.

Shall review the Constitution and recommend any needed modifications.

SECTION 4. The Vice-President for Internal Affairs

Shall oversee the writing, editing and filing of copies of written Association records and annual reports from officers and committees.

Shall write a summary of Executive Council meetings for publication in the GSHA magazine.

Shall coordinate activities of designated Association committees that relate to membership services.

Shall coordinate the maintenance of archival records.

SECTION 5. The Vice-President for External Affairs

Shall coordinate activities of designated Association committees that develop and maintain relationships with external agencies.

Shall coordinate committees dealing with governmental and legislative activities.

Shall oversee committees dealing with the public.

Shall attend or send official designee to meetings of the Georgia Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.

ARTICLE VII. REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

SECTION 1. Shall be elected to serve as liaisons between specified geographic areas and Executive Council;

SECTION 2. Shall be voting members of Executive Council;

SECTION 3. Shall form the Nominating committee for the election of officers and regional representatives;

SECTION 4. Shall form the Honors committee.

ARTICLE VIII. FINANCE BOARD

SECTION 1. Shall prepare and present the proposed budget to the membership.

SECTION 2. Shall be responsible for collection and safekeeping of all funds of the Association.

SECTION 3. Shall be nonvoting members of Executive Council.

ARTICLE IX. SELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIRS, ASSOCIATE CHAIRS, AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS

SECTION 1. Committee chair shall be appointed by the President.

SECTION 2. Chairs of standing committees and associate chairs will also require approval of the majority of the elected officers as specified in Article VI, Section I F.

SECTION 3. Unless otherwise designated, committee members shall be appointed by the respective chairs.

ARTICLE X. BUSINESS MEETINGS

SECTION 1. Number of Times of Meetings A. There shall be at least one (1) business meeting of the Association annually. B. The number of meetings and/or time of meetings may be changed by a majority of regular members present at a business meeting or by mail ballot.

ARTICLE XI. DUES

SECTION 1. Membership Dues for Regular members, Associates, and Students shall be recommended to the Association by the Executive Council. Dues may be changed for the following membership year by a majority vote of the regular members present at a business meeting or by mail ballot.

ARTICLE XII. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1. Amendments to the Constitution shall be submitted to the Executive Council through the Past President.

SECTION 2. Amendments endorsed by the signatures of ten (10) members must be submitted to the membership by the Executive Council.

SECTION 3. Amendments to be considered must be published and distributed to the membership no less than thirty (30) days before a vote by the membership. The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Regular members voting. Members must receive a thirty (30) day notice of proposed changes before a vote is taken. The votes may be at a business meeting or by mail ballot. If the vote is by mail, the returned ballot must be postmarked within thirty (30) days of the mail-out.

ARTICLE XIII. AUTHORIZATION FOR STANDING RULES

The Association may adopt Standing Rules for its governance which do not conflict with any provisions herein.

ARTICLE IVX. ADOPTION