Executive Council - New Zealand Speech-language Therapists' Association

The six officers elected to the Executive Council are:

President
Professional Standards
Professional Development
Māori and Cultural Development
Member Networks
Communications

President

To provide strategic leadership of NZSTA.
To assist and direct Executive Council members in decision making.
To attend to the regular administration and business details of NZSTA.
To oversee NZSTA finances and ensure cost effective utilisation of financial resources.
To ensure budgets allow for funding of key strategic tasks and organisation.
To ensure the NZSTA is meeting all obligations.

Professional Standards

To coordinate the development and maintenance of Professional Standards of Practice.
To inform the Executive Council regarding changes and developments that may impact on professional practice.
To establish and maintain networks with Allied Associations involved with Speech-Language Therapy.
To implement and liaise with the Ethics Committee.
To implement and liaise with the Programme Accreditation Council (PAC).

Professional Development

To facilitate the development of continuing education programs and events.
To implement the transfer/exchange of learning materials and joint programs between areas including keeping members informed of programs and visiting speakers.
To identify, and liaise with, National Advisors involved with Speech-Language Therapy.
To liaise with Speech Pathology Australia regarding the planning of professional development events and organising of Australasian tours for speakers.
To encourage development of Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
To promote and support growth of research within New Zealand via NZSTA funding and awards.
To oversee implementation of Continuing Professional Development Records, and to evaluate data from these records to assist in planning for professional development events.

Member Networks

To act in the best interests of the members of the NZSTA
To liaise with and support area representatives, student representatives and private practice representative
To ensure that all members have access to timely, informative and relevant information concerning the profession and the NZSTA
To promote and increase membership
To encourage members to positively promote the profession
To contribute to the ongoing development of the NZSTA website
To provide support to all members of the Executive Council

Communications

To promote public awareness of Speech-Language Therapy and communication/swallowing disorders.
To promote NZSTA as the ‘voice’ of the Speech-Language Therapy profession in New Zealand, and to raise Speech-Language Therapists’ awareness of the benefits of NZSTA membership.
Communication with NZSTA Representatives on National Bodies.
Liaison with external agencies (e.g. Members of Parliament) jointly with the President.
Collate and update information for the media database.
Creation and distribution of media releases, in conjunction with the President.

Maori and Cultural Development

Māori and Cultural Development Portfolio
Facilitate bicultural partnership within the NZSTA and the SLT profession, as per the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi
Promote cultural safety within the NZSTA and the SLT profession
Promote cultural diversity within the NZSTA and the SLT profession
Promote and support the growth of a culturally and ethnically diverse SLT workforce