Speech Pathology Australia's Council is the Board of Directors of the Association. Council is responsible for the strategic development, implementation and evaluation of the Association's procedures and policies within the rules of the Constitution.

The Association has nine Councillors, one from each state/territory and the President. Three members of the Council are elected to the Office Bearer positions of President, Vice President Operations (VPO) and Vice President Communication (VPC), which forms the Council Management Group (CMG).

Council Nomination

Councillor appointments are for a term of two years, with the ability to re-nominate for further terms. Each year, four Councillor positions are due for nomination, along with re-appointment of any casual councillor positions if this has occurred in the preceding year.

For the 2013-14 period, nominations are now called for Councillors from the following Branches:

ACT
QLD
TAS
VIC 

A Councillor holds major responsibility within the Association and as such, many Councillors have never previously undertaken a role with similar legal, financial and strategic management responsibilities. Every possible support and assistance is provided by experienced Councillors, especially members of the Council Management Group (CMG), the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and National Office staff.

Appointment to this key leadership role offers a wonderful opportunity to develop new skills and contribute significantly to the strategic direction of the Association and the speech pathology profession. Councillors are required to attend four Council meetings, the National Conference and Annual General Meeting each year.

Council nomination forms and an information package are available below. Each nomination must address key selection criteria, include a current curriculum vitae and present a short intention statement for serving on Council. Completed nominations must be received at National Office by Thursday 31 January 2013.

 Council Nomination Form

 Councillor Nomination Information Package

The appointments will be effective from the 2013 Annual General Meeting in June for a period of two years. Retiring Councillors are eligible to renominate. Elections will be held if more than one nomination is received from a Branch.

Any voting member who is resident of these states or territory is encouraged to nominate, while retiring Councillors are eligible to renominate. Elections will be held if more than one nomination is received from a given Branch.

For further information, please see the Councillor Position Description, available under the Section Five of the Policy and Procedures Manual, available on the Speech Pathology Australia website or contact your Branch’s current Councillor, Chris Stone (President) or Gail Mulcair (CEO). 

Council Meetings

At Council meetings, decisions affecting the policies and procedures of the Association and the running of the business are debated and resolved. Council Management Group (incorporating the President, Vice President Operations and Vice President Communication) meets on the Friday before the start of each Council meeting, and monthly by teleconference between meetings.

Each portfolio is required to present a progress and a financial report at each Council meeting. These reports are standing items on the agenda. Any Councillor can add additional items to the agenda for ratification, information, or discussion as required. The usual pattern of meetings is: strategic discussion (Friday evening) and general business (Saturday and Sunday if required). In addition to this, each Council meeting has a specific focus: