By Steve Madix
This article is a part of the March/April 2017, Volume 29, Number 2, Audiology Today issue.
The American Academy of Audiology’s State Network Subcommittee (SNS) serves to facilitate communication among states, and to develop and share resources. State advocates often ask the SNS to provide guidance on how states can begin to form their own audiology organization. The Academy has a State Leaders’ Handbook, available on the Academy’s website, which provides an overview of the process.
Based on recent questions, the SNS wanted to supplement the information found in the handbook to focus on key “need-to-know areas,” specifically related to getting started and how to approach the financial aspects of forming your state audiology organization.
Those who have developed a budget and raised the funds to form a state organization frequently describe the process as the most intimidating and difficult task of all. Advocates looking to form a state organization most often want to know more about what is involved in terms of first steps, time, money, and how much volunteer participation is necessary. In addition to understanding the fiscal requirements, we also found it helpful to understand some of the lesser known challenges associated with forming a state audiology organization, including what to be cautious of, and how to ensure sustainability of the new organization.
The SNS has researched current state organization’s experiences and spoken to state advocates from across the country. The results of those conversations vary tremendously. It is our goal to identify information that is both consistent and helpful to those looking to form a state audiology organization. Here are some suggestions that the SNS has developed to assist with this process.
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