President's Message
May 2009
This year, the Texas Academy of Audiology is celebrating our 10th year of existence. Ten years of supporting and promoting the practice of Audiology in the Great State of Texas! In November we will hold and celebrate the 10th Annual convention which brings world-class speakers to our home town.
TAA has contributed significantly to the practice of Audiology, especially affecting legislative and rule making items pertaining to practice and reimbursement across our state. TAA has had more influence on more legislative items and reimbursement rules affecting the practice of Audiology than has any other State association in decades. Membership provides great benefit. So why, then, are only 1 in 5 Texas audiologists members of TAA?
Since this is our 10th anniversary, I would like to propose the 10 reasons why 4 out of 5 audiologists in Texas may choose to not become members of TAA. Then I will propose 10 reasons why you should become a member.
10 Reasons why Texas Audiologists may choose not to become members of TAA:
10. It costs too much.
9. I don’t need to join. Someone else will and I will reap the benefit.
8. I am a member of AAA. Why join both?
7. I am a member of TSHA. Why join both?
6. I have a license to practice. Isn’t it the same thing? Why do I need both?
5. The President doesn’t do what I want him to do.
4. I’m too busy making a living to worry about what TAA is doing.
3. I’m a student and I don’t have time, money, or a need for TAA.
2. I don’t like to get involved in politics and that is all that you seem to do.
1. What’s in it for me?
Here are my responses to these concerns and 10 reasons why you should become a member of TAA:
10. It costs too much.
Membership is a great value. The association is run very efficiently. Expenses such as travel are usually paid personally by each member of the Board. No member of the Board receives compensation for time spent serving. The value of membership over this past year has been tremendous if you calculate the outcome of the political decisions that were made with TAA’s input and influence.
9. I don’t need to join. Someone else will and I will reap the benefit.
If 80% of the audiologists were already members this might be a valid argument. There is a clear need for this association and an association cannot be effective without members. Your voice, your concerns, and frankly your dollars are needed to ensure that this association represents you and the profession.
8. I am a member of AAA. Why join both?
AAA is a well-run national association and provides significant benefit to most of us. It is not; however; able to deal with state legislation and licensing rule issues. This must be done at the State level.
7. I am a member of TSHA. Why join both?
There are currently only a handful of audiologists who are members of TSHA. This is very good association that represents the interests of speech-language pathologists very well. There is simply inadequate interest and membership by audiologists for TSHA to be very effective in representing us. We do work closely with TSHA and communicate our needs to each other so that, when possible, we do not overlap efforts or resources.
6. I have a license to practice. Isn’t it the same thing? Why do I need both?
A license to practice is mandatory before you can practice Audiology in the state of Texas. The licensing Board is charged with ensuring the safety of the Public; this means that they are representing the citizens and not us. This is not to say they are against us – they have been very supportive over the years; however, they are not there to directly help us. A state association is what is required to represent us and our profession. This representation is essential when we look to change the law or the rules and when other matters of a political nature occur such as Medicaid rate changes.
5. The President doesn’t do what I want him to do.
I have been told by many that I am a model leader. I recently looked up the word model and learned that it means “a cheap imitation.” Well, membership gives you a direct link to the President and the entire Board of Directors. You can then tell us what you believe we should do to help you. We’re listening…
4. I’m too busy making a living to worry about what TAA is doing.
Not everyone wants to be involved in the day-to-day activities of an association. Some simply don’t have the time or resources. That is perfectly alright. There are enough who do want to be directly involved that the work will get done. We do need to know what you want done and your membership dollars go a long way in supporting these activities.
3. I’m a student and I don’t have time, money, or a need for TAA.
TAA has a significantly discounted student membership. We also offer complementary registration to our annual convention for students who volunteer and help during this meeting. It is a great way to learn from leaders in the industry and to see why membership in a State association is important.
2. I don’t like to get involved in politics and that is all you seem to do.
Politics are not enjoyable for many people; however, they affect almost everything we do. If TAA does not stay involved in the political process then we must simply accept whatever is decided for us. Often these decisions are made by persons who do not understand the needs of the patient or the needs of the audiologist. We have learned that when we influence the political process, the outcome is often more favorable. You don’t need to become directly involved in this process but you should at least be telling us what is important to you.
1. What’s in it for me?
- Discounts on the best local continuing education opportunity in the State. Our annual conferences stand out above them all!
- Access to the members-only section of the web site where you can download reimbursement rates and responses from the Texas Medicaid program, track Bills submitted to the Texas Legislature, and view other valuable documents.
- Gain a medium to have your voice heard in the Texas legislature as well as before the licensing Board.
Together we can make a difference. I ask you to please join us, and become a member of the Texas Academy of Audiology today.
Matt Lyon
President
Texas Academy of Audiology
Presidents: Past, Present, and Future
Archive of 2008 President's Message
Archive of 2007 President's Message
