Involvement in the legislative process through the state association.
Speech-language-hearing professionals need to develop a proactive posture regarding legislative issues. The first steps must begin at the local level. The state association is a reasonable and logical organization from which broader issues may be addressed, issues affecting the professionals as well as the patients/clients/students who require their services. The ideas that we generate at conferences and meetings to improve our educational and health care systems can be funneled into meaningful legislative action. The legislative issues of today become the governing regulations of tomorrow. Involvement in the legislative process helps strengthen our collective voices.