Last week, the NSSLHA chapter at California State University, Sacramento (CSUS), shared ways they donate to local at-risk populations—and strategies for how your chapter can execute similar donation drives.
If your chapter is still brainstorming ways to get involved in your local community—or even abroad—check out what our other Gold and Silver Chapter Honors awardees accomplished last year!
Pst … it might just inspire you to achieve 2018-19 Chapter Honors yourself!
Providing Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Services
Chapman University NSSLHA Chapter organized and operated a Healthy Hearing Initiative during the Special Olympics Southern California Fall Games—providing free hearing screenings and education about hearing loss prevention and ear hygiene to all athletes, coaches, and family members who participated.
Long Island University, Brooklyn, NSSLHA Chapter, organized a trip to Haiti where they provided evaluations and treatment to clients with a range of communication disorders. For some clients, this was the first time they received services!
Seton Hall University NSSLHA Chapter educated teachers and students in their school setting placements about the importance of vocal hygiene, the benefits of hydrating the vocal folds, and the harmful nature of vocal abuse.
Giving Back to the Community
East Carolina University NSSLHA Chapter made valentines for senior citizens at a local nursing home, donated books to create “Little Free Libraries” stationed in city parks, coordinated a canned food drive for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, and sent boxes to support children in need through Operation Christmas Child.
Fort Hays State University NSSLHA Chapter sponsored their county spelling bee, including the venue reservation, finding judges, developing word lists, and coordinating the evening’s activities!
Iona College NSSLHA Chapter participated in their city’s Walk4Hearing event to advocate for hearing loss. Current students, alumni, and professors participated—raising more than $2,180!
St. John’s University, Staten Island, NSSLHA Chapter [pictured above], participated in the Staten Island Speaks Up! walk to raise awareness about childhood apraxia of speech. They helped organizers by unloading trucks, serving food, distributing shirts, working registration, and managing raffle tables!
University of Virginia NSSLHA Chapter participated in a local science fair designed to teach kiddos a variety of science-oriented activities and foster children’s interest in STEM education. Kids looked at the anatomy of the ear and mouth and examine how lungs function during speech.
West Chester University of Pennsylvania NSSLHA Chapter recorded their voices for VocaliD in honor of World Hearing Day—giving 144 hours of voice to the organization that provides users of AAC devices with real voices.
Fundraising
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania NSSLHA Chapter worked with a popular local Mexican restaurant to host a fundraiser. A portion of the night’s profits went toward their fundraiser and the restaurant generously donated t-shirts that were printed with the phrase, “SLPs help you TACO ’bout it.”
University of Tulsa NSSLHA Chapter raised $250 to purchase hearing aid batteries for their local school district.
On-Campus Info Sharing
California State University, Northridge, NSSLHA Chapter, provided info to students about the professions during their on-campus event, “Crash Course in Communication Disorders.”
Eastern Michigan University NSSLHA Chapter hosted an event for faculty, peers, families, friends, and professionals in the community to increase awareness of the professions. Students shared their thesis or capstone projects and distributed information with basic ASL signs, tips for communicating with those who use AAC devices, and hearing conservation.
Marymount Manhattan College NSSLHA Chapter put together a video about the common causes of vocal fold damage and hearing loss to share across social media platforms.
Minot State University NSSLHA Chapter joined forces with the other North Dakota NSSLHA chapters to plan an event that was held on each college campus—including trivia booths and free plastic cups as giveaways!
Sacred Heart University NSSLHA Chapter partnered with undergrads from the Exercise Science department to build a sound-level meter mannequin named Peggy the Pioneer. The mannequin was designed to raise awareness of safe listening levels and encourage healthy exercise habits to students at their university. They also tested sound levels of students’ headphones and exercise habits as they headed into the gym.
San Diego State University NSSLHA Chapter hosted their annual event, Speech-Language-Hearing Awareness and Information Day (SAID). Their keynote speaker, Dr. Elena Plante, spoke about her research about facilitated learning, followed by an interactive discussion panel. Students presented info from their research labs.
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, NSSLHA Chapter, held a 2-day Audiology Awareness/Protect Your Hearing Month event where members handed out noise-reduction ear plugs and completed hearing screenings. Audiology Instructor Atheana Meadows and NSSLHA Chapter President Chandra Gilliam also shared info on a university radio station program.
University of Cincinnati NSSLHA Chapter advocated for the autism community. A member whose brother has autism, her brother, a local radio host, and her son—who also has autism—came to campus and spoke candidly about autism, experiences in therapy, advocating for loved ones on the spectrum, and more.
University of Montana NSSLHA Chapter held a campus-wide event to raise awareness of dyslexia by decorating a classroom with myths and facts about dyslexia—desks were flooded with assignments covered with negative remarks and poor grades, a relevant TEDTalk played, and visitors immersed themselves in the scenario, so they could learn more about dyslexia.
University of Pittsburgh NSSLHA Chapter advocated for auditory health during World Hearing Day by passing out musicians’ earplugs, sharing pamphlets, allowing students to put their headphones in Kit—the chapter’s sound-level meter—and encouraging students to get their hearing tested at the on-campus hearing clinic.
Vanderbilt University NSSLHA Chapter gathered faculty, staff, alumni, and students together for a trivia night fundraiser. The annual competition holds serious bragging rights among students and faculty while fostering great community at the university.