Tuesday, September 30, 2014

General Meeting Minutes 9/30

Hey NSSLHA! We had a wonderful meeting today and we're so glad you all could come out and join our 6 CSD professors for our professor panel. Before I get into that, here's an overview of all of our announcements upcoming events. Mark your calendars! :)

DUES DUES DUES 
Andrea will be accepting dues from now until October 14th, which is also our third meeting. If you fail to pay before this deadline, your dues will increase by $5. Outside times to meet with her will be arranged according to her schedule and she will send out an email or post to our Facebook regarding the times! Please keep an eye out for that. Also, don't forget: dues are $35 for the whole year or $25 each semester and this does include our super cute t-shirt :)

Social and Fundraising Events 
Blazertag Social: Due to bad weather, we had to reschedule this event, but we hope to see you all there this Thursday, 10/2 at 8pm at 1701 W Ben White Blvd. First game is at 8:20 and the second is at 8:40. For those carpooling, please sign up on the google doc and meet at Littlefield Fountain before 7:30! RSVP to our Facebook event as well!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1umiZi_W83WHGtjGiAmxT0dX5omvUnjmtj1g4PLJqegg/edit#gid=
Austin's Pizza Fundraiser: Tuesday October 14th, from 5-10PM following our NSSLHA meeting. Don't forget to mention you're with UT NSSLHA and take a pic of your receipt to email or text to Gabby so your points can be accounted for!
Iowa State Tailgate: So excited for this event! Saturday, October 18th at 4PM. It'll be between 16th and 17th St off of Congress and you're more than welcome to bring a date! Please RSVP to our Facebook event.
TSD (Texas School for the Deaf) Football Game: Saturday November 1st at 5PM. More details to come!

Service Opportunities 
Growing Roots: Volunteer Tuesday, 10/7 from 5:30-8PM at the Pan Am Cantu Rec Center located at 2100 East 3rd St. Priority will be given to those who sign up first!
ACL Ear Plugs: We forgot to mention this, but sometime next week we will be giving out ear plugs on campus in preparation for ACL. Further info will be emailed out soon!
Best Buddies Fall Fundraiser: Sunday, October 19th. More details to come! First five volunteers will receive preference.
Texas Academy of Audiology Conference: Friday and Saturday October 24-25th, 2014
Best Buddies Halloween Carnival: Sunday, November 2nd at the SAC Ballroom, 2.410
and we are also signed up for Longhorn Halloween! We'll email out google docs and info as these dates approach :)

Austin Speech Labs: NEW EMAIL for anything related to volunteering
volunteer@austinspeechlabs.org
And don't forget to like "Austin Speech Labs" on Facebook as well!

Miscellaneous Points
GRE Study Groups!
Weekly study groups hosted by Lindsey, Robyn, and Gabby to help prep and practice for the GRE. These will be every Thursday from 5:30 to 7. Attending two sessions will count for one miscellaneous point. We will post more information as to location and details soon :) 
NSSLHA Brown Bag Meet Up 
Brown Bag is an easy way to get to know other people in NSSLHA
*Mainly for freshmen and upperclassmen to be able to connect and seniors with graduate students/ doctoral students
Sign-up Deadline: (10/10) Tuesday at 11:59 pm*
After the form deadline ends (10/10) Tuesday at 11:59 pm, your brown bag assignment will be emailed to you and you can contact each other to find a time to meet over coffee or a meal and get to know each other.
****LINK: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10ZBc9AimS8Wb4GwAUXa0ldsbXOdXNdty5kxBM7-30Ns/viewform?usp=send_form
Count as 1 Misc. Point (take a picture during your meetup and email it to Lindsey!) lfoo@utexas.edu

Professor Panel
Dr. Bedore: Professor, UT Speech and Hearing Clinic 
Has been faculty in CSD since 1999
Always had an interest in linguistics and bilingualism, as well as cross linguistics
Works in the UT HABLA lab conducting research, especially in what we know about Spanish     bilinguals and how that applies to other bilinguals in the US
Teaches undergraduate observation course, courses in developmental langage disorders and bilingual language theory for graduates
Her advice: Take advantage of opportunities to volunteer, programs such as IE, and any lab participation. These help you find your interests, as well as help you stand out in your major.

Dr. Bernstein: Professor, Associate Dean 
Coordinator for Deaf Education/Studies Program
Associate Dean for Student Affairs in College of Communication
Has a degree in the area of applied psycholinguistics and child language acquisition
Has been at UT for 33-34 years already
Currently not involved in an active research lab but he does maintain active work with students that want to be involved with deaf children
His advice: If you're looking for direction with deaf kids and education and the families, definitely visit him. He also recommends to focus on your writing. Essays are read by real people who learn a lot about you from what you say. Demonstrate your passion - don't just write about it. Essays are a window of who you are and what you want.

Dr. Booth: Professor, Department Chair 
Serves as the department chair of CSD
Goal of his research is to understand mechanisms of brain development using advanced neuroimaging techniques
Being at UT has provided him with a great personal move in the sense that his interests are going younger and more solidly in language
As a professor, he can decide to go learn about something, do it, and become an expert by pursuing the area that interests you
His advice: Always stick up for yourself, follow your interests and intuitions, and be true to yourself.

Dr. Davis: Professor, NSSLHA Sponsor 
NSSLHA sponsor
Always liked language and happened to fall into CSD
Used to own a private practice, which lasted 5 years, where she worked and consulted with individuals with autism and those who are developmentally disabled
Has been part of the UT faculty since 1992
Likes to study how human infants employ speech sound system and the generalizations we can make about how humans learn
Interested in hearing impaired individuals and speech perceptions and severe childhood disorders
Research has always been a major part of her career
Her advice: Do research that creates new knowledge in order to learn about a dimension of your field. Also, think about who you're going to ask for recommendation letters. It's important to have someone who knows your capability and can speak for you.

Dr. Liu: Professor 
Received his Bachelor's in Biophysics and Physiology in Beijing, China
Has been at UT since 2007
Teaches hearing science
Interested in research involving speech and auditory perception
Currently working on research of speech production and perception of English non-native speakers and speech enhancement for speech perception in noise for normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners
His advice: Research experience is what's important in determining interests. You need to dive into something and be involved in order to figure out whether you like it or not.

Dr. Nericcio: Professor, UT Speech and Hearing Clinic 
Graduated from this program!
40 years of experience in the field of bilingual speech pathology
Teaches Adult Neurogenic Disorders in the undergraduate level
Also teaches at the clinic and loves what she does
Interested in language literacy and adult neurogenic disorders
Loves to work with students
Her advice: Right now, the more you read, the more you'll know, the better you write. All of that is extremely important. Research and volunteer and have fun with your peers. BDP and IE involvement is also important.

Thank you all for coming out and I hope you enjoyed our professor panel! Hope to see all of your lovely faces at our October events and don't forget our next meeting on October 14th! Please email any of the officers if you still have questions pending today's meeting. Have a great night! :)

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Upcoming Events!

I will include below a repost of all of the links I sent out to you guys last night in case you couldn't get them to work!

Blazertag 9/18
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1umiZi_W83WHGtjGiAmxT0dX5omvUnjmtj1g4PLJqegg/edit?usp=sharing

Austin Speech Labs Volunteer
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Jb6KCE6pMn31qWFd8mgcleuARVFXTsL9xXke0UBu6gs/viewform

Growing Roots Volunteer Tuesdays
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Rgc048YMf7ti_4GO6-gl5ej0-uHfyn6nM7za8Aqul4Q/viewform

Best Buddies
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_KaS5-kJUHmNaXvnAn5dgoYhpxjecJMcLW2rik84eTs/viewform

I'm sorry about any confusion regarding last night's email. We hope to see you all at our upcoming events!


Tuesday, September 16, 2014

First General Meeting Minutes!

Hi everyone! Thank you to all of you that came out to our meeting today! We hope to see you at future meetings and events, but for now, here's a more detailed recap of the information that was covered today :)

Secretary Overview:
A total of 7 points are required each semester in order to be recognized as an active member of NSSLHA. These points come from our four categories: Service, Social, Fundraising, and Miscellaneous. The first 3 (service, social, and fundraising) require 2 points per category. Only one miscellaneous point is required and any remaining miscellaneous points will roll over to any category that is missing points. Negative points will be implemented this semester. For example, if you sign up for an event and fail to show up or notify an officer 24 hours prior that you will not make it, a point will be deducted. With that being said, please try to sign up for events that you can commit to and please show up to your designated shift! :)
As for attendance, there is no official penalty for missing a meeting. However, we'd like to see our members and interact with fellow peers. It's understandable though if you have a reason for not being able to attend, so we'd like to be notified if you cannot make a meeting or if you will be an online member. If you cannot attend a regular meeting, check out the meeting minutes posted here and comment that you have read them. Online members have the same requirements for points and dues and must comment within 24 hours of the meeting to be counted for attendance.

As for the blog, all of the info for NSSLHA and from the officers will be posted here regularly, as well as your points and attendance spreadsheet. Please check the FAQs and email me if you have any questions you'd like to have answered. The Officer Contact Info tab contains all of our emails so please reach out to us! And if some of you are more active on Twitter, you all can ask me questions on there as well so tweet me! @paolahuertaa :)

Social and Fundraising Events: 
We have a couple of events coming up so mark your calendars and join us!
Blazertag Social: Thursday September 18th @ 8PM 
We have two games reserved, one at 8:20 and the following at 8:40. 
Red Mango Profit Share: Wednesday September 24th from 6:30-8:30 
This event will count as 1 fundraising point, as well as 1 social if you stay for an hour and chit chat with us! Please save your receipt and email or text it to Gabby. 
NSSLHA Tailgate: Saturday October 18th (Iowa State Game)
More details to come! 

Service Opportunities:
UT Speech and Language Center/Clinic: Friday September 19th @ 8AM
Please come and help Dr. Franco organize the new materials room. Meet in front of clinic doors!
Growing Roots Volunteer Tuesdays: September 23 from 5:30-8PM @ Pan Am Cantu Rec Center (2100 E 3rd St) 
This is a local program to help families of autistic and disabled children. Our job as volunteers is to supervise and interact with the children. Priority will be given to the first 6 to sign up. Further volunteer dates will be offered each month so be on the look out for that!
Best Buddies Game Night: Sunday October 5th from 4-6PM @ SAC Ballroom (2.410)
Classes for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Details posted on UT NSSLHA Facebook. This is a great opportunity to work with adults and learn more on TBI, Autism, Down Syndrome, etc. in an informal and fun setting!

Miscellaneous:
New Fluency Institute Naming Ceremony: September 29th @4PM in the Belo Auditorium
Please come and support Dr. Byrd for her teaching, research, and clinical work by attending!

Guest Speaker: Austin Speech Labs
Shilpa Shamapant: President and Co-Founder of Austin Speech Labs (ASL)
Non-profit organization that relates directly to speech therapy, primarily with adult stroke victims ages 18-90+. Therapy sessions are 3 hours each with shifts from 9am-12pm and 1-4pm. ASL receives about 500 volunteers a year, mostly undergrad students. Volunteers allow ASL to serve its mission and fulfill its vision. As a volunteer, your responsibility is to get involved and get to know the client(s) with hands-on experience, group sessions, and at times individual sessions. 
This year, ASL is formally partnering with NSSLHA in order to hopefully increase the number of volunteers in order to work together to help stroke survivors get back out in the social and professional environments. As part of the partnership, NSSLHA will provide orientation training prior to sessions as well as transportation Monday-Friday during both shifts to help those who would like to volunteer but do not have a means of transportation. ASL will provide gas cards to ease the costs of transportation and t-shirts for all of the volunteers to wear during their shifts as well as when making presentations regarding ASL and stroke prevention. As a reward for our hard work, ASL will recognize 2-3 volunteers from each shift during their classes as well as during a volunteer appreciation event in April. In addition to the experience and recognition as a volunteer, ASL can also provide a good means for receiving letters of recommendation given that you present exceptional consistency as a volunteer and do not miss your shift more than 3 times per semester unless notifying 24 hours in advance. If this is something you're interested in, please email Adrienne at staff@austinspeechlabs.org   


I know this is a lot of information but it was our first meeting so bear with me! If you have any questions, post them to our NSSLHA page or email an officer. See you at our next meeting, Tuesday September 23rd at 5PM in the same room! 

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Growing Roots Officer Volunteer Day

One of the core values of NSSLHA is being involved with volunteer work and community outreach programs. Earlier this week, the NSSLHA officers had their first volunteer experience of the year with a local program known as Growing Roots. This program offers hands-on support and resources to families of children with special needs and we spent the afternoon with the children, engaging in arts and crafts and lots of fun. We hope to continue the involvement with this program throughout this year! :)






Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Party on the Plaza!

Thank you to everyone who came out to help today! Can't wait to see new faces amongst our group in a couple of weeks! :)