Each year, the national SAA requests its chapters to complete the SAA Chapter renewal process. In even years, the renewal will consist of submitting a chapter member roster and updated chapter contact information. In odd years, chapters will additionally need to resubmit chapter bylaws, reviewed and signed by the current chapter president and chapter advisor, as well as the SAA Chapter Agreement.
The next renewal process will take place Monday, January 10, 2022, through Friday, February 11, 2022.
If any changes are made to your chapter’s bylaws or chapter leadership at any point throughout the year outside of the SAA Chapter renewal process, please send an updated copy of these documents to saa@audiology.org.
Questions about the renewal process may be directed to Rachael Sifuentes, MA, CAE, Senior Director of Membership, and SAA.
- In odd years (January 2023), the chapter renewal will consist of:
- Chapter Contact Information Form with your current chapter leadership
- Current list of local SAA members with Academy ID numbers*
- Current chapter bylaws signed by both the chapter president and advisor
- Renewal of SAA Agreement
- In even years (January 2024), the chapter renewal will consist of:
- Chapter Contact Information Form with your current chapter leadership
- Current list of local SAA members with Academy ID numbers*
* An Academy ID number is the member number assigned to an individual when they join national SAA as a student member. If you do not remember your Academy ID or are unsure if you have one, contact the Academy’s membership department.
Chapter Governance
It is recommended that SAA chapters have a Board of Directors consisting of a President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary elected by the chapter membership. Chapters may also include other board members in addition to the officer positions, and are encouraged to include a national SAA representative among their elected officers.
Information regarding chapter governance (e.g., membership composition, officers, finances, meetings, etc.) are to be detailed in the chapter’s bylaws. For new SAA chapters, bylaws must be completed and submitted with the application for affiliation. Existing SAA chapters should review their chapter’s bylaws regularly and update as needed. A template for the bylaws is available on the SAA website.
Any changes to a chapter’s bylaws need to be submitted to Rachael Sifuentes, MA, CAE, Senior Director of Membership and SAA, for approval.
Town Halls
The SAA Board of Directors will work to set up three town hall meetings over the course of the year. These conference calls are designed to improve inter-chapter relationships, facilitate communications, and build a support network for local chapters. In order to maintain active status, a chapter representative should participate in at least one town hall. Multiple times and dates will be offered for each town hall to accommodate various schedules, but will occur within the following windows:
- Fall: October 3, 11, 19, 27, 2022
- Winter: January 9, 10, 18, 19, 2023
- Spring: March 22, 23, 28, 29, 2023
Be on the lookout for an email from the SAA Chapter Relations Chair to coordinate these calls!
Tax-Exempt Status for Chapters
It is recommended that chapters review the financial policies of the university under which they are housed. In most cases, student-run organizations may qualify for tax-exempt status through their university.
Chapters interested in obtaining tax-exempt status on their own must make their own individual request to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for a separate review by the IRS of their particular operations.
There may also be particular state and local requirements that must be taken into consideration by the applicant and coordinated with the IRS application when seeking tax-exempt status.
The tax-exempt 501(c)(6) status of the Academy/SAA is particular to the Academy/SAA and may not be used as any type of “umbrella” under which chapters conduct tax-exempt activities. In the event there are any questions about this issue, please contact Rachael Sifuentes, MA, CAE, Senior Director of Membership and SAA, for further information.
Use of SAA Logo and SAA Chapter Logos
The SAA logo is a registered trademark owned by the Academy. The logo and letterhead design and format may not be altered in any way. Any and all usage of the logo, for letters or other purposes, or letterhead, must have prior approval by Rachael Sifuentes, MA, CAE, Senior Director of Membership and SAA and the Academy, to ensure appropriateness and professionalism.
The SAA has developed personalized logos for SAA Chapter use. The logo consists of the main SAA logo with the affiliated chapter’s name included. Email saa@audiology.org to request your SAA chapter’s logo.
SAA Chapter Contact Information Form
The Chapter Contact Information Form gives the national SAA information on your chapter’s main points of contact and how we can reach them. We must keep this information as up-to-date as possible. Anytime your chapter holds an election or an officer is changed, we ask your chapter to submit a new Chapter Contact Information Form.