Chapter Idea Bank
Browse advocacy activity ideas from NSSLHA chapters across the country. Filter by category, effort level, or group size to find the right fit for your chapter.
ASHA Take Action Letter Drive
Share the ASHA Take Action link at a chapter meeting or via email/GroupMe. Walk members through selecting a topic they care about and submitting a letter to their legislators in under 5 minutes.
Inspired by: Hampton University, Minnesota State Moorhead, University of Scranton, Missouri State, Calvin University
QR Code Advocacy Station
Set up a table in a high-traffic campus area with printed QR codes linking to ASHA's Take Action page. Executive board members staff the table to answer questions and guide students through submitting letters.
Inspired by: University of Scranton, Baylor University, Springfield College
Virtual Advocacy Day
Coordinate a chapter-wide virtual event on National NSSLHA Student Advocacy Day. Promote via social media and Canvas/email, then host a Zoom where members submit letters together in real time.
Inspired by: University of Cincinnati, Missouri State, Bowling Green State, Florida International University
Classroom Advocacy Blitz
Executive board members visit multiple CSD classes with a short presentation on a current legislative issue, then guide students through submitting a Take Action letter before class ends.
Inspired by: Commonwealth University–Bloomsburg, University of Central Arkansas, Elmhurst University
Letter-Writing Workshop
Dedicate a full chapter meeting to advocacy. Utilize advocacy toolkit resources, provide background on a specific bill, demonstrate the ASHA Take Action platform, and give members time to write and submit personalized letters.
Inspired by: University of Scranton, Hofstra University, Stockton University, Old Dominion University
Monthly Online Advocacy Events
Host a recurring monthly virtual advocacy event where members submit letters on a rotating topic chosen by your state liaison. Promote via email and social media with step-by-step instructions each month.
Inspired by: University of Nebraska–Omaha, Thiel College
State Capitol Advocacy Day
Partner with your state speech-language-hearing association to attend Legislative Day at the state capitol. Students meet with legislators, shadow lobbyists, and advocate for bills impacting the CSD profession.
Inspired by: University of Iowa, Purdue University, Samford University, Monmouth University, Stockton University, University of Tennessee
Senate/House Gallery Visit
Organize a visit to your state senate or house chamber to observe legislators voting on bills that impact CSD. Members send letters to legislators before and after the visit.
Inspired by: University of Utah, Samford University
DONUT Forget to Advocate!
Set up a table with donuts and offer one to anyone who completes an ASHA Take Action letter on the spot. Works great in a nursing or health sciences building to reach allied health students too.
Inspired by: University of Southern Mississippi, Bowling Green State, University of Central Florida
Pop! Into Advocacy
Invite members to "pop in," enjoy free popcorn, and submit letters to Congress using ASHA's Take Action website. Members also create signs sharing why advocacy matters to them.
Inspired by: University of Nebraska–Omaha
Lunch & Legislation
Cater a casual lunch for members and use the gathering to walk through ASHA's Take Action platform and submit advocacy letters.
Inspired by: Rush University, California State University East Bay
Bake Sale for Change
Sell homemade treats to raise funds for the ASHFoundation or chapter advocacy travel costs. Pair the bake sale with a letter-writing station so every customer can take action while they shop.
Inspired by: Iona University, Purdue University
World Hearing Day Campaign
On March 3rd, dedicate a meeting or social media push to World Hearing Day. Members write letters to legislators about hearing health access, share prevention tips online, and invite an audiology student or faculty member to speak.
Inspired by: Ohio University, Bowling Green State, Iona University, Queens College CUNY
Advocacy Walk / 5K
Organize or join a community walk supporting a cause connected to CSD (e.g., Walk for Talk, Parkinson's Moving Day, ASHFoundation Virtual 5K). Members raise awareness, network, and fundraise.
Inspired by: Illinois State University, University of Montana, Seton Hall University
Aphasia Advocacy Committee
Partner with a local aphasia center to form a dedicated advocacy committee within your chapter. Members attend monthly community meetings, create resources for state legislators, and fundraise to support the organization's mission.
Inspired by: University of Pittsburgh
AAC Awareness & Advocacy Event
Host a hands-on AAC awareness event where members demonstrate low- and high-tech AAC devices to peers, faculty, or community members. Pair the demo with a letter-writing station urging legislators to protect Medicaid funding for AAC devices and services.
Inspired by: James Madison University, Mercy University, Abilene Christian University
Self-Advocacy Volunteer Partnership
Volunteer regularly with a community organization (e.g., The Arc, Best Buddies) that hosts self-advocacy events for individuals with disabilities. NSSLHA members facilitate discussions and help community members learn how to contact elected officials.
Inspired by: Minnesota State Moorhead, Maryville University, Hofstra University
Advocacy Movie Night
Screen a disability rights documentary (e.g., Crip Camp) and follow it with a facilitated discussion connecting the film's themes to current CSD legislation. Members write letters to legislators before leaving.
Inspired by: Northern Illinois University
Know Your Rights Workshop
Collaborate with law students or a campus legal clinic to host a "Know Your Rights" workshop relevant to CSD professionals and the populations they serve (e.g., immigration, disability law, IDEA).
Inspired by: University of Virginia
Bejeweled for Change
Members decorate hair clips, bracelets, or other accessories after submitting a Take Action letter. Set up a banner where participants write what advocacy means to them.
Inspired by: University of South Florida, Springfield College
"Why I Advocate" Video Campaign
Invite members to submit a short video clip answering "What does advocacy mean to me?" Compile clips into a 2–3 minute video and share on your chapter's Instagram, tagging ASHA and National NSSLHA.
Inspired by: UNC Greensboro
Pumpkin Painting + Policy Night
Host a fall pumpkin painting event timed to National NSSLHA Fall Student Advocacy Day. Members paint pumpkins while listening to a brief advocacy presentation, then submit Take Action letters before the night ends.
Inspired by: UNC Greensboro, Maryville University, University of Central Florida
Social Media Advocacy Campaign
Create a series of informational graphics about a current CSD legislative issue and post them to your chapter's Instagram. Include a call to action and a link to ASHA's Take Action page in your bio.
Inspired by: Queens College CUNY, California State Long Beach, Thiel College, California State East Bay
Advocacy "Why I Advocate" Signs
At a tabling event or meeting, have members hold or display handmade signs sharing their personal "why" for advocacy. Photograph the signs and post to social media to humanize legislative issues.
Inspired by: University of Nebraska–Omaha, University of South Florida
Advocacy + Social Event Combo
Embed a letter-writing station into an existing social event (e.g., a winter formal, game night, or Friendsgiving). Set up materials and templates at a dedicated table so attendees can advocate in a relaxed, festive environment.
Inspired by: North Carolina Central University, University of Delaware
Legislative Liaison Guest Speaker
Invite a representative from your state speech-language-hearing association, a lobbyist, or a state senator to speak at a chapter meeting about current legislative priorities and how students can get involved.
Inspired by: University of Cincinnati, Minnesota State Moorhead, University of Montana
Advocacy 101 Webinar Watch Party
Host a chapter watch party for the National NSSLHA Student Advocacy 101 virtual webinar recording or a state association legislative update. Provide snacks, pause for discussion, and follow up with a Take Action letter submission.
Inspired by: Governors State University, Maryville University
Clinician Advocacy Panel
Invite 2–3 practicing SLPs or audiologists to share how they advocate for their patients and themselves in the workplace. Include examples of patient advocacy, self-advocacy, and professional advocacy, then open the floor for Q&A.
Inspired by: California State Northridge, Albizu University
Interprofessional Advocacy Night
Partner with PT, OT, nursing, or law student organizations to co-host an advocacy event focused on shared legislative priorities (e.g., Medicaid funding, IDEA, disability rights). Amplifies your chapter's reach on campus.
Inspired by: Hofstra University, University of Virginia, Maryville University
Legislative Raffle & Resource Subscription Drive
Run a raffle incentive for members who subscribe to key professional and legislative resources (e.g., state association newsletters). Faculty can provide instruction on how to effectively contact legislators.
Inspired by: University of Montana
Global CSD Advocacy Speaker
Invite a clinician or researcher who has worked internationally to speak about advocacy for under-served populations abroad. Helps members see advocacy beyond U.S. borders and understand the global need for CSD services.
Inspired by: Arizona State University
Neurodiversity Affirming Strategies Presentation
Host a presentation on neurodiversity-affirming clinical strategies. Cover the history of the disability rights movement, the impact of ableism, and how future clinicians can advocate for their clients' right to affirming care.
Inspired by: Albizu University, Miami
Fall Into Advocacy
Kick off the fall semester with an advocacy-themed first meeting. Introduce members to ASHA's Take Action platform, set chapter advocacy goals for the year, and have everyone submit their first letter of the semester.
Inspired by: University of Southern Mississippi, University of Central Arkansas, Calvin University
Winter Break Virtual Advocacy Challenge
Launch a virtual advocacy challenge over winter or spring break so members can participate from home. Share the ASHA Take Action link via GroupMe or email with a simple goal (e.g., "send 1 letter before break ends").
Inspired by: Bowling Green State
Valentine's "Love the Profession" Campaign
In February, create heart-themed social media graphics featuring advocacy statistics and a call to action. Members can write "thank you" notes to pro-CSD legislators or submit letters on a current issue.
Inspired by: Multiple chapters with February advocacy events
National Speech-Language-Hearing Month Blast
In May, launch a month-long social media campaign for National Speech-Language-Hearing Month. Post daily or weekly facts, member spotlights, and advocacy calls to action. Encourage members to share posts and tag ASHA and National NSSLHA.
Inspired by: Multiple chapters with ongoing social media advocacy
New Year, New Advocacy Goals
At the first spring meeting, have members set personal advocacy goals for the semester (e.g., "I will send 3 letters," "I will attend one state event"). Share goals as a group and revisit them at year-end to celebrate progress.
Inspired by: Multiple chapters with spring semester advocacy planning
End-of-Year "Top Advocate" Recognition
At your final meeting or graduation celebration, recognize the member(s) who demonstrated the most consistent advocacy throughout the year. Track participation in Take Action letters, events, and social media campaigns to identify honorees.
Inspired by: Multiple chapters with year-long advocacy tracking