Dear Chapter and State Leaders,
HLAA leaders are great researchers and sharers of information and resources, especially in this time of the pandemic, but we have to be careful how we present this information. Here is an excerpt from Barbara Kelley, HLAA Executive Director, from a past Chapter Blog post to remind you of our Conflict of Interest Policy for chapter and state organizations. Thank you for all your efforts. Stay safe and be well.
Carla Beyer-Smolin, Chapter and Membership Coordinator
Chapter Blog excerpt from https://www.hearingloss.org/chapter-meetings-2019-20/
HLAA Chapters have rich educational programs, all in a communication accessible place with hearing loops, captioning, and other technology. Most of the time, the information you provide isn’t easily found anywhere else. The service you provide to your local communities is invaluable.
As you plan your programs, please keep in mind HLAA’s reputation of being the unconflicted voice and unbiased resource for people with hearing loss. We all have our favorite technologies, audiologists, hearing health care specialists, and you surely should invite them to present at your meetings. But, be mindful to have presentations from their competition as well. HLAA’s mission is still very much self-help in that we give people reliable information so they can make their own decisions. And, the best part, most of us will then turn around and help others with their hearing journey.
We have a Conflict of Interest policy for chapters and state organizations. Here is an excerpt that shows the importance for HLAA to maintain its integrity as an independent consumer organization not tied to any one business or service provider.
HLAA Chapters and State Organizations will refrain from promoting any one product or service over another. Chapters and state organizations can provide education and information about a variety of products and services, with an eye toward an even-handed approach among competing business interests. When HLAA educational meetings focus on treatment, technology, devices or services, chapters and state organizations should include information about competing products or services at the same meeting or subsequent meetings in the same meeting season.
Here are some other HLAA policies to inform you about as well.
https://www.hearingloss.org/privacy-policy/
https://www.hearingloss.org/make-an-impact/sponsorship-marketing-opps/ad-disclaimer/