Legislative Assembly Meeting Agenda
Friday, April 24, 2026
1 PM – 4 PM Eastern
Virtual Meeting

Call to Order

INTRODUCTORY BUSINESS

• ITEM 1 – INFORMATIONAL: Opening Remarks (Two minutes)
• ITEM 2 – ACTION: Credentials Report (Two minutes)
• ITEM 3 – ACTION: Standing Rules (Two minutes)
• ITEM 4 – AGENDA: Agenda Approval (Two minutes)

REPORTS

• ITEM 5 – INFORMATIONAL: Updates & Reports
  • Officer Reports (25 minutes)
    • Tina M. Harris, President (Five minutes)
    • Shaunak Sastry, First Vice President (Five minutes)
    • Srividya Ramasubramanian, Second Vice President (Five minutes)
    • Jeanetta D. Sims, Immediate Past President (Five minutes)
    • Ken Lachlan, Finance Committee Chair (Five minutes)
  • National Office Updates (10 minutes)
    • Justin Danowski, Executive Director (Two minutes)
    • LaShawn Duckett, Convention & Meetings Director (Two minutes)
    • Alexis Rice, Communications & Membership Director (Two minutes)
    • Jennifer Fletcher, Organizational Development Manager (Two minutes)
    • Monica Yang, Governance & Initiatives Projects Manager (Two minutes)
  • Councils Chair Reports (25 minutes)
    • John M. Sloop, Publications Council Chair (Five minutes)
    • Julie-Ann Scott-Pollock, IDEA Council Chair (Five minutes)
    • Iccha Basnyat, Research Council Chair (Five minutes)
    • Kathleen Roberts, Mentorship and Leadership Council Chair (Five minutes)
    • Katherine S. Thweatt, Teaching and Learning Council Chair (Five minutes)
  • Strategic Plan Taskforce Report (Five minutes)
    • Katherine S. Thweatt, Taskforce Chair

BREAK: 5 MINUTES

BUSINESS ITEMS

• ITEM 6 – INFORMATIONAL: Governance Orientation (30 minutes)
• ITEM 7 – ACTION: Collective Values Working Group (20 minutes)
• ITEM 8 – ACTION: Journal Editor Approval (10 Minutes)
• ITEM 9 – DISCUSSION: Mentorship with Momentum (30 Minutes)

CONCLUDING REMARKS

ADJOURN

Topic: NCA Legislative Assembly Virtual Spring Meeting
Time: April 24, 2026, 1:00 PM Eastern Time

Please email Jennifer Fletcher (jfletcher@natcom.org) with any problems accessing the meeting.

All voting will be conducted virtually through Slido. You may access each poll using one of the following methods:

• Select the link included in the corresponding agenda item

• Scan the QR code displayed on the screen during the vote

• Visit slido.com and enter the event code provided

Note that you do not need to create an account to vote.

The Legislative Assembly (LA) meets at least once a year at NCA’s Annual Convention. There is typically a four-hour afternoon session the day before the convention begins, and a two-hour morning session on the third day of the convention. New for this year, the LA will be meeting virtually in April.

Business at the LA meeting is governed by NCA’s Bylaws, and its decisions are guided by NCA’s strategic plan. Per the NCA Bylaws, the Legislative Assembly meeting is governed by parliamentary procedure, and the following pages provide some relevant information in that regard.

There is always some standard introductory business that is addressed by the LA at the start of the meeting. It is standard to talk about the association’s finances as well as NCA’s operating budget for the upcoming calendar year. Each year members are invited to submit resolutions to the Resolutions Committee for ultimate consideration by the LA. If resolutions are submitted by the relevant deadline, they are put on the agenda for discussion by the LA at the annual meeting.

Process and Format for Submitting Proposals

The Executive Committee asks each council/committee to review proposals and provide feedback prior to each meeting. The chair has the option to circulate a proposal to other council/committee members for comment. Chairs are also able to respond with comments, questions, and recommendations. Please note, a council/committee is not obligated to comment on each proposal.

All proposals to the EC and LA should include:

• Summary
• Strategic Priorities
• Financial Implications
• Recommendation
• Main Motion
• Exhibits

Alternates (Proxies)

NCA’s Bylaws are silent on proxies but does specify how a replacement can be established.

According to Article III, Section V(D), “Vacancies among the representatives of Interest Groups, the four regional associations, the National States Advisory Council and the Association of Communication Administration Executive Committee may be filled in the same manner as the original representative was appointed.”

For example, if a group’s bylaws stipulate that the Chair is also the group’s LA representative, and the chair cannot fulfill their LA member responsibilities or attend the annual LA meeting, the chair must resign their position as chair and the newly elected chair may participate in the LA meeting. In short, a vacancy in the position must exist for an alternate person to represent the group; that person must be elected in the same manner as originally prescribed by the group’s bylaws.

The NCA Legislative Assembly abides by Robert’s Rules of Order. Parliamentary procedure is simple in principle. It is based largely on common sense and courtesy. It just seems technical due to the special vocabulary used. If the vocabulary is understood, the rules are easy:

Basic Principles of Parliamentary Procedure

• Only one subject may claim the attention of the assembly at one time.
• Each proposition presented for consideration is entitled to full and free debate.
• Every member has rights that are equal to every other member.
• The will of the majority must be carried out, and the rights of the minority must be preserved.
• The personality and desires of each member should be merged into the organizational unit.

Motions
The proper way for an individual to propose that the group take a certain action is by making a motion.

Main Motions have for their object the bringing of questions, or propositions before the assembly for consideration. Only one main motion can be considered at a given time by the assembly.

Subsidiary Motions have for their object the modification or disposition of the main motion being considered. It is in order to propose them while a main motion is still before the assembly, and to vote upon them before voting upon the main motion.

Privileged Motions have no connection whatsoever with the main motion before the assembly but are motions of such importance that they are entitled to immediate consideration. The main business before the house may be temporarily set aside to address a privileged motion.

Incidental Motions arise “incidentally” out of the business of the assembly and have very common characteristics.

Process for Handling a Motion

• A member rises and addresses the presiding officer.
• The member is recognized by the presiding officer. When a member has been recognized, the member is the only member entitled to present or discuss a motion.
• The member proposes a motion. The motion should begin “I move that” followed by a statement of proposal. It is not permissible to discuss the merits of the motion either prior to or immediately following the formal proposal of the motion.
• Another member seconds the motion. The member simply states, “I second the motion.” If nobody seconds the motion, the presiding officer may ask “Is there a second to the motion?” If there is none, the Presiding Officer may declare “The motion is lost for want of a second.”
• The presiding officer states the motion to the assembly. When a motion has been properly proposed and seconded, the officer repeats the motion to the assembly. It may then be spoken of as a “question”, a “proposition”, or a “measure.”
• The assembly discusses or debates the motion. To speak, a member must obtain the floor in the same manner as when presenting a motion
  • The presiding officer should show preference to the proposer of the motion.
  • A member who has not spoken has prior claim over one who has already spoken.
  • The presiding officer should alternate between proponents and opponents of the motion.
  • The presiding officer should recognize a member who seldom speaks in preference to one who frequently speaks.

Discussion must be Confined to the Question that is “Before the Assembly”

The presiding officer takes the vote on the motion. Before taking the vote, the chairman ask, “Is there further discussion?” or “Are you ready for the question?” The chairman proceeds to take the vote by announcing “All in favor of the motion (STATE THE MOTION) raise your voting card and say ’aye’. The chairman then says “Those opposed raise your voting card and say ’No’.”

The presiding officer announces the results of the vote. The officer announces the vote by saying “The motion is carried; therefore (STATE THE INTENT OF THE MOTION).” or if the vote is in the negative, the officer states “The motion is lost.” Another motion is then in order.

Amending a Motion
The purpose of the motion-to-amend is to modify a motion that has already been presented in such a manner that it will be more satisfactory to the members. The following are common methods of amending

• By addition or insertion to add something to the motion which it did not contain.
• By eliminating or striking out to subtract or eliminate something from the original motion.
• By substitution to eliminate something from the original motion and substitute something else in its place.

An Amendment may be Hostile, but it must be Germane
A hostile amendment is opposed to the spirit of the motion to which it is applied. To be germane, an amendment must have direct bearing on the subject of the motion to which it is applied. An amendment may nullify the original motion, but if it relates to the same subject matter, it is germane.

Types of Amendments:

• Amendment of the First Rank – An amendment to the motion.
• Amendment of the Second Rank – An amendment to an amendment, that modifies and relates directly to the amendment, and NOT to the original motion.

No Amendment Beyond the Second Rank is Possible
If it is desired to amend two separate and unrelated parts of a motion, then it must be done with two amendments of the first rank. Until an amendment of the second rank is voted on no other amendment of the second rank is in order. Until the amendment of the first rank is voted upon, no other amendment of the first rank can be proposed.

Order of Voting on Amendments

• Amendments are voted upon in inverse order of proposal.
• Discussion is held and the vote is taken upon the amendment to the amendment.
• Discussion is called for and the vote is taken upon the amendment to the motion.
• When the vote on the amendment has been taken, discussion on the motion as amended is opened and when completed, a vote is taken upon the motion as amended.

Welcome to the Spring LA virtual meeting.

The purpose of this virtual meeting is to provide important Association updates regarding ongoing initiatives towards NCA’s Strategic Plan goals and to conduct necessary business.

The business at the Legislative Assembly meetings is legally governed by NCA’s Bylaws, and its decisions are guided by NCA’s Strategic Plan and IDEA Strategic Plan.

Please review the orientation materials and agenda items located on this webpage.

The first report that will be given to LA members is the credentials report. This report tells the Legislative Assembly how many delegates have registered for the meeting. A quorum is a majority of the total number of delegates defined in the NCA Bylaws. Once the Legislative Assembly adopts the credentials report, it is authorized to conduct business in the name of NCA.

The credentials report will be given by First Vice President Shaunak Sastry.

ACTION ITEM: Approval of the Credentials Report

A motion is made by First Vice President Shaunak Sastry, which needs a second, and vote taken to approve the report.

MOTION: To approve the Credentials Report

Meetings Conducted Virtually The Legislative Assembly representatives, upon clicking the meeting link, will be placed in a virtual waiting room where attendance will be taken by an NCA staff member. Once counted, the representative will be admitted into the virtual meeting space.

Items that are not on the published agenda may only be considered after all other agenda items have been taken up and following a two-thirds vote to consider. Prior to such vote, the maker of a substantive motion may have up to two minutes to explain (not debate) the proposed motion to the body.

• Only Legislative Assembly members shall offer motions and vote.
• Motions must be given to NCA Organizational Development Manager Jennifer Fletcher via the private chat function. This process is intended for substantive motions and amendments, and when requested by the presiding officer.
• Delegates must use the “raise hand” function when requesting to speak. The presiding chair will recognize only those utilizing the “raise hand” function. Delegates shall state their name and the constituency represented prior to starting to speak.
• No delegate may move the previous question (close debate) prior to an opportunity for one affirmative and one negative speech on a motion.
• During debate on a motion, affirmative and negative sides will alternate speaking turns.
• Delegates may speak for up to two minutes when recognized. Non-members of the LA may address the LA with the permission of the presiding officer.
• The presiding officer may invite the members and guests to informally consider a motion for a specified length of time. During such time, members will be recognized to speak and will be allowed additional opportunities at the discretion of the chair. When the set time expires, the chair may take a straw poll if no motion is offered for formal consideration.
• Each NCA member who offers a resolution shall have the right to explain their resolution to the Resolutions Committee. The Resolutions Committee may: (1) endorse, (2) oppose, or (3) offer no recommendation, regarding resolutions submitted to the committee.
• The Executive Committee (EC) at an EC meeting following a convention and before the next annual convention shall review and approve the minutes of LA meetings. Copies of minutes reviewed by the EC shall be distributed to LA members serving at the next meeting.

ACTION ITEM: Approval of the standing rules.

A motion must be made, seconded, and vote taken to approve the standing rules.

Motion: To approve the standing rules.

Legislative Assembly Meeting Agenda
Friday, April 24, 2026
1 PM – 4 PM Eastern
Virtual Meeting

Call to Order

INTRODUCTORY BUSINESS

• ITEM 1 – INFORMATIONAL: Opening Remarks (Two Minutes)
• ITEM 2 – ACTION: Credentials Report (Two Minutes)
• ITEM 3 – ACTION: Standing Rules (Two Minutes)
• ITEM 4 – AGENDA: Agenda Approval (Two Minutes)

REPORTS

• ITEM 5 – INFORMATIONAL: Updates & Reports
  • Officer Reports (25 minutes)
    • Tina M. Harris, President (Five minutes)
    • Shaunak Sastry, First Vice President (Five minutes)
    • Srividya Ramasubramanian, Second Vice President (Five minutes)
    • Jeanetta D. Sims, Immediate Past President (Five minutes)
    • Ken Lachlan, Finance Committee Chair (Five minutes)
  • National Office Updates (10 minutes)
    • Justin Danowski, Executive Director (Two minutes)
    • LaShawn Duckett, Convention & Meetings Director (Two minutes)
    • Alexis Rice, Communications & Membership Director (Two minutes)
    • Jennifer Fletcher, Organizational Development Manager (Two minutes)
    • Monica Yang, Governance & Strategic Initiatives Manager (Two minutes)
  • Councils Chair Reports (25 minutes)
    • John M. Sloop, Publications Council Chair (Five minutes)
    • Julie-Ann Scott-Pollock, IDEA Council Chair (Five minutes)
    • Iccha Basnyat, Research Council Chair (Five minutes)
    • Kathleen Roberts, Mentorship and Leadership Council Chair (Five minutes)
    • Katherine S. Thweatt, Teaching and Learning Council Chair (Five minutes)
  • Strategic Plan Taskforce Report (Five minutes)
    • Katherine S. Thweatt, Taskforce Chair

BREAK: 5 MINUTES

BUSINESS ITEMS

• ITEM 6 – INFORMATIONAL: Governance Orientation (30 minutes)
• ITEM 7 – ACTION: Collective Values Working Group (20 minutes)
• ITEM 8 – ACTION: Journal Editor Approval (10 Minutes)
• ITEM 9 – DISCUSSION: Mentorship with Momentum (30 Minutes)

CONCLUDING REMARKS

ADJOURN

ACTION ITEM: Approval of the agenda.

A motion must be made, seconded, and a vote taken to approve the agenda.

Motion: To approve the proposed agenda.

To be given verbally at the meeting.

Officer Reports (25 minutes)

• Tina Harris, President (Five minutes)
• Shaunak Sastry, First Vice President (Five minutes)
• Srivi Ramasubramanian, Second Vice President (Five minutes)
• Jeanetta Sims, Immediate Past President (Five minutes)
• Ken Lachlan, Finance Committee Chair (Five minutes)

National Office Updates (10 minutes)

• Justin Danowski, Executive Director (Two minutes)
• LaShawn Duckett, Convention & Meetings Director (Two minutes)
• Alexis Rice, Communications & Membership Director (Two minutes)
• Jennifer Fletcher, Organizational Development Manager (Two minutes)
• Monica Yang, Governance & Strategic Initiatives Manager (Two minutes)

Councils Chair Reports (25 minutes)

• John Sloop, Publications Council Chair (Five minutes)
• Julie-Ann Scott-Pollock, IDEA Council Chair (Five minutes)
• Iccha Basnyat, Research Council Chair (Five minutes)
• Kathleen Roberts, Mentorship and Leadership Council Chair (Five minutes)
• Katherine Thweatt, Teaching and Learning Council Chair (Five minutes)

Strategic Plan Taskforce Update (5 minutes)

• Katherine Thweatt, Strategic Plan Taskforce Chair

Collective Values Working Group Members

• Jeanetta Sims, NCA Immediate Past President (Chair)
• Natonya Listach, Middle Tennessee State University
• Miranda Rouse, Hampden-Sydney College
• Suzy Prentiss, University of Central Florida
• Jennifer Fletcher, NCA National Office

Click here to view the Collective Values Working Group Report.

ACTION ITEM: Adoption of the Collective Governing Values.

The motion has been forwarded to the LA by the Collective Values Working Group with endorsement from the Executive Committee on April 22.

Motion: To adopt the Collective Governing Values.

Editor nominations for two journals are brought to the Legislative Assembly for approval. These nominees were recommended by the Publications Council for Executive Committee endorsement. These nominations are for editors to serve during the period of January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2027, as editor-elect and during the period of January 1, 2028 – December 31, 2030, as editor.

Text and Performance Quarterly

• M. Heather Carver, University of Missouri
  • Editorial Vision
  • CV

Journal of International and Intercultural Communication

• Angela Putman, Penn State Brandywine
  • Editorial Vision
  • CV

In addition, the Legislative Assembly is asked to approve a one-year extension for Marina Levina, University of Memphis, current editor of Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies, extended through the editorial term through December 31, 2027.

——————–

ACTION ITEM: Approval of journal editors.

A motion to approve the three journal editors to serve during the period of January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2027, as editor-elect and during the period of January 1, 2028 – December 31, 2030, as editor is forwarded to the Legislative Assembly by the Executive Committee and does not require a second.

Motion: To approve M. Heather Carver, University of Missouri, to serve as Editor of Text and Performance Quarterly during the period of January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2027, as editor-elect and during the period of January 1, 2028 – December 31, 2030, as editor.

Motion: To approve Angela Putnam, Penn State Brandywine, to serve as Editor of the Journal of International and Intercultural Communication during the period of January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2027, as editor-elect and during the period of January 1, 2028 – December 31, 2030, as editor.

Motion: To approve a one-year extension of Marina Levina, University of Memphis, as Editor of Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies, for a term ending December 31, 2027.

• Mentoring with Momentum