September 18, 2023

To: All members, clubs, and organizations affiliated with the International Association of Laryngectomees

Dear Recipient,
It is with great sadness that our Executive Board had to make the unpleasant decision to cancel the 2024 Annual Meeting and Voice Institute in St. Louis. This was not an easy decision to make, but out of fiscal concerns and the future sustainability of the IAL, it had to be made.

I want to thank our AM/VI Committee members for the work they’ve already put into the conference and hopefully their efforts will be rewarded in 2024. The IAL remains dedicated to our mission of providing education and support to persons with laryngectomy, their families, Speech-Language Pathologists and allied health professionals. 

We will soon be announcing online educational opportunities to bridge the gap until our next in person meeting. We appreciate the communities understanding during this challenging time. We remain committed that the IAL continues to be viable and active for generations to come. 

Thank you.
President
Kyd Dieterich

The International Association of Laryngectomees supports, promotes, encourages, and educates individuals with a laryngectomy, along with their caregivers, Speech Language Pathologists, allied health professionals, and support groups around the world.  A laryngectomy is the complete surgical removal of the larynx, because of cancer or other reasons, rendering a person speechless, with a different way of breathing and swallowing.  The aim of the IAL is to provide both emotional and physical support by:
Teaching laryngectomees about methods of speech, helping them attain the best speech possible, and assisting in their return to a “new normal” way of life.
• To publish and deliver helpful information for the rehabilitation of those who have undergone a laryngectomy.
• Teaching speech language pathologists the proper care of the laryngectomee, introducing them to new products and procedures, and provide them with educational opportunities.
• Teaching medical professionals proper emergency care, and the everyday care of the laryngectomee as a total neck breather.
• To improve the understanding of employers about cancer of the larynx, so that a laryngectomized person may retain or obtain employment after surgery.
• To support, promote, and encourage the success and/or development of laryngectomee clubs throughout the world.
• To provide an Annual Meeting for laryngectomees which provides them an opportunity to learn from others in the same situation, learn of new products and the latest medical advances.
• To provide an annual Voice Institute to teach medical professionals ie: SLP’s, EMT’s, anesthesiologists, students, and ENT’s about the care of laryngectomees, while providing them with “Continuing Education Units” that are needed to keep their license valid.

Scope
This Privacy Policy applies to personal information processed by the International Association of Laryngectomees in the course of paying dues or registration fees and/or making donations.

Personal Information We Collect
When you use these online services, we may collect the following categories of personal information:

When paying individual dues or registration fees we will collect your name, complete street address, email address and telephone number. If you are a laryngectomee, we may ask for your method of speech. We may ask if you are a Laryngectomee, spouse,5g caregiver, medical student or medical professional. Please note that we may also collect your credit or debit card information provided for these payments.

When paying dues for a support group we will ask you to provide the group’s name, the complete address, date or day of the week, and the time of the club meeting. We will ask for a contact person along with the complete street address, email address and telephone number.

When making donations in Memory of or in Honor of someone, we will collect your name, complete street address, email address and telephone number. We will also request the name, complete street address, email address (if available) and telephone number of the person who should receive a card of condolence notifying them of your donation. (No amount will be stated.)

When requesting copies of the IAL Newsletter, we will collect your name, complete street address, email address and telephone number. 

Security of Your Information:

We take steps to ensure that your information is treated securely and in accordance with this Privacy Policy. Unfortunately, the Internet cannot be guaranteed to be 100% secure, and we cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you provide to us. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, we do not accept liability for unauthorized disclosure.
By using our website or providing personal information to us, you agree that we may communicate with you electronically regarding security, privacy, and administrative issues relating to your use of the site. If we learn of a security system’s breach, we may attempt to notify you electronically by sending a notice through the site or by sending an e-mail to you.

We will never share your information with a third party. It will be for our records only.

Contact Us:
If you have any questions about our privacy practices or this Privacy Policy, please contact us at: office@theialvoice.org or call 1-866-425-3678

effective 2023

The following Code of Ethics applies to the Officers and members of the International Association of Laryngectomees’ Board of Directors, the Executive Director and all other employees. We recognize the importance of codifying and making known to the organizations, businesses and medical professionals as well as to the general public, the ethical principles that guide the work of the IAL.

Ethical dilemmas occur when values are in conflict. The International Association of Laryngectomees’ Code of Ethics states the values to which we are committed, and embodies the ethical responsibilities of the Officers, Board of Directors, its Executive Director, and its employees.

We significantly influence or control the selection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of information. In a political system grounded in an informed citizenry, we are members of a volunteer organization explicitly committed to the rehabilitation of laryngectomees internationally. We have a special obligation to ensure the free flow of information to these survivors.

The principles of this Code are expressed in broad statements to guide ethical decision-making. These statements provide a framework; they cannot and do not dictate conduct to all or for any particular situation.

Therefore we strive to:

• Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.
• Refrain from engaging in any activity with others that may compromise one’s integrity or damage the Board of Directors or the Executive Director's, credibility.
• Decline personal gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment from any individual, business, sponsor, or organization which may be construed as an intention to influence the judgment of the Executive Director, Board Member or other Officer or Employee of the IAL.
• Expose any unethical practices or behaviors by the Executive Director, Officer, or member of the Board of Directors, or any other employee, that actually has, or may potentially have caused embarrassment to the IAL, the Voice Institute or the IAL’s member clubs.

We, the Officers, Executive Director, members of the Board of Directors, and employees of the International Association of Laryngectomees, do hereby swear and affirm that we shall:

• Provide the highest level of service to all laryngectomees and their caregivers through appropriate and usefully organized resources; equitable service policies; equitable access; and accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests.
• Uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor any resources that can be given to them.
• Protect each laryngectomee’s right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.
• Recognize and respect intellectual property rights.
• Treat everyone with respect, fairness and good faith, and advocate conditions that safeguard the rights and welfare of all.
• Not advance private interests at the expense of colleagues, or our employing institutions.
• Distinguish between our personal convictions and professional duties, and do not allow our personal beliefs to interfere with fair representation of the aims of our institutions or the provision of access to their information resources.
• Strive for excellence in the advancement of the goals of the IAL by maintaining and enhancing our own knowledge and skills, by encouraging the professional development of volunteers, and by fostering the aspirations of potential members of the profession.

for the Administrative Manager, Officers, Board Members and Employees of the International Association of Laryngectomees

Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have just been elected as an Officer, member of the Board of Directors or employed as our Administrative Manager or other staff member by the International Association of Laryngectomees, for a specified term, or contract length. In this manner, you have been honored by the affiliated clubs, their delegates and their members, as well as the members of the Board of Directors, for the interest and dedication you have shown in the work of your club, and of the IAL toward the total rehabilitation of laryngectomees everywhere. At times, your assignment will be difficult and frustrating; at times, enjoyable and elating, your remuneration—negligible. But you will gain the soul-satisfying feeling of having accomplished something to assist another laryngectomee in his/her search for help in his/her time of need.
Will you therefore, promise to do everything within your power to lend your wisdom, your experience, knowledge, expertise and your sound judgment to accomplishing the aims and objectives of the International Association of Laryngectomees, all the while casting aside your personal ambitions and desires, in the full realization that you shall always be mindful that your conduct at all times reflects directly on the IAL and as such must always remain above reproach? If so, please say, “I WILL.” (THE GROUP RESPONDS)
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for your expression of determination to help your fellow laryngectomees, and those yet to come. We all wish you much success in accepting this important mission.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please greet your new Officers and Directors.