Let me introduce myself to you: I am Tracey Straker, and I was elected to the ASA Vice Speaker office at the October 2023 House of Delegates. ASA Bylaws state that the Vice Speaker's role is “to assist the Speaker.” The job description is extremely vague, but in that “vagueness,” I have come to understand clearly what “assist” really means. Assist means to do whatever is needed to support the Speaker and House of Delegates in all capacities.
The Speakers use parliamentary procedure to ensure the voice of the majority prevails – but just as importantly to also ensure that the voice of the minority is heard. The majority and the minority make up the entire voice of the membership, and everyone has a say and one vote.
In my short tenure, I have assisted the Speaker, and I am also growing in my knowledge base to better represent the...
