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Association Leadership and Involvement SUE SWISHER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SAINT XAVIER UNIVERSITY WVASFAA 2

Agenda  Financial Aid Associations National Regional State  My journey to Leadership  Professional Development and Success WVASFAA 3

Financial Aid Associations WVASFAA 4

Why are Associations Important?  Discussion of financial aid issues and strategies  Training  Professional Development/Leadership  Legislative advocacy  Research and data  Networking and support WVASFAA 5

Financial Aid Association Structure National Association State Associations Regional Associations

NASFAA – Our National Association NASFAA – NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATORS WVASFAA 7

NASFAA Overview  Institutional-based association  Professional staff headquartered in Washington, DC  Serves 3,000 post-secondary institutions  Represents the interest of financial aid professionals and students to Congress, Department of Education and other regulatory agencies  Governed by a Board of Directors that generally meets three times a year WVASFAA 8

NASFAA Leadership PRESIDENT AND CEO – JUSTIN DRAEGER WVASFAA 9

NASFAA Leadership  National Chair – Dan Mann (University of Illinois)  Past National Chair – Eileen O’Leary (Stonehill College)  National Chair-Elect – Lisa Blazer (University of Texas at San Antonio) Transition occurs in July each year. WVASFAA 10

NASFAA Board of Directors  National Chair (3-year term)  National Chair-Elect (3-year term)  Past National Chair (3-year term)  6 Representatives-at-Large (2-year term)  6 Regional Representatives (1-year term)  3 Commission Directors (1-year term; non-voting)  6 Regional Observers (non-voting) WVASFAA 11

Board Committees  Association Governance  Financial Affairs  Nominations and Elections WVASFAA 12

Task Forces The majority of volunteer opportunities open to the membership take the form of topical Task Forces. These groups are convened as needed, for the amount of time needed to accomplish a specific goal or goals, as outlined in the Task Force charter (see additional information about volunteering for NASFAA in the Committee and Task Force Handbook). Task Force opportunities are made available to members through Today's News. Opportunities currently open, currently filled, or planned for are as follows:Committee and Task Force Handbook WVASFAA 13

Regional Associations NASFAA has established six regional associations. Although separate legal entities, the relationship between NASFAA and the regional associations is harmonious and are bound by mutual interests  EASFAA  MASFAA  RMASFAA  SASFAA  SWASFAA  WASFAA WVASFAA 14

Regional Associations  Is conduit for providing information to/from NASFAA and states  Seeks ways to work with state associations to provide services for our members  Provides leadership and professional development opportunities that is favored by NASFAA for leadership opportunities and committee appointments  Varies on institutional vs. individual membership WVASFAA 15

MASFAA – Our Regional Association MASFAA – MIDWEST ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATORS WVASFAA 16

MASFAA Overview  Institutional-based association  States Served: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, West Virginia and Wisconsin  Governed by a Executive Council that generally meets four times a year WVASFAA 17

MASFAA Leadership  President – Sue Swisher (Saint Xavier University)  Past President – Aaron Steffens (Luther College)  President Elect – Thomas Ratliff (Indiana Wesleyan University) Transition occurs in October each year. WVASFAA 18

MASFAA Executive Council Elected Officers  President  President-Elect  Immediate Past President  Vice President  Secretary  Treasurer  Treasurer-Elect  Delegates-at-Large (4) State Representatives  Illinois  Indiana  Iowa  Michigan  Minnesota  Missouri  Ohio  West Virginia  Wisconsin WVASFAA 19

MASFAA Executive Council Standing Committees  Associate Governance and Planning  Conference Local Arrangements  Conference Program  Finance  Membership Services  Nominations & Elections  Professional Development  Site Selection Discretionary Committees  Access  Archives  Awards  Communication and Electronic Initiatives  Donor Development  Federal Issues  Leadership Institute  Membership Services  Research  State and Conference Liaison  Summer Institute  Web Services WVASFAA 20

Volunteer for a Committee WVASFAA 21

WVASFAA – Your State Association WVASFAA – WEST VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATORS WVASFAA 22

WVASFAA Overview West Virginia Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Association (WVASFAA) is a volunteer organization devoted to enhancing professional competency, assisting in the development of effective programs, facilitating communication, and providing training opportunities to those who are interested in student financial aid administration. WVASFAA 23

WVASFAA Leadership  President – Kathy Bialk (Marshall University)  Past President – Amanda Sites Roberson (Eastern WV Community and Technical College)  President-Elect – Katie Cooper (West Liberty State College) WVASFAA 24

WVASFAA Executive Board Elected Officers  President  President-Elect  Past President  Secretary  Treasurer  Associate Member Representative WVASFAA 25

WVASFAA Executive Board Committees  Archives  Associate Member Representative  Association Governance  Awards  Fall 2015 Conference  Spring 2016 Conference  Constitution and Bylaws  Diversity and Inclusion  Finance and Budget  Financial Aid Training for Counselors  Government Relations  Long Range Planning  Nominations and Elections  Membership  Social Outreach and Promotion  Professional Development and Training  Web Site/Electronic Initiatives WVASFAA 26

Volunteer for a Committee WVASFAA 27

My Journey to Leadership WVASFAA 28

Professional Development and Success

Why Should You Participate in Professional Activities?  To strengthen your financial aid skills and knowledge  To develop leadership skills  To expand your perspective on the profession and higher education  To support your state, regional and national associations  To widen your network of colleagues

Why Should You Participate in Professional Activities?  To share your knowledge and abilities  To add to your resume and credentials  To keep yourself and your institution updated with the latest information/trends  To develop relationships with elected officials and the Department of Education  To have fun and make life-long friends!

Tips for Professional Success Have the support of your supervisor and your family Be organized ◦Prepare notebooks/folders that contains agendas, minutes, budgets, calendars, committee member rosters with names and contact info, by-laws, committee charges, notes, etc. ◦Plan ahead ◦Incorporate meeting times into your schedule and plan to attend all meetings

Tips for Professional Success Understand your responsibilities and assignments  Develop goals and objectives to meet these responsibilities/assignments  Develop a schedule to meet these goals and objectives  Establish realistic priorities and timelines  Remember to communicate

Tips for Professional Success Don’t over-commit yourself  Find proper balance between work/personal  Be realistic about how much time and energy you can commit  Be dependable when volunteering your time Don’t be afraid to ask for help  This is not a sign of failure  These are volunteer associations

Questions?

Tips for Professional Success  Communicate with appropriate people throughout the process  Follow through completely and timely with all assignments  Assess what you have done and evaluate what you have personally learned

Tips for Professional Success  Think big and learn everything  Push yourself to do new things  Learn from your mistakes  Find, and then become, a role model/mentor  Stay involved and continue to progress up the leadership ladder

Enjoy Your Financial Aid Association Experiences!