Road Map to Involvement

Enhance your professional development by charting a path to involvement in financial aid associations at the state, regional, and national levels.

Start with your state association and build your skills towards regional and national associations.
Participate in state, regional, and national conferences and training sessions.
Respond to surveys to help your association collect useful data.
Network with peers: seek the assistance of a role model or mentor, meet your colleagues at other institutions, exchange ideas, and share experiences.
Determine your areas of interest and expertise; and examine the organization of the associations (state, regional, and national) to see where you might best contribute.
Contact your state association president and other officers to express your interest and commitment. Ask how you can help!
If you don't have time for a very involved assignment, volunteer for small projects like assisting at a conference registration desk, or writing an article for the state or regional newsletter. These efforts are very much appreciated!

Understand your responsibilities, the time commitment involved, and any expenses to you or your institution before you accept a volunteer position.
Secure your employer's approval and your family's support.
Periodically update your employer on your activities within the association.
Incorporate meeting dates in your schedule early and plan to attend all of them.
Be dependable; follow through completely and promptly with all committee tasks.
If you're not selected at first, continue to direct your energy towards positive action and keep trying; sometimes the current focus of activities doesn't align with your skill set, but that changes over time.

Ask for advice or resources from colleagues, either on campus or within the financial aid community.
Follow the examples of your role models or mentors.
Help plan state and regional conferences; lead workshops or a training session; serve as a newsletter editor; chair a committee chair; or run for a state or regional office.

Assess what you've achieved, and evaluate what you've learned.
Celebrate your accomplishments and recognize areas where you can improve.
Share your success with others. Be a mentor or role model.
Extend a hand to others who are just starting and provide opportunities for them to participate.
Review your goals, interests, commitments and available time.
In planning what to do next, re-examine your commitments. Is it time to release some activities and move to others? There is so much you can do!

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators