NASFAA Needs Volunteers For The 2008-09 Program Year; Volunteer Deadline Is April 11

NASFAA depends on the talents and energy of individuals at member institutions to carry out many Association activities. NASFAA has an extremely talented and dedicated staff based in Washington, DC. However, the collaborative efforts of an extensive volunteer network working with the NASFAA staff are needed if we are to accomplish the overall mission of our Association.

This article explains the volunteer process and, along with the NASFAA Volunteer Facts information, should answer most of the questions you may have about volunteering with NASFAA. The deadline date for returning the NASFAA Volunteer Form for the 2008-09 program year is April 11, 2008.

Volunteer Selection Guidelines

Since there are always more volunteers than there are positions available, it is not always possible for everyone to receive an assignment. If you have volunteered in the past and have not been selected, please do not hesitate to volunteer again. Historical information is reviewed to assure that qualified individuals are not being passed over year after year. Every effort will be made to find an appropriate assignment for you.

We look to use the experience our members have gained at the state and regional association levels through committee and leadership service. Your prior activities in these associations, as well as other NASFAA activities, will be considered in your appointment to a NASFAA committee.

We try to assign as many new volunteers as possible to NASFAA committees. However, some individuals who served this year will be reappointed to assure continuity and maintain specific on-going activities. An individual's participation is generally limited to one committee to ensure greater membership participation. Selected volunteers must be from member institutions or be an affiliate or constituent NASFAA member. Appointments are made on an annual basis, but this does not preclude reappointment to the same or a different committee.

2008-2009 Committees

The actual number and types of committees vary from year to year at the discretion of the National Chair. Following is the tentative list of committees for the 2008-2009 program year.

Association Governance and Membership
Awards
Editorial Board, Journal of Student Financial Aid
Editorial Board, Student Aid Transcript
Federal Issues
Finance Committee
Graduate/Professional Issues
Institutional Program Management
Leadership Development and Professional Advancement
National Conference
Nominations and Elections
Research
Student Access & Diversity
Technology Initiatives
Training and Best Practices

Committees typically have their initial meeting in conjunction with the NASFAA Conference in July. If you are volunteering for a committee, you should plan your travel accordingly. Please note that expenses related to a committee meeting in conjunction with the Conference generally are not reimbursable for Conference attendees. For meetings scheduled apart from the Conference, NASFAA will reimburse all travel-related expenses.

Most committees will hold two additional meetings during the year, one in the fall and another in the spring. To minimize the impact of your NASFAA involvement on the operation of your office, most committee meetings are scheduled on weekends. While this is helpful regarding your work responsibilities, it definitely has an impact on your personal responsibilities. You should carefully weigh the use of your weekends relative to becoming involved in a NASFAA activity.

In the NASFAA Volunteer Facts section, you will find more detailed information on committee selection guidelines, responsibilities of volunteers, NASFAA's travel and expense policies, and a brief description of NASFAA's committees. Please review this information carefully; the committee structure will be similar, if not identical, to that of the current year.

Volunteering to help NASFAA is an exciting professional activity that benefits you, your NASFAA colleagues, our institutions, and the students we serve. We appreciate your willingness to participate in the work of our Association, and look forward to working with as many of you as possible in the next year.

Please feel free to contact Cynthia Leach (LeachC@NASFAA.org) at NASFAA personally if you have any questions about the committee selection process or materials.

Posted 01/09/08 to www.NASFAA.org. Redistribution to non-NASFAA institutions is prohibited. Please submit Web Site questions or comments to Web@NASFAA.org.