Greetings from our SASFAA President!
By Janet Sain

Greetings Colleagues!

Since the August SASFAA Board which was held at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta the site of the 2005 conference, I have been very busy with my travels to all the state fall meetings. First up was the Alabama association held in Birmingham, AL at the Tutwiler Hotel. It is a beautiful historic hotel in the downtown area. The theme of the conference was “Exploring The Past, Present and Future”. I had the pleasure of meeting the new Area Case Director for Region IV, Charles Engstrom. I also had the sad experience of seeing David Bartnicki present probably his last session for the SASFAA region. He has been informed that with the reorganization within FSA that only Training Officers will be holding sessions at conferences. Mr. Bartnicki also shared the news that former Training Officer for our region, Ms. Francine Reeves officially retired November 3rd of this year.

Next on the travel agenda was a trip to Franklin, TN where TASFAA conducted their fall meeting at the Cool Springs Marriott. Prior to the conference, I participated in three different SASFAA committee meetings. The Nominations and Elections Committee where I subbed for Bruce Blackmon from her home state of North Carolina, the Long Range Planning meeting and the Conference Committee meeting. The Nominations and Elections Committee not only decided the slate to present to the board, but they also discussed the new procedures of the electronic voting to be conducted at the conference and the changes necessary for the P&P Manual. The Long Range Planning committee drafted some initial changes for the future and that report was presented at the board meeting. The Conference Committee is going full steam ahead and decided on keynote speakers, entertainment and interest sessions and many other aspects of the conference to be held in Atlanta, GA.

Immediately after all these committee meetings, I participated in the TASFAA conference. The theme was “Access & Opportunity, 24/7” Highlights of the conference was the 24/7 picture show at the opening session as well as their keynote speaker, Olympian Gold Medalist, David Wottle. His speech was inspirational and motivating! Their Federal Update was conducted by newcomer to the Training Office, Ms. Kathie Makowski. She is a roving trainer who will conduct sessions where needed, but is based out of the Philadelphia office.

The end of that same week, my travels took me to Owensboro, KY for the KASFAA conference held at the Executive Inn. The theme was “Take a Leading Role in KASFAA”. Jeff Baker supplied the Federal Update and Kathie Makowski presented several interest sessions. I had the pleasure of participating in two sessions. The first was “Back to School: Enrollment Management Demands” which was a panel presentation along with Dr. Luther Hughes and Ken Rasp. My second session was “Working 9 to 5: Motivating Your Staff”. Some headliners for KASFAA included Dr. Steve Atwood, Mrs. Heather French Henry (Miss America) and Dr. Joe McCormick and then their own versions of Lenny Kravitz and Scarlett O’Hara and “THE FILM”.

Next on the travel agenda was a trip to Clemson University for SCASFAA at their conference center on campus. It was a beautiful facility with some beautiful weather! “Elect SCASFAA…The Winning Ticket!” was the conference theme and some highlights included Carl Wells at the Opening Session, the great variety of interest sessions and the karaoke! The federal update was conducted by Yolanda Adams. For a 24 hour conference, they packed in a lot of information for their members.

Next, I traveled to Young Harris, GA to attend GASFAA at the beautifully scenic Brasstown Valley Resort. The association selected this area in memory of a colleague who had passed away and loved and worked in the mountains of GA. The hoedown, Breast Cancer memorial candle walk and World Series celebration were highlights. The brightest moments were when GASFAA members stepped in to conduct the sessions from the Dept of Ed that were to be presented by Yolanda Adams but due to the budget freeze she was unable to attend.

NCASFAA, my home state association conducted their Fall conference at the Marriott in downtown Durham. The Red Carpet Show was the theme throughout and the highlights were Hallerin Hill and the banquet and the many “stars” who made an appearance and were introduced by Special Reporter MC Janet “Hart” Sain from Entertainment Tonight. Some of the stars included visits by “dueling” Diana Rosses, Tina Turner, Liza Minelli and David Gest, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell, a great Ray Charles, Oprah, and Elvis!

A final trip to Florida was cancelled due to the devastation of the Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne. The FAFSAA board is to be commended for their decision and many thanks go to the hotel in Destin who decided to cancel all charges to the association.

The November board meeting updated the progress of the Conference Committee (theme-Directing and Producing Educational Opportunities……TV themes and Chef Jon Paul Hutchins and Mick Hanson), Multi-Cultural Leadership Symposium (building minority leadership), SASFAA Management Institute, New Aid Officers workshop, Electronic Voting, Long Range Planning, Past Presidents Council, NASFAA’s Marcia Weston and the President-Elect’s workshop and many other activities. Hope to see all of you all there in beautiful HOTLANTA!

The Nominations and Elections Committee presented the following slate for 2005-2006:

Our thoughts and prayers were shared for Crusie Lucero on the loss of her husband Alfonso and for Brent Tener and the loss of his mother. The outpouring of love and sympathy from our SASFAA community was truly evident.

Wishing you a great holiday season and safe travels and time with family and friends. See you in February!

Janet Sain
SASFAA President