SASFAA Annual Report 2004-2005 continued...
State Presidents
Beginning in the 1997-98 year, then President Carol Mowbray organized
the State Presidents who served on the SASFAA Board for a meeting
prior to each Board meeting. The State Presidents once again met as
a collective body in advance of each Board meeting this year to share
ideas and discuss any concerns of their state associations. In addition,
the group provided each other with some great support. The input of
our State Presidents to the progress of the Board is very significant.
Without their input and knowledge of what our members need from SASFAA,
we would not be able to address those needs in an adequate manner.
The State Presidents requested to play a more integral role on the
Board, and thus Joanie Walker, as the spokesperson for the group,
surveyed what additional responsibilities they would be interested
in adding to their roles as State Presidents. Some requested additional
responsibilities by becoming more active on a variety of committees.
These included being on the GAP committee, the LRP committee, the
Past Presidents Council Ad Hoc Committee and others. Concern was expressed
that there was a sense of division between the State Presidents and
the Executive Council. Thus an attempt was made to meet with the State
Presidents in a joint meeting prior to the Board meetings. This effort
should be continued if possible. A request was also made to request
input from State President’s for Committee Chairs and members
who should be considered whenever possible and feasible.
Treasurer
Lester McKenzie completed his second year as Treasurer of the association.
Lester has been a real asset to SASFAA and provided a great deal of
energy and loyalty to all aspects of this position even in the midst
of a job transition. Some accomplishments included the creation of
a new credit card reimbursement form and the development of the policies
necessary to utilize them; completion of conversion to online payment
information as it pertained to membership dues and conference registrations;
moved New Aid Officers Workshop registration to online format supported
by ATAC; utilized accounting software to create electronic invoices;
made available to conference attendees the acceptance of credit card
charges; coordinated online reimbursement procedures (banking) to
save on postage and check printing costs and set-up wire transfer
protocol with the Bank of America to speed up payment of large conference
charges.
Some recommendations included:
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When Lester changed jobs this year, it inadvertently
made it difficult to transition the online accounts to a new and
subsequent email address. Each change had the requisite delay in
notification. He suggested that in the future the Treasurer secure
an email account that can be maintained separate from their personal
or work-related account. The SASFAA computer is equipped with MS
Outlook and can be set to retrieve and download email messages from
an account. This would improve the consistency from year to year
and from treasurer to treasurer in the future.
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Continue with electronic enhancements of the position
and coordinate a more comprehensive evaluation of procedures as
the association enters into a new era of electronic processes. A
review of not only the policies and procedures manual, but also
the Treasurer’s Guidelines and SASFAA Guide to Financial Management,
to incorporate electronic initiatives established by the electronic
services committee and others. This needs to include payment information,
how to handle credit card late fees and interest expenses, online
payments, registration process, etc.
Lester is to be commended for all his efforts in the financial and
fiscal stability of the association. Available for review on the website
are the Asset Report, Financial Review for 2003-2004 and Investment
Reports.
Summary
SASFAA’s successful year can be attributed to the group of dedicated
and energetic individuals who served on the Board. Their untiring
efforts made it possible for so many of our members to receive training
opportunities, gain knowledge and skills at all levels, fostered future
leaders, and many other activities. Each Board member and their Committee
members gave 110% and it showed! I only hope that I did them justice
by my summary of each of their accomplishments for this year in the
annual report. A finer group of folks cannot be found in any other
region!
It is my hope that volunteerism from our members continue and that
everyone in SASFAA continues to put student’s first! This year
has been the most rewarding and professionally growing experience
of my career. New friendships were formed and will never be forgotten;
old friendships were strengthened and all the support I received throughout
the year was immeasurable.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve this year as your
President. It has been an honor and my heartfelt thanks to all who
served to make this association the best. My congratulations to Guy
as he becomes President, and to all those who will serve SASFAA in
the future.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Sain
2004-05 SASFAA President
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JUNE
2005
