Report from the President-Elect
Brent Tener

It has been a busy spring! Since our last newsletter, I participated with the state presidents-elect in a planning workshop prior to the annual conference held in February. In addition, I have been identifying SASFAA members to chair committees for the 2006-2007 year. Next year’s Executive Board and committee chairs will be announced by April 15.
Without the support of the membership and those who volunteer to chair and serve on various committees, the work of SASFAA could not be accomplished. If you are interested in serving on a SASFAA committee next year, please complete the volunteer form on the SASFAA website. In addition, please remember to volunteer and help your state associations as well!

I will attend the Kentucky and South Carolina conferences in April, bringing greetings from Guy Gibbs, SASFAA president. These conferences precede the annual Transition Board meeting that will be held in Florida in June. At that time, the final board meeting for the 2005-2006 year will be held. Following the board meeting, the 2005-2006 board and committee chairs will meet for a day with the 2006-2007 board and committee chairs to provide an easy transition and to ensure that SASFAA business is conducted appropriately and in a fiscally responsible manner.

You are encouraged to check the SASFAA website on a regular basis to find out what is going on in SASFAA. If any member has issues and or concerns that they would like to present to the 2006-2007 Executive Board for review and consideration, please send an e-mail to me at b.tener@vanderbilt.edu or call me at 615.343.1422. I am interested in your views and opinions regarding SASFAA and the mission of our organization.

Become Involved, Stay Involved, Make a Difference!

SASFAA State Presidents-Elect Workshop a Success

Eight SASFAA State Presidents-Elect attended a workshop on Sunday, February 12, prior to the annual SASFAA conference. The workshop was designed to give the group an opportunity to meet prior to the SASFAA conference and learn more about their responsibilities to SASFAA and their respective state associations as they serve during the 2006-2007 year.

The workshop was developed and led by Brent Tener, SASFAA President-Elect, who provided information about association governance and leadership development. Others who presented information included: Susan Little, past SASFAA President, who conducted a team-building exercise for the group; Mary Givhan, past SASFAA President, who provided a history of SASFAA; and Bill Spiers, SASFAA Legislative Relations Chair, who provided information relative to the legislative process and legislative advocacy. Dave Gelinas, NASFAA Chair, spoke to both the New Aid Officers and State Presidents-Elect regarding the importance of our profession.

All nine of the current State Presidents participated in a round-table discussion, providing insight to the group as to how they would have done things differently and other words of wisdom. Finally, the workshop ended with a brain-storming session, discussing initiatives both the individual states and SASFAA could pursue to benefit the financial aid community and the constituents we serve.

The workshop has become an annual event held prior to the annual conference. The State Presidents-Elect will meet again in June at the SASFAA transition board meeting. Their term on the board will begin July 1, 2006.