Sorth Carolina State Report
Nancy Garmroth, SCASFAA President

Vice President, Tabatha McAllister, and the Professional Development Committee continue to do an exceptional job of coordinating training activities for the year. A leadership symposium geared toward directors and upper level management was held on February 2, 2006. In conjunction with Em McNair and the diversity committee, a workshop titled "Moving on Up…Making a Difference" was held on March 2, 2006 and was geared toward rising stars in our offices, on campus and in the financial aid profession. The Diversity Committee is also working on sessions for the upcoming spring conference.

Regina Smith, who assumed the role of Counselor Relations Committee chair during the year, has continued the great work of her predecessor, Jeff Dennis, in coordinating with the S.C. Student Loan Corporation our Paying for College Day. This event was held February 18, 2006 at three sites across the State. Volunteers were available to promote financial aid awareness and assist students and parents with completion of the FAFSA. The counselor relations committee also presented to the Executive Board a report on the effectiveness of the high school guidance counselor summer internship program.

At the January 25, 2006 board meeting, Jeff Holliday, Member-at-Large, reported that membership is up from the same point in time as last year. He and his committee continue to work on a capacity study. As a special project, Kim Jenerette, President-Elect, is working on combining and updating the Treasurer Manuals with the P&P Manual. He is also chairing a committee to award a scholarship from SCASFAA to a deserving South Carolina student.

Betty Whalen, Past President, and the Nominations and Elections Committee presented their report to the Executive Board. A dual slate was presented for each office—for President-Elect, Sandra Davis and Tabatha McAllister; for Vice President, Jeff Holliday and Carolyn Sparks; for Secretary, Tamy Garofano and Bill Whitlock; and for Member-at-Large, Caroline Thornton and Betty Williams. The procedure for nominations was also updated to reflect handling a runoff election.

Tamy Garofano chairs the Vendor/Sponsor Committee. SCASFAA is very appreciative of the support received which has exceeded original budget projections. Jackie Bell and the Spring Program Committee have started planning for the spring conference to be held April 23-26, 2006 at the Springmaid Beach Resort and Conference Center in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The theme for the conference is "Navigating the SCASFAA Waters".

Earl Mayo, Site Selection Chair, presented information to the Executive Board. Embassy Suites in Columbia, S.C. was selected as the site for fall 2007. Earl will present information at the April board meeting for a spring 2008 site. Nancy Garmroth assisted Ron Gamble with the site selection for SASFAA in 2009. Site visits to the Kingston Plantation and the Sheraton/Convention Center were made in November 2005. At the February 11, 2006 SASFAA Executive Board meeting, the Sheraton/Convention Center in Myrtle Beach was selected as the site for SASFAA in 2009.

Glenn Shumpert, Legislative Concerns Chair, and his committee members have kept the membership up-to-date on state and federal issues. Jeff Dennis, the immediate past Treasurer, resumed his role in November when the elected Treasurer, Kim Ellisor, stepped down.

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