 JUNE
2006 |
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| Virginia State Report It’s hard to believe that the 2005-06 year is over. It has been an absolutely incredible year and I have thoroughly enjoyed serving you on the SASFAA Executive Board as VASFAA’s 2005-06 President. When I look back at this year, I will have fond memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Professionally, VASFAA accomplished a lot and I believe the association is in great shape due to the hard work of the Board, committee chairs, and committee members. I am proud to say that VASFAA is over 500 members strong, we stayed within our overall association budget, and we saw a lot of firsts this year. The new committee reporting format seems to have worked well. This made reporting easier for committee chairs and provided a single document summary of the committee activities throughout the year. The last of the Committee Descriptions are being finalized following the Transition Retreat. Completion of this project will enable VASFAA to more effectively advertise our committees. While all of the committees did an excellent job this year, I think it’s worth highlighting in my final report a few of the firsts and/or exceptional services that were provided. The Awareness Committee set a SuperSaturday record with 27 sites, 1,298 people in attendance and 233 volunteers. That’s a lot of FAFSA’s! Several of the additional sites were secured with the help of our friends at the Commonwealth College Access Network (CCAN). The Electronic Services Committee implemented electronic voting for the very first time at this year’s conference and the New Century Fund President’s Council awarded professional development grants to three VASFAA members. The Diversity committee was extremely active in planning and outreach, resulting in the fabulous events you saw at the annual conference. They coordinated the Leadership Symposium held on Sunday at the conference, secured the wonderful general session speaker Mr. Harvey Alston, and implemented one of the best “diversity experiences” we have ever seen at a conference with their program for people to use disability devices throughout the conference. We saw an increase in our High School Guidance Counselor Workshop sites because of the diligent work of our Secondary School Relations Committee, and the Research Committee has been gathering data in response to one of the concerns brought up at the sector meetings at the 2005 annual conference. I am happy to say that President Melis is keeping the Research Committee in 2006-07 to continue the work they started this year. The Public Relations committee enacted two new projects that had a positive impact on the membership. The “thank you” letters to the supervisors of VASFAA volunteers gave the volunteers recognition with their employers that was long overdue, and the “VASFAA Survivor Vignettes” were a great way to learn more about our colleagues around the state. I have heard several positive comments about both of these projects. In response to requests from the membership, the Training Committee hosted our first New Aid Officer Workshop not associated with a conference. This stand alone event was done in the fall and the feedback we received regarding this is that it was a tremendous success. Actually, “stand alone” may not be a good description because the Membership Committee worked with the Training Committee to host our first New Member reception outside of a conference setting in conjunction with this training event. This also proved to be very successful. VASFAA would not be where we are today without the contributions and support of our vendors and sponsors. As of the conference, vendor/sponsor contributions reached $93,750, with 5 Platinum sponsors, 3 Gold, 10 Silver, 10 Bronze, and 9 sponsors at the Vendor level, for a total of 37 vendors and sponsors. This, along with their continued involvement on VASFAA committees, shows a clear dedication to our association’s goals and mission. The year culminated with a conference that will be remembered for years to come. I heard several comments from people like, “this is the best conference I ever attended” and “that old VASFAA feeling is back again.” The Conference, Membership, Diversity, Training, Electronic Services, Vendor/Sponsor, Photography, and Public Relations committees worked seamlessly to pull off a fabulous event. All of the committees did an exceptional job staying within our “Survivor” theme and in creating an atmosphere were members could network, receive training, and have fun. While the Yellow Team won the Survivor Challenge, I think it’s fair to say that everyone who participated in these events had a great time and probably met someone they might not have otherwise had the chance to meet. I am extremely grateful to everyone who worked so hard to pull off this conference. I am also happy to say that we raised $3,972 through the silent auction at the conference for our friends and colleagues in Alabama (AASFAA) and Mississippi (MASFAA) who were affected by Hurricane Katrina. I will be presenting a check for $1,986 to each of those two state presidents at the SASFAA Board Transition Retreat in June. The association held its annual election of officers during the conference. I would like to thank everyone who ran for office this year and am looking forward to working on the Board with those who were elected. The results of the election are as follows:
Personally, I will never forget the support that was given to me by the VASFAA membership throughout the year. Additionally, my family was forever touched by the kindness and generosity of the membership at the conference by the $250 in food pantry donations my children received and the 300 people who sang them happy birthday at the Tuesday night event. We may not have been able to hold the annual Barnett Boys Birthday Bash this year because of the conference, but the boys got even more out of their birthday this year than in years past. In prior years, they have only been the couriers in dropping off the food they collected at their birthday party; however, this year they also got to buy it due to your donations. They had the best time shopping for the food when Sara and I took them grocery shopping. It takes a certain amount of Communication, Commitment, and Continuity to be a “Financial Aid Survivor,” and it has been a pleasure to watch VASFAA members demonstrate these 3 C’s throughout the year. Thank you to VASFAA for having faith enough in me to give me the opportunity to serve as your 2005-06 President. It has been a pleasure representing VASFAA on the SASFAA Executive Board. I am looking forward to working with President Melis and the 2006-07 VASFAA Executive Board as we “Trek Boldly Into New Frontiers.” Sincerely, Brad Barnett |
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