1. This presentation is for discussion purposes only.

2. THE IMPORTANCE FOR YOU AND YOUR CAREER
Getting Involved
Introduction. Purpose of the session. Topic: Why volunteer for a state, regional, or national organization.
THE IMPORTANCE FOR YOU AND YOUR CAREER

3. What is AASFAA? A Volunteer Organization Focusing on:
Professional Training
Networking
Advocacy for Students and Financial Aid Funding within AL
Edit State Association in title and edit the last sentence.

4. Professional Training
The continuous process of acquiring knowledge, skills, and new applications relating to your:
Work Environment
Job Responsibilities
Profession

5. Networking
Varying relationships for the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions.
Examples of Networks:
Mentors
Colleagues
Peers
Brain Trusts
Potential Employers and Employees

6. Advocacy
Advocacy is the act of promoting an idea or proposal that affects legislation or regulations.
Volunteers can advocate for:
Association Goals
Association Activities
Association Policies and Procedures
State Legislation and Regulations
Federal Legislation and Regulations

7. Advocacy

8. Benefits of Membership
Enhance your skills by learning from seasoned professionals
Lend your own expertise and experience to improve the organization
Create and expand professional relationships
Increase the visibility of your own talents and proficiencies
Explore new and more challenging career opportunities
Strengthen your resume
Develop interpersonal and communication skills both one-on-one and in front of larger groups or audiences

9. Getting Involved Volunteer for events like trainings and conferences
Seasoned volunteers can mentor other just beginning in the financial aid profession
Volunteer to serve on a committee
Run for an office and become a steward of the Board
Get involved at state level to gain experience and perspective needed for regional and national level service

10. Where do you fit?
AASFAA
SASFAA
NASFAA
Change State Association

11. What is SASFAA?
The Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (SASFAA) is an organization of over 1,200 financial aid professionals.
SASFAA comprises the nine southern states
Transition to talk about moving from volunteering at state level to regional level

12. Who are the SASFAA *ASFAAs?
Alabama: AASFAA - aasfaaonline.org
Florida: FASFAA - fasfaa.org
Georgia: GASFAA – gasfaa.org
Kentucky: KASFAA - kasfaa.com
Mississippi: MASFAA – msmasfaa.org
North Carolina: NCASFAA – ncasfaa.com
South Carolina: SCASFAA – scasfaa.org
Tennessee: TASFAA – tasfaatn.com
Virginia: VASFAA – vasfaa.com

13. What is SASFAA? Its purpose:
to promote the professional preparation of individuals within financial aid;
to develop effective programs related to student financial aid;
to facilitate communication between all interested parties within the financial aid community; and
to continually evaluate and update our services. 
Transition to talk about moving from volunteering at state level to regional level

14. SASFAA President, Bryan Erslan
“SASFAA depends on the talents and energy of its members to carry out many of the Association’s activities. The collaborative effort of an extensive volunteer network is required if we are to accomplish the overall mission of our Association. SASFAA encourages your participation and welcomes your involvement at the regional level. Volunteers are not chosen based on years of experience, but their willingness to serve.”

15. SASFAA Board Elected Officers: State Association Presidents: President
President-Elect
Vice President
Immediate Past President
Secretary
Treasurer
Alabama
Florida
Georgia
Kentucky
Mississippi
North Carolina
South Carolina
Tennessee
Virginia

16. SASFAA Board

17. SASFAA State Presidents
Alabama: Stephanie Miller, FA Solutions, LLC
Florida: David Alexander, Universal Technical Institute
Georgia: Amber Singletary, Georgia Northwest Technical College
Kentucky: April Tretter, Bellarmine University
Mississippi: Steven Taranto, The University of Mississippi
North Carolina: Jamie Pendergrass, North Carolina State University
South Carolina: Nikisha Howze, York Technical College
Tennessee: Tiffany Summers, Lipscomb Univesity
Virginia: Joan Zanders, Northern Virginia Community College

18. 2018-2019 SASFAA State Presidents

19. SASFAA Committees Long Range Planning Legislative Relations
Awards
Budget & Finance
Communications & Outreach
Conference
Local Arrangements
Electronic Services
Global Issues
Finance Task Force
Conference Handbook Taskforce
Vendor/Sponsor Handbook Taskforce
Long Range Planning
Legislative Relations
Management Institute
Membership
Nominations & Elections
Professional Development
Site Selection
Sponsorship/Business Partners Liaison

20. What is NASFAA?
Nearly 20,000 student financial assistance professionals at approximately 3,000 colleges, universities, and career schools across the country.
NASFAA member institutions serve nine out of every ten undergraduates in the U.S.
Vision: Shaping the future by promoting student access and success in higher education.
Transition from Regional to National Level

21. What is NASFAA?
Mission: The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) provides professional development for financial aid administrators; advocates for public policies that increase student access and success; serves as a forum on student financial aid issues, and is committed to diversity throughout all activities.
Transition from Regional to National Level

22. NASFAA Board There are 21 members of the Board of Directors:
Three officers: National Chair, Chair-Elect, and Immediate Past National Chair
Six Representatives-at-Large
Six Regional Representatives
Treasurer
Three non-voting Commission Directors
The President of the Association
Secretary to the Board

23. NASFAA Volunteers
Every year, over 150 members volunteer their expertise
Volunteers share new ideas that influence the development of NASFAA programs, products, and services
Volunteers serve as committee chairs, committee members, and speakers
Volunteers are typically employees of NASFAA member institutions
Volunteers usually have prior experience at the state and regional levels
The majority of volunteer opportunities involve topical, short-term Task Forces that are announced through Today’s News

24. Importance for YOU Increase professional satisfaction
Learn leadership and management skills
Create new relationships and
foster existing ones
Discover new challenges
Build self confidence
Discover a new sense of service and
appreciation

25. Get involved in Today!

26. The only thing missing is you!