NJASFAA Executive
Council Meeting
October 17, 2002
In attendance: Lissa Anderson, Sue Barschow, Joan Buttafuoco, Derek Gatling, Dorothy Gilliard, Ed Gonzalez, Gloria Green, Jacki Jackson, Gisele Joachim, Ida Pabon, Maribeth Quinn, Joe Roberto, David Sheridan, Karen Struthers, Karen Weber, Debra Wulff.
Meeting called to order at 10:15 a.m.
Quorum was established
Secretary’s Report: Ida
The minutes from the last meeting were posted on-line last week. No hard copy minutes available for the meeting. It was agreed upon that all members would go on-line to review the minutes and send an e-mail to the Secretary with any corrections or approving the minutes, from now on.
No report from the Treasurer, Treasurer Elect or the Vice President.
President’s Report – Sue
Sue is preparing a report for EASFAA. The report will include information regarding the Novice Training that was offered and its success, the establishment of the Speaker’s Bureau and information regarding the November Conference. Sue questioned who is allowed to attend EASFAA, if the President is not able. Joe stated that in the by-laws it states that the President or a designee should attend. It will be discussed further at the Board of Directors meeting, which will take place during the Fall Conference on November 12, 2002 at 10:00 a.m.
No report from the President-Elect or the Past President.
Committee Reports:
No report from Awards and Recognition or the Board of Directors committee.
Budget – Joe
Joe has still not gotten a response regarding committee budgets and any additional funding needed. The conference budget is already over budget by approximately $3,600. It needs to be increased.
The budget for the Speaker’s Bureau has been setup for $1,200.00.
Conference – Debra
There are over 200 hotel rooms fully booked for the conference. We have met the contract agreement. We received 26 rsvp’s for the New Members Reception scheduled for Tuesday night at the conference.
The agenda is ready to be sent to print; the committee met yesterday and approved it. Manny Loera will communicate with the quest speakers. All tags and informational materials are being put together now. The moderators for the various sessions are being confirmed. Kathy Smith from DC will be presenting. She will be contacting Dave for confirmation of the agenda.
Kimber called Joe regarding the $21,000 commitment from the vendors. They will be calling vendors to verify. Maribeth asked what the usual commitment is and Joe stated that it was usually, $60,000.
No Report from Constitution and By-Laws or Development committee.
Electronic Initiatives – Maribeth
The meeting that Larry held, reviewed and discussed the additions we want to make to the NJASFAA website. Several websites from other states were viewed. The goal is to provide additional services to our constituents. We would like to add links, so High School Counselors can connect to them, for informational purposes.
If there are any updates that anyone would like to have made to the website, please give Larry 7 days notice for the change to occur. Rush jobs cost extra.
Federal Relations – Dave
The committee is looking for reauthorization proposal reactions. Dave discussed the recent Senate hearings with regard to the credit card debt of college students. Some of the balances these students carry are alarming.
The committee is considering inviting someone from Senator Corzine’s staff to attend a meeting. After the elections legislative liaisons will be set up.
Membership – Ed
There are 335 paid members of which about 50 are new members. The welcome letters were sent a few weeks ago inviting them to the New Members Reception during the conference.
No report from the Mentoring Committee.
Minority/Cultural Concerns – Derek/Jacki
The committee met recently to discuss the Minority Scholarship coming into fruition. The target date is the Fall 2003 Conference. The committee will be conducting a session at the Fall 2002 Conference regarding the Educational Opportunity Fund.
Derek stated that they needed verification regarding the status of the organization to determine the approach used when reaching out for funding. Is NJASFAA a non-profit or trade organization? It was stated that we are NOT a 501C3, Charitable Non-Profit Organization. We are a non-profit organization. Derek will speak with Helen for verification.
Newsletter –
Maribeth
The newsletter has been sent out, we should be receiving it in the next few days. The second edition will be available before the end of the year and it will be the last printed copy. It will also be made available on our website. Future editions will only be available on our website. Maribeth stated that she was not sure what the cost savings would be to the organization. She questioned what we are doing with vendor ads.
Joe stated that Kimber and Marion would be contacting vendors for commitments for the on-line ads. Maribeth will follow-up on this with Kimber.
Amy from NJHESAA will be the photographer for the Fall Conference. Manny Loera will be setting this up with her.
No report from the Non-Traditional Concerns or Professional Excellence Committee.
Public Relations – Dorothy
Dorothy mentioned that the Financial Aid Hotline is scheduled for January 26 – 31, 2003. Sheila Menendez will be sending out a flyer to advertise this date. She mentioned that Sheila would like to advertise in the paper to create higher participation. Dorothy will be looking into all the free media and radio venues available to publicize in. The flyers, advertising the hotline, will be needed for the HESAA Guidance Counselor Workshop.
Dorothy also mentioned the annual book drive. She will not be available on the 3rd day of the conference to do the presentation. Dorothy’s thought is that we do the book drive at both the Fall and Spring Conference, but present the donor at the Spring Conference instead of the Fall Conference. She will also be looking to find a recipient in a different part of the state as in the past a school in Atlantic County was always selected. She moved for this to be voted on.
Maribeth motioned and Dave seconded. No discussion, all in favor, motion carried.
The book drive will be publicized for the Fall Conference.
Scholarship - Gloria
There will be an article posted in the next newsletter announcing the new NJASFAA Minority Student Award and a reminder of the NJASFAA Scholarship. The committee will be meeting shortly to discuss the NJASFAA Scholarship so that the mailing can go out asking for nominations.
The NJASFAA Scholarship will be funded by this organization.
Speaker’s Bureau – Dave
The final list of those included as participants of the Speaker’s Bureau was sent to Larry to be posted to the website. The inception of the Speaker’s Bureau will be announced at the HESAA Guidance Counselor Workshop.
The list includes name, school affiliation, contact number and counties the FA Counselor will cover. There are approximately 30 participants. NJACAC may want to link to our site for this information. There is a session scheduled at Fall Conference regarding the Speaker’s Bureau. It will discuss what would make for a good presentation based on the socioeconomic background of the area you will be speaking at. A slide show will be shown and will be made available, via the NJASFAA Website for download, to share with high school counselors.
State Relations – Karen
FFELP and PLUS Loan volume have increased
this year. HESAA is developing an
online NJCLASS Loan application, which will be available for the next
processing cycle. HESAA is developing the Unity Loan Consolidation Program,
which will allow students to consolidate loans with HESAA.
HESAA will provide high school counselor
workshops at eight sites around the state in November.
HESAA wants to remind colleagues that its hotline number of 1-888-NJHESAA
is for aid professionals only.
Sunshine – Karen
Congratulations to Jacki Jackson on the birth of her new granddaughter.
Training – Maribeth
Novice training was concluded yesterday. Gloria Green ended with a bang. There were a total of 40-45 participants of which 26 attended all three days of the workshop. Certificates will be mailed to those who completed all three days.
The committee has a session entitled “Financial Aid Professionals and Everyday Ethics” that will be presented at the Fall Conference by Jack Taylor, Associate Director – Financial Aid, University of Kansas Medical Center. Maribeth will be contacting him because he is not yet registered.
There is Verification Training scheduled at Raritan Valley CC on April 30th, which Gloria and Dave will be presenting.
There was no update for EASFAA.
HESAA Update - Gisele
The HESAA Guidance Counselor Workshop will be scheduled for mid-November or the first week in December. November 1st is the Training for Trainers workshop. All the materials used for this workshop have been revamped.
The committee for the Dana Christmas Scholarship has selected its semi-finalists, it will be voted on by the Board of Directors at their meeting next Wednesday. Afterwards the names will be made public.
The first NJACSA meeting for this year was held on Wednesday. It was announced that HESAA’s default rate decreased even though the national rate has increased.
No Old Business to discuss.
New Business – The State University of New Jersey pending merger was brought up. It was mentioned that no decisions have been made yet as to where this is going.
Tickets for Legends in Concert are available. Please e-mail Debra Wulff if you want to reserve tickets. The last reminder regarding the Fall Conference will be going out tomorrow.
Motion to adjourn made by Maribeth, Dorothy seconded.
Meeting adjourned at 12:00 noon.