The VASFAA Transitional Board Retreat took place from June 6-8th at Graves Mountain Lodge, and we are off to a great start for 2005-06.

The theme for 2005-06 is to “Be a Financial Aid Survivor”, which will be accomplished by focusing on three main objectives. The objectives are Communication, Continuity, and Commitment, or what we have affectionately dubbed the 3 C’s.

I am proud to say that we have committee chairs for all of the 27 VASFAA committees we will have in 2005-06, and only three of those chairs were unable to attend the retreat. That is a great turnout for a transition retreat, and is part of the reason that we are off to such a wonderful beginning. That sort of turnout demonstrates a real “Commitment” by your committee chairs.

VASFAA had a year of “firsts” in 2004-05 and the new Board is going to carry over some of those “firsts” as we strive towards meeting our “Continuity” objective. For example, we decided to have another Leadership Symposium in 2005-06 and we have some junior chairs from 2004-05 who are now serving as chairs.

Additionally, the VASFAA standing committees are utilizing standardized goals that were developed by the 2004-05 Strategic Planning Committee and adopted as part of the VASFAA Policy & Procedure Manual. As a result, each standing committee only needs to develop objectives towards meeting those goals, instead of “reinventing the wheel” by creating a new list of goals each year. The standard goals are based on the VASFAA Strategic Plan, which will help ensure each committee is working towards the long range plans of the association. In fact, each goal is directly tied to a specific section of the Strategic Plan.

The Board and committee chairs are working on ways to improve “Communication” within the association. As an example, at the May 2004 conference, the 2004-05 Board adopted a new planning and reporting format for committees which will be used in 2005-06. This format will keep each committee’s plans and periodic reports in one document that will streamline reporting and allow the membership to track a particular committee’s work in one place.

The committees are also in the process of developing an in-depth “Committee Description” for each of the VASFAA committees. It is not uncommon for a Board member or committee chair to be asked by a VASFAA member, “What will I do if I volunteer for this committee?” Currently, the only descriptions that exist for committees are in the VASFAA Policy & Procedure Manual, and they are very brief in nature. Without a more detailed description, it can be difficult to explain to someone interested in committee work exactly what that work entails. The descriptions being drafted will address questions like:

Lastly, we left the retreat with a balance budget for 2005-06! This was critical because the vendor/sponsor lottery will take place in just a few short weeks after the retreat. Having a balanced budget this early in the year allows each committee to know what they can afford to do, and gives them time to develop an accurate list of items to be included in the vendor/sponsor lottery process.

I am looking forward to a great year with VASFAA and am very excited about where we are headed. I want to personally thank everyone who has volunteered to work with VASFAA in 2005-06. The list continues to grow and the individuals served by the association will benefit from your time and efforts.

Psalm 118:24: This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.