THE VASFAA CHALLENGE - A RESPONSE
Submitted by Linda Miller, JMU

In response to the VASFAA Challenge, one member was courageous enough to put some thought into the plight of returning veterans.  As fate would seem to have it, her university had the foresight to provide some thought provoking stimuli.  Perhaps it will provide all of us with good reference material for keeping the fate of our returning military in perspective.  Please read on…

A few years ago JMU instituted the Freshman Reading Program.  At freshmen summer orientation each new student is given a book and are asked to come prepared to discuss it at August orientation.  "The Freshman Reading Program is an innovative summer reading experience designed to engage students in critical thinking and reflection under the guidance of a faculty or staff facilitator."   The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien, this year's selection, is a powerful novel about the Vietnam War.  'They carried P-38 can openers and heat tabs, watches and dog tags.......C-rations stuffed in socks.... standard fatigues, steel pots....  M-16s, trip flares and Claymore mines, ... M-14's....some risked their lives to rescue others.  Some escaped the fear, but dealt with the death and damage. Some made some very hard decisions, and some just tried to survive.  They carried malaria, dysentery, ringworms and leeches...They carried the land itself..... and pictures of their loved ones - real and imagined.... They carried love for people in the real world and love for one another.... And sometimes they disguised that love:  "Don't mean nothin'!"..... They carried memories for the most part,.... They carried the traditions of the United States military, and memories and images of those who served before them.  They carried grief, terror, longing and their reputations..... They carried the emotional baggage of men and women who might die at any moment.....  and they carried each other."

As described in a letter from President Rose to potential facilitators, "the novel provides opportunities for rich discussions about the parallels between the Vietnam War and current global events, as well as transitions to new places and experiences".      

As one of the group discussion facilitators, I know that I will draw parallels between the Vietnam Vets and the Iraq vets, as well as to this new group of young men and women, embarking into a new chapter of their lives, and the parallels of the age similarity.  

For anyone remotely affected by the Vietnam Conflict or just interested in understanding more about it and the 'psychological imprint', I strongly recommend you read The Things They Carried.       

VASFAA's BOARD (NOT BORED) WORLD

Submitted by Tanya White - Vendor/Sponsor Committee Chair

First and lasting impressions of a new committee chairperson!  Do you ever wonder what happens at a Board Meeting?  Are you scared to find out? And is this the reason you have never volunteered to chair or be on a committee?

The arrival was fantastic since our first initial contact with everyone was in a lunch setting (all VASFAA members favorite past-time).  This is a great idea to get acquainted in a more relaxed environment.  It took all those initial butterflies away of not knowing what to expect.  After lunch, we moved to the actual meeting location.  Of course, the first thing to do with a whole new group of Committee chairpersons was to introduce yourself. This was followed by an Icebreaker, which really got the entire group involved.  The Icebreaker included everyone writing down 2 things true about themselves and 1 thing false.   The group had to decide which was false.  I can say from the answers that some of the veteran VASFAA members (now Chairs) really know their stuff and keep up with their peers’ professional and personal lives.  Coming in new and just listening to, and reviewing the information on the agenda, is rather overwhelming and confusing at first.  Some of the VASFAA jargon throws you for a loop until you really sit down and read some of the by-laws and policies and procedures.  

Incoming President for 0304, Sherwin Hibbets, introduced Past President, Dr. Barry Simmons.  Barry gave his rendition of VASFAA and what we should and should not be doing as representatives of VASFAA.  Barry's points were well taken and appreciated by the entire group.  Oh another thing that was quite amusing to most of us and maybe shouldn't be shared - - if you want to speak you have to set your name card up so someone knows you have a comment.  Amusing, but the concept really works and that way no one feels like they didn't have a chance to voice their opinion. It is also better then raising your hands.  Always fair and equitable in the VASFAA Board Meeting - you can believe that!

The next realistic task was to find out what your committee was really supposed to do.  We were given policies and procedures and a general overview of how the committees were formed and what there purpose was.  It was very interesting and exciting to find out how the rules and regulations come about behind the scenes.

The VASFAA board meeting was almost like a VASFAA conference in that you felt just like you were around family and friends.  There was no pressure or intimidation.  We were the new kids on the block and we asked plenty of questions and it was what was expected of us.  The new committee chairpersons were coached on how to determine goals and objectives and develop a budget for our committee.  The meetings were fast and intensive but I as a newcomer didn't feel overwhelmed.   Each committee is assigned a Commissioner who is like your liaison for the board.  The Commissioner is filled with information to assist you and feel welcomed.  Overall the meeting, and information given, was your guide to do your job as a Committee chair person.  I am excited and ready to get to work, so have to go for now... 

Tumer Receives the Excellence Award

(VASFAA’s Finest!)

At our spring conference in Virginia Beach, Lisa Tumer of James Madison University was awarded the VASFAA Excellence Award!  Past President Tim Freeman bestowed this honor on Lisa at the Tuesday evening banquet.  Time was short so Tim was unable to highlight her many contributions to VASFAA, SASFAA and NASFAA.  This article is to provide the VASFAA Community with those many contributions.

NASFAA
Association Governance & Membership Committee (2000- present)
Editorial Board of the Student Aid Transcript (1999-2000 and 1994-95)
Board of Directors (1998-99)
      Commission Director for:
      Carnival of Learning Committee
      Graduate & Professional Issues Committee
      National Conference Committee
      Editorial Board of the Student Aid Transcript
      Editorial Board of the Journal of Student Financial Aid
Chair, National Conference Committee (1997-98)
Conference Committee (1996-97 and 1995-96) 

SASFAA
Chair, Conference Committee (2001-02)
Chair, Sponsorship Committee (2000-01)
Strategic Long Range Planning Committee (1999-2000)
Chair, Membership Committee (1998-99)
Nominations & Elections Committee (1997-98)
Board of Directors (1996-97)
Chair, Sponsorship Committee (1995-96)
Conference Committee (1995-96, 1994-95 and 1993-94)

VASFAA
Chair, Conference Committee (2002-03)
By-Laws Committee (2000-01 and 1999-2000)
Board of Directors (1993-98)
Immediate Past President (1997-98)
Chair, Nominations and Elections (1997-98)
Chair, By-Laws Committee (1997-98)
President (1996-97)
President-Elect (1995-96)
Strategic Planning & Assessment Committee (1995-96)
Chair, Site Selection (1995-96)
Chair, Sector Coordination (1995-96)
Secretary (1993-95)
Chair, Conference Committee (1992-93)
Site Selection Committee (1991-92)
Fall Conference Site Coordinator (1991-92)
Chair, Archives Committee (1986-89)
Membership Committee (1986-88)
 
As you can see, Lisa is surely one of VASFAA’s Finest!!!!!

Thank you, Lisa, for all you do for us!!!

Compiled and Submitted by Holly Rison, Randolph Macon College and Brad Barnett, James Madison University