NJASFAA Executive Council Meeting Minutes

Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center

September 17, 2004

Attended: Jim Anderson, Lissa Anderson, Catherine Boscher-Murphy, Joan Buttafuoco, Frank Cuozzo, Vince Davis, Patricia Guli, Jean Hathaway, Gisele Joachim, Dennis Levy, Shirley McFarlane, Helen Mikulak, Carmen Panlilio, Maribeth Quinn, Joe Roberto, Mark Singer, Marilyn Stamas, Karen Weber, Richard Woodland

The meeting was called to order at 9:40 a.m. A quorum was established.

Motion to approve the August 19 Executive Council meeting minutes moved by Dennis Levy; seconded by Helen Mikulak. Minutes, as amended, were approved unanimously by a voice vote.

Officer Reports:

Treasurer: Dennis Levy

· Dennis has filed our 2003-2004 federal tax return.

· Fall conference registration is now available on our Web site.

· Motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report moved by Karen Weber; seconded by Helen Mikulak. Treasurer’s Report was approved unanimously by a voice vote.

President: Maribeth Quinn

· We will implement a periodic internal audit.

· Jay Peterson, a founding father and Past President of NJASFAA, contacted Maribeth with a request for an honorary NJASFAA membership. She will discuss this with the Board of Directors.

· The NASFAA Leadership Conference Committee contacted Maribeth requesting ideas for the Leadership Conference to be held in March 2005.

President-Elect: Carmen Panlilio

There are two concerns regarding the Endowment Fund.

· Membership of the Endowment Fund Committee.

· Are we going to engage a third party, such as an accountant or lawyer, to help establish the endowment fund?

Committee Reports:

Conference: Gisele Joachim

· The preliminary agenda should be ready for the committee meeting this afternoon. Many agenda items are set.

· Gisele will send a letter to members introducing the conference and indicating that registration is now available on our Web site.

Constitution and By-Laws: Richard Woodland

· The NJASFAA Constitution and By-Laws were last updated on November 6, 2001.

· The Board of Directors is considering revising our travel reimbursement policy as a way to utilize some assets. At the Executive Council retreat, Richard distributed a survey, which he would like returned by October 1, asking each committee chair to develop an estimate of his or her annual travel expense budget.

Development: Jim Anderson

· The committee will mail out its annual solicitation letter to vendors.

EASFAA Update: Joe Roberto

· EASFAA is promoting the EASFAA Conference, which will held May 15 - 18, 2005 in Atlantic City. We will promote the conference to NJASFAA members.

· Fall and spring training events will be announced in the end of November.

Electronic Initiatives:

· At the August 19 Executive Council meeting, Larry Sharp distributed recent design examples of ATAC Corporation’s state association Web sites. He would like us to review the Web pages and let him know our top three preferences.

· Motion to approve additional funding for our Web site enhancements moved by Karen Weber; seconded by Mark Singer. Motion carried unanimously by a voice vote.

Government Relations: Lissa Anderson

· The committee hopes to meet in October at Caldwell College.

Long Range Strategic Plan:

· Maribeth distributed the final draft of the Long Range Strategic Plan. She asked us to review it and send any revisions to Michael Bennett.

Membership: Joan Buttafuoco

· The association has 291 active members.

Multicultural Concerns: Vince Davis

· The committee will have a session at the fall conference.

Non-Traditional Concerns: Helen Mikulak

· The first committee meeting was held on September 10.

· Helen may invite Keith Green to a committee meeting to review issues of concern for Clock Hour institutions.

· She will send a questionnaire to committee members to determine other issues of concern.

Public Relations: Mark Singer

· The committee is developing a brochure to promote the association.

· Mark sent press releases to local newspapers.

Speakers Bureau:

· Reggie Page is working with HESAA on College Goal Sunday.

Sunshine: Shirley McFarlane

· Shirley sent an e-mail to the NJASFAA list to recognize the front line staff in financial aid offices.

Training and Professional Development: Frank Cuozzo and Patricia Guli

· The next committee meeting will be held on September 22.

Old Business:

· We discussed whether associate members of NJASFAA should have the right to vote, and be allowed to hold office.

· A thorough discussion of both sides of the proposal was conducted. Issues discussed included, but were not limited to the following: the possibilities of the association losing track of its original purpose, ceding control to non-financial aid practitioners, the possibility of not having the current collegial relationship between sectors in the future and its effect on association policy-making, the effect of having associate members at the table during discussions of sensitive regulatory and policy issues, and the recognition that associate members are a valuable and important constituency.

· Motion to amend the Constitution and By-Laws to allow associate members the right to vote on any matters brought before the association moved by Helen Mikulak; seconded by Dennis Levy. Motion carried unanimously by a roll call vote.

· Motion to allow one Council Member at Large seat to be opened to associate members moved by Shirley McFarlane; seconded by Karen Weber. Motion carried unanimously by a roll call vote.

· Richard will bring a proposal to Executive Council to review before it is distributed to membership for voting.

New Business:

· FastWeb has posted information on its Web site regarding scholarship scams.

Motion to adjourn moved by Mark Singer; seconded by Dennis Levy and unanimously approved at 12:25 p.m.