NJASFAA Executive Council Meeting Minutes

Raritan Valley Community College

August 25, 2005

 

Attended:  Sharon Austin, Evelynne Blatt, Catherine Boscher-Murphy, Michael Corso, Vince Davis, Marilyn Faller, Jean Hathaway, Adrienne Hynek, John Iacovelli, Dennis Levy, Woodrow Lewis, Helen Mikulak, Carmen Panlilio, Chris Pesotski, Mark Singer, Karen Weber

 

The meeting was called to order at 9:50 a.m.  A quorum was established.

 

Motion to approve the July 20 Executive Council meeting minutes moved by Helen Mikulak; seconded by Dennis Levy.  Minutes were approved unanimously by a voice vote.

 

Officer Reports:

 

Past President:

 

Maribeth provided minutes from the August 10 Board of Directors meeting.  Carmen informed us of a few items that were discussed at this meeting.

 

·        The board discussed the purpose and structure of the scholarship fund (formerly the endowment fund), and whether it should be an endowed fund or restricted fund.  Carmen, Maribeth, Helen and Jim Anderson met this week with New Jersey City University’s Development person to discuss setting up the scholarship fund.  Carmen will report back to the board at the November meeting.

 

·        The board recommended that the Training Committee prepare a calendar of training events that can be used as a template every year.  Carmen and Sharon discussed Cash Management Training, geared for non-financial aid personnel.  Carmen suggested charging a nominal registration fee that does not include NJASFAA membership.

 

·        NJASFAA’s reserve fund was discussed.  It was recommended that we determine and set a formula for the reserve, which will then be written into the Policy and Procedures Manual.  The formula will be determined after reviewing NASFAA’s recommendations and soliciting advice from the auditors.  These recommendations will be reviewed.  However, the exact formula may differ from the recommendations.

 

·        A possible free spring conference for current 2005-2006 members was suggested and received approval of the board.

 

·        Maribeth suggested the possibility of changing the officers’ terms to June 1 through May 31 from July 1 through June 30.  Further research is necessary and this will be discussed again at the November meeting.

 

·        We would like to review an executive management track and are looking at what currently exists in other organizations.

 

Treasurer:  Helen Mikulak

 

·        The NJASFAA Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss Statement are current as of August 24.

·        Helen received the NJASFAA tax returns today and will file them before the deadlines.

·        Steven Nydick of Maddaloni, Nydick and Keenan, is our current accountant and NJASFAA’s registered agent.  Helen and Richard Woodland will discuss whether we retain him as our registered agent, since we have retained Fylstra, Wright & Company as our new accounting firm.

·        Helen will move the endowment fund of $20,000, plus $400 in interest, from our Morgan Stanley account into a separate account.

·        Motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report moved by Dennis Levy; seconded by Mark Singer.  Treasurer’s Report was approved unanimously by a voice vote.

 

Committee Reports:

 

Budget:  Marilyn Faller

 

·        Marilyn distributed a revised budget, based on changes discussed at the last meeting.

 

College Goal Sunday:

 

·        Mike Bennett provided a Planning Grant Report Form, which includes goals, major grant components and strategies, progress indicators, budget status and his thoughts on the planning process.

·        He submitted our three-year Implementation Grant proposal and budget last week and awaits final determination from Lumina.

 

Conference:  Catherine Boscher-Murphy

 

·        Committee members are contacting individuals to conduct sessions.  They are reaching out for keynote speakers and for a presenter for the Federal Update.

 

Development:  Vince Davis

 

·        Vince and Kimber Decker have updated the sponsorship packet and will mail this to vendors on September 1.  All sponsorship levels are the same.

 

Electronic Initiatives:

 

·        Larry Sharp will review our new Web site at the next meeting.

 

Government Relations:  Chris Pesotski and Michael Corso

 

·        Chris will send a letter to members next week to encourage them to join the committee, and to notify them of the September 17 Constitution Day requirement.

 

Leadership:  John Iacovelli

 

·        John is recruiting committee members.

·        The committee will present a session at the fall conference, and create informational pieces for members.

 

Membership:  Adrienne Hynek

 

·        The association has 309 members.

·        Adrienne sent an e-mail to non-current members to encourage them to become members.

 

Multicultural Concerns:  Woodrow Lewis

 

·        Woody posted a membership list on our Web site.

·        He is trying to schedule the first committee meeting and will use Web conferencing for some meetings.

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

 

Newsletter/Magazine:

 

·        The committee will produce two printed publications, a post-conference magazine with pictures, and an end-of-the-year annual report-type magazine.

 

Public Relations:  Mark Singer

 

·        The committee will revise our brochure.

 

Speakers Bureau:

 

·        David Sheridan recruited four members to join the Speakers Bureau.

·        He is working on the letter to be sent, with the Speakers Bureau brochure, to the high school community.

 

Sunshine:  Evelynne Blatt

 

·        Evelynne will send a welcome packet to new members.  This will include a list of activities for the year and a list of all committees.

 

Training and Professional Development:  Sharon Austin

 

·        EASFAA fall training will be held at Brookdale Community College.  Jo-Ann Craig has contacted Howard Entin regarding the date and the presenter.

·        Other workshops to be held this year include a Support Staff workshop and alternative loan training; and in the spring for novices, Professional Judgment and Verification.

·        Sharon and Jo-Ann will send a list of the top four topics to members and ask for feedback on their training needs.  Respondents to the survey will be entered in a raffle for a Starbucks gift certificate.

 

HESAA Update:  John Iacovelli

 

·        HESAA has developed a loan redemption program, the Social Services Student Loan Redemption Act, for students who graduated from college recently and will enter the mental health field.

·        On August 5, Acting Governor Codey signed into law an amendment to the NJSTARS Act.  This requires students to maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA to retain eligibility for the program.

 

Old Business:

 

·        Marilyn notified us that we have 14 boxes of old records.  She will check with Joe Roberto to ask how many boxes he has.  She will research the cost and size of storage facilities in Central Jersey.

 

New Business:

 

·        Cathi presented a draft NJASFAA Mission Statement to the Board of Directors at its August 10 meeting, for its review.  She presented an amended mission statement to Executive Council today.  Motion to adopt the NJASFAA Mission Statement moved by Karen Weber; seconded by Helen Mikulak.  Mission Statement was adopted unanimously by a voice vote.

 

Motion to adjourn moved by Helen Mikulak; seconded by Mark Singer and unanimously approved at 11:40 a.m.