Southwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
2010-2015 Strategic Long Range Plan

Mission
Enhance the professional development of financial aid administrators.

Core Values

Professional Growth and Development
Collaboration
Inclusiveness
Advocacy
Integrity and Ethics
Leadership
Access and Equity

GOAL 1: Association Administration/Organizational Structure
Maintain the long term operation of the association

Measures:

• The By-Laws and Policies and Procedures Manual are complete and guiding the association
• Committees complete assigned tasks as supported through annual reports
• A full slate of officers is presented and elected annually
• Association members will participate in association sponsored events

Objective 1.1: Ensure that the association's governing documents support the vision, purpose and viability of the association

• 1.1(a) Review the By-Laws and Policies and Procedures Manual annually to ensure that they continue to further the mission of the association and reflect recent Board action
• 1.1(b) Review the charge of all committees annually to support the goals of the association
• 1.1(c) Review the association's Long Range Plan annually for relevance and update the LRP at least once every 5 years

Objective 1.2: The membership of the association should represent the composition of financial aid professionals in the region

• 1.2(a) Seek to increase membership
• 1.2(b) Review membership categories at least every 5 years to ensure relevance
• 1.2(c) Monitor the persistence rates of membership and analyze the reasons for discontinuing membership

Objective 1.3 Provide Association-specific training for new officers, board members and committee chairs.

• 1.3(a) Train new officers and board members
• 1.3(b) Upon election or appointment to office, provide Policy and Procedure Manual, By-laws, association budget information, and a copy of the Long Range Plan that describes the expectations for various roles of the association
• 1.3(c) Provide each new committee chair with the previous year's committee budgets and reports
• 1.3(d) Invite new chairs to the board meeting prior to them becoming a committee chair

Objective 1.4 Maintain historical association records

• 1.4(a) Provide appropriate equipment and storage to maintain the association's historical records

Objective 1.5 Legislative advocacy

• 1.5(a) Leadership should continually monitor legislative activities relating to financial aid administration
• 1.5(b) Provide timely information to the membership concerning legislative activities particularly on the federal level
• 1.5(c) Respond as an association to proposed legislation as appropriate

GOAL 2: Training/Professional Development
Provide training, workshops, and professional development opportunities that are responsive to the needs of the membership

Measures:

• Program/Session evaluations reflect excellent approval rating of 90% or more
• Appropriate attendance at events to ensure value to the membership and fiscal viability to the association
• Selection of training site allows maximum participation

Objective 2.1 Ensure the Annual Conference is of high quality and relevance to the membership

• 2.1(a) Provide a varied agenda addressing the need for legislative, regulatory, public policy and operational expertise as well as the need for competencies in management, human relations, and professional development
• 2.1(b) Evaluate the need and provide opportunities for targeted pre-conference professional development opportunities as appropriate
• 2.1(c) Use evaluations from previous conferences as a tool in conference development

Objective 2.2 Provide for cooperative training opportunities as appropriate

• 2.2(a) Partner with other associations and organizations to offer training
• 2.2(b) Focus topics on specific information
• 2.2(c) Evaluate training locations and formats to reduce cost for members

Objective 2.3 Develop and conduct annual Boot Camp for new/novice aid officers

• 2.3(a) Topics are targeted to financial aid officers with less than 2 years of experience
• 2.3(b) Provide resource information for attendees
• 2.3(c) Create networking and/or mentoring opportunities
• 2.3(d) To encourage professional development, collaborate with neophyte programs in the region such as:
  • TASFAA New Aid Officer's Workshop;
  • LASFAA one-day workshop;
  • TASFAA ABC's Workshop.

GOAL 3: Communication
Facilitate and enhance communication among the membership.

Measures:

• Updates to website will be made and announced via listserv in a timely manner.
• Use of listserv for topics requiring quick response
• SCAN electronic newsletter will be published on schedule once each quarter

Objective 3.1 Maintain and enhance Association email listserv

• 3.1(a) Develop and maintain a regional database that includes 100% of the member institutions in the region
• 3.1(b) Send institutional information to the membership to update database annually
• 3.1(c) SCAN editor will announce and link the quarterly editions of the newsletter to the membership

Objective 3.2 Maintain and enhance Association website

• 3.2(a) Maintain a calendar listing of conferences related to the needs of the membership
• 3.2(b) Survey the membership to ensure that the web site meets the needs of the membership at least once every 5 years
• 3.2(c) Review contract with the host site at least once every five years
• 3.2(d) Advertise training opportunities to enhance attendance
• 3.2(e) Ensure that the website is a quick reference for members:
  • Post the charge of each committee;
  • Post the membership of each committee;
  • Post minutes from committee meetings;
  • Post minutes from board meetings.

Objective 3.3 Publish the SCAN electronic newsletter with pertinent and timely information

• 3.3(a) SCAN editor will request articles days prior to publication of the quarterly newsletter from:
  State associations
  SWASFAA president and other officers
  State delegates-at-large
  SWASFAA Committee Chairs
• 3.3(b) Encourage membership participation in development of the SCAN

GOAL 4: Leadership Development, Training, and Recognition
Members who possess leadership skills and aspirations will be identified and developed for significant involvement within the association

Measures:

• Evaluations for development activities will reflect excellent approval rating of 90% or more

Objective 4.1 Announce and support the SWASFAA awards

• 4.1(a) Review association award policies at least every 5 years to ensure they meet the needs of the association
• 4.1(b) Solicit nominees based on the criteria for the various awards outlined in the Policies and Procedures Manual
• 4.1(c) Present awards at the annual conference or other appropriate time
• 4.1(d) Provide opportunities for awardees to be assigned to committees or other roles as appropriate

Objective 4.2 Create a leadership mentoring program

• 4.2(a) Solicit and train mentors from current and past Association leadership
• 4.2(b) Develop database of mentors and their areas of expertise
• 4.2(c) Survey newcomers to determine areas of interest regarding mentoring and match mentors as appropriate
• 4.2(d) Provide a reception for newcomers at the annual conference for networking
• 4.2(e) Evaluate experiences of mentoring program participants

Objective 4.3 Provide leadership training opportunities to increase the number of individuals ready to serve the association in leadership roles

• 4.3(a) Host a workshop for committee chairs, committee members, and other interested parties
• 4.3(b) Define the association's structure and strategic plan
• 4.3(c) Provide opportunities for participants to be assigned to committees
• 4.3(d) Finance the SWASFAA portion of the NASFAA inter-regional visitation program
• 4.3(e) Provide leadership training opportunities for those who have been identified as emerging leaders

GOAL 5: Finances
Secure and enhance the financial condition of the Association through careful and regular planning and evaluation

Measures:

• 90% of the eligible institutions in the region will be Association members by 2015
• Association products and services should be self-sustaining

Objective 5.1 Maintain revenue through membership dues

• 5.1(a) Monitor the persistence rates of membership and analyze the reasons for discontinuing membership
• 5.1(b) Periodically survey association members to determine if the Association is meeting the their needs
• 5.1(c) Bundle benefits as part of the membership dues.

Objective 5.2 Create and maintain a realistic annual budget

• 5.2(a) Review the corporate sponsorship policies in the Policies and Procedures Manual annually for appropriateness
• 5.2(b) Incorporate the financial impact of corporate sponsorship in the budget planning process
• 5.2(c) Review committee and board expenditures annually to ensure adherence to the budget and that the goals of the association are met

Objective 5.3 Maintain sufficient reserve funds

• 5.3(a) Achieve and maintain a reserve ration in accordance with the investment policies outlined in the association's Policies and Procedures Manual
• 5.3(b) Monitor, review, and revise as necessary the association's investment strategies for positioning the association's finances