The 2016-2017 year is wrapping up at our institutions as well as in TASFAA. Our theme this year was Education is Key. I can attest to the fact that I gained an educational experience from my role in TASFAA this year! Serving as your association president has been a highlight in my career. I want to thank your board and committee chairs as well as all those who volunteered throughout the year. Your commitment and support of the mission and efforts of TASFAA makes us an outstanding organization. As I look back over the year I see that our mission was accomplished with great trainings and participation from our members.
This spring TASFAA sent advocacy letters to TN Senator Alexander and TN Congressman Roe with proposals to assist families in the FAFSA process as a result of the IRS Data Retrieval Tool issue. The good news is, TASFAA got to follow up by sending each of them thank you letters for the verification relief granted on April 24th! We will take relief any way we can get it!
Our annual conference was a huge success. A shout out of thanks goes to your conference planning committee! We had 272 registered attendees, 16 vendor/sponsor friends supporting us, 50 presenters, and 28 moderators. A great time was had by all - especially at BingoJ! Thank you for your generosity in giving to our conference sponsored charity, End Slavery TN. A check, in the amount of $1,656, was sent to ESTN on your behalf!
Transparency is critical for our success. As always, the recordings of association business are maintained on our TASFAA website. Feel free to stop by there and check it out. Speaking of success, TASFAA is seeking volunteers for the 2017-18 year. Charles Harper is in planning stages for the next year with a board transition meeting scheduled in July. Committees will be formed to implement fall trainings, hill visits, FAFSAA frenzies, and the annual conference.
I will be heading to the SASFAA transition meeting next week as one of my final duties. Marian Dill, who is the director of financial aid at Lee University and TASFAA past-president, has done an outstanding job as SASFAA President. I have thoroughly enjoyed serving on the SASFAA board under her leadership.
Again, I want to thank you for this opportunity to serve as your TASFAA president.
Karen
PS: Join TASFAA on Facebook!
