MASFAA Executive Board Meeting

MASFAA Executive Board Meeting Wednesday, May 23, 2012 The Inn at Ole Miss

In Attendance: Seph Anderson (President) Greg Windham (Vice-President) Cindy May (President-Elect) Brett Barefoot (Treasurer) Brenda Pittman (Secretary) LaShondra Chamberlain (Member-at-Large) Searcy Taylor (Director) Ann Margaret Mullins (Director) Jennifer Rogers (State Liaison) Joe Statuto (Legislative Chair) Nicole Patrick (Conference Chair) Brenda McCafferty (Site-Selection)

Not in Attendance: Donna O’Quinn (Past President) Bob Walker (Director)

Seph Anderson called the meeting to order at 9:06 am. He made the announcement that Donna O’Quinn was not at the meeting due to being hospitalized. Also, Bob Walker was not in attendance due to being a pall-bearer at a funeral.

At this point, Seph called for reports from the officers and chairs.

Cindy May reported that she and Brett Barefoot attended the National Leadership Conference.

Brett Barefoot reported that the fall training made the organization money. The budget for the upcoming year is based on 200 members and it is looking like we will have this number. He also reported that sponsorship dollars are in alignment with last year.

LaShonda Chamberlain reported that membership is up 3%.

In Donna O’Quinn’s absence, Searcy Taylor presented the slate of candidates.

Ann Margaret Mullins reported that the Directors had accepted the policies and procedures.

Seph recognized Nicole Patrick for doing an outstanding job as conference chair and the awesome job the conference committee had done in preparation for the conference. He reported that we had 10 vendors for the conference and that we would have Vendor Appreciation from 5:15 till 6 pm Thursday.

He also reported that we had 82 attendees at the fall training. Page 2

There was some discussion about whether or not to bring back Financial Aid 101, especially if we didn’t have a spring training event. We could probably check out locations in/around Jackson.

Possibly using ATAC’s blog instead of the newsletter was also discussed.

Ideas were thrown out about ways to get more members involved with the economic hardships that all schools are facing.

Greg reported that he had gotten positive feedback from the Fall training. He suggested possible on-line training after the conference. Nelnet has offered their services but Brenda McCafferty reminded everyone about code of conduct/ethic guidelines.

Nicole Patrick had to leave the conference early due to a death in the family.

Joe Statuto reported that NASFAA president, Justin Draeger, would bring attendees up to date on changes within the industry.

Brenda McCafferty (who took over when Wendy Hutchins left the industry) reported that she sent out 10 requests for site prices and only heard back from 6. The board approved Tunica as the location for the 2013 conference. She said that she would go back to Natchez so she could pass this information on to the next site selection chair.

There was also some discussion as to May vs June as possible times for the conference. Also, there was discussion about looking into possibly changing the date for the 2013 conference so Cindy May could attend.

Jennifer Rogers reported that the state was looking at decreased funding but could probably make-up the deficit with repayment of loan/scholarship funds. She has asked for deficit appropriation due to there being more MTAG recipients caused by the increase in the income threshold for automatic zero estimated family contribution. She would also like more associational support.

Seph thanked the officers and chairs for their reports.

There was no old business.

New Business consisted of discussion about outreach for students, assisting high schools, possibly having an exhibit at MCA, and getting more information out about state financial aid.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:38 am.

Respectfully submitted,