<p> PROPOSAL FOR NEW SIG Proposed Name: Phase II-SIG</p><p>Reasons for Establishing SIG for Current and Prospective Retirees The number of people who have retired, are about to retire or just beginning to think about retirement is growing both in the U.S. and around the world. A large proportion of NAFSAns will be retiring over the next 5 + years and are thinking about how they will remain connected to their profession. Indeed, NAFSA has been asked to find some way to encourage this segment of professionals to remain active in the field of international higher education, help them remain linked to networks, participate in advocacy activities, or otherwise engage with NAFSA members . The Task Force on NAFSA Retirees was launched in response to these requests. A SIG for Current and Prospective Retirees would ensure that this expanding constituency finds relevant programs and services within NAFSA and remain members of the organization, meeting the stated goal “Strategically increase the membership and participant base of NAFSA.” It would also be consistent with NAFSA’s mission of “Global workforce development,” which in view of current demographic trends must include development of this group. </p><p>The current generation of international educators that are about to retire, retiring or have retired in recent years were responsible for creating and expanding international programs and educational services and helped to establish the field as a notable profession. A SIG would enable them to share and expand their individual knowledge and experience and make these available as a resource for the larger international education community. The SIG would also welcome those about to retire, providing support and advice as they plan for the transition into a new phase of their professional lives. </p><p>Goals and Relation to Strategic Plan  Enable participants to keep in touch with their professional network throughout the world and remain active NAFSA members;  Provide opportunities for continuing personal and professional development, enabling members to keep current and remain relevant to the field as it evolves  Serve as a resource for the profession, ensuring continuity and transmission of values and experience, by o Participating in advocacy activities to promote and enhance international education. For these members, constraints on their time may be fewer than colleagues working full time in the field however their vast network of contacts is still available for networking purposes. o Sharing knowledge through conference sessions and other training venues, contributing to NAFSA strategic goals #3 (“advance NAFSA’s leadership position in key knowledge areas”), #4 (“achieve excellence in professional development”) and #5 (“establish professional standards and best practices for international education.”) o Mentoring younger colleagues o Advising colleagues anticipating retirement and create a venue within which they can share ideas and discuss options o Consulting with institutions on general or specific issues in international education, helping to “establish internationalization as an essential component of higher education”</p><p>Anticipated Membership Initially 150-200; it is anticipated that the membership will grow</p><p>Activities In addition to the services that SIG members would provide (listed above under goals), the following activities would be of interest to the group:  Electronic discussion forum hosted by NAFSA  Meetings at Annual and Regional NAFSA Conferences  Volunteering at Annual and Regional NAFSA Conferences (in return for reduced registration fee)  Other means of making conference attendance affordable: group rates at less expensive and possibly less convenient hotel with shared shuttle service; room- mate matching  Conference sessions devoted to retirement issues, which would increase awareness of the group for prospective retirees  Group tours/seminars, possibly co-sponsored by a NAFSA Global Partner and hosted by a college or university engaged in NAFSA; based on Elderhostel model but focused on topics of special interest to international educators  Seminars might be combined with training sessions for, or mentoring of, staff at the hosting university; interaction with faculty on-site would also contribute to campus internationalization.  Information about, or access to, language courses or academic-content courses open to non-degree students on university campuses  The NAFSA Task Force on Retirees is also investigating the possibility of developing affinity programs that would provide access to health insurance for members—primarily U.S. members--between retirement and Medicare; personal insurance; and long-term care insurance. The roles of the SIG and of NAFSA as a whole organization in establishing an affinity program would have to be defined; potential firms specializing in this type of work would be identified and invited to submit proposals detailing how they would implement and administer the programs.  Travel insurance through NAFSA Global Partners might be developed separately or as part of a broader affinity program.</p><p>Plans for Sustaining Leadership of the Phase-II SIG The leadership would consist of a coordinator and an assistant coordinator. Individuals would be elected to serve one year as assistant coordinator followed by a year as coordinator (much along the lines of the current chair-stream models). Elections would take place at the annual meeting in May. </p><p>An interim coordinator would be appointed once the SIG is launched. A Nominations Committee (comprised of current task force members?) would be established to prepare nominations for the first election to take place at the first annual meeting (May 2010). In order to establish the pattern of staggered terms, the interim coordinator might continue to serve as coordinator for one year and an assistant coordinator might be elected at the May 2010 meeting. </p><p>If the size of the SIG and the scope of its activities warrant it, a committee will be established to develop a more comprehensive leadership structure. Planning committees for the specific activities or projects that the SIG decides to undertake will also be created. </p>