Regional Conference Chair Handbook

"Best of Region"

National Academic Advising Association

Best of Regional Conference Presentations Guidelines

 Link to Past Winners

In recent years, National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) has chosen to recognize outstanding presentations at the regional conferences by guaranteeing presentation slots for the selected sessions at the national conference. This recognition benefits the regions by encouraging strong presentations at the regional conference. It benefits the Association by assuring that ten proven sessions will be delivered at the national conference. And, it benefits the presenters by providing recognition for their work, visibility on their campus, and encouragement for involvement at the national level.

 

Winners are required to 

• Be current members of NACADA at the time of the Regional Conference and the Annual Conference.
• Be registered for the regional conference where they present and win the designation.
• Register for the Annual Conference.
• Be members of any region to be eligible for the award.*(regions vary)

Selection Process

• Though the selection process may vary a bit from region to region, it must combine the results of the presentation evaluations with the conference attendees’ top three choices for the award.
• Final selection of the winner(s) in each region will be made by the regional conference committee in conjunction with the Region Chair.

 

Financial Support

• Funding comes from the Region to assist in participation in the Annual Conference
  • If there is one presenter, the total award is $500.  After the Annual Conference Fee is deducted at the Executive Office from the $500, the remainder can be used for other per diem expenses.  Receipts must be submitted to the Executive Office after the conference.
  • If there are two presenters, the total award is 2 Annual Conference early member fees.
  • If there are three presenters, the total award is 2 x the Annual Conference early member fee and can be divided or applied to the three presenters as requested.
• The financial support is non-transferable and non-refundable. In the case where the presenter(s) declines the financial support, it would remain in the region’s account.

 

Certificates

• Certificates of recognition are prepared by the Executive Office and taken to the Annual Conference.
• The Region Chair presents the certificates either at the Regional meeting OR at the Best of Region Presentation
• The certificate will signed by the Geographic Representative and the Executive Director.

After Selection

 

• Region Chair informs winners.  If they are not able to attend Annual Conference, then the region chair will decide if a runner up will receive the monetary award to attend and present at the Annual Conference.
• When presenters have told the region chair that they accept (hopefully immediately!) then the Region Chair e-mails the name of the presenter(s) and the name of their presentation to matteson@ksu.edu  (Diane Matteson).
• The winners will receive instructions and request for their abstract, etc. from the Annual Conference Director (Rhonda Baker)
• Presentation times and equipment are allocated on a first come-first serve basis, so information must be returned to the Executive Office as quickly as possible, ESPECIALLY the ones in April and May.
• Rooms are precious, so we need to make it as easy as possible for the Annual Conference people to accommodate these late arriving sessions. 

Registering for the Annual Conference:

• Before the early discount date, submit the completed Annual Conference Registration form to NACADA.
• Across the top of the form, write:  "BEST of REGION #_____ Comp Fee"
• You must pay for any preconference workshops or other fees associated with your registration.
• If there is a need for a presenter to send in reimbursement requests and receipts, use the form found at http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/RConf/forms.htm  named  Reimbursement Form -Best of Region.