Roberta 'Bobbie' Flaherty, NACADA Executive Director
We attempt to have a NACADA Officer and Executive Staff member at every regional conference to enhance communication with the membership. We find this very helpful in identifying new issues facing our members, in identifying members who want to get more involved in the association, and in hearing what the members want from their association.
This year’s conferences have been terrific! While each region’s conference is a bit different, all featured excellent presentations and opportunities for networking. The members who volunteer to coordinate the regional conferences contribute a lot to their regions and to the association. Thanks to everyone who has been involved with these tasks this year. You have done an outstanding job!
Las Vegas will be the site of this year’s conference (October 5-8). I know you will be pleased with the conference hotel, Bally’s, and the fine program the National Conference Committee has developed. In addition, the Committee has enlisted assistance from students in the UNLV Convention Planning Program; we look forward to their involvement.
At the mid-year meeting, the NACADA Council discussed a number of association issues. They recommended a change in the reporting structure for the Finance Committee, so that the Committee would report directly to the Board of Directors, since the committee deals mostly with the Board on budget issues. In addition, they discussed one state’s interest in changing regional affiliation, national conference session sponsorship by Commissions, procedures for Commission or Interest Group name changes, award recipient recognitions, consultant teams, promotion of advising research, timing of committee member appointments, organizational communication issues, and Commission and Interest Group guidelines.
The Board of Directors approved the Council’s recommendation regarding the reporting of the Finance Committee. The Board reviewed the FY04 financial reports and the FY05 reports to date and found the association in sound financial shape. They received reports regarding ongoing projects from the Executive Office, Advisory Boards, and Task Forces. The Board of Directors continued their discussion of the issues surrounding presenters who promote commercial products during their speeches; they recommended that guidelines be provided to conference chairs regarding speaker selection and speaker contracts that detail the restrictions on promotion. The Board discussed the evaluation of the Executive Director and the Executive Office, commending us for our work. In addition, they discussed the need to raise the Consultant Bureau fees; their desire to honor Michael Holen, Dean of Kansas State University’s College of Education, for his support of NACADA through the Executive Office; and their interest in establishing a “foundation” for fundraising. Potential collaborations with N4A (Athletic Advisors Association) were discussed and a request to change the name of the NACADA newsletter was supported. President Eric White called our attention to the dissolution of the American Association of Higher Education (AAHE). The Board continues to focus on the future of the organization and their dedication to the association is to be commended.
With a hectic Spring behind us, we now look forward to seeing many of you in St. Paul or Colorado Springs for the Academic Advising Summer Institutes, and/or in Las Vegas in October. If your summer travels take you across Kansas on I-70, give us a call and come see us in Manhattan. We are just 10 miles north of I-70 in the beautiful Kansas Flint Hills. Call and we will give you directions to our offices. Wishing you a relaxing summer!
Roberta 'Bobbie' Flaherty, Executive Director National Academic Advising Association
Cite this article using APA style as: Flaherty, R. (2005, June). From the executive director: Springtime in NACADA. Academic Advising Today, 28(2). [insert url here]
