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“Thank you for being a friend”- Andrew Gold
“This moment this gift…this opportunity”- Sia
Good evening TASFAA Friends!
It is hard to believe that the 2020-2021 year draws to a close tonight as well serving as your president this year. In many ways it has flown by and in others it has been one with no apparent end in sight, yet now it is almost finished. Our theme this past year was Pursue Golden Opportunities, Rise Up & Reach Out, and our conference theme was so appropriate with Friends. As I look back, we pursued many new opportunities for regular training throughout the year, creative ways to serve our students with FAFSA completion, and we truly made new friends. Serving as your president has been a golden opportunity for me personally, and one of the highlights in my career! I want to thank your executive board, committee chairs and all the volunteers throughout the year, as well as our sponsors. TASFAA is an exceptional organization because of your efforts and commitment in support of our mission.
In April, our first-ever virtual conference was a huge success! A round of applause for your conference planning committee, chair, and electronic services co-chairs for creating our roadmap where there was none! We had the most registered attendees in 10 years with 355 friends; 17 sponsor friends; and virtual bingo that could have gone on all evening long! We know how to work hard and have fun. Additionally, because of your generosity in giving to our conference charity, JDFR, we raised over $3700.00! Thank you!
On June 3rd, the TASFAA Executive Board sent advocacy letters regarding six alternatives to student borrower loan forgiveness to Congressman Scott, Congresswoman Foxx, Senator Murray, and Senator Burr. The details of the letters may be found in the June 2021 Board Packet meeting on the TASFAA website. Transparency is of upmost importance to our association success, and as always, the minutes of association business are retained on our TASFAA website for your review. I encourage you to check all the great work completed by this year’s board and past boards.
June 18th-21st, I attended the SASFAA Transition meeting and completed my final duties during the last 2020-2021 SASFAA board meeting earlier today. I have thoroughly enjoyed serving under the leadership of SASFAA President Celena Tulloss. She has done an exceptional job, and I wish her and her new board all the best as she assumes office for an additional term tomorrow for the 2021-2022 year. I also congratulate, Brent Tener, as he begins his term as NASFAA National Chair. TASFAA is blessed with incredible leaders on both the regional and national levels.
Be sure to volunteer and renew your membership this next month. Jeff Norrod is planning for a great year with a board transition meeting scheduled mid-July. This next year will require lots of planning and preparation as we believe we will be in-person once again, so volunteers are always welcome! Also, if you or someone you know is interested in serving on the TASFAA Executive Board for 2022-2023, have them send me an email, call, or send up a bat signal. I transition to Past President & Chair of Nominations and Elections tomorrow, so recruitment for new servant leaders begins now!
Friends, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for the opportunity to serve as your TASFAA President. It has been incredible!
All the best,
Danette
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