Welcome & Introductions

 

Region 1 Minutes

Thursday, December 15, 2005

Harry’s Harbor Grill – Buffalo, NY

Submitted by Sarah Izzo, Secretary

 

Attendance:

 

AFC                                         Kristen Carey

AMS                                        Maureen Fagan & Shane Rauh

Erie 1 BOCES                        Paula Oshirak

Bryant & Stratton                    Judy Beitz, Luanne Brown, Bob Kociecki, Carrie McCooey & Cheryl Talty

Buffalo State                           Lynn Chilson, Warren Hoffman, Stephanie Kindzia, Margaret Loops, Lisa Morrison, Susan Wright

Buffalo State (Retired)            Richard Augustine & Dan Hunter

Canisius College                      Mary Koehneke, Lea Nicholson, Michelle Rizzo

Cayuga Community College    Judi Miladin

Citibank                                   Debi Mansour & Laura Worley

Citizens Bank                          Jean Fura

College Loan Corporation       Sean Rafferty & Vince Scalise

Continental Sch. of Beauty      Tracy Mangiore

Daemen College                      Mary Costello & Sean Courtemanche

Daemen College (Retired)       Julie Talma

D’Youville College                  Susan Barber, Melody McMillan & Judy Worth

ECC                                        Bernice Anson, Kathy Donnelly & Sarah Izzo

EdAmerica                              Holly Zaglaniczny (unable to stay)

Fifth Third Bank                     Marc Woolf

First Niagara                            Sandy Stevenson

Hilbert College                        Beverly Chudy, Julie Lanski & Elaine Szczepanski

HSBC                                      Sherrie Sheppard

Key Bank                                Kathleen O’Connell

Medaille College                      Rachel Barker & Ann Vecchio           

M & T Bank                            Leigh Fiorenzo & Rick Ross

National Education                 Eddie Viera

Nellie Mae                               Katrina Delgrosso, Abbey Linsner & Jennifer Pollard

Nelnet                                     Carrie Newman

Next Student                           Theresa Gieseke

Niagara County C. C.              Kathy Michalski

Niagara University                   Barbara Corcoran, Jennifer Garey, Martie Howell, Maureen Salfi & Christine Tamburrino

NYSHESC                              Jack Rafferty & Mike Williams

Olean Business Inst.                Valeria Goodwin

St. Bonaventure U.                  Mary Jo Brockel & Gail Quinn

Sallie Mae                                Ithrene Cameron & Sharon Richardson

Student Loan Xpress               Brian Levy

Trocaire College                      Terry Adamcyk, Janet McGrath, Bonita Sanders, Julie Smith & Joanna M. Zadvorney

UB                                           Joe Alongi, Brent McEnroe, Yvonne Nagel, Annette Pyszczynski, Kevin Ryan, Cynthia Schlabach & Amanda Wirth

Villa Maria College                  Diane Kasprzak & Sister M. Diane Miller

Wachovia                                Karen Blankenburg & Jan Klotz

 

(My apologies to anyone I missed – I am certain a few folks forgot to sign in!)

 

 

Welcome & Introductions (Kevin Ryan)

w        Welcome to everyone to the Region 1 NYSFAAA holiday meeting & luncheon

w        Thank you to Laura Worley & Brent McEnroe for their work organizing the holiday luncheon – the online registration process was very successful (Region I is the first to utilize this option)!  Next year we expect to be able to process Visa & Mastercard payments online.

w        Pleased about the great turnout at this meeting and thank you for the many gifts for the Toy for Tots/News Neediest fund.  (Rachel & Kevin will deliver to the News Neediest Fund)

 

 

Thank you Carrie Newman & Dan Tramuta for running the show on 11/17/05 and for the attendance of the 13 troopers who made it!

 

Treasurer’s Report (Brent McEnroe)

 

Balance forward: $4,560.74 as of 9/8/05

Minus $2.00 check image fee for October 10/12/05

Equals $4,558.74

Minus $212.50 October region 1 meeting SUNY Buffalo 11/02/05

Equals $4,346.24

Minus $2.00 Check image fee for November-11/08/05

Equals $4,344.24

Minus $250.00 Harry’s Harbour Place deposit 11/21/05

Equals $4,094.24

Minus $212.80 November region 1 meeting SUNY Fredonia 12/14/05

Equals $3,881.44

 

 

Next report will include: Check image fee, holiday meeting deposits from lenders/members who attended, and payment to Harry’s for the holiday meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Council Update (Kevin Ryan/Rachel Barker)

12/8/05 -12/9/05

 

Treasurer’s Report:  Sam Veeder

 

  • NYSFAAA will be setting up procedures so that we can make payments via credit cards.
  • There are set up fees and maintenance fees involved in the set up process
  • Sponsorships and Scholarship donations will NOT be permitted to go through E-Merchant
  • MC and VISA only as there is an additional cost to utilize American Express
  • Exec Council will be looking at producing a refund policy along with a privacy act.
  • 2.39% of the members purchase will be deducted from the amount of transaction
  • Region 1 is up to date with the Quarterly Reports, next report due to Sam Veeder within the first week of January.

 

 

Gov’t Relations:  Jim Vallee/Beth Post

 

  • Reauthorization will does not look like it will take place until Spring (looking at possibly May) earliest would be February but is highly unlikely
  • Gov’t Relations committee looking at another trip to Washington to Lobby. 
  • Considering doing a “Lobby Day” taking several colleges along with students to DC
  • February 1st is Legislative Training Day
  • Those Exec Council Reps attending the Jan meeting will try to stay for the training
  • Legislative Forum is being held in Albany on 2/13 & 2/14 for Admissions, Fin Aid, Stud. Counselors
  • Includes conferencing along with a dinner speaker
  • Sessions on how to lobby
  • Meet with Legislators
  • Cost is approx $160, any one interested please contact Beth Post at post@union.edu

 

 

Professional Development:   Maria Barlaam

 

  • Karen Scott has stepped down as VP for Professional Development and Maria Barlaam has graciously accepted the position.
  • Maria is excited and demonstrates a lot of energy to this position with great training strategies moving forward.
  • Maria has formed a training committee with representation from every Region.  I have agreed to be on the committee and am looking forward to working with Maria on this new adventure.
  • Currently looking at two one day training sessions:  Intermediate Training and the Advance Jim Briggs Tax Workshop
  • There will be 4 tax workshops this year.
  • Maria would like to piggyback with Buffalo’s workshop, which is scheduled for 2/23 to gain attendance from Regions 1,2, & 3 at the expense of NYSFAAA.
  • So we will need to determine who in Region 1 has a site large enough to facilitate this event and is willing to be the host.
  • Region __ will host Jim Briggs on January 23 rd at St. Lawrence
  • Week of Feb. 20thn Jim has held and is available for the downstate regions.
  • Our training coordinator will need to notify Heather McDonnell with dates and topics of training sessions held.

 

Early Awareness:  Nancy Teodecki

 

  • Stephanie Atti from D’Youville has volunteered her services fro Region 1 for the early awareness committee. 
  • Thank you Stephanie for your time.
  • There are plenty of bookmarks/brochures available if anyone is interested.
  • At the last meeting Kevin had asked to distribute the bookmarks/brochures to our local libraries as we only had one library in the whole city of Buffalo where these items were delivered, has anyone delivered these and if so did we receive any contact names for future reference?

 

Gear Up:  Cathy Patella (Bolemo)

 

·        Need to advise Cathy patella if anyone is doing any Gear Up Training Gear Up dates run Sept. to Aug.

 

State Fair Higher Ed Day: Sharon Karowski

 

·        There was much representation from NYSFAAA members who volunteered their time to man the tables at the State Fair providing exposure for NYSFAAA. 

·        This event was very successful as we distributed 65 wristbands which state “I am going to college”

·        We re seeking a location that will grant bus even more exposure therefore we will need to increase the number of bracelets.

·        Higher Ed day for this upcoming year is September 1st.  If anyone is interested in volunteering please let me know or contact Sharon Karowski for more information. 

·        There is not any representation from Region 1 due to the distance but maybe someone has the ability to donate some time.

 

Membership: Joan Warren

 

 

  • Current Membership totals 1224 for 05-06
  • We have a total of 175 paid members in Region 1

 

Guidance Counselor Workshops:

 

  • 155 Counselors attended the workshops held in Region 1
  • Brian Levy was gracious enough to step forward to assist Cathy Michalski since her co-chair had to step down due to job change, thank you Brian.
  • Due to the conference in Lake Placid being held during the month of November many workshops may have to alter their dates since most are held in November.  So Co-Chairs please keep this in mind for the planning of ht next year’s event.
  • The high School Guidance Counselor Conference is held on Oct. 27th and 28th.

 

Novice Training:

 

  • Looks like Cobleskill will be the site for the upcoming Novice Training
  • Contracts are in process

 

HESC Update:

 

  • HESC will be providing the HESC Grant again to assist in providing professional development o your staff.  Application deadline is Jan. 28th 2006.
  • The grants range in increments of $1000, 5000,7500, and 10000.  Depending on institutional size
  • If awarded funds in 2005 and you have not utilized all of your funding the amount unused will be deducted from the amount awarded fro 2006.
  • HESC Administrative Workshops took place during the month of November and December throughout the State Region 1 being held on Dec. 7.
  • The HESC Loan Symposium will take place once again this year.  Mark your calendars as HESC has already reserved the dates for September 21 & 22 at the Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs.

 

Legislative Gazette:

 

  • NYSFAAA purchases space in the Legislative Gazette which is a legislative newspaper in Albany.
  • If anyone has anything they would like to share with their legislators in reference to their concerns or their student concerns please contact Judi Milidan to inquire as to the process.

 

 

 

 

Presidents Report:

 

 

·        Scholarship newsflash has gone out

 

·        Currently have a Boce’s List serve

 

·        This years Leadership attendees will be Dave Canaski (Pres. Elect), Joan Warren (Membership Chair), Brenda Wright (Region 4 Exec Council Rep)

 

·        NYSFAAA is going to have NYSFAAA Trade Marked

 

·        Exec Council has had discussion in reference to a website NYSFAA with two A’s instead of three who were displaying links to Banks providing information to students about Alternative Loans.

 

·        Council had concern as to whether or not students would confuse the sites thinking that they were in our site in which case they were not. 

 

·        Judi has made a few reference calls and as of yesterday the link is no longer live.

 

·        Hopefully all concerns of misplay are done and once we are Trade marked we shouldn’t have any of these problems in the future 

 

 

 

Future Meeting Dates and Locations

w        January 2006 – No meeting

w        February 23, 2006 – Jim Briggs Tax Workshop – UB South (Tent. Site)

w        March 16, 2006 – Villa Maria College

w        April 20, 2006 - Erie Community College – South Campus

w        May 2006 (TBD – after 5/4) Buffalo State College

 

Tax Workshop – Jim Briggs 2/23/06

As noted in the future meeting dates, Jim Briggs will be coming to Region I to present the popular Tax Workshop.  We are looking at UB South Campus for the workshop site.  Workshop will be all day and lunch will be on site.

 

Committee Updates

w        School Counselor Workshop (Brian Levy)

o       Two workshops were held with 155 total attendees, the first one in Buffalo at Classics V on November 3rd had 110 participants & the second on November 18th  at St. Bonaventure University had 45 participants in attendance.

o       Thank you to all the presenters and volunteers.

o       Participants suggested that a completion certificate of some sort be offered for workshop participation to help justify their attendance for their schools.

-----------------------------------------

 

Training Committee – (Leah Nicholson)

 

Survey Monkey was utilized to conduct this year’s training survey (Thanks to Carrie Newman – Nelnet & Scott Lewis – College Board for their help setting this up).

 

43 Survey Monkey responses were received for Region I.  The most requested topics were of a Regulatory and Wellness nature (72% said both).

 

Topics requested included: Student Self-Reliance; Debt Management; Organizing Life & Work; Loan Processing; Team Building & Needs Analysis.

 

The training committee will evaluate the responses and see what can be offered.

 

CAAN  (Kevin Ryan)

 

Kevin requested that he be notified of any activities that should be included in the next report for Region I statistics.  Sign-up information for “Ask the Expert” will be coming out soon.

 

Early Awareness Committee – Bookmarks (Stephanie Atti/Kevin Ryan)

 

Bookmark distribution to local library branches has been successful – please get Stephanie the name of a library contact and contact information if possible.  Some wristbands are still available, more will be ordered for future Early Awareness activities.  Further info to come.

 

Membership Committee Report (Carrie Newman)

 

Current membership for Region I stands at 175 (last year at this time we had 177).  Full report was attached to the 11/17/05 minutes.

 

 

Support Staff Workship (Sarah Izzo)

                 

Workshop committee for 2006 will be co-chaired by Sarah Izzo (ECC) & Kathy Michalski (NCCC).  Many thanks to Abbey Linsner for co-chairing the workshop for the past several years – we are extremely pleased she will remain on the committee to guide this year’s co-chairs.  First meeting to be held 1/5/06.

 

Admissions Advisor Workshop (Kevin Ryan)

 

Kevin has been approached about the possibility of NYSFAAA Region I hosting a workshop for Admissions Advisors.  This question is raised perennially and it has been proposed to Judi Milidan to test development of this workshop.  It is crucial that Admissions Officers be involved in the development to find out what they would want and need.  We also would need to inquire about training money from the state for the workshop.  Region I test e-mail will come from Kevin Ryan and if anyone is interested in chairing or serving on this committee they should contact Kevin.

 

HESC Update (Jack Rafferty)

 

Training Grant applications are now available online.  Respond with amount and application to be returned by deadline.  After reconciliation of prior year grant is complete and any unused funds will be deducted from the new training grant rather than requiring schools to return unused funds. 

 

The 2006 Loan Symposium has been scheduled for 9/21-9/22/06 at the Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs. 

 

 School, Lender, & Guarantor News

 

 Key Bank announces zero fees beginning 5/1/06. 

HSBC calendars are delayed at least a week and will be mailed to attendees using the sign-in sheet making the rounds.

 

Other Discussion Items

 

Carrie Newman asked attendees abou website ues and whether or npot a workshop on naviating the site would be valuable.  Consensus indicated that it might be helpful and will be considered.

 

Next Meeting: Tax Workshop – Jim Briggs

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Location and Time: TBA – e-mail will be forthcoming