District of Columbia

Minutes/Report: DATE: March 4, 2005 - President's Report LOCATION: American University Campus ATTENDEES: Craig Adelman, Michelle Arcieri, John Butler, Karen Franklin, Michelle Harris, Shelia Jackson, Brian Lee Sang, Hazel Mingo, Amaate Neil, Michelle Silberberg, Penn Troy, Ingrid Valentine, Tajuana Williams GUEST(S): Marie Bangura, Jane Collins Richstein MINUTES STATUS: This month’s committee meeting discussion focused on the foundation of the DC Division of ASFAA and the direction of the committee, to be put in place for the next term president (August 2005). Hazel Mingo, of the Department of Education shared with the group her efforts of expanding on the idea of a Speakers Bureau, thereby presenting at local high schools, targeting low-income minority students. Michelle Harris collected survey results from December’s holiday party, in which the committee wanted to gain ideas on professional development, community outreach, legislative lobbying and organizing a financial aid forum. A total of 22 surveys were collected from December’s holiday party. Jane Collins Richstein of the Greater Washing College Info Center shared with the group her efforts, elaborating on the Speakers Bureau concept. This outreach opportunity consists of gathering volunteers to participate at the Making $ense of Financial Aid workshop coming up on April 25th. The College Goal Sunday workshop held in January was a huge success. Great responses and a large number of requests for a follow-up workshop were received. Discussions for 2006 are in progress and promotional flyers are scheduled for distribution in September 2005. Wrap-Up: The DC ASFAA committee can develop a speaker’s bureau and recruit volunteers as speakers on a rotating list to be called upon. The next meeting task is to produce an infrastructure to support the speaker’s bureau concept. We will also discuss the college forum and obtaining representation from each school (review the Draft Concept handout provided by Hazel). The next term president (scheduled to start term in August) will also be invited to attend so that he/she is in the know of the group initiatives. * If you would like a copy of the Draft Concept handout, please contact me at kfrankli@american.edu NEXT MEETING: April 21, 2005 MEETING ADJOURNED: Brian Lee Sang SUBMITTED BY: Karen Franklin POSTED BY: Brian Lee-Sang