TriState achieved many great accomplishments this past year! These events were the result of the hard work and dedication of TriState members.

July 20-21
The Federal Relations Committee Hill Visit marked the first official event of 2005-2006.

October 16-21
October was marked by several great training events including another successful neophyte training at Rehoboth Beach! Who knew financial aid could be such fun?

October 20
In conjunction with EASFAA, TriState was able to offer NASFAA’s training. This year the topic focused on Administrative Capability. Thank you to Cheryl Storie and Melissa Gregory who served as the trainers for the session. PD&T works hard to bring us these events and provide the membership with great trainers!

October 21
The Maryland Committee held its annual Fall Festival, the first networking event of the year. Financial aid professionals and their families from around the TriState region gathered at

October 22
The Community Outreach Committee did an excellent job coordinating this year’s first outreach event in D.C. Volunteers had a great time working together to prepare breakfast for families staying at the D.C. Ronald McDonald House.

November 13-15
Everyone was excited to attend the Fall Conference at its new location, The Cambridge Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa. Timely and informative sessions, beautiful facilities and great food made this a conference to remember. In addition to networking with our colleagues and friends within the Association, we also had the chance to meet two wonderful individuals from Mississippi.

Another highlight of this event was the Silent Auction organized by Community Outreach. The items auction raised $3,050 for Baltimore Pediatric HIV.

December 15
More great training sessions were offered in this event organized by PD & T. The Winter Office Staff Workshop was held at Community College of Baltimore County – Catonsville.

January 14
Financial aid professionals from TriState staffed the phones to bring Maryland residents the “You Can Afford College” program on Maryland Public Television.

February 12
This date marks the a the biggest snow storm of Winter 2006. Despite the cancellation of nine sites, College Goal Sunday assisted 452 students.

February 28
Eleven members of TriState learned about the legislation process during the MD Committee sponsored Bill2Law Day.

March 16
Verification--always a timely and important topic, the ins and outs of were addressed at Hagerstown Community College during the Verification Workshop organized by PD & T.

April 6
Many members attended this year’s spring training event. The Spring Conference, “Rolling With the Changes”, was held at the Shepard Pratt Conference Center in Baltimore.

April 22
Community Outreach organized the Maryland Outreach Event, Arundel Habitat for Humanity. Thank you to Ingrid Valentine and Yvette Washington, who showed up to help on this wet and rainy Saturday.

April 26
The Community Outreach and Federal Relations Committees collaborated with University of Maryland College Park to host this event. Presentations on basic financial aid concepts, financial literacy/debt management and student advocacy increase student’s awareness of financial aid issues. Special thanks to the presenters, Sharon Hassan, Goucher College; Marcus DeCosta, Howard University; William “Buddy Blakey, William A. Blakey and Associates; and Hans Reimer, Rock the Vote.

June 9
The MD Spring Networking Event was a Bowie Baysox game. A ball game is a great way to relax after a stressful May. It was a chance to see your friends outside of the office and meet others in financial aid. Fun was had by all!

June 29
Hard at work up until the last minute, PD& T offered the Summer Office Staff Workshop at St. Johns College.

Obviously, there are many volunteers who work hard to make TriState a success! They help to coordinate and orchestrate all of these events and take care of the other “behind-the-scenes” work! Thank you to all of them!