"I've been everywhere man, I've been everywhere" (well, almost). During the past few weeks, I have traveled to the NASFAA Finance meeting in Washington, DC and attended the South Dakota, Kansas, North Dakota and Colorado state conferences.

During the NASFAA Finance meeting, we worked on the budget to be presented at the annual meeting and heard an update from our investment counselor on the status of our reserve funds.

The theme of the South Dakota Meeting held in Rapid City was "2001: A Financial Aid Odyssey". One of the highlights of the conference was the RMASFAA Road Rally - "Who Moved My Cheese?" presented by Katie Nettell, Robert Parisien and Mary Anne Whitman. Everyone enjoyed their interactive and entertaining presentation. When it comes to your state, please put it on your list of "not to be missed" sessions. Service awards were presented to Renee Leach from Augustana College and Todd Otterberg from the SD National Guard Office.

"Making A Difference, One Student At A Time" was the theme of the Kansas conference held in Great Bend, Kansas. This also coincided with the revealing of the new KASFAA Logo which incorporates this theme. Interest and technical training sessions were held for not only financial aid officers but also fiscal officers along with break-out sessions for each segment of our organization. The awards banquet honored Julie Esau for Outstanding Service to KASFAA and Chris Johnson and Deanna Mann for Meritorious Achievement. Kay Barnes who recently retired from Sterling College was inducted into the KASFAA Hall of Fame. Other retirees honored were Chuck Bond from Kansas City Kansas Area Technical School and Ronald Yingling from Ottawa University. Our speaker at the conclusion of the conference was Steve Morgan who spoke on "The Four Phases of Attitude" What a powerful message! If you ever get the opportunity to hear him, I would encourage you to do so.

The North Dakota conference was held in Dickinson, ND with their theme of "Bones, Bytes & Billions." After the federal update on Wednesday, we were treated to a tour of the Dickinson State University campus. It is always fun to see another campus. Sandy and Ruth -- Sorry we couldn't stop and do any of your verification. Another treat was touring the Dakota Dinosaur Museum with lots of dinosaur artifacts/fossils. Congratulations to the newly elected officers: Katie Nettell, President-Elect; Don Flaherty, Secretary; Ruth Gress, Treasurer and Jean Rock, Associate Member Delegate. Bob Neas and Jeanne Enebo were recognized for 25 years of service. They were introduced by "the old time financial aid administrator" as portrayed by Betty Schumacher. We were privileged to see posters of Jeanne and Bob as they were 25 years ago. I feel sure these pictures will appear in the Reflections for all to enjoy. They are priceless! Also, congratulations to Mary Anne Whitman and Jeff Jacobs who were recognized for their service and contributions to NDASFAA. I had a wonderful time in ND with the exception of the freak snowstorm that closed the Denver airport and gave me the "opportunity" to switch planes, etc to get home. Robb Cummings, Larry Viterna and I were on the same flight so we made it fun. We took a scenic drive from Dickinson to Bismarck and went back through Minneapolis/St. Paul instead of Denver. Our run through that airport to try to catch our connection was something to hopefully forget. Tip of the month: Never wear clogs when running through an airport!

I just returned this weekend from the Colorado "CAFAA Top Gun" conference in Colorado Springs. Again, the conference had excellent technical sessions with a fun night of the "Gong Show" and karaoke. There are a lot of talented members in Colorado but maybe a few who performed on the Gong Show should plan on keeping their day job. Just kidding!

The association recognized Conrad Chavez, Jane Nakada, Gary Schultz and Don Smith for 25 years of membership.

Our keynote speaker at lunch on Thursday was Karen Webber from Regis College. Many of you will remember Karen as a former President of both CAFAA and RMASFAA. The title of her presentation was "The Right Stuff: A Retrospective View of the Unique Qualities of Financial Aid Administrators." With her permission, I am sharing the qualities she indicated all financial aid folk possess. They include the "ability to translate complex material into simple terms, collegiality with not only our peers but with legislators and the regulators who affect our work lives; endurance; adaptability; creativity; ability to be resilient and pragmatic and a sense of humor." I have always stressed in interviews with potential staff most of the above characteristics especially adaptability/flexibility and a sense of humor.

She ended her talk with the Ten Commandments of Financial Aid:

1. Thou shalt welcome change and innovation and accept disruption in all aspects of daily life.
2. Thou shalt not profess complacency lest thou be assigned ten or fifteen additional tasks.
3. Remember the value of humor. Laugh at thine own mistakes openly and at everyone else's behind their backs.
4. Thou shalt not grow comfortable in the way things are done today, for tomorrow thou or someone else will find another way.
5. Thou shalt not calculate thine hourly wage, but rather honor the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and remember that the greatest of these is poverty.
6. Thou shalt foster a healthy disrespect for bureaucracy and let no day pass without at least one attempt at its destruction, for red tape stifleth creativity.
7. Thou shalt become active in professional associations, for their meetings may be thine only vacations.
8. Thou shalt treasure relationships with all other aid administrators, learn from one another, steal each other's publications, and stand together against all adversaries.
9. Thou shalt develop the skills of artful negotiation and practice them liberally with students, auditors and program reviewers.
10. Take pride in thy work, for whatever thy station, thou makest a difference in the lives of those we serve.

Thanks, Karen for your insights and sharing! See #8.

The most important thing to remember is that we do make a difference to someone everyday. We may never know it until years later or maybe never at all. Make it your life's goal to make a difference in at least one person's life each and every day.

Until next time, happy trails to you!