"Field Notes" is an occasional Connect column covering practical and philosophical issues facing admissions and registrar professionals. The columns are authored by various AACRAO members. If you have an idea for a column and would like to contribute, please send an email to the editor at connect@aacrao.org.
by Lesa K. Beals, Senior Associate Registrar, Purdue University
Most of us have are aware of our state or regional ACRAO organizations. The level of awareness will vary. This month’s topic takes some time to highlight both what our state and regional organizations are doing for us as individuals and institutions of higher learning as well as what you should be prepared to give back.
Professional development & other resources
State and regional ACRAO organizations traditionally will host an annual meeting. These will vary in duration and style. Many will mimic AACRAO’s national annual meeting in format with sessions led by a presenter, panel discussions, topic roundtables, key note speakers and fun evening events for networking. These are great and more affordable options to AACRAO’s annual meeting. These points get all the attention. However did you also know that there is a lot more going on?
These organizations offer a variety of professional development opportunities outside of annual meetings. There are committees to sign up to chair or serve as a committee member. These range in topics from staff development, records & registration, legislative affairs, diversity, etc. In serving on these committees you not only get a resume builder but you also get a network of professionals to learn from. You can find a mentor to learn more yourself or a mentee to hone your teaching skills. You can stay abreast of what’s new and changing in the area of interest for your committee. You can alert colleagues to potential implications to our business to allow appropriate responses or changes to business processes. You can learn about ever changing technologies influencing our business whether it’s a new vendor for transcripts, new options for course delivery, or social media uses to conduct business.
When you are a member of a state or regional organization you have a membership available to get ideas on recruiting and retaining qualified staff. There is a wealth of knowledge to help you with succession planning in your office. Participating in a state/regional meeting affords you the opportunity to create real relationships with these super talented folks. You have a real person you can email or pick up the phone to discuss your current conundrum.
State and regional meetings afford you the opportunity to meet vendors first hand. You have an audience to share your likes/dislikes about their tool, share your wish list of what you’d like to see from them as well as hear what’s on the horizon from them.
Summer clerical or other targeted workshops occur thanks to your state/regional organization to further develop your staff at a more affordable rate than the national event. These events and topics in many cases are more impactful to the business they conduct on a daily basis. Staff get a true sense that you know and appreciate their contributions when you send them to events/workshops. Your team can be trained and developed for succession as well as getting a wider view of how things work outside their current building or institution.
Volunteer opportunities
You have to admit that is quite a lot from a state/regional organization led solely by volunteers! Knowing that, you should all plan to give back. What does that mean?
When attending, make a point to find the newbies and reach out to offer a hand or ear to help navigate the tangled web that is our business. Become the mentor to someone you see potential in. Find a committee to serve that either matches your interests and strengths. As an alternative find a committee that focuses on an area you aren’t so strong in. You can be intentional about learning and developing in that area. It’s okay to change committees every few years to keep you and the committees fresh and energized.
Submit topics to cover at annual meetings or on your organization's Facebook, twitter or webpage discussion board. Propose ideas for workshops for staff development. Remember just because it was your idea doesn’t mean the development and presentation have to be yours as well. Of course if you are well versed and like to present, most won’t turn you away. Volunteer to present at a workshop or annual meeting. You can be the voice for the one with the great topic but anxiety on presenting.
For those of you that are planners, then the local arrangement group is for you. You can work with other fun folks for meetings, workshops or annual meetings. One or two people are not enough to make the magic happen.
You techies out there should raise your hand to help on your organizations website, Facebook or twitter page. Offer to develop newsletters or postcards highlighting events or discussion topics you’d like others to contribute to.
I should point out that what you get from your state/regional organization stacks up to be much more than you should expect to give in return. However, just imagine how awesome your state/regional organization would be if you gave as much as you get.
To learn more about state and regional organizations, visit AACRAO's State and Regional site.