As we reach the midpoint of the year, the Student Affairs Assessment Leaders (SAAL) Board has taken a moment to reflect on our strategies, goals, and the practice of what we preach. In a year marked by heightened tensions and divisions, our commitment to reflection, unity, and community has never been more critical.
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The Power of Reflection
Reflection is the main path towards growth. It allows us to pause, evaluate our progress, and align our actions with our values. As student affairs assessment professionals, we know that reflection is not just a practice but a necessity. It empowers us to adapt, innovate, and lead with intention.
“Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful.” – Margaret J. Wheatley
During our mid-year SAAL Board meeting in July, we dedicated 90 minutes to discussing the significance of our ongoing work as a professional association. We took this time to celebrate our accomplishments and assess areas for improvement. Now 18 months into our new governance structure and strategy, we believe our organization is ready to stretch and grow further. The SAAL Board identified three key priorities that align with our strategic goals: 1) Broadening Professional Learning and Development Opportunities, 2) Improving Organizational Sustainability, and 3) Enhancing SAAL Member Engagement and Volunteerism. Guided by feedback from the 2023 Landscape Survey and feedback gathered from emails and conversations, we are confident these areas are where SAAL can make the most impact. This honest evaluation drives us forward, ensuring we remain effective and responsive to our community's needs. Below, we provide details on these key areas.
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Broadening Professional Learning and Development Opportunities
To support the continuous professional growth and development of SAAL members, we are committed to expanding our educational offerings beyond traditional Structured Conversations (SCs), blogs, and the Open Course. This priority includes developing thematic packaging of current and new publications and resources to guide members toward essential skills and topics relevant to our field. We will enhance our YouTube channel by cataloging current SCs by themes and topics, allowing members to easily find and explore content of interest. Our new SAAL repository management team will utilize Dropbox, Google Drive, and our website to create themed resource sharing, so that student affairs assessment professionals have access to the tools they need to thrive. We will continue collaborating with the Student Affairs Assessment Organization Consortium, which unifies efforts of assessment groups (e.g., AALHE, ACPA CAE, CAS, NASPA AER KC, and SAAL) to advance the practice of assessment and enhance support, learning, development, and community for those engaged in student affairs assessment and research.
By leveraging various delivery methods and engaging subject matter experts…you, we hope to provide flexible and accessible learning opportunities that cater to the needs of our members. Additionally, we plan to develop and implement a strategy to share exemplary assessment case studies widely within the community. This holistic approach to professional development will not only enhance individual skills but also elevate the overall expertise within the SAAL community.
Improving Organizational Sustainability
The long-term sustainability of SAAL is a top priority. To achieve this, we are implementing a strategy that includes diversifying funding sources, optimizing resource allocation, and establishing a plan to transition to non-profit status once approved. This strategy encompasses securing additional sponsorships, applying for grants, and exploring alternative revenue streams. We are committed to enhancing operational efficiency by continually refining our templates and standard operating procedures. These efforts will ensure consistency, efficiency, and quality across all initiatives, leading to streamlined operations, improved program delivery, and greater replicability. By building a resilient and adaptable organizational structure, SAAL will be well equipped to navigate future challenges and continue providing valuable support to its members. This proactive approach not only safeguards our sustainability but also positions us for growth and innovation, ensuring that we remain a resource in the field of student affairs assessment.
If any of our members have a particular interest or expertise in this area, we invite your involvement and support. This initiative is new territory for SAAL, and we value the contributions of our community in navigating this journey. SAAL’s work has always embraced a "it takes a village" model, relying on collective effort to achieve success. We want to set our organization up for a sustainable and prosperous future, and your participation is important.
The roles we are looking to fill involve:
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Creating standard operating procedures for non-profit maintenance
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Ensuring compliance with IRS tax requirements
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Developing and implementing financial internal controls
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Fundraising efforts
These roles will work closely with our treasurer and president to build a solid foundation for SAAL's future. Your expertise and commitment can help us achieve our goals and continue our mission of excellence and community support. Earlier this year, SAAL applied for non-profit exemption, and we are now working with the IRS to clear the final hurdle. We are thrilled about what this achievement will mean for the future of our organization and the opportunities it will unlock.
SAAL Member Engagement and Volunteerism
Engaging SAAL members and creating a strong sense of community is an integral component of our vision and mission. Our culture of volunteerism is vital to the organization's success, driven by the passion and dedication of our members. We will create structured opportunities for members to contribute their time and expertise through volunteer roles that support various initiatives, such as reviewing open course modules, and enhancing the SAAL repository that is ongoing. To do this, we will develop a quarterly volunteer engagement process, including clear role descriptions and regular support and recognition for volunteers. Actively involving members in the organization’s activities and recognizing their contributions will help us build a strong, collaborative community deeply invested in SAAL's mission and growth. We will continue hosting in-person meetups at conferences, and creating more virtual connections to support relationship-building and networking.
To better understand our members' needs beyond the Landscape Survey, we will establish a process for administering quarterly pulse surveys to gauge member satisfaction. Your feedback is important in shaping our programming, and it is essential that we practice effective assessment to regularly understand and respond to your needs. By doing so, our initiatives remain relevant and impactful, driven by the voices of our members.
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Strength in Unity
No matter our personal or political beliefs, the strength of SAAL lies in our community. We are diverse in our experiences, resources, and capacities. Some of us operate in states with oppressive policies, some have extensive staff support, while others balance multiple roles with limited FTE dedicated to assessment. Despite these differences, our shared commitment to student affairs assessment and student success binds us together. This diversity is our strength. By sharing our unique perspectives and pooling our resources, we create a more supportive environment for all. Our collective wisdom and collaborative spirit are what make SAAL a leader in the field of student affairs assessment. We want to thank the many volunteers who have answered the call to serve SAAL through our various volunteer opportunities.
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Looking Ahead
We are proud of the progress we have made. We want to thank Eunkyoung Park, the current Vice President of Professional Learning & Development, and Megan Bell, the current Vice President of Community Development & Engagement for their service on the Board as they end their terms this December. We are excited about our next election for these positions. Our efforts to create organizational sustainability, respect for our volunteers, and intentional partnerships are moving in the right direction. We are building a future where our efforts are sustainable, our volunteers feel valued, and our partnerships are purposeful. This progress is a reflection of our hard work and dedication to our mission. As we move forward, let us continue to embrace reflection, unity, and community. Thank you for your commitment to our community, your trust and belief in our organization to support your needs. Let’s keep reflecting, supporting one another, and driving positive change in the world of student affairs assessment.
Your SAAL Board