Blogs

Transformational Ideas (second try)

By Bob Hassmiller posted 02-03-2009 15:16

  
I'm thinking of my friend A.Y. who has to be saying "Could Bob have made that blog any wordier or uninteresting?  Oh, look at his Profile, he suffers from terminal PhDitis.  How did we let him into a nice auxiliary services group?"  So let me try this again.

In a crisis like the one we're in, the key is BOTH survival and preparing for better times.  There is no doubt we'll be successful in these tough times (if only because Abby and you ALL are working on it), but let's talk about the things YOU as leaders think can really make NACAS -- our headquarters, regions, committees, Education Foundation or something [entirely new you create it] -- better serve our members and most importantly our institutions.  We're here to better serve and improve higher education.  Tell us how!

As our NACAS Foundation President Frank Mumford, who never got out of high school so still uses that Profile photo, said it "You can DO it -- you're the connections that count."

I posted a file of ideas we have received before, but post your ideas here and/or comment on the ones you see.  You might even come up with a suggestion on how to make me less a geek.


10 comments
1 view

Permalink

https://lounge.nacas.org/blogs/bob-hassmiller/2009/02/03/transformational-ideas-second-try

Comments

Keith Chapman
04-01-2009 14:12

I am thoroughly impressed by the knowledge and passion demonstrated by our leadership with the Certification Charge. I would like to see the word “student” inserted strategically as often as possible. In particular, on page 2 , bullet 4, and perhaps with an additional bullet that reads “Increase individual campus constituencies (student, faculty, staff) awareness of Auxiliary Services role in the educational process.” In the core competencies under management include a fundamental level course on “Getting Things Done When You Are not in Charge.” since auxiliary professionals are not the ultimate campus decision makers. Under Marketing we need two additional competencies, 1) Marketing Strategy Development, and 2) Marketing Plan Development and Implementation. Would an overview course about Typical Campus Organizational Structure and Responsibilities be helpful?
Thank you for your leadership. These are exciting times for our association.

Bob Hassmiller
04-01-2009 09:40

The idea of recognizing the professionalism of auxiliary services work through a certification program was begun in 2003, but much more work needed to be done. Recognizing our "Body of Knowledge", improving our "academic" work through our Institutes, improving the education of our national and regional conferences, developing our on-line capabilities through areas like webcasts, and even purchasing MIS software to manage such a system were all a dream in 2005, but are accomplished or underway now.
I hope that our leaders will comment too. AND, there were other transformational ideas, but this was the most exciting. We're running hard to keep up with our membership. These are exciting times. Thanks again Maria.

Bob Hassmiller
04-01-2009 09:37

As usual Maria is right. The major idea expressed overwhelmingly was to undertake again efforts to implement an auxiliary services certification program. The idea was offered and it took on a life and excitement of its own among all segments of our leadership.
The draft "Certification Charge" has been completed and went to all our national board and regional leaders today. Ask and I'll send you the draft which should be approved April 15. The Education Foundation has generously in these difficult economic times provide $10,000 to help fund the work. All of our members will be surveyed for their help and comment on our direction. This is a fast-track effort.
Let me know and I'll send you a copy.

Maria Garcia
03-26-2009 11:51

Dr. Bob - You haven't updated this blog with the transformational idea discussed at LTM! I'm disappointed and I think I'll just have to send a tweet about that. Even just a teaser to get the other NACAS members wondering what may be coming soon (we hope!) would be great.

Bill Shiba
02-09-2009 11:37

Dr Bob - Sounds exciting. I would definitely like to hear more about sharing with NACUBO the program and the costs. Let's talk next week in TX. Bill

Bob Hassmiller
02-09-2009 07:05

Bill Shiba -- I just wanted to relate that I met with NACUBO and naturally we talked about you :) We discussed perhaps a variant of our Career Center where we both would have a separate (from what we cooperate with now)/combined on-line service for work in auxiliaries/business affairs by students, graduate students, formal work-study and internships, and entry level jobs. It could include scholarships, stipends and related work with our two associations. We both need to get "younger." The device exists now, but we'd have to find a way to pay for it, since unlike our career center, I'm not sure employers would pay. Again, great idea ... we've got the ball rolling. See you soon!

Bob Hassmiller
02-09-2009 07:00

Thanks Matt. Would this be similar to what I call "Peer Review"? Taking experts from our members to provide a directed review of some AS aspect of another campus? This might also help NACAS to gather the information you need to make better decisions. Anyway -- great contribution. We'll discuss this further. Go VALUENESS!

Matt Portner
02-06-2009 14:21

Each school is different because each school has a different mission and strategic plan. This may be an oversimplification but how each Auxiliary Service relates to its respective strategic plan is essential in creating VALUENESS. Yes, I just made that word up. Maybe NACAS could consult with member schools and provide recommendations for how a particular operation might provide a greater strategic impact. It could even be a team (committee) of volunteers made up of member schools.

Bob Hassmiller
02-04-2009 15:18

Bill, I agree. We will be back to the dual questions of succession planning AND bringing more youth into the association very soon. We need to do something like this.
But let me play "devil's advocate." Our member go to conferences like ACUI's and are DELIGHTED that they don't have that mix with students at our conference. We have more "seasoned" networking when they can talk with their peers.
Right? Wrong? What would NACAS have to do to make this idea practical and successful?
Bill, thank you for getting this rolling with what I regard as a potentially VERY transformational idea!

Bill Shiba
02-04-2009 13:08

Bob I am stuck on the idea that NACAS needs to develop a track, program, scholarships, whatever to get students (students working in auxilliary services, going for business degrees, grad students, whoever) to be shown the opportunities that are available in auxiliary services. Once these students have the opportunity, they can be used to develop ways to attract other students, plan programs or tracks, etc. Once the ball gets rolling, students will be able to attract other students. I know other associations are doing different things, but nothing has really been that successful. Maybe existing programs like the leadership institute can be tweaked with a specific track for students. We have already discussed a special rate for students to the National Conference and probably need to do that regionally. If we could align a business partner with this idea, this would probably make a big differance in getting something started. Just some thoughts.
Bill