The President's Pen

In the past, the President’s Pen has often been more philosophical and reflective. Due to some important changes we are considering and implementing, it seems more appropriate that you receive practical information from me in this issue of SCOOP.

Status of Potential Merger
For quite a while SACE members have been receiving information about a potential merger with SWACE. In August, both associations offered members the opportunity to participate in a vote of confidence that would indicate whether or not additional resources should be invested in considering such a merger. Support from both organizations was overwhelming. Now a merger implementation task force, made up of 4 members each from SACE and SWACE is working hard to provide a set of recommendations which will be voted upon by both boards of directors and, subsequently, our members.

The merger task force held a meeting in Atlanta, GA on January 23-24. Through their dedication and diligent efforts, they plan to follow this timeline:

• June 2006 – Merger Implementation Task Force delivers recommendations, including bylaws, to respective boards at the June, SWACE conference in New Orleans
• June 2006 – Joint SACE and SWACE Board Meeting at SWACE Conference in New Orleans – Boards vote for approval of recommendations. (Final SWACE conference, extend special invitation to SACE members)
• Summer 2006 – SACE and SWACE Membership vote to approve merger
• December 2006 - SACE 60th Conference in Atlanta (Final SACE conference, celebrate history, extend special invitation to SWACE members)
• January 2007 – Create new regions slate of officers
• March 2007 – Elections
• July 2007 – Transition to new organization and new board will assume office
• November 2007 – Hold first annual conference as new association

Response to NACE Strategic Plan
Those of you who are members of NACE are probably familiar with an announcement from Vanessa Strauss, NACE President, regarding their strategic plan http://www.naceweb.org/about/stratplan2006.htm . The SACE board is very supportive of NACE’s future direction. Based on what we know, it appears these plans will enrich our professional development opportunities and available resources. All other regional associations are also very supportive of the NACE strategic plan and hope to continue collaborative efforts with NACE. Regional presidents have expressed a strong interest in participating in the Association Leaders Forum.

One component of the strategic plan led to an adjustment in the NACE governance model. As part of the new model, SACE and all other regional associations will no longer be electing representatives to the NACE board. Effective July 1, 2006, the NACE Directors will be elected by the NACE membership to represent content-focused areas. To facilitate this transition, Laura Melius, our current NACE Representative, will be resigning her position on the SACE Board effective June 30, 2006 which is 1 year prior to the completion of the term for the position. The SACE board has decided not to appoint anyone to the vacant position. We also do not plan to recommend any changes in the by-laws to remove the position since we are facing the potential July 2007 merge with SWACE.

If you have questions regarding the NACE strategic plan, please contact their office or visit their website at the link provided at the beginning of this message. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding how the SACE board has decided to manage the NACE representative position.

This certainly is a time of change for our professional associations. At the regional and national level, leaders are taking proactive measures to offer services and resources that will serve us all well into the future. Along the way, I hope you will stay abreast of the news, embrace the opportunities and provide feedback.

Mark Your Calendar Now
for SACE Conference 2006

Remember. Imagine. Engage.

The 2006 SACE Conference will be here before you know it. We will be looking to our SACE membership, once again, to share your wisdom and experience with your colleagues by submitting a program proposal.

As you remember what you have learned from the past and imagine what amazing things could be in store for the future, think about engaging your colleagues by presenting a program on tomorrow’s hot topics.

A little extra nudge to you, our employer members – your employer colleagues want to hear from you! We encourage you to look at your successes and lessons learned, join with another employer colleague, and present these insights to fellow employer SACE members.

Keep your eyes peeled for a “Call for Programs” for the 2006 SACE Conference to come out in April. We look forward to working with and for you!

Sincerely,

Carrie Bell and Megan Nicklaus
2006 SACE Conference Committee, Program Co-Chairs

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Miami SACE – A success by the Sea!

It was a truly CALIENTE event. Representatives from colleges and employers all over the Southeast gathered together this past December in Miami, FL to celebrate, network and learn. The SACE Conference Committee 2005 was co-chaired by Dave Graham from the Tennessee Valley Authority and Rusty Anderson from the University of Southern Mississippi. Under Dave and Rusty’s leadership, the Conference Committee was able to create and implement exciting programs and activities such as the Emerging Leaders and Masters Series, two very inspirational keynote speakers, over 23 educational breakout sessions, and a CALIENTE excursion to South Beach, among others.

Attendees were also treated to the warm hospitality of the hotel staff and amazing views from patios and balconies over looking Biscayne Bay to the Atlantic Ocean. It was a beautiful place to close a busy and sizzling year, 2005! I cannot write about the SACE Conference 2005 without recognizing our friends and colleagues who were able to visit from the hurricane-torn Gulf Coast states. Katrina devastated many parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. It was good to see the strength in the faces of those who survived the Hurricane and to pause to think about those who did not.

All in all, the Conference was a huge success and we all thank the SACE Conference Committee, the SACE Board of Directors, the presenters and keynote speakers, the exhibitors, sponsors, and contributors who made it so. Now we look forward to Conference 2006 that will take place in Atlanta, GA! Mark your calendars now for December 4-6, 2006. See you all there!

Leslie K. Wright, UNC – Wilmington
Printing & Publicity Co-Chair, SACE Conference 2005

Past President's Report

When you read this, I will have resigned my position at Past-President and will be moving on to new adventures. I wish to thank SACE and its members for being so supportive of the work I tried to accomplish through my involvement, and I can honestly say that the experience was the best professional experience of my entire career. Who knows what the future will bring (right now some well deserved rest and relaxation) but I will stay connected and hope to retain the awesome friendships I have developed.

Congratulations to our newly elected Board of Director members for 2006-07. Our new Board members are:

• Karen Thompson, President-Elect, University of North Carolina-Wilmington
• Nash Montgomery, Vice President – Membership, Norfolk State University
• Patricia Blum, Vice President – Finance, University of North Alabama,
• Flora Riley, Director at Large – Consulting Services, Clemson University
• Donnie Brown, Director at Large – Information Management, Tindall Corporation.

Many thanks to our members who participated in the Elections process to promote the outstanding leadership of our Association.

Sincerely,
Bob Cramer Past President

Asking Your Boss for a Raise

So you think it’s time to ask your boss for a raise? Let’s talk about how to do that. All good things need maintenance work – houses, kids, typewriters, marriages and jobs.

(Click Here for Entire Article)

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College Student Values --
The Search for Wholeness,
Fulfillment and Career

At the 2006 Institute of College Student Values, held at Florida State University, we hosted a round table with undergraduate students and an array of student affairs professionals to discuss the process that students engage in when selecting a career. Specifically, we explored the role that personal values and the need for wholeness and fulfillment plays in the individual career selection process. From our discussion, we learned that many students feel pressured to find employment - regardless of values or long-term satisfaction.

(Click Here for Entire Article)

Member Accomplishments

Tammy White, Director of Career Services at The University of West Alabama, was recently awarded the 2006 Loraine McIlwain Bell Trustee Professional Staff Excellence Award. The award, established in 1996 through an endowment by the late Mrs. Bell's daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. L. G. Cunningham, recognizes excellence and dedication to the University of West Alabama. The winners, nominated by members of the University community and selected by a committee of peers, receive a plaque and a monetary award.

White joined UWA in 1988 as a vocational counselor, and the following year, she was named to her current position as Director of Career Services. During the awards presentation, Provost David Taylor recognized Ms. White for her exceptional performance in this role.

White holds a B.A. degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice and a M.Ed. degree in Counseling and Student Personnel from the University of Southern Mississippi. She is a Past President of the Alabama Association of Colleges and Employers and has been a member of SACE for more than 15 years.

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SACE Service Awards
Presented at MiamiSACE Conference 2005

Award recipients were honored at the SACE Conference 2005. Included were:

• Honorary Lifetime Award - George Wells
• STAR Award - Luther Epting and Patsy Hammett
• New Professional Award - Leslie Wright

(Click Here for Entire Article with pictures!)

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Reports from the SACE Board and Committees

Click Each Link Below for Entire Article

Consulting Services Report

Fiscal Affairs - Report from the VP-Finance

Information Management Update

Professional Development Committee Update

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Regional Roundup -
Updates From The States

Click Below for Entire Article

Alabama

Florida

Georgia

Kentucky

North Carolina

Virginia

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SACE Welcomes New & Transfer Members

In each issue we highlight those individuals who are new to SACE, through new memberships or transfers, since the last issue of SCOOP

In Memoriam

Tyler Coleman Powers, infant son of Tracy and Shawn Powers, was born on Februay 24, 2006 and passed away on February 25, 2006. A memorial service was held March 1, 2006 at Washington Street United Methodist Church, Columbia, SC.

A memorial donation was made in the name of Tyler Coleman Powers to the Washington Street United Methodist Church Child Development Center on behalf of the SACE Board of Directors.

SACE Board 2007

Welcome Aboard to those elected to the SACE Board for 2007:

• Karen Thompson, UNC-Wilmington, President Elect
• Nash Montgomery, Norfolk State University, VP-Membership
• Patricia Blum, University of North Carolina, VP-Finance
• Flora Riley, Clemson University, Director-Consulting Services
• Donnie Brown, Tindall Corp., Director-Information Mgmt.

Continuing on the board:

• Jeff Wetherald, Sherwin-Williams, President
• Tracy Powers, University of South Carolina, Past President
• Toni McLawhorn, Roanoke College, VP-Professional Development

For more details, click here

Remember--
SACE Membership Labels

SACE Membership labels are available from the SACE Office. For more info
Contact the SACE Office
or
Click Here

Position Announcement

Show the World a Side of America It Has Never Seen:

You

The U.S. Department of State offers Careers Representing America. As a Foreign Service Officer, you can build an extraordinary career working in one of our 265 embassies and consulates around the world. You will experience new cultures while helping to transform societies into stronger democracies and full partners in the international community. Visit www.careers.state.gov today!

Clayton A. Bond
Recruiter, Southeast Region
U.S. Department of State
(202) 261-8927

Calendar of Events

NOTICE -- NOTICE

The Calendar of Events returns to the SACE website!

Go to:
http://sace.net

Choose Member Resources
then
Calendar of Events

Feeback, anyone?
Contact the SACE Office

Helpful Links

Donna Baldwin-Hunt & Skip Hunt
SCOOP Production Editors
Baldwin-Hunt Associates
Administrative Officer
Donna Baldwin-Hunt & Skip Hunt
P.O. Box 4141
Frankfort, KY 40604-4141
502-223-SACE (7223)
fax: 502-223-8223
office@sace.net

Asking Your Boss for a Raise

So you think it’s time to ask your boss for a raise? Let’s talk about how to do that. All good things need maintenance work – houses, kids, typewriters, marriages and jobs.

Review what has happened since your last job review. What were your real duties and responsibilities at that time? By this, we mean not just what your job description says you’re supposed to do; look at your actual duties and responsibilities. Almost everyone modifies his/ her job within six months of being hired. Your special interests, the way you go about things, and your style all contribute to changing at least the emphasis you place on the tasks you do.

Employers are like bankers; they do their best to pay on the installment plan. They pay after the work is done, with payments made in inflated dollars on the basis of an agreed upon value arrived at in non-inflated dollars.

Asking for a raise:

1. Do research on policies of the company. When are raises considered? What are others with the same or similar job positions making?
2. When is the best time to discuss a pay raise? When you take on new responsibilities or have done an especially good job at something.
3. Stress why you deserve a raise, not why you need one.
4. Don’t get angry if things don’t go as planned.
5. Prepare to negotiate and find a compromise.

Four-step process to getting a raise:

1. Be sure you have earned it. Review your real value to the organization. Where have you gone beyond the “routine” expected of you? Document the ways in which you have you earned a raise. What have you done that makes you worth more than a “cost of living” increase?
2. Be sure your boss knows you have earned it. Make sure that you provide your boss with copies of projects completed, “Thank Yous” from customers or other departments.
3. Be sure that your boss knows that you know that you have earned a raise.
4. Be sure your boss knows that you know that he knows that you know that you have earned a raise.

How has your employer benefited from increased productivity - things like cost reductions, ideas that saved money, improved processes, or quality of service, better results, and faster. What have you done that contributed to improved morale, relationships and healthier environment?

Don’t be in a hurry. Pick the moment carefully. Wait until things are going well at work. Don’t try to do this when you and/or your boss will not have time to give proper consideration to your request, or he/she will just put you off. Stay away from times when there are critical deadlines to meet, seasonal pressures are on, something has gone wrong that your boss has to deal with, or when everyone is frazzled. Start by asking for a meeting to review your performance. Beforehand prepare a written list of all your accomplishments. Tell him/her that you would like to go over this list and so that it can be added to your personnel file. Make sure that as you review the items on the list you discuss the effect of these achievements on the organization. Next you test his/her willingness to give you a raise. Then you negotiate what that raise will be.

Perhaps you have realized that you are making a sale and that sales closing techniques are appropriate tools when asking for a raise. One of the techniques you can use is the “three closes technique,” where you ask two questions where you know you will get a “Yes” answer and then you ask the third question which is the one you hope will be a yes answer. It is based on the principle that people are more inclined to say yes if they have already said yes. If this technique doesn’t feel comfortable, go purchase a book on sales “Closes,” and modify one you like better to fit you. The three closes conversation would go something like this:

“I can’t help but feel that I have made a significant contribution to this organization, would you agree? (YES) I have every reason to believe that our organization will continue to have these types of needs, challenges, and problems, don’t you think so? (YES) Than would you be willing to give me a pay raise as evidence of your continued support of my hard work?” (YES!)

Now negotiate a percentage increase over your current salary. In most cases a company will make a five percent increase very willingly, but if you want more, you may need to be prepared to continue the discussion. For example, one additional sales closing technique that is very effective in this situation is to break the cost down into its smallest amount. Let’s say that you currently make $26,000 a year. A 10% increase is an extra $2,600 a year. Divide that by 52 weeks in a year and you get $50 a week. Divide that by 40 hours a week (or however many you actually work) and you get $1.25 an hour. Then you say to your boss,

“Let me ask you, would it be worth say $1.25 more an hour to you to know that I would continue to perform as well or better than I have this year?”

If you get a “No” answer to this question, you probably should start looking for a better job.

Bruce Maxwell, East Carolina University

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College Student Values --
The Search for Wholeness,
Fulfillment and Career

At the 2006 Institute of College Student Values, held at Florida State University, we hosted a round table with undergraduate students and an array of student affairs professionals to discuss the process that students engage in when selecting a career. Specifically, we explored the role that personal values and the need for wholeness and fulfillment plays in the individual career selection process. From our discussion, we learned that many students feel pressured to find employment - regardless of values or long-term satisfaction.

The pressure of identifying and securing employment with the first job is often overwhelming for individuals, thus leading to hasty decisions and unsatisfied first-time employees. Students need to be made aware of the skills they possess and the untapped power they have as new employees. In order to find true fulfillment, students should be encouraged to explore and identify their work values in order to connect self-knowledge with a positive career search.

Employers and career services professionals can assist students by using a number of simple strategies. Career professionals should encourage students to think about their values and fulfillment needs before ever beginning the job search. Job search strategy workshops, group conversations, and value-based career literature are all great ways to encourage your students to consider values in their job search. Additionally, career professionals should educate students on the changes in the job market and emphasize the variety of job options available to them. Students should be empowered to search for their ideal career match, rather than settling for an offer out of the fear of graduating without a job.

During interviews, employers should engage students in discussions about personal gratification in the work environment. Exploring and understanding the candidate’s values and needs can assist employers in selecting the ideal employee. By using a value-based matching system, employers can expect a higher level of commitment from the new employee and increased satisfaction for both parties.

Values and personal purpose are just a few of the factors that affect a student’s career decision-making process. Providing value-based support and services for students plays an integral role in individual career development, and in turn produces students who enter the job search with confidence. We encourage you to foster discussions with your students and colleagues in an attempt to better serve your students and their need for value-based fulfillment within their first job.

Jennifer Duke & Sarah Clark, Graduate Assistants, Florida State University

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SACE Service Awards

Honorary Lifetime Award

This award is presented to a current or former SACE member who because of retirement, resignation, or change of assignment is not eligible for continuing membership in SACE. This year's Honorary Lifetime Member recipient, George Wells, has provided exemplary services to the professional and is truly deserving of this recognition.

George R. Wells, Special Assistant to the Provost, Hampden-Sydney College (est. in 1776, Small, 4 year liberal arts Virginia college). Director, Career Services at Hampden-Sydney College from 1990 until retirement from Career Services, October, 2004. Former HR Manager, Deloitte, Haskins & Sells in Charlotte (1970-1981), North Carolina and San Francisco, California (1981-1985). Director of Human Resources, Krames Communication, San Francisco (1985-1990). NACE/ SACE member since 1968.

Service to SACE: Mentor for New Members since 1990, SACE liaison to NACE Board of Directors,
Administrator for SACE List-Serv (3-4 years), SACE VP, Membership (2 years), member, SACE
Information Management Committee, Roundtable Moderator 2000 Tampa Conference for Colleges under 10,000 students, Chair of SACE subcommittee on the membership directory for 97/98, Chair of the Organization Committee, Ethics Committee and Consulting Committee as a Team Leader as well as earlier consultant, 1987. Presenter at past SACE, VACE, and NCACE conferences: “High Technology in Career Services,” “Survey of Small College Budgets,” and “Dual Career Couples.” Conference Co-Chair and Vice President/Employers, Co-Conference Chairperson for SACE annual meeting, 1972, Treasurer and Conference Business Manager for Annual Meeting, 1970.

Awards: Ajax Griffin Award (SACE-2003), Star Award (SACE-2002), Special Achievement Award (VACE).
NACE: Technology Task Force, and under CPC, was on the Research Advisory and Ethics Committee.
VACE: Past President of the Virginia Association of Colleges and Employers, 1998-1999. Member of the VACE Technology Committee. Co-Chairperson of the joint VA/N.C. Annual Conference in ‘97. Former Strategic Planning Task force Chair and Membership Committee.
NCACE: Past President, 1979-1980. North Carolina Placement Association. Former Treasurer and Executive Board Member.

STAR Award

The STAR Award is the second highest award presented by the SACE association. The two recipients receiving this significant recognition are true "stars" in our profession. Both have made notable contributions of significant value to the profession and to SACE. This year, SACE recognizes Patsy Hammett and Luther Epting for their outstanding service.

Luther Epting is currently Director and Professor of the Mississippi State University Career Center where he has served in this capacity since the 1999 merger of Career Services and the Cooperative Education Program. Luther is a currently in his 36th year of employment at Mississippi State University having held titles in cooperative education such as coordinator and instructor, assistant director and assistant professor, associate director and associate professor prior to being named Director and Professor in 1979.

Luther has been active in many professional organizations and currently holds membership in NACE, SACE, the World Association for Cooperative Education, and the American Society for Engineering Education where earlier this year he was named an ASEE Fellow. Luther’s SACE involvement began when SACE was known as the Southern College Placement Association and NACE was the College Placement Council. Since 1991 Luther has continuously served on the SACE Conference committee as the chair/co-chair of the registration committee. His favorite SACE registration story relates how one conference attendee could not believe that a “balance due” existed upon arriving to receive her conference materials. The lady said she explicitly remembered paying the fees by faxing a check for payment. Luther says the highlight of his SACE involvement is the many friends he has made over the years with truly dedicated professionals.

Patsy Hammett is currently the Director of College Relations for Milliken & Company, a privately held textile and chemical company with 12,000 associates. She has led the U.S. recruiting efforts for Milliken since 1994. Patsy joined Milliken in 1976 as a management trainee and worked in various Human Resource positions in several locations including manufacturing facilities in the southeast, the corporate sales and marketing facility in New York, and the company's corporate headquarters in Spartanburg, SC.

Patsy became a member of SACE in 1994. She began her involvement as a member of the Marketing sub-committee where she was involved in the development of a new marketing brochure for SACE. Patsy served on several annual conference committees and co-chaired the conference program committee. She was elected Vice President of Finance for SACE and served in this role for a 2-year term. Patsy served as President of SACE in 2003-2004. During her time as President, she focused on initiatives that strengthened relationships between SACE and our State associations, streamlining processes, and fiscal management.

Patsy is a member of the National Association of Colleges and Employers and the North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia Associations of Colleges and Employers. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Columbia College (Columbia, SC) and a Master’s degree in Industrial Psychology from East Tennessee State University (Johnson City, TN).

New Professional Award

This award recognizes those who are new to the profession and who are emerging leaders in SACE. Recipients of the New Professional Award have less than five years in the profession and have demonstrated a significant contribution to career planning, placement and or SACE. Contributions must show innovation, reflect foresight, and display leadership qualities.

A native of Norfolk, VA, Leslie Wright has been with UNCW Career Services since November of 2002 and is the Career Services Liaison to the Cameron School of Business. She holds a B.S. in Human Services Counseling and a M.S. in Education (Counselor Education Program emphasizing College Student Development). An enthusiastic student advocate, Leslie takes pride in her work with UNCW students and faculty both individually and in the classroom. Leslie also believes in building recruiting partnerships with employers who can provide her students with valuable learning experiences through internships and post-graduate work. Leslie hopes to pursue a doctoral degree in the future. She has served on Conference Committees for SACE and NCACE since 2003. Congratulations to Leslie Wright, a dedicated SACE member who is well-deserving of this very important recognition.

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Regional Roundup ... Reports from the States

Alabama

Alabama Association of Colleges and Employers

The AACE Winter Conference was held January 13, 2006 at The Alta Vista Hotel in Birmingham, AL. The conference, themed “Historical Foundations and New Beginnings,” opened with keynote speaker Greg Smith, Attorney for Sirote & Permutt. Greg gave some interesting and humorous comments on diversity and the importance diversity plays in the workplace and college environment.

Catrena Carter, Sales Manager for the Tutwiler Hotel, shared with us the experiences faced with helping Katrina survivors cope with such a devastating experience. Catrena shared some emotional, heartfelt experiences, which demonstrated the importance of volunteering and how the communities around the country came together in a time of need to aid the individuals from New Orleans. Katrina not only affected New Orleans, but the entire country, and our hearts go out to each and every individual affected by the disaster. Our thanks to all those who came together in support.

Connie Viteri, Counselor for LPC-Outreach, discussed with us the pros and cons of living in a multicultural environment. She shared with us the many challenges she has faced in the path of her career and success. Again, diversity understanding and knowledge is an important factor in our lives today.

At the annual winter business meeting, held in conjunction with the conference, new officers and board members met and discussed the upcoming Summer Conference. The new officers for AACE for the 2005-2006 year include:

Past President: Patricia Blum, University of North Alabama
President: LaQueta Ward, BAE Systems
Vice President, Employers: Fabray Turner, Health Spring of Alabama
Vice President, Colleges: Jay Skipworth, Troy University – Troy Campus
Secretary: Faith Gage, Regions Bank
Treasurer: Carolyn Lewis, Alabama A&M University
Board Member, Employers: Ben Cooper, Saks Inc.
Board Member, Colleges: Keith Cullen, University of Alabama at Birmingham

The next business meeting will be held prior to the Summer Conference. For more information on the Alabama Association of Colleges and Employers (AACE), please visit our website at www.hireaace.org, or contact any of our officers or board members.

LaQueta Ward, BAE Systems
AACE President

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Florida

I had the privilege of representing the Florida Career Professionals Association (FCPA) at MiamiSACE Caliente in December. Your leadership and conference committee chairpersons made me feel welcome, and I sincerely appreciate this hospitality. I had a great time at the conference, enjoyed the entire program and the opportunity to make new acquaintances as well as see many old friends now working in other schools or companies outside of Florida.

It was fun presenting our “State Basket” to the lucky winner, and FCPA was very pleased to provide the Florida Welcome table. I want to publicly thank Dana Della Camera from Florida International University for all her hard work in organizing this… from procuring the Cuban coffee and desserts, to scheduling FCPA members to man the table, and most importantly, for providing a warm welcome to all conference attendees.

Our FCPA members were delighted that SACE chose Florida as the site for this conference. I am proud of the fact that our state has 88 SACE members, and leads the way in terms of having the most members of the ten states that are represented in the association. Thank you also to the 35 FCPA members who turned out for our state association breakout session at the conference. A highlight for me, in addition to networking with everyone was attending the meeting hosted by your President for the presidents of the ten state associations. We all provided updates on our associations, shared information related to our organizational structure, events conducted during the previous year and planned for the next year, contributions made by our members, and discussed some ways to address challenges we all face in our leadership roles.

Our most recent FCPA Board of Directors meeting was held January 19-20 and was hosted by Andrea Alfano, Director of Career Services at Webber International University. At this meeting, we reviewed our membership data (260 active members from public universities, private and community colleges, technical schools, and employers) and fee structure, were provided an update by Ray Rogers from Rollins College and our Information Manager on our archive project (storing historical records and planning documents on the web for access by Board members). We also narrowed our search for our 2007 annual conference site (we are targeting the Daytona Beach area), drafted a proposed slate of officers for nomination at the 2006 conference to fill vacancies due to term expirations, and discussed our student and member leadership award programs. Dee Dee Gatch, Director of Career Services at Manatee Community College, our VP and 2006 conference chair also updated the Board on how plans were progressing for this event.

The theme for our 2006 annual professional development and networking conference is “Looking to the Future.” Last year FCPA celebrated its 40th anniversary, and as part of the program we looked back and celebrated our history and past accomplishments. This year we will assemble at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club in St. Petersburg, FL, June 28-30, and we are focusing the program on looking ahead to the future, with many of the presentations targeted at day-to-day challenges that our members face on the job, and which will impact us in the future. Thank you to the 30 FCPA members who have volunteered to serve on the various conference planning committees that Dee Dee has put together. Planning is progressing very well, and registration information and programming updates are provided at our 2006 FCPA Annual Conference link on our website, http://www.fl-cpa.org/program.html .

In closing, I send our best to all SACE members on behalf of FCPA. We value our partnership with SACE. With the recent positive turns in the economy we in Florida know that our fellow career professionals in neighboring states, whether working in career center offices or out recruiting for your company, are very busy. However, this is a nice problem to have, and it is the students that we serve who will benefit the most from everyone’s hard work. Spring semester will be over soon. Have a great summer, everyone.

Mike Tooke, University of South Florida
FCPA President

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Georgia

Spring Showers bring GACE Flowers!! It’s been a busy year for our members, as we have committed ourselves to increasing membership, heightening the professional level of our events and raising overall member involvement. Our motto this year has been “Share the Load,” and we’ve had a tremendous outpouring of support in all areas of our Association.

We started the Fall Campaign with a first ever Braves game for the members and had over 35 people attend a fun networking activity at Turner Field. Shortly thereafter, we all felt the effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma. We all began to recognize immediately how these storms impacted many of our neighboring states as well as institutions and organizations. In response to the need, GACE set up a “Conference Scholarship” fund for any college/ employer members of LACE and AACE. The fund was designed to offset the financial challenges these members will face in this difficult year. We wanted to lend a hand and do our part so we designed the fund to aid any member of these sister organizations who want to attend our summer conference, thus eliminating much of an expense that their stretch budgets might not be able to cover. For more details please contact GACE President, Karen McGrath directly at karen.mcgrath@erac.com. Rounding at the Fall campaign was a lively networking breakfast held at the University of Georgia’s Alumni Office that also included a winter coat drive. More than 40 people attended and brought much needed old coats for the State’s most needy who were facing a winter full of high energy costs on a fixed budget.

And lastly, we started the Spring semester off with our annual Drive-In Workshop held at the Fernbank Science Center. We probed a topic that is impacting us all – “Generations at Work.” This well-attended event explored the many differences among us all, the historical events that have largely influenced each generation, and how that information impacts hiring/ mentoring practices.

There is still much in store as we wind through spring. We are close to announcing our annual student scholarship recipients of the Jack Mangham award as well as disclosing which member will represent GACE at NACE this year in St. Louis. Our 2nd annual “College to Career Fair” is scheduled for April 11th and already has over 90 registrants! And no year would be complete without our annual conference slated for St. Simons/ Sea Palm, May 16-19th. The Conference Committee is putting the final touches on an event that has truly become the culmination each year, providing exciting networking opportunities as well as top-notch programming.

Karen P. McGrath, Enterprise Rent A Car

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Kentucky

KY Association of Cooperative Education and Career Employment (KACECE) will host their Spring Drive-In Conference May 19th at the University of Louisville. The Conference will focus on Hiring and Retraining Foreign Students and Graduates. Presenting at the Conference will be Helen Konrad and Mark Rhoads from McCandlish and Holton Law Group’s Immigration Division. Conference Registration and Breakfast will begin at 9:00am, Presentation at 10:00am, Lunch at Noon and Tour of the New Muhammad Ali Center after lunch. For more information regarding KACECE’s Spring Drive In Conference contact Anthony Roberts, Career Services Coordinator at Bluegrass Community & Technical College at 859-246-6751 or anthonyr.roberts@kctcs.edu .

K.A.C.E.C.E.’s Fall Conference was held November 9th and 10th at Lake Cumberland State Resort Park. The featured speaker was Tom Prather of Kentucky League of Cities who shared information and insight regarding - Strengthening Cities, as the Hearts of Communities, by Promoting Innovation, Leadership, and Quality Governance. Other Presentations provided were:

1. Connecting Resources, Education & Workforce (CREW) – Fran White (Jefferson Community & Technical College)
2. Recruiting & Retaining the areas most Talented Graduates – Amy Monson (Gateway Community & Technical College) and Kelly Harper (Cincinnati State Community & Technical College)
3. Making Office Spaces Inviting, Welcoming & Functional – Sue Strupp (University of Kentucky) and Laura Melius (Eastern Kentucky University)
4. Marketing your Employment Programs through Pictures & Posters of Students at Work – Donna Hewett (University of Kentucky Engineering Co-Op).

The group also enjoyed a fun Night at Monte Carlo put on by the park staff.

The Annual Election of Officers and Board members was also held during the conference with the following results:

Anthony R. Roberts, Bluegrass Community & Technical College, President-Elect
Mike Hammond, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, President
Amy Monson, Gateway Community & Technical College, Treasurer
Paula Pendergraff, Madisonville Community College, Secretary
Kitty Zachary, Jefferson Community & Technical College, Past President

K.A.C.E.C.E. Board Members for 2005-2006 are:
Faye Sutton; U of L
Ester Livingston; UK
Connie Dirks; EKU
Laura McMinn; Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Amanda Halter; Northwestern Mutual
Amanda Tudor; EKU
Kevin Ryan; Sherwin Williams Co.

Ann Zeman, Bellarmine University

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North Carolina

Coffee & Conversations with NCACE

Fun and beneficial to all involved, NCACE held its third annual Coffee & Conversations event on Friday, February 3, 2006. With five host sites and over sixty participants, this was a great way for North Carolina colleges and employers to “connect.” Members across the state were encouraged to invite their corporate and college colleagues to share ideas and discuss hot topics without having to drive across the state of North Carolina.

Curious about the event? At 9am you can smell the coffee brewing as site registration begins. 9:30am signals the time to pour a cup and head to your seat as topics are chosen and discussions begin at individual sites. 10am, you say? Put on another pot if you like…connections are made with sites across the state and the conversation is just beginning. Before you know it, it’s lunchtime. Plan to have coffee with dessert as individual sites keep the discussions going over lunch. 2pm means you should grab a coffee to go as individual site discussions wrap up.

During the event, participants were linked via the NC Information Highway to each of the five sites, which included Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, Coastal Carolina Community College in Jacksonville, Johnston Community College in Smithfield, Western Piedmont Community College in Morganton, and Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem. Employers and career services representatives discussed their needs, challenges, best practices and ways to enhance recruitment and visibility on campus. This program provided stimulating dialogue for all with a variety of topics including the liberal arts student, Facebook, employer assessments, distance counseling, the future of career fairs and on-campus recruiting, government jobs and hiring procedures, and student feedback on the recruiting experience.

Definitely a sign of the times, there was a lot of discussion around technology and the services we provide our students/employees. Specifically, the emphasis was placed on internet recruiting versus personal networking, the definition of an “applicant” in today’s technology age, online management systems in career offices, and the federal regulations for online resumes. We discussed the push for applicants to apply online, the ease in tracking online candidates, the negatives of constantly referring students to a web site, and the need for students to complete online applications in full. Each of these topics could have easily been a Coffee & Conversation event on their own, so additional plans are being made to further explore them at our annual conference in May.

NCACE extends special thanks to Belk Stores, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, NC State College of Textiles, and NCACE for the lunch and refreshment sponsorships. We would also like to recognize our site hosts: Pat Nash (CPCC/Charlotte Site), Jeff Nardo (CCCC/Jacksonville Site), April Norket (WPCC/Morganton Site), Kent Hester (JCC/Smithfield Site) and Monica Boyd (WSSU/Winston-Salem Site). One final thanks to all of the participants who provided lively discussion and made the event a success!

Tricia Buddin, NC State University

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Virginia

Greetings from the Virginia Association of Colleges & Employers!! VACE is having a great year. Thanks to Clint Foster from the University of Virginia and Denise Meadows from James Madison University, VACE has a new online membership database, My VACE, which allows members to renew their membership and update their information online. Members can use it to locate members and member information and to email the whole membership or selected members. Prospective members can also apply for membership online. We are so excited about this new feature on the VACE website! Kudos to Denise and Clint!!

The VACE Annual Conference is April 26-28 at the Omni Hotel in Richmond, the Capitol of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Conference Planning Committee has planned a great conference with a special secret team-building activity. We invite you all to Virginia to attend the VACE Annual Conference. For information, view www.vace.org.

Mary Meade Saunders, Longwood University
President, Virginia Association of Colleges & Employers

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Reports from the SACE Committees

Consulting Services

The SACE Consulting Services Committees are very busy creating opportunities for you to engage in professional development and to gain tremendous value to your organization! One of the great opportunities is the SACE Research Fellowship, where our membership can enhance the profession by conducting studies. Scott Maynard from Mississippi State University has placed the call for our creative SACE membership to submit proposals for our research fellowship. We encourage you to take advantage of this unique membership benefit, which you can learn more about in this edition of SCOOP.

Another great chance to gain professional development is through the Scholarship Committee. Betsy Sias Richards from Barry University organized a very successful Silent Auction at the 2005 SACE Conference in Miami, Florida. By raising a record amount for the scholarship fund, SACE will be able to offer additional scholarships to eligible members or graduate students for conferences and intense learning experiences. Encourage your staff members to submit requests for consideration today, and learn more about this great benefit from the SACE website. See Betsy's report below for more details!

Consulting Services is the service that provides the members a mechanism to access customize training through the form of an external consulting visit or access helpful recommendations through an internal review conducted by your colleagues with experience. Meeting and exceeding the needs of our stakeholders, staff and clients that we serve is the top priority of employers and career professionals alike, but leveraging the professional expertise of the SACE membership may help your organization to “EXCEL” at how you serve your stakeholders. Currently, three consulting visits are pending with our members, and we are able to serve even more this spring. Please contact me if you have an interest in learning how a consulting visit can benefit your organization!

Scholarship Committee Report

The 2005 SACE Conference Silent Auction in Miami was a huge success! This year’s donations for the auction were outstanding and included such items as:

• Gift certificates to local Miami hotels and restaurants
• Tickets to Disney
• The infamous Mississippi cheese balls
• An antique golf club
• The Milliken rug
• Various items from Belk.

Many thanks to those of you who donated gifts or participated in the 2005 Silent Auction.

A special thanks to Scholarship Committee members Ruby Brown-Herring, Beverly Kirchner, Jim Alison, Carol Schroeder, Audrey Abron.

The proceeds for this auction go toward our Scholarship Fund for professional development. We raised $2302 this year towards the scholarship fund! We also had several items whose funds were designated for the SACE operating budget. We contributed $262 to that.

Betsy Richards, Barry University, has agreed to head up the scholarship initiative for SACE. We are pleased to offer scholarships as another benefit of your membership – please contact Betsy at esias@mail.barry.edu to learn more!

Saranette Williams, University of Florida

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Fiscal Affairs

The good news is that the fiscal affairs of the Southeastern Association of Colleges and Employers is healthy. We currently maintain two checking accounts for the association. One is an operational account, and the other is the scholarship account. In addition to this, the association has five certificates of deposit and a savings account. The SACE/ SWACE transition team met earlier in the winter and has now began to look at the fiscal strength of each association. The team also is considering how a potential merger of the two regional associations will impact the financial strength/weaknesses of one organization.

Please direct any questions on SACE fiscal affairs to the SACE Fiscal Affairs Committee comprised of: Karen Thompson – Chair, Tracy Powers – President, Jeff Wetherald – President Elect.

Karen S. Thompson, University of North Carolina Wilmington
Vice President Finance

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Information Management

Thank you to all of you who completed the Information Management Survey. We sent the survey to 365 Career Services Professionals and received 131 responses.

Our Committee has been analyzing the results and met by conference call on Thursday February 23rd. In very broad terms, the results indicate interest in resources related to:

• Best practice
• Workshop materials
• Career events and dates
• Professional development

Our Information Management Committee will be working on what resources to pursue first and will be asking our SACE membership for material contributions in the near future.

We may survey employers later this year to pursue similar resource information of interest to employer members. If you have an interest in participating on a project team to assist in developing a survey instrument and to analyze the results, please contact me.

We will keep you informed of our progress through future SCOOP articles. If you have comments or suggestions, please feel free to call or email me.

Donnie Brown, Tindall Corporation
SACE Director of Information Management

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NACE Representative

As you read in the President’s Pen and know from my past reports, NACE has been actively engaged in updating its Strategic Plan. It has been an exciting process to be involved in, and I feel that the results truly position NACE to lead our profession into the future. The shift to a content-based organization allows NACE to become an essential connection and foremost resource and focus on its core purpose “to facilitate the employment of the college educated.”

As Tracy mentioned, in support of the new governance model, I will be resigning my position on the SACE Board as of June 30, 2006, but I will be remaining as an At-Large Director on the NACE Board until the end of my term, June 30, 2007. So, I will still be in a position to answer questions, take comments/ suggestions and assist you with any issues you have related to NACE. Feel free to contact me any time at laura.melius@eku.edu or 859-622-1571.

I have enjoyed serving as your NACE Representative on the SACE Board and appreciate the opportunity you gave me to do so. SACE is and always will be very special to me and I will continue to play an active role as a member.

One last plug, please join the Gold Rush for the 50th Celebration at the NACE 2006 National Meeting and Exposition, May 30 – June 2 in Anaheim, CA. Registration is still open, and details are available at http://www.naceweb.org/natmtg/2006/.

Laura Melius, Eastern Kentucky University
NACE Representative

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Professional Development

As we move into the spring of 2006, the Professional Development Committee is busy planning a number of different events. First, on Thursday, March 30, from 12-1pm, we offered a Webinar on “Strategic Employer Relations,” featuring the Career Services Office of Elon University and how they collaborate with employers to build strong recruiting relationships. A brief discussion period followed for questions from participants following the presentation. This Webinar was approved for the Emerging Leaders track for new professionals, but was definitely open to everyone. The Webinar was offered to SACE members for $99 per site, and as many participants as desired could attend at each site. We are also considering a second Webinar to focus on a topic at the director level, but more will come on that later.

BONUS - For the Strategic Employer Relations webinar, Archive CD's are available for $99, containing the webinar audio as well as the presentation slides, thanks to the generosity of the presenter! Please contact the SACE Office if you are interested. We are also working on making available Archive CD's of the previous 2 SACE webinars! More on that later...

The Committee is still working on the Expertise Directory, and that should go online during this semester. Though we have completed our big “push” for contributions, SACE members may register to be included in the directory at any time. Information may be found on the website.

And finally, we are always seeking new VOLUNTEERS for our professional organization. If you would like to volunteer to serve on a particular committee or to be placed on a committee depending upon the need, please register to be a volunteer at the SACE website. An organization the size of SACE cannot exist without a lot of volunteer support, so please get involved!

If you have any ideas or suggestions for Drive-in Workshops, Webinars or other activities that would be considered professional development, please pass those along! Email me at mclawhorn@roanoke.edu, or call me at (540) 375-2303.

Toni McLawhorn, Roanoke College
VP, Professional Development

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SACE Welcomes New and Transfer Members

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