Seven committees of the board carry out specific oversight. Members are appointed by the president & chair for a one-year term, with appointments subject to ratification by the entire board. The Executive Director & CEO may serve ex officio on any committee without vote.
Organizational Advancement Committee
The Organizational Advancement Committee shall recommend to the Board of Directors development policies and priorities, shape strategies, provide oversight for annual giving and other targeted campaigns, identify and approach potential sources of support, and recommend action concerning proposed partnerships that include licensing of the NAFSA logo. The committee shall educate and engage the Board, as appropriate, concerning matters of its purview.
Finance and Audit Committee
The Finance and Audit Committee shall be responsible for monitoring the association's financial condition and shall make appropriate recommendations to the Board of Directors for NAFSA's well-being regarding the annual budget, investment policies, and the selection of an audit firm. The committee shall educate and engage the board, as appropriate, concerning matters of its purview.
Scholarship and Institutional Strategy Committee
The Scholarship & Institutional Strategy Committee shall, through the Vice President, provide leadership and direction for and monitor progress toward strategic plan objectives, as assigned to it from time to time by the President & Chair, and shall oversee the work of the International Education Leadership and Teaching, Learning and Scholarship Knowledge Communities and the Annual Conference Committee. The committee shall educate and engage the Board, as appropriate, concerning matters of its purview.
Governance Committee
The Governance Committee shall initiate periodic assessments of the Board’s performance and advise the Board officers on steps to enhance Board effectiveness and ensure its focus on areas congruent with the strategic plan. The committee shall regularly update the statements of Board and officer duties and roles, and periodically assess the necessary range of experience, attributes, and skills needed by the Board. The committee shall set annual priorities for recruitment of new Board members as outlined in the Standing Rules. Working with the Leadership Development Committee, the Committee shall lead a process for recruitment of directors and officers; recommend to the Board for acceptance a slate of directors and officers to fill open positions; and orient new Board members. Periodically the committee shall review the Bylaws and Standing Rules and recommend any changes needed to the Board.
Professional Development and Engagement Committee
The Professional Development & Engagement Committee shall, through the Vice President, provide leadership and direction for and monitor progress toward strategic plan objectives, as assigned to it from time to time by the President & Chair, and shall oversee the Educational Abroad, International Student & Scholar Services, and International Enrollment Knowledge Communities; the Leadership Development, Membership and Regional Affairs Committees; and the Regions. The committee shall nominate individuals to be considered for various NAFSA National Awards, as set forth in the Standing Rules. The committee shall educate and engage the Board, as appropriate, concerning matters of its purview.
Public Policy Committee
The Public Policy Committee shall work in partnership with the president & chair, the Executive Director & CEO, and appropriate public policy staff. It shall (1) recommend for board approval the public policy objectives for the association's strategic plan, (2) engage the board in discussion of key public policy matters, (3) stay abreast of the implementation of the association's public policy objectives, and (4) communicate with the members of the association on public policy objectives and decisions. In addition, through the Vice President for Public Policy and Practice, the committee shall provide leadership and direction to the Education Abroad Regulatory Practice and International Student and Scholar Regulatory Practice committees, ensuring their planned activities reflect the strategic plan, and monitoring progress toward fulfilling the objectives of the plan.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall have all the authority of the Board of Directors to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, except that it shall have no authority as to the following matters: (a) the filling of vacancies in the Board of Directors; (b) the fixing of compensation of the directors for serving on the board or on any committee; (c) the amendment or repeal of the bylaws or the adoption of new bylaws; (d) the amendment or repeal of any resolution of the board which by its terms shall not be so amendable or repealable; and (e) the removal of directors. Actions taken by the Executive Committee are subject to ratification at the next meeting of the board.