Position: Chair-Designate / Chair
Committee: Regional Affairs Committee (RAC)
Term: January 2023 - December 2024
The RAC Chair-Designate is appointed from members who have successfully completed a three-year term in a regional Chair Stream. The appointment will be made by the NAFSA Vice President for Professional Development and Engagement in consultation with the current Chair and Chair-Designate of RAC.
This position serves for one year (2023) as Regional Affairs Committee (RAC) Chair-Designate and one year (2024) as RAC Chair. The Regional Affairs Committee (RAC) is a national committee made up of the immediate Past Chair of each regional leadership team. Its outcome accountabilities are:
- Facilitate the alignment of activities between the regional and the national level.
- Assess needs of regional leaders and design processes, guidelines, tools, training, etc. to serve them.
- Facilitate the development of sound business and leadership practices in the regions, consistent with the fiduciary obligations of the Association—fiscal, legal, and ethical.
For questions or additional information, please contact the NAFSA Regional Affairs team.
Position description updated August 2022.
Major Functions and Responsibilities
- During Chair-Designate Year (2023)
- In collaboration with the RAC Chair, plan and co-facilitate RAC meetings at Washington Leadership Meeting (WLM) and the Annual Conference & Expo as needed, observing and supporting the RAC Chair where necessary.
- With the RAC Chair, co-facilitate RAC “workplan group” calls and full-RAC conference calls and develop agendas for the calls in collaboration with NAFSA staff partner.
- Co-facilitate monthly regional Chair cohort calls following the Annual Conference & Expo at the end of May and develop agendas for those meetings in conjunction with NAFSA staff partner.
- Engage RAC cohort members in 1:1 calls as needed throughout the year to provide individualized guidance and support.
- Provide regional Chair cohort with updates on RAC’s work and take note of resources and support needed by regional Chairs.
- Share observations from one’s own experience as a regional leader to provide insights about mitigating challenges in the leadership role.
- Draft 2024 RAC Work Plan that aligns with the Board’s strategic plan and addresses priority regional needs, in collaboration with regional leaders, national committees and teams, and Regional Affairs staff.
- During Chair Year (2024)
- Actively monitor progress of RAC work plan items and ensure their success. Report twice a year on RAC progress through mid-year and year-end reports.
- Plan and lead RAC meetings at Washington Leadership Meeting (WLM) and the Annual Conference & Expo in collaboration with the RAC Chair-Designate and NAFSA staff partner.
- With the RAC Chair-Designate, co-facilitate RAC “work plan group” calls and full-RAC conference calls and develop agendas for the calls in collaboration with NAFSA staff partner.
- Share observations from own experience as a regional leader to provide insights about mitigating challenges in the leadership role.
- Partner with RAC Chair-Designate, regional executive team cohort coaches, and NAFSA staff to identify insights, experiences, and expertise that inform leadership development priorities.
- Represent RAC at Washington Leadership Meeting (WLM) and Annual Conference as needed and inform regional Chair Stream groups on matters discussed.
All NAFSA leaders are expected to foster an inclusive environment and seek to learn and understand the multicultural perspectives of the committee/team, our constituents, and stakeholders to align with the NAFSA Diversity and Inclusion Statement. An expression of leadership in this area includes:
- Engagement of the committee/team to identify and implement strategies for increased personal outreach, recruitment, onboarding for all; especially diversity-focused and underrepresented groups
- Increasing accessibility and participation from underrepresented groups, individuals, and institutions
- Expansion of educational content within the committees’ purview through intentional outreach and recruitment of diverse presenters and institutional types in partnership with various NAFSA groups.
Volunteer Commitment
- Estimated 10-12 hours per month needed to complete ongoing work, which includes the following:
- Monthly “workplan group” calls with cohort members.
- Quarterly full-RAC conference call preparation and facilitation.
- Periodic 1:1 calls with cohort members throughout the year.
- Preparation for and facilitation of RAC meetings in the Washington Leadership Meetings (WLMs). Funding for travel to in-person WLMs is provided by NAFSA.
- Preparation for and facilitation of RAC meetings at the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo in late May.
Required Qualifications
- Current NAFSA membership throughout length of the leadership term.
- Demonstrated commitment to NAFSA regional leadership, including completion of a successful three-year term in a regional Chair Stream.
- Strong leadership skills in communication, organization, and project management, with an interest in teamwork and collaboration.
- Willingness to adopt association priorities and perspectives on volunteer development and management.
- Strong management skills, including delegation and group facilitation.
- Ability to work effectively with a team and with NAFSA staff in an outcomes-based environment.
- Manage unconscious bias in the assessment and decision-making process.
- Ability to meet the volunteer commitment outlined and planning calendar deadlines.
- Institutional support for this volunteer commitment.
- Ability to attend (and if applicable, travel to) the following events for duration of term: Washington Leadership Meeting (WLM) and the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo.
Relationships
With other NAFSA Members and Leaders
- This position collaborates closely with other NAFSA leaders to enhance work efforts across the association.
With NAFSA Staff
- This position partners closely with the NAFSA staff partner assigned. NAFSA staff assists the Chair-Designate and Chair in preparing for meetings and in planning the RAC “workplan group” calls and full-RAC conference calls.
- Additional needs may be identified and addressed by staff on the Regional Affairs staff unit.
