Annual Conference Committee (ACC) Member, TLS KC

Within the framework of NAFSA’s Strategic Plan, this position will:

1. Serve as a core member of the ACC and contribute to the development and promotion of a comprehensive and cutting-edge professional development program to serve the broad annual conference audience, including:
   • Soliciting proposals for sessions, workshops, and posters that fit the conference theme and advance knowledge and skill-building for the field of international education.
   • Recruiting a team of skilled volunteer reviewers for TLS session and workshop proposals.
   • Reviewing and ranking all TLS submitted proposals for annual conference sessions and workshops.
   • Collaborating with other ACC Content Team members to create a balanced and comprehensive conference program.
   • If necessary, helping develop sessions and workshops on topics of importance not otherwise represented through the normal selection process.
2. Serve as the TLS KC liaison to the ACC, ensuring that the professional development needs of the TLS community are met at the highest level possible within the limitations of the conference program, including:
   • Participating as an active TLS KC leadership team member.
   • Communicating and collaborating regularly with the TLS KC leadership team and NAFSA staff partners about ACC activities and opportunities for engagement at the annual conference, such as the TLS Update, networking events, and community dialogues.
   • Developing TLS KC priorities for conference content in collaboration with the TLS KC leadership team, building from the annual work plan and network discussions.
   • Promoting the annual conference program to the TLS community encouraging networking and participation—including proposal submission, proposal review, and conference attendance.
   • Representing the TLS KC at the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo by participating in events such as poster fairs, the TLS KC Welcome & Update Meeting, and TLS KC networking activities.
   • Collaborating with the NAFSA staff partner and conference program staff to achieve these goals.

In recent years, the TLS KC ACC Member has coordinated projects and events such as:

• Soliciting and submitting collaborative workshop, session, and poster proposals for the annual conference.
• Recruiting reviewers for annual conference proposals.
• Reviewing and selecting TLS content for the annual conference.
• Organizing, supporting, and leading TLS community dialogues at the annual conference.
• Participating in special project working groups to plan future TLS events at the annual conference and throughout the year.

• Assure NAFSA membership through the length of the 30-month leadership term (two-years with the TLS KC, 30-months with the ACC), renewable once upon agreement with the TLS KC leadership, for a maximum term of five years.
• Prepare for and participate in TLS KC and ACC meetings throughout the year. Most meetings are virtual, apart from the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo and the ACC fall meeting.
• Dedicate 5-10 hours per month, depending on KC and ACC needs.
• Foster an inclusive environment in alignment with the NAFSA Diversity and Inclusion Statement.

• Experience and expertise in the field of international education, particularly in areas of teaching, learning, and/or applied research and scholarship.
• Ability to identify and mobilize colleagues to develop strong session, workshop, and poster proposals to meet the needs of the annual conference and the TLS community.
• Demonstrated experience with effective strategic planning, management, networking, and task delegation.
• Strong coordination, analytical, oral and written communication skills.
• Willingness to adopt organization-wide and strategic priorities, including perspectives on volunteer development and management.
• Ability to work effectively with a team in an outcomes-based environment, with awareness and management of unconscious bias.
• Commitment to access and respond to e-mail in a timely fashion as well as communicate using online electronic tools/systems and the online workspace structure.
• Ability to meet the volunteer commitment as outlined and planning calendar deadlines.
• Previous experience and engagement with TLS KC and/or annual conference activities, including attendance at and proposal review for annual conferences, or other NAFSA regional or national leadership experience is recommended.

NAFSA appreciates its volunteer leaders with a strategy that develops, celebrates, and supports them throughout the year:

• Leaders in this role receive complimentary registration for the conferences they help plan.
• Leaders in this role receive travel and per diem for the ACC fall meeting, if it is held in-person.
• Each year on the KC, leaders in this role receive complimentary access to two NAFSA e-learning courses, during quarter 1 and quarter 4.
• Leaders in this role are invited to an invite-only appreciation reception at the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo.
• Leaders in this role are asked to attend online and onsite leadership community gatherings throughout the year, with themes focused on the NAFSA International Education Professional Competencies 2.0.
• Leaders in this role are recognized with special signage at the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo.