Member-at-large, Consular Affairs Liaison (CAL) Subcommittee Representative

• Maintains attentiveness to visa regulations affecting students’ participation in education abroad programs by observing, prompting, and participating in online discussions forums and reading NAFSA.news.
• Assist the CAL Chair in implementing the CAL Subcommittee goals identified on the EA RP Work Plan.
• Monitor submissions to EA Visa Help and other listservs to ensure timely responses by CAL subcommittee members. Direct advisers to the NAFSA website and post responses so that they are visible by all interested parties.
• Monitor CAL subcommittee web pages and workspace for accuracy, update documents, and work with NAFSA staff to ensure resources and information are posted in a timely fashion. Identify new areas for inclusion as necessary.
• In consultation with the CAL Subcommittee chair, offer input in developing the role of the country coordinators and consular affairs liaisons, structure of the CAL protocol regarding visa responses, and ongoing subcommittee needs
• Participate in monthly conference calls with the EARP Committee and quarterly calls with the CAL Country groups. Work with CAL Chair and NAFSA staff to set or lead the agenda for these calls as needed.
• Assist in identifying state-level conferences for CAL proposals and keep NAFSA staff informed so that material can be sent in advance.
• Assist CAL Subcommittee chair in preparing for CAL presentations at NAFSA annual, regional, and state meetings.
• Participate in leadership cultivation for the EARP, its subcommittees, and other NAFSA leadership roles.
• Perform other duties as assigned by EA RP Committee chair.

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:

• Engaging the committee/team to identify and implement strategies for increased personal outreach, recruitment, and onboarding for all, especially diversity-focused and underrepresented groups
• Increasing accessibility and participation from underrepresented groups, individuals, and institutions
• Expanding educational content within the committees’ purview through intentional outreach and recruitment of diverse presenters and institutional types in partnership with various NAFSA groups

 
NAFSA: Association of International Educators is a professional association driven by its Strategic Plan as established by the Board of Directors.  The success of the association depends on the productive engagement of three key constituencies: the Board, member-leaders, and staff.  Member-leaders are advocates for the association’s mission, vision, values, diversity and inclusion, and ethical principles. They align their work closely with the Board through its vice presidents and with staff to carry out the Strategic Plan. Member-leader roles are guided by objectives assigned by the Strategic Plan, by outcome accountabilities outlined in the Standing Rules, and by position descriptions for specific roles.

• This position collaborates closely with other NAFSA leaders to enhance work efforts across the association.
• This position partners closely with the NAFSA staff partner assigned. Effective relationships reflect and include responsiveness to phone calls/e-mail correspondence, timely delivery on responsibilities, open communication and mutual respect among other characteristics.

• Participate in regular conference calls with the EARP committee and quarterly calls with the CAL subcommittee.
• Four to six hours per month working on EA Visa Help monitoring, conference calls, CAL Subcommittee, or task force projects.
• Attend annual CAL meetings.

• An understanding of the needs of the field in practice areas related to US student visa procedures.
• Ability to communicate with colleagues and government officials in a collegial and diplomatic fashion.
• Demonstrated expertise in education abroad.
• Management skills in delegation and resource management.
• Strong leadership, analytical, communication, and administrative skills.
• Ability to work effectively with a team in an outcomes-based environment.
• Willingness to adopt organization-wide perspectives.
• Previous experience on the Consular Affairs Liaison Subcommittee strongly preferred.