WASFAA - Western Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators

August/September 2001

Online Publication

	table of contents I am grateful for organizations like WASFAA that enrich us through our participation, whether as attendees or presenters, and encourage professional, as well as personal, growth and development.	Editorial Reflections: Lessons Learned by Becky Cady I had the fortunate experience of being part of the WASFAA Summer Institute Faculty this June in Boise, Idaho. This issue of our newsletter is devoted primarily to professional development experiences, in particular those offered by our financial aid associations. I am sure I've heard a saying somewhere along the line of, "There's nothing like trying to teach something to get you to learn it." My time at the Summer Institute certainly confirmed this. It was a high intensity week and my reaction at the end was a combination of "I'd never do this again!" and "I'm so glad I got to be a part of this!" I recently had another opportunity to be part of a panel presenting on leadership skills and was gratified that I did a much better job discussing communication skills and motivational techniques than I did trying to explain the five and half formulas of the Pell Grant! Part of the presentation discussed finding fulfillment at work and I shared a quote from Parker Palmer's new book, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation. He states, "Our deepest calling is to grow into our own authentic selfhood, whether or not it conforms to some image of who we ought to be. As we do so, we will not only find the joy that every human being seeks - we will also find our path of authentic service in the world." I am grateful for organizations like WASFAA that enrich us through our participation, whether as attendees or presenters, and encourage professional, as well as personal, growth and development. I certainly have a greater sense of joy in my work and feel a renewed dedication to this profession since the Summer Institute. The best part of the whole week was by far the time spent with colleagues. The students attending the Institute were enthusiastic and engaging. The faculty was ...well,a kick in the pants! I had a fantastic time and learned as much or more from spending time with my colleagues - both students and faculty - in the field as from any formal classroom training. My thanks and praise go out to all those who participated and especially to those who coordinated and presented. Great job WASFAA!
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