Minutes - Nashville, 2009 

139th Congress ACA, August 19, 2009, Nashville
Student Affairs Meeting Minutes

I.   CALL TO ORDER by Tommy Norris: 10 a.m.

II. Approval of January, 2009, minutes deferred to next meeting

III. Roll Call:

     Heather Anzelon - Eastern Kentucky Eastern Kentucky University
     Erin Mosley - Eastern Kentucy University
     James Wells - Eastern Kentucky University
     Paola Baldo - University of Illinois/Chicago
     Jim Thomas - University of Illinois/Chicago & Northern Ill University
     Eric Comeno - Indiana Correctional Association
     Richard Hart - Westwood College & Salvation Army
     Tommy Norris - Eastern Kentucky University
     Jeff Rogers - CAMA
     Dave Taylor - CAMA
     Alan Siefert - CAMA
     Joyce Fogg - VA Employment Commission
     Scott Lasky - CAMA / Cook Count Courts

IV.  Reports:

     A. Jim Thomas thanked Westville Correctional Center (Indiana) for an
        excellent tour for ACA-SAC students. Three universities were
        represented in the April tour.

     B. The possibility of a tour of Westville and Michigan City (Ind)
        facilities will

     C. Acknowledge assistance of judges for Student Poster Session:
        Art Belier, Brian Koehne, and Mel Williams.

V. Old Business:

     A. There was acknowledgement of the SAC's ifficulty in motivating chapters.
        Problems include:  Lack of attendance of members at meetings who
        are appointed but never seen; the slow growth of student
        chapters. Suggestions: SAC members should be more aggressive
        in identifying potential new members; We should renew our
        attempts to recruit other student chapters.

      B. James Wells expressed willingness to work with the committee
         and increase poster session participation.

      C. Tommy suggested inviting Kathy Black Dennis to attend the next
         meeting to explore ideas and volunteered to work as a liason
         to facilitate more student involvement

      D. The long-delayed article describing SAC and student involvement
         will be pursued. Jim apologized for the delay and will attend to
         it immediately.

      E. Discussion of involving those who can't make meetings led to
         suggestion of a "webinar" or on-lineworkshop of SAC meetings for
         those who are unable attend. It was suggested that we find a
         sponsor, consider recording meetings and other events, and place
         on the ACA-SAC homepage.

      F. Tommy proposed a career panel in January/Tamps of practitioners
         run like a separate workshop similar to the student poster session.
         It could also include a career fair. NAAWS might be a resource
         to solicit.

      G. Strong concensus that members and students should more involved
         with ACA, and the committee should become more pro-active and
         and assume more responsibility. The goal is to creat a  more
         symbiotic relationship between students, universities, and ACA
         in order to partner with other groups/programs that could draw
          ore students/colleges/interns

       H. Jeff Rogers, President-elect of CAMA, supported a partnership
          between CAMA and ACA-SAC. He proposed inviting students to
          attend the CAMA workshop on Columbus in May, 2010 and
          offered workshops for students and/or ACA-SAC members to

       I. Joyce Fogg proposed that we get students involved with
          workshops with state, local, or federal agencies, and
          invited us to attend the "Making Corrections a Career Magnet"
          workshop later Sunday.

       J. It was suggested that student workshops or some activities be
          moved to Saturdays in Tampa and Chicago to avoid conflicts with
          the many Sunday meetings and programs.

       K. It was proposed that SAC provide workshops or information on
          best practices to get hired, explore "career-killers" and
          advise students of Do's and Don'ts.

       L. It was suggested that SAC explore inexpensive accomodations for
          students in Chicago's conference, perhaps in dorms or with local
          students.  Rich and Jim volunteered to look into it.

       M. Joyce said that any suggestions for workshop topics for Chicago
          could be sent to her.

       N. It was proposed that SAC hold a career fair in Chicago that has
          employers who are seriously looking for new employees.  Virginia
          Correctional Association (VCA) does regional one day training
          sessions that are free admittance that could be a model.  Also
          have scholarships available to students to attend state conference.
          ACA/SAC could consider doing something similar.

VI. New Business:  None

VI: Adjournment:   11:21 a.m.

Any questions, drop me a note. Jim Thomas - jthomas@math.niu.edu

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