Strategic Plan

2026-2030 ILASFAA Strategic Plan

Training and Professional Development 

Goal: Deliver innovative, inclusive, and measurable professional development experiences.

 Objectives:

  • Provide quality training and professional development opportunities that are responsive to membership needs.

  • Provide a professional annual conference with a strong program that supports the mission of ILASFAA.

  • Encourage all ILASFAA members to share their talents by participating in training activities, including attendance, presenting sessions, and/or facilitating discussions at conference and training events.

  • Offer programs and conscious engagement of work surrounding personal identity attributes in professional development opportunities and interest sessions.

Goal: Explore leadership development opportunities to prepare members for greater responsibilities within the financial aid profession and ILASFAA.

Objectives:

  • Provide a leadership retreat to promote professional development and leadership within ILASFAA.

  • Foster a supportive, diverse environment that encourages members’ involvement in committee participation and Executive Board leadership.

  • Develop ILASFAA members into ILASFAA leaders and develop ILASFAA leaders into regional and national leaders.

Membership Engagement and Growth

Goal: Engage and provide opportunities to improve communication and networking to the membership. Foster a vibrant, inclusive community with clear pathways for involvement.
 
Objectives:

  • Provide regularly scheduled communications to inform the membership of Executive Board and Committee activities.

  • Update communication platforms on a regular basis to ensure member needs are being met.

  • Engage members through networking activities to view ILASFAA as “their” association by taking responsibility in its success, growth and development.

  • Encourage ILASFAA members to actively engage with their local communities and volunteer with organizations that assist students in accessing and pursuing a college education.

  • Create a member communication plan to ensure targeted messages are shared timely and encourage member participation in ILASFAA committees.

    • Example: Emails to be sent one-month and three-months after the annual conference on how to make the most of their membership.

    • Example: Quarterly newsletter that highlights members, membership, institutional achievements, recognitions, etc.

Representation and Belonging:

 Goal: Intentional focus and commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
 
Objectives:

  • Maintain an ILASFAA Diversity Statement that will be reviewed and reaffirmed with each new Strategic Plan to acknowledge the wide range of diversity elements the association is seeking to promote and include.

  • Recognize and appreciate the diverse personal attributes that shape our ILASFAA members and the students they serve.

  • Ensure that Executive Board, committee membership and election ballots account for the diversity found in ILASFAA membership and sectors we represent.

  • Commitment to retain and increase ILASFAA membership, participation and engagement across our diverse membership by clearly identifying and marketing the benefits of being a member of ILASFAA.

  • Provide at least two scholarships per year for the ILASFAA annual conference to be awarded to financial aid professions who might otherwise not be able to attend due to cost.

Advocacy and Legislative Issues:

Goal: Inform membership by providing resources and updates that empower members to advocate for students and postsecondary institutions throughout the legislative process.

Objectives:

  • Collaborate with state and federal agencies and other associations by advocating for easier access and affordability to post-secondary education through the financial aid process and programs.

  • Encourage discussion, educate the membership, and provide tools that will enable members to be engaged in the legislative process by fostering relationships with state and federal legislators and their staff.

  • Provide feedback, through the appropriate parties, regarding the development of new public policies, both legislative and regulatory, that impact post-secondary education.

  • Provide a forum for governmental agencies and sponsors to present new rules, regulations, innovations, and encourage public comment.

ILASFAA Infrastructure

Goal: Maintain financial stability and sustain ILASFAA’s future through effective governance.

Objectives:

  • Continual financial planning to ensure the overall viability, fiscal strength and sustainability of the ILASFAA by regularly reviewing the reserves, annual operating budget and investment strategy.

  • Ensure that ILASFAA Bylaws reflect the mission of ILASFAA and support the viability of the organization while maintaining and updating policies and procedures to reflect the ILASFAA Bylaws.

  • Monitor all activities to ensure fiscal self-sufficiency and develop processes to evaluate the financial impact of our programs and services.

  • Ensure financial records are easily accessible and available through ILASFAA archives.

Goal: Evaluate organization and committee structures ensuring they reflect the mission of ILASFAA.

Objectives:

  • Develop Executive Board and committees that ensure relevancy, representation and allow for engagement, feedback and timely decision-making.

  • Create outcomes for the Executive Board and committee chair positions to clarify responsibilities, to provide guidance, and to measure overall effectiveness of the role.

  • Identify measurable standards to evaluate the overall effectiveness of ILASFAA and ensure it is continuing to meet our mission.
    Develop processes to preserve the records of ILASFAA, including past leaders, committee chairs, members, conference programs and activities.

  • Consider creative ways to make ILASFAA activities affordable and of value to the membership.