Winter 2021 Membership Update
Region IV-W
November 10, 2021
As I write this, we are gearing up to kick off Region IV-West regional conference in Tulsa and virtually. Here we are, another virtual conference! If you are anything like me, I am tired of the word “Zoom” and “Virtual” but here we are doing the best that we can on our campuses and in the world of higher education. It is hard to commit to another virtual meeting let alone several days worth but I am a huge believer in professional development for ourselves. Similar to work-life balance, we have to fuel ourselves professionally. We are constantly giving our time and effort to our students and colleagues, as we should! We would not be in the positions we are if it were not for wanting to serve others. In the same sense, we usually forget about ourselves even professionally. It can be difficult to block time in our days to participate in a professional development opportunity whether it is an hour training or a three-day conference but I will always encourage you to take the time for yourself and participate in what you can, because you deserve it!
For those new to the region, welcome! My name is Alyssa Wendel, I currently serve as the Membership Coordinator for Region IV-West. Within the membership team, we have a membership coordinator from each state in the region and our two Canadian provinces. We are currently seeking membership coordinators for the following states: Arkansas, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wyoming, and our Canadian provinces (Manitoba and Saskatchewan).
Serving as a state coordinator is a great opportunity to get involved in Region IV-West! Often, people will ask how do you get involved? There are a lot of ways to get involved in the region beyond membership, here are a few ideas:
Active Opportunities:
- Volunteer at a Regional or National Conference
- Present at a Regional or National Conference
- Serve on a Committee or Advisor Board
- Help out with the NASPA Foundation’s Silent Auction
- Volunteer to help a KC Initiative
Passive Opportunities:
- Serve as a Conference Program Reviewer
- Mentor a NASPA Undergraduate Fellow
- Participate in a NASPA Discussion
- Write an Article for a NASPA Publication
- Nominate a Colleague or Program for a NASPA Award
The membership team is always happy to help answer any questions you might have about getting involved! We hope you enjoyed the 2021 Region IV-West Conference whether you participated virtually or in-person and we look forward to seeing you next year in Chicago!
Alyssa Wendel
Region IV-West Membership Coordinator