Task Force on Higher Education
Government Relations
Statement of Purpose and Operation
Purpose
Originally established in 1993, the purpose of the Task Force on Higher Education Government Relations (formerly known as the State Relations Task Force) is to provide expertise in the planning, execution and fundraising in support of an annual Higher Education Government Relations Conference, sponsored by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and the Association of Public Universities and Land-grant Colleges (APLU).
The Task Force’s primary focus is to work with the sponsoring organizations to develop conference programming to attract and engage participants serving a broad range of state relations and federal relations functions at colleges and universities. Task Force members also advise the sponsoring organizations on issues such as conference site selection and scheduling. Identifying and communicating with prospective funding sponsors in support of the conference is a responsibility of Task Force members. Additionally, the Task Force is responsible for the selection of award winners as part of the annual recognition program that takes place during the conference itself. The Task Force leadership maintains access and open lines of communication with the government relations leadership of the sponsoring organizations on key programming and administrative issues.
Organization
Task Force Composition and Term Lengths
A designated representative from each of the four sponsoring organizations works in collaboration in making appointments to the Task Force from among the members of CASE and the government relations staff of the member institutions of AACC, AASCU, and APLU. Criteria for selection include: substantial state relations responsibilities, experiences and accomplishments; self-expressed interest or nomination by a current Task Force member, and; involvement in past Higher Education Government Relations (State Relations) conferences. The designated association staff may also take other variables into consideration in Task Force composition in order to achieve a balanced representation of members by institution type, geography, association membership, and other factors.
The Task Force consists of 15 members, including the immediate past chair of the Task Force. Members serve staggered three-year terms. Members are eligible to be re-appointed for a second (and final) three-year term at the conclusion of their first term. The term of service for a member who serves as Task Force Chair during the final year of his/her three-year term is automatically extended one year. One representative staff member from each of the sponsoring organizations serve as ex-officio members of the Task Force.
Task Force Member Engagement – Meetings and Conference Calls
The Task Force meets only meets once a year in person; on-site and just prior to the start of the annual Higher Education Government Relations Conference, which usually takes place in early December. Most of the Task Force’s work takes place via a series of three to four conference calls that take place throughout the year, typically from April to November.
Officers
The officers of the Task Force consist of the current chair, vice-chair and immediate past-chair. The election of vice-chair takes place at the annual business meeting of the Task Force during the annual conference. Election of the officers takes place via a simple majority vote of those present at the meeting. The vice-chair serves as the chair of the annual state relations awards program committee, and automatically becomes the Task Force chair in the ensuing year. The Task Force chair serves as the program chair for the State Relations Conference.
Committees
Awards Committee
An Awards Committee will conduct activities relating to the Marvin D. “Swede” Johnson Achievement Award and Edwin Crawford Award for Innovation in State Relations. These activities include soliciting sponsorship, selecting award winners, developing and revising award criteria, and evaluating and making revisions to the selection process. The awards committee establishes subcommittees as appropriate. Membership of the awards committee, typically comprised of five individuals, will include the past year’s award winners.
Amendments to the Rules of Operation
The Rules of Operation may be amended by a majority vote of the members of the Higher Education Government Relations Task Force.
Updated 12/15/11
Task Force on Higher Education Government Relations
Nomination Form
(print or type)
Nominee
Name: ______
Job Title: ______
Institution: ______
Address: ______
City/State/Zip: ______
Phone: ______Fax: ______E-mail: ______
Nominator (if different from above)
Name: ______
Job Title: ______
Institution: ______
Address: ______
City/State/Zip: ______
Phone: ______Fax: ______E-mail: ______
Service Information
Nominee’s length of service in higher education state government relations ______
Number of State Relations Conferences nominee has attended ______
Additional Information
Please submit the following materials with this nomination/application:
§ Written description as to why the nominee would make significant positive contributions to the Task Force on Higher Education Government Relations (please limit to no more than one page in length).
§ A professional profile (resume) which includes the nominee’s government relations experience, educational credentials, awards, publications and other significant contributions (please limit to no more than two pages).
Nominations must be received by Friday, January 27, 2012
Mail to: Daniel Hurley, Director of State Relations & Policy Analysis, AASCU
1307 New York Avenue, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20005-4701 or fax to 202.478.5491.
Questions may be addressed to Daniel Hurley at 202.478.4657 or .