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August 17, 2011 Dear Graduate and Professional Student Leader: As this new academic year begins, are you looking for ways to share best practices with graduate and professional student leaders at the nation’s leading colleges and universities? Trying to find information about how to develop your graduate professional student organization? If so, I would like to introduce you to the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students (NAGPS). NAGPS was founded in 1987 to help improve the quality of life of graduate and professional students, and pursues this goal in the following ways: • • •
NAGPS develops and sustains a member network to connect graduate and professional students and their associations NAGPS provides resources and support to empower members NAGPS advocates at the local and national levels on behalf of graduate and professional students
I am writing to you today, to introduce you to our organization, or if you already so lucky as to be one of our participating member schools, to remind you of the many benefits NAGPS membership offers, as well as let you know of the events we have coming up. We have an exciting Fall planned. While full event details can always be found on our website at www.nagps.org, here is an overview of key events that are coming up soon: •
Fall Legislative Action Days in Washington, DC on October 2-4
•
The 25th Annual NAGPS National Conference at the University of Colorado at Boulder on October 28-30
•
Graduate-Professional Student Appreciation Week during the week of April 2-6, 2012
Flyers regarding each of these events have been included in this mailing for your reference. Additionally, I’ve included a few luggage tags (physical edition only, sorry!) for you to use as you or your constituents travel to join us in either Washington, DC or Boulder. I hope to see both you and your luggage tags at an NAGPS event this fall! Additionally, travel grants are available to help your GPSO send delegates to the national conference. Please visit our conference web site to find our more information about these grants and to apply. I mentioned that there are many benefits to NAGPS membership. Complete membership benefits are listed on our web site (www.nagps.org), and I’ve included a membership benefits overview pamphlet in this mailing, but I wanted to mention a few highlights: •
Access to discounted health care insurance offerings (http://uhc.nagps.org), which is now available to all graduate and professional students as well as recent graduates (within the last 18 months)
•
Discounts on attendance at NAGPS conferences where attendees can network with other student leaders, learn valuable leadership skills and share best practices
The National Association of Graduate-Professional Students, Inc. PO Box 96503 #36821 Washington, DC 20090-6503
202.596.9035 http://www.nagps.org office@nagps.org
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Additional discounts on car insurance through Geico and tuition refund insurance through TuitionGuardian
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Discounted access to Student Advantage, the nation’s largest discount card for students
Are there other discounts or benefits that you would like to see added? If so, please contact our Director of Relations, Matt Cooper at relations@nagps.org. As new benefits develop, this information will be communicated through e-mail as well as our regular publications. Please help us stay in touch with you - I’ve included a form in case any of the contact information that we have for your organization is out of date. In order to help us communicate with you regarding your NAGPS membership, please assist us by filling out this form and returning it to the address provided, or by e-mailing updated information to our Director of Outreach, Alime Sadikova, at outreach@nagps.org. We will update our records with this information as soon as we receive it. This mailing also includes information on calls for the following items: • • • •
National Conference Bids Regional Conference Bids National Conference Presentations NAGPS Board of Directors Elections
NAGPS exists to serve our members, but we can’t succeed without your help and support. Please take a moment to consider presenting, hosting a conference, or running for a Board position. As always, if you have feedback on how we are doing or just have general questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at president@nagps.org. In closing, I wanted to remind you that our 2012 membership year begins with the opening of our national conference on October 27, 2011. In order to enjoy voting rights at national conference and have access to full NAGPS membership benefits, membership dues must be paid in full by the beginning of the conference. If you have any questions about completing your renewal, please contact our Director of Finance, Denise Philpot at finance@nagps.org, if you are interested in joining and would like to do so before the national conference please contact our Director of Outreach, Alime Sadikova, at outreach@nagps.org. Best Regards,
Jon Kowalski, NAGPS President & CEO president@nagps.org
The National Association of Graduate-Professional Students, Inc. PO Box 96503 #36821 Washington, DC 20090-6503
202.596.9035 http://www.nagps.org office@nagps.org
LEGISLATIVE ACTION DAYS
Legislative Action Days (LADs) are an excellent opportunity to talk with your U.S. Representatives and Senators about issues that are important to you, the graduateprofessional student. Organized by NAGPS, we provide two coordinated opportunities a year for students to directly interact with congressmen and professional staff on the Hill, about issues like graduate student education, loans, visas and immigration, and open access to research. Our Legislative Action Week encourages students to advocate locally, while their U.S. Representatives are in their districts for a scheduled constituent work week.
Fall 2011 LAD Spring 2012
October 2–4 – Watch for dates
Can’t attend but still want to be involved? Now on nagps.org visit our new Legislative Action Center, a website that gives a high level overview to our lobbying and policy platform. A place where graduate and professional students come together to enhance our well-being, improve student life, and support favorable educational laws and policies.
http://www.nagps.org/policy/legislative-action-center
National Association of Graduate-Professional Students
Legislative Concerns Committee
April 2-6, 2012 Started by NAGPS in 1993, Graduate & Professional Student Appreciation Week promotes support and appreciation of the contributions, impact and value of graduate and professional students.
Proclaim IT! Step-by-Step
1. Draft a proclamation for your Governor to sign. Visit the NAGPS website to download sample and template proclamations at http://nagps.org/events 2. Visit your Governor’s website and search for Proclamation Request 3. Team-up with other graduate student governments in your state and submit your proclamation 4. Plan events on your campus!
Graduate & Professional Student Appreciation Week can be the perfect opportunity to bring the campus together in a celebration of accomplishment and support for you graduate students. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Solicit the support of the Graduate School Dean in favor of Grad Appreciation Week activities
Provide giveaways and prizes throughout the week
Host a talent show
Have a coffee break or donut hour just for graduate students
Ask local businesses to provide discounts and specials during the Week
Provide a quiet study space or free printing
Host an online wine and cheese social for distance students
Bring in special guest speakers on a variety of topics
HAVE FUN! VISIT NAGPS.ORG/EVENTS FOR MORE IDEAS!
You have plans for your future. Our plans can help you get there. Protect your future with the student injury and sickness insurance plan for NAGPS members that offers choices to fit your needs and your budget. To help you stay on track, unique value-added services are included at no additional cost: ■ UnitedHealth Allies® discount program – Although not insurance, you can enjoy up to 50% savings for a variety of health care services and products, such as dental, vision and wellness care! ■ Collegiate Assistance Program (CAP) – Before stressful situations become unmanageable, our 24/7 toll free access to Registered Nurses and Student Assistance Specialists can help with health, personal, work or financial questions and concerns, so you can focus on school. Many schools require you to have health insurance. The student injury and sickness insurance offered through NAGPS may satisfy that requirement, while protecting your plans for a rewarding future. If you enroll, your dependents are eligible for coverage, too.
Learn more about the plan and enroll online at http://uhc.nagps.org Questions? Call us at 800-767-0700 This plan is underwritten by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company and (in New York) UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York and is based on Policy #2010-485-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9. Benefits may vary by state and are not available in New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Vermont and Washington. For a full description of coverage, including costs, benefits, exclusions, any reductions or limitations and terms under which the policy may be continued in force, log on to www.UHCSR.com/NAGPS. 11COL1987
Our 25th Annual National Conference will be held at the University of Colorado, Boulder, October" 27-30, 2011. Regional & National Conferences
In an effort to connect students and collaborate about common issues and formulate solutions, NAGPS holds regional conferences each spring and a national conference every fall. As part of an organizational member, you can attend NAGPS regional and national conferences at a discounted rate. At the conferences, students present about best practices and current issues at their universities, and all attendees engage in roundtable discussions of issues. Issues addressed at the conferences include negotiating stipend increases, health and dental care, graduate families, activities, housing, working with the university administration, handling budget cuts, advisor-advisee relations, communications, and engaging students, among other topics. The conferences are an excellent place to build crossuniversity relationships that can lead to further collaboration throughout the year. Additionally, you are also eligible for the NAGPS Travel Grant Program which subsidizes travel, lodging, and registration during the national conference.
We hope to see you there!
image by joiseyshowaa
Leadership Development Opportunities NAGPS is also offers members an opportunity to develop their leadership, communication and project management skills by serving the Association. Whether this be through national board leadership, regional conference planning, or by serving as a volunteer, NAGPS has development opportunities available!
Good News! Your local graduate-professional student organization is a member of the National Association of GraduateProfessional Students. As a member of NAGPS, you have the ability to enjoy many benefits of membership. Here is a brief overview of some of the benefits available to NAGPS members: Special Member-Only Pricing on Tuition Insurance With the high cost of tuition and the uncertainty in today’s economic markets, affordable tuition protection makes sense. TuitionGuardian provides unique tuition refund insurance for eligible non-refundable tuition, room and
Recent National Conferences have been held at the University of Minnesota, the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
board, and other fees due to medical withdrawal from
Please visit http://www.nagps.org/events for more information on conferences.
Find out more at: http://www.nagps.org/resources/discounts
school. NAGPS Members receive discounted premiums when enrolling in any of TuitionGuardian plans. TuitionGuardian products are not yet available in all states.
In addition to valuable discounts and products, NAGPS also offers its members discounted access to events throughout the year aimed at supporting NAGPS Group Health Insurance Plan Access
graduate and professional
NAGPS offers a health insurance plan to any students, post-
students nationwide:
Discounted Student Advantage Membership
docs, and recent graduates (within the last 18 months) who
Student Advantage is the nation’s largest discount card
may not have adequate access to affordable health
designed for students – and now your NAGPS membership
insurance. Benefit coverage for this plan is provided
can provide you free or significantly discounted access to
through StudentResources, a UnitedHealthcare company
this card! Student Advantage offers valuable discounts to
specializing in university health programs. The Student
students, including discounts on Amtrak, Greyhound,
Injury and Sickness Insurance Plan offers students, post-
Lenovo, Target, Barnes & Noble and Verizon Wireless to
docs and recent graduates individual coverage at a
name a few. Student Advantage cards are available to
competitive cost from as low as $69/month for students
students of organizational members for just $18 – a 20%
($65/month for international students). Along with access to
discount!
the injury and sickness insurance program, you can take advantage of value-added benefits not found in most
Find out more at: http://www.nagps.org/sa
individual health plans. The UnitedHealth Allies® discount program and Collegiate Assistance Program are included with every policy at no additional cost.
Find out more at: http://www.nagps.org/healthcare
Legislative Action Days Legislative Action Days (LAD) are a semi-annual event enabling graduate and professional students nationwide to gather in Washington DC to carry out one of the important missions of NAGPS - national advocacy. At LAD, students meet with their congressional representatives and address
GEICO Insurance Discount The GEICO auto insurance program offers members quality auto coverage with award-winning 24-hour sales, policy, and claims service. In addition to receiving GEICO's already-low rates, as an NAGPS member you may also qualify for a member discount (up to 8%), available in most states. Using NAGPS’ link, you can receive no-obligation quotes on auto, home, renter’s and condo insurance.
Find out more at: http://geico.nagps.org
the issues they face as graduate and professional students.
For more information on NAGPS Member Benefits, please visit our website at http://www.nagps.org
NAGPS runs an on-site, professional advocacy training session for all LAD attendees and provides advocacy materials to help attendees in their meetings. LAD is an excellent opportunity to talk with your US Representatives and Senators about issues that are important to you, the graduate-professional student! This event requires no prior lobbying experience, and is a very memorable way to help influence policy.
For more information, please visit http://www.nagps.org/events
July 16, 2011
Interested NAGPS Members: Please follow the recommended guidelines when preparing a bid for the 2012 or 2013 National Conference, adopted from the NAGPS By-Laws and Standard Operating Procedures. NAGPS requires that potential National Conference Coordinating Councils (NCCCs) submit a letter of approval from their governing student body to the NAGPS Executive Committee prior to the bid selection process. NAGPS requests the letter be submitted no later than October 1, 2011. This letter shall provide:
Approval of the organization to host the national conference; this can include approval from your GPSO, Dean, or Administrator.
A named Director of National Conference to coordinate planning and volunteers of the national conference (the Director must be a member of the host organization)
During the National Membership Meeting, potential NCCCs shall present their proposal to the membership. The presentation shall include, but is not limited to, 1. Dates of conference. 2. Location and member organization overview. 3. Conference schedule and overview. 4. Meeting facilities & accommodations. 5. Projected budget & expenses for an attending organization. 6. Name of the Director of National Conference. 7. Required assistance from the Association. Five (5) minutes will be allotted for questions on each proposal. After all bid presentations have concluded, there will be a closed discussion followed by a vote of the membership. The majority vote of the membership will elect the National Conference Coordinating Council Responsibilities The NCCC must assist the Director of National Conference in completing all tasks necessary to carry out conference proceedings. The National Conference Coordinating Council shall assemble conference notebook containing information about the activities and structure of the National Conference for the next NCCC.
The National Association of Graduate-Professional Students, Inc. • PO Box 96503 #36821 • Washington, DC 20090-6503 Office: 202.596.9035 • URL: http://www.nagps.org
1. NCCCs shall secure funding for the conference. It is the responsibility of the NCCC to lead fundraising efforts. All fundraising and other partners must be submitted to the Board of Directors, which reserves the right to reject any partnership. 2. With the explicit recognition that the National Conference is not primarily a fundraising event, a comprehensive budget (accounting for all money raised and all expenses) will be maintained by the host organization with the assistance NAGPS Director of Finance. 3. The host organization shall adhere to the NAGPS Constitution, Bylaws, and Standard Operating Procedures. 4. All approved written and verbal communications to host the conference are binding. Due to the cost incurred for advertisement, recruitment and sponsors notification of cancellation shall be given in writing by 15 January of the national conference year and only upon extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the NCCC or NAGPS. 5. NCCCs shall submit a detailed list of conference expenditures, as well as a determination of how each expenditure will be paid (registration fees, local funding, etc.) for approval by the Board of Directors no less than 14 days prior to the national conference. Therefore, this expenditure list should be submitted prior to the 14-day deadline in case multiple iterations are required. Benefits
The conference registration fee will be waived for members of the NCCC and other persons with the approval of the Vice President.
The NCCC shall have dues waived for the membership term of the National Conference.
The national conference registration fee shall be waived for two persons form the NCCC at the next national conference.
Any extra funds in excess of all conference expenses will be divided between the host organization and NAGPS as a percentage of monies allocated and raised for the regional conference.
Please submit your letter of approval to host the 2012 or 2013 NAGPS National Conference to excomm@nagps.org by October 1, 2011. For additional questions regarding the bid process or NAGPS Standing Polices, please contact Denise Philpot (finance@nagps.org) or Jon Kowalski (president@nagps.org).
Sincerely, NAGPS Executive Committee The National Association of Graduate-Professional Students, Inc. • PO Box 96503 #36821 • Washington, DC 20090-6503 Office: 202.596.9035 • URL: http://www.nagps.org
YOU COULD SAVE 1-800-368-2734 NAGPS members could get an additional discount on car insurance. http://geico.nagps.org See how much you could save on homeowners and renters insurance, too.
Motorcycle and ATV coverages are underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company. Homeowners, renters, boat and PWC coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Discount amount varies in some states. Discount is not available in all states or in all GEICO companies. One group discount applicable per policy. Coverage is individual. In New York a premium reduction is available. Government Employees Insurance Co. t GEICO General Insurance Co. t GEICO Indemnity Co. t GEICO Casualty Co. These companies are subsidiaries of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. GEICO: Washington, DC 20076. GEICO Gecko image Š 1999-2010. Š 2010 GEICO
July 16, 2011
Interested NAGPS Members: Please follow the recommended guidelines when preparing a bid for a 2012 Regional Conference, adopted from the NAGPS By-Laws and Standard Operating Procedures. NAGPS requests that potential Regional Conference Coordinating Councils (RCCCs) submit a letter of approval from their governing student body to the NAGPS Executive Committee and Regional Chair prior to the bid selection process. NAGPS requests the letter be submitted no later than October 1, 2011. This letter shall provide:
Approval of the organization to host the regional conference; this can include approval from your GPSO, Dean, or Administrator.
A named Director of Regional Conference to coordinate planning and volunteers of the regional conference (the Director must be a member of the host organization)
During the respective Regional Membership Meeting, potential RCCCs shall present their proposal to the membership. The presentation shall include, but is not limited to, 1. Dates of conference (must occur between 1 March and 31 April). 2. Location and member organization overview. 3. Meeting facilities. 4. Accommodations. 5. Projected budget. 6. Projected expenses for an attending organization. 7. Name of the Director of Regional Conference. 8. Required assistance from the Association. Time will be allotted for questions on each proposal. After the presentations have concluded, there may be a closed discussion followed by a vote of the membership. The majority vote of the regional membership will elect the Regional Conference Coordinating Council.
The National Association of Graduate-Professional Students, Inc. • PO Box 96503 #36821 • Washington, DC 20090-6503 Office: 202.596.9035 • URL: http://www.nagps.org
Responsibilities The RCCC must assist the Director of Regional Conference in completing all tasks necessary to carry out conference proceedings. The Regional Conference Coordinating Council should assemble conference notebook containing information about the activities and structure of the Regional Conference for the next RCCC. 1. RCCCs must submit the aforementioned letter no later than January 15th. 2. RCCCs shall secure funding for the conference. It is the responsibility of the host school to lead fundraising efforts. All fundraising and other partners must be submitted to the Board of Directors, which reserves the right to reject any partnership. 3. RCCCs shall adhere to the NAGPS Constitution, Bylaws, and Standard Operating Procedures. 4. All approved written and verbal communications to host the conference are binding. Due to the cost incurred for advertisement, recruitment and sponsors notification of cancellation shall be given in writing at least 30 days prior to the conference date and only upon extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the RCCC or NAGPS. 5. RCCCs shall submit a detailed list of conference expenditures, as well as a determination of how each expenditure will be paid (registration fees, local funding, etc.) for approval by the Board no less than 14 days prior to the regional conference. Therefore, this expenditure list should be submitted prior to the 14-day deadline in case multiple iterations are required. Benefits
The conference registration fee will be waived for members of the RCCC.
Extra funds in excess of all conference expenses will be divided between the RCCC and NAGPS as a percentage of monies allocated and raised for the regional conference.
The regional conference registration fee shall be waived for two persons form the RCCC at the next regional conference.
Please submit your letter of approval to host a 2012 NAGPS Regional Conference to excomm@nagps.org by October 1, 2011. For additional questions regarding the bid process or NAGPS Standing Polices, please contact Denise Philpot (finance@nagps.org) or Jon Kowalski (president@nagps.org).
Sincerely,
NAGPS Executive Committee The National Association of Graduate-Professional Students, Inc. • PO Box 96503 #36821 • Washington, DC 20090-6503 Office: 202.596.9035 • URL: http://www.nagps.org
25th Annual National Association of Graduate-Professional Students National Conference
SAVE THE DATE October 27th-30th, 2011 University of Colorado, Boulder
Graduate and professional students deserve recognition and support as a unique population within the university. NAGPS serves as the umbrella organization representing all the graduate and professional students in the country.
Conference will include opportunities to: Network with fellow graduate and professional students; Participate in professional development activities; Exchange best practices related to policy and advocacy; Foster higher levels of engagement in your graduate student body; Develop skills to improve relationships with university administrators; Learn to work effectively with your undergraduate student government; and Take new ideas back home to your GPSA Questions? Please contact: uggsinfo@colorado.edu
2011 Board of Directors President Jon Kowalski president@nagps.org Vice President Debra Scardino vice-president@nagps.org
Directors Finance Communications Administration Outreach Relations
Denise Philpot finance@nagps.org Patrick Kelley communications@nagps.org PJ Dillon administration@nagps.org Alime Sadikova outreach@nagps.org Matt Cooper relations@nagps.org
Committee Chairs Employment Intl. Students Legislative Social Justice
Christine McCary ecc@nagps.org Sandipan Datta iscc@nagps.org Mary Winn lcc@nagps.org David Grimes sjc@nagps.org
Regional Chairs Midwest Northeast Southcentral Southeast Western
Yasha Nath mwrc@nagps.org Angela Jia nerc@nagps.org Eteri Svanidze scrc@nagps.org Alenette Opena serc@nagps.org Jordan Vincent wrc@nagps.org Thank you for reading the NAGPS Fall Mailing – September 2011 We are constantly working to improve the NAGPS Newsletter: please send feedback, comments, or questions to the Director of Communications
Volume 25, Number 1 Director of Communications Patrick Gage Kelley communications@nagps.org