Volunteer Roles

Volunteers continue to support our Association and make NACA the recognized leader in higher education in promoting student learning through engagement in campus life through our volunteer-driven programs including our fall and spring conferences, annual national convention and summer institutes. Don’t forget about task forces, special projects and/or the board of directors.

Volunteer Benefits

  • Professional development opportunities
  • Networking
  • Connecting with other student affairs professional across the nation
  • Leadership skills/résumé building
  • Lifelong friendships

Learn more about the various types of volunteer roles across the Association below. To see a visual representation of how these volunteer groups work together, please see our Association Organizational Chart.

Board of Directors

Six professional staff serve as general members on the Board of Directors, in addition to an executive committee (three professional staff members) comprised of the immediate past chair, the current chair, and the chair-elect. The Board of Directors is the governing body of the Association and all authority within the association is delegated by it. Members of the Board are responsible for the overall strategic direction, effectiveness and financial stability of the Association. 

Advisory Groups

  • Associate Advisory Group (AAG) – This committee is comprised of 13 associate members who help identify trends that may impact the Associate Member experience and facilitate networking and educational opportunities for other associate members.
  • Diversity Project Group (DPG) – This commitee assists in leading the diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives for the association and to aid in the integration of DEIA practices throughout the Association. Members are expected to participate in regular meetings, sub-committees, and work groups to achieve key tasks of the group. The Diversity Project Group will be made up of project-based teams, with membership fluctuating based on project, availability, and experience.
  • Research & Practice Group (RPG) – This group may consist of one chair, six school members, of eight professional staff and an Associate member. The RPG supports NACA’s educational and research priorities laid out in the NACA Strategic Plan by providing support and resources that promote student learning, practitioner development, research, and data-driven decision making to advance the field of campus activities.

Leadership Fellows

The Leadership Fellows Program is facilitated by one professional staff coordinator and connects seven new professionals from underrepresented populations (including but not limited to: ability, age, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, etc.) to mentors in the field, educates them on NACA governance and programs, and develops them professionally and as leaders.

Event Teams

  • NACA® Live Team – This team is comprised of eight general members, four team leads, a chair and a chair-elect in addition to the Leadership Fellows and Leadership Fellows Coordinator and liaisons from several national teams and advisory groups. This team works to cultivate a national convention where members are engaged and conducting business, focusing heavily on the educational and hospitality/networking initiatives of the event.
  • Institute Facilitators – Institute Facilitators are professional staff or faculty members who implement curriculum at in-person institutes via a variety of accessible learning formats.
  • Curriculum Development Teams – These small teams of subject matter experts will periodically work with office staff to create the curriculum and facilitator resources for institutes and Summer Series weeks.

Regional Leadership Teams (RLTs)

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NACA Central

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NACA Mid America

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NACA Mid Atlantic

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NACA Northeast

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NACA Northern Plains

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NACA South

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NACA West

These seven teams (one for each region) are comprised of up to 33 school member volunteers at all levels (undergraduate students, graduate students, and professional staff) and one AAG representative, in addition to Leadership Fellows within the region and liaisons from several national teams and advisory groups. The RLTs work to advance the mission and vision of the association by creating year-round meaningful member engagement and education opportunities. Additionally, regions where a NACA conference is located assist with the planning of that conference.

Application Timeline & Term Information

Central, Mid America, Mid Atlantic, Northeast, South, & West

Position App Opens App Closes Term Start Term End Term Length
Chair Nov. 1 Dec. 1 Jan. 1 Jan. 31 2+ years
Vol. Dev. & Exp. Team Lead Dec. 1 Jan. 1 Feb. 1 Jan. 31 1 year
Other Team Leads Jan. 1 Feb. 1 Mar. 1 Jan. 31 1 year
Coordinators Feb. 1 Mar. 1 Apr. 1 Jan. 31 9 months
Undergrad Positions Feb. 15 Mar. 15 Apr. 15 Jan. 31 9 months

Northern Plains

Position App Opens App Closes Term Start Term End Term Length
Chair Jan. 1 Feb. 1 Mar. 1 May 31 2+ years
Vol. Dev. & Exp. Team Lead Feb. 1 Mar. 1 Apr. 1 May 31 1 year
Other Team Leads Apr. 15 May 15 June 15 May 31 1 year
Coordinators June 15 July 15 Aug. 15 May 31 9 months
Undergrad Positions Sept. 1 Oct. 1 Nov. 1 May 31 7 months

National Teams & Ad Hoc Committees

  • National Showcase Selection Team (NSST) – Three professional staff with prior showcase selection experience coordinate and support the showcase selection process for NACA conferences and NACA Live, ensuring that all selection policies and procedures are being followed according to the applicable event guide.
  • National Showcase Production Team (NSPT) – This team is comprised of three professional staff with prior showcase production experience who support showcase production at NACA conferences, serve as points of contact at NACA Live, and ensures that all policies and procedures are being followed according to the applicable event guide.
  • National Business Connections Team (NBCT) – Three professional staff with prior block booking experience comprise this team that facilitates block booking and business connections at Association events while also promoting effective business practices among all NACA members.
  • National Volunteer Development Team (NVDT) – This team is comprised of six professional staff who assist the association in cultivating the volunteer experience and culture and develop resources for volunteers that will support and enhance their efforts.
  • Awards Committee – One professional staff chair, three professional staff or graduate student general members, and one undergraduate student general member sit on this committee, which reviews nominations for several of NACA's Achievement Awards, the association's highest honors.

NACA® Foundation

Foundation Board of Trustees – Seven professional staff serve as general members on the Foundation Board of Trustees, in addition to an executive committee comprised of the immediate past chair, the current chair, and the chair-elect. The Foundation Board of Trustees holds ultimate fiduciary responsibility for and control of all budgetary and monetary matters related to the Foundation, and any of its ancillary and subsidiary component groups or forms.

Fundraising Events Committee – This committee administers fundraising events and is comprised of one professional staff chair, four professional staff general members, one undergraduate student member, and one graduate student member

Scholarship Committee – One professional staff chair, three professional staff general members, and one student general member sit on this anonymous committee that screens and selects Foundation scholarship recipients.

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Open Volunteer Positions

Ready to jump in? Short term, annual, & multi-year volunteer commitments available.

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Volunteer Position Descriptions

Interested in a volunteer role but not sure what to expect? Review the expectations and responsibilities of volunteer positions before applying.

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Volunteer Interest Form

Submit a volunteer interest form and we'll work with you to find opportunities that match your skills and wants.

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Student Opportunities

Are you an undergraduate looking to serve the Association? Review opportunities specifically tailored for undergraduate students.

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On-site Volunteer Interest Form

Help bring the NACA conference experience to life. Sign up to volunteer on-site.