NAFSA Region VII
Raleigh, NC
October 28, 2013
Staying
Sane
… in the World of the
One- or Two-Person
Office
Why are you
here today?
What drew you
to this session?
What do you
hope to gain
from this
session?
What can you
add to this
session?
Personal
Reflection
Introduce yourself to
your neighbor &
share your
responses to these
questions
Who are we?
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Helen R. Dolive : Birmingham-Southern
College
Eileen Hamme : Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University
Paige Ramsey-Hamacher : Saint Leo University
Presenter Introductions
Informal Poll
 How
many years in field?
 Main focus?
 Institution size?
 Institution type?
 Public or private?
Find out more information
about the group at
www.nafsa.org. Go to
Connect & Network tab.
Click on Engage with a
Community, then click on
Learn More in the Interest
box. Find OPO link under
list of groups …
What is the
OPO SIG?
One-Person (& Small) Office
Special Interest Group
- Encourage the recycling
and comparison of
documents & resources
- Cooperate so we can
share the knowledge &
workload
- Collaborate to reduce
burden
Mission of the
OPO SIG
1) to help small and
one-person offices
develop & sustain their
own international
programs
2) to provide a support
network of sympathetic
colleagues to serve as
resources
3) to serve as a
clearinghouse of ideas
and materials that can
be implemented and
utilized by small offices
with little financial
investment or human
capital
Goals of the
OPO SIG
Time Management
 Planning
 Scheduling
 Saying
“no”
 Interruptions & “emergencies”
 Organization

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Paperwork
E-mail
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Try to avoid e-mail
for the first hour of
your day – use that
time to do the most
crucial, substantive
task of the day
Only check e-mail
at designated times
during the day (i.e.,
every 2 hours)
Say exactly what
you need to say in
the subject line
Create stock
responses for routine
requests
Use folders to store &
archive for
reference
Avoid the e-mail
time suck!
How do you deal with e-mail?

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Perfectionism
Practice “selective
perfectionism”
Procrastination
Avoid unfocused
wandering
Interruptions Need a
delicate balance to
deal with sudden
requests &
demands. Consider
the best ratio for you
… Is it a true
emergency?
Meetings Get the
most out of each
meeting
Control the
nibblers
What is your greatest “nibbler”?
How do you control your
“nibblers”?
How do you plan for meetings?

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Delegation is
about
development - it’s
believing
employees can
do it
Delegation is NOT
passing the buck,
giving up control,
refusing to make
decisions, or
shirking
responsibility
Explain larger
goals before
giving smaller
delegation tasks
Learn the art of
delegation
No-one is an island, even in an
OPO! We accomplish a lot
more with help
Who can help you?

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Match tasks to
employee/helper
skill set
Make work
meaningful &
allow for
employee/helper
ownership
Give them the
tools they need,
e.g., proper
training, a work
philosophy,
clearly articulated
goals, good
communication,
specific
conditions for
satisfactory
completion
Learn the art of
leadership
How can you be a better
leader?
A humorous look at leadership …


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As defined by a second grader: Someone who
leads.
As defined by a senior: Someone who assumes
responsibility in a kind and compelling manner.
As defined by a teacher (Louis “Bob” Turansky):
The aim of a leader should be the abolition of her
raison d’etre through the development of
cooperative, autonomous individuals who can
lead themselves to a more egalitarian,
cooperative and verdant future. And, oh yeah,
one more thing: anyone who actually enjoys
meetings should not be a leader.
(The Seven Hills School, Cincinnati, OH)
Reduce your burden
… recycle knowledge
and resources, share
and compare

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Learn to balance
Utilize your
students
Collaborate
internally &
externally
Make technology
work for you
Find resources
Improving life in
an OPO
How can you reduce your
burden?
With whom can you share &
compare?
All things international …
Do others on your campus
know what you do?
Your mission?
Your goals?
If you don’t
define it,
others will!
Resources

Networking

Websites

NAFSA Manual

Conferences & workshops

Webinars, live chats

State representatives, state organizations,
NAFSA Knowledge Community representatives
Small Group
Discussion
Exchange cards/contact info with your group

What are your tricks of the trade?

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Admitting students?
Recruiting students?
Travel forms?
Advising students?
Workshops?
Orientation?
Transfer processes?
Health insurance?
Feedback
 Let’s
share and compare …
With thanks to the following for slide
content:
 Suzanne
Hegland – New England
Conservatory
 Beth Engwall – Bryant University
 Jennifer Armentrout – Wingate University
 Paige Ramsey-Hamacher – Saint Leo
University
 Aaron-Felicia Perfetti-Nance – CarsonNewman College
Question Time
Thanks for coming!
This PowerPoint will be posted in
OPO Resources on the NAFSA site
http://www.nafsa.org/groups/home.aspx?groupid=30
Contacts
Helen R. Dolive hdolive@bsc.edu
Eileen Hamme hamme376@erau.edu
Paige RamseyHamacher
paige.ramsey.hamacher@saintleo.edu