You are here: Home > Student Affairs Podcast > Student Affairs Podcast #25 with Dr. Juan R. Guardia

Student Affairs Podcast #25 with Dr. Juan R. Guardia

by Jeff Jackson on July 23, 2010

Dr. Juan R. Guardia

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Dr. Guardia from the NASPA Latino Knowledge Community stopped by to talk about the NASPA 2012 Conference in AZ.

After the podcast Dr. Guardia joined twitter

Meg

Thank you for saying that you decided not to renew your AFA membership. I have also decided not to renew my AFA membership.

I have to admit that the way that NASPA handled the situation was a lot better than AFA handled the situation.
http://twitter.com/gballingerjr Gary Ballinger

I just “officially” sent a letter to AFA sharing my thoughts and reasons for not renewing my membership. If you haven’t let them know why you will not be renewing I would encourage you to let them know. I think it is important for them to be able to gage the actually impact of their decision. The text of my email was as follows:

After twelve years of membership, I will not be renewing this year in protest of the fact that the Association will be hosting the Annual Meeting in Phoenix, AZ. Recently the State of Arizona has passed AZ SB 1070 and a number of other laws and policies motivated by racism and based on fear. While the board has made a decision that might be in the best interest of the Association it is not congruent with my values or beliefs as an individual.

Instead I have put that money toward a grassroots organization that will work to educate and take a stand against this (and other) discriminatory laws. I will also not attend the annual meeting and will divert those funds to fraternal entities that are more congruent with my personal values.

I know I am only one person and perhaps the only one out of hundreds of members who have decided to act in this way; but inaction and ignorance no longer work for me. I hope that one day I will once again be able to join the association that has meant and given me a great deal in the way of professional development and camaraderie.

Sincerely,

Gary Ballinger
Former AFA Member (1999-2010)