Shinerama Regional Conferences

It's that time of year - Shinerama Regional Conferences are fast approaching!

Ontario & Quebec: July 13-14^th, Waterloo

Registration deadline: July 4^th

Atlantic: July 20-22^nd, Halifax

Registration deadline: July 6^th

British Columbia & Alberta: July 21^st, Vancouver

Saskatchewan & Manitoba: July 28^th, Edmonton

A little afternoon refreshment at Brock Shinerama 2010

Read on for more exciting details about Regional Conferences!

What happens at a Regional Shinerama Conference?

• You get to experience a more intimate, individually focused version of the National Shinerama Conference held in May.
• Regionals are for Shinerama Coordinators who have attended National Conference, as well as committee members who may be newer to the cause.

• Most Regionals are set up in a similar format, composed of talks from invited speakers, round-table workshops and discussion groups.

• Topics range from discussing the amazing opportunity and history of Shinerama, learning why we are fighting cystic fibrosis, and getting to really hone in on the many aspects of your campaign.

Who should I invite to come with me?

The more the merrier! Bring as many of your Shinerama Committee members to your Regional Conference as possible. Bring your Student Union executives and Orientation Leaders too! The Shinerama Bug is highly contagious; if you were at the National Shinerama Conference you can understand this wonderful phenomenon. It is our goal to infect as many students as we can with the Shinerama Bug!

Symptoms of the Shinerama bug include:

• Feeling empowered and like you can accomplish something amazingly meaningful!
• Forming bonds with people you just met over your common goals
• Overwhelming excitement and happiness

Atlantic Regional Shinerama Conference 2011

As the Shinerama Coordinator at Dalhousie University in 2010 and 2011, 4-5 members of my committee were able to attend the Regional Conference with me each year. Following the conference these committee members went on to become my most dedicated Shinerama advocates and one of them has even taken over the Dalhousie campaign this year! Needless to say, none of them could resist the power of the Shinerama bug!

In all seriousness, getting your committee members to Regional Conference will significantly increase the likelihood of them becoming even more dedicated to the cause! I asked a few members of the National Shinerama Leadership team what keeps them coming back year after year to Shinerama and here are a few of their responses:

“The people, the energy and the great cause. If you ever want a recipe for success, put 100 bright, eager, driven, post-secondary students in one room and amazing things will happen.” – Spencer Fry, OQ Campaign Advisor.

“The magic of seeing all of these amazing student leaders in one room fighting for one cause!” – Beth Whitfield, Atlantic Campaign Advisor.

So why are Shinerama Regional Conferences so great?!

Besides giving you the chance to get your committee even more informed and dedicated to the cause what else makes regional conferences so great?

1. Focus: There will be a closer focus on your individual school’s campaign. You’ll get to share your successes and get support to deal with your specific challenges.
2. Connect: You’ll have the opportunity to connect more closely with the other Shinerama leaders from your neighbouring schools. These connections will be invaluable for your campaign and into the future. Your neighbouring Shinerama schools may be your biggest competition, but they are also the ones who can help you out when you run into sticky situations (ie: need supplies at the last minute, need a few more volunteers to run an event, need a partner on a big event or sponsorship etc.)
3. Empower: Get yourself a Shinerama booster shot! Planning a campaign is HARD WORK and can be overwhelming at times. Getting together with others who are/have been in your shoes will be empowering, comforting, and motivating. Regionals are the perfect way to inject yourself with the drive and determination you’ll need to get you through Shine day!

So in summary, get sick with Shinerama and register for Regional!  I promise it will be the best bug you’ve ever had, leading to high energy, amazing memories, and making a real difference.

SHINE LOVE from sunny Halifax,

Tara Dahn

Campaign Advisor, Atlantic / Bounce Castle Enthusiast