Foundations Conference 2017

Join us for our kick-off of the 2017-2018 academic year with Foundations 2017! Scroll down for more information or to register.

What is Foundations?

Foundations is our first conference of the academic year, and it provides the first opportunity for our new delegates to meet each other and learn about the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA). Participants will get expert training to help with their duties throughout the year and into the future. These training sessions will teach you how CASA works, how to be an effective lobbyist, how to handle media interviews, how to develop policy, and more. We will also provide information sessions on topics related to post-secondary education, including Indigenous education, youth employment, student financial assistance and copyright. In addition to these valuable training sessions, elections to CASA's Board of Directors and standing committees will occur during this conference.

Can I attend?

Anyone who currently works for a student association at a Canadian post-secondary school is welcome to attend. This includes delegates from our member associations as well as those who are not members but are curious about CASA (we call you observers).

When is it?

Foundations 2017 will be held from May 23rd to May 26th. Registration and a social ice breaker event will be held in the evening of May 22nd.

Where is it being held?

This year, Foundations is being held at the Four Points Hotel in Gatineau, Québec - just across the river from Ottawa's downtown core. All conference sessions from May 23-26 will take place in Notre-Dame A room of the hotel. The ice breakers session on May 22 will take place in the Renaissance A room of the hotel.

How will I get there?

Delegates are expected to make their own travel arrangements. This may include renting a car, taking the train, or booking a flight to the Ottawa MacDonald-Cartier International Airport.

Where can I stay?

The Four Points Hotel has reserved a block of rooms for CASA delegates to stay from May 22nd to May 26th. This block of rooms will be available at a discounted rate until April 26th. Following this date, there will be no discount or guarantee of availability. In order to book with the discounted rate, you will need to call the hotel at 1-888-627-8089 (toll-free) and inform them that you are staying in the room block held for the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations. Participants are responsible for booking and covering the cost of their accommodation.

Prices for the Four Points Hotel are as follows:

• Two double beds traditional $169 ($189 for 3 people or $209 for 4 people) + tax
• King bed traditional $169 ($189 for 3 people) + tax

Check-in to the hotel is anytime after 3:00 pm and check-out is anytime before 12:00 pm. Parking is also available, at a cost of $15/night + tax. If desired, participants are welcome to stay at a different accommodation, though this may require arranging transportation to the conference each day.

How much does it cost?

CASA allows for two individuals from each member or non-member student association to attend free of charge. Additional attendees (more than two from the same association) are required to pay a registration fee of $300. All participants must cover their own transportation, accommodation, and meal costs.

Is there a conference schedule I can look at?

Coming soon!

Can observers participate in plenary?

Observers are welcome to watch the plenary sessions, though will be asked to leave in the case that an in-camera session is called.

Is there an official hashtag for the event?

Yep! You can post or tweet about the event using the hashtag #FoundationsCon.

Note: All attendees are required to abide by CASA's Code of Conduct.