Sunday, November 25th, 2018
2:00-3:00 pm
Registration
During this time, stop by the CASA staff table to pick up your name tag and meet the staff and other student leaders that you will be working with throughout the week.
3:00-3:15 pm
Opening
We will be opening the conference with some words from a First Nations elder.
3:15-3:30 pm
Code of Conduct Presentation
CASA's Code of Conduct Officers for this year, Kelsey Gillespie and Amanda LeBlanc, will present CASA's Code of Conduct to establish expectations for behaviour throughout the conference.
3:30-5:15 pm
Policy and Fact Review for Advocacy Week
In this presentation, our Research and Policy Analyst will go over the advocacy documents and review the research and facts behind the asks this year. He will also go over common pushbacks and questions to anticipate, in order to prepare you.
5:15-5:30 pm
Wellness Break
5:30-6:15 pm
Highrise & Social Media Training
In this practical training session, our Communications and Public Relations Officer will go over the very important process of recording your meetings in the Highrise system. This enables staff to do follow-ups and keep track of how our asks are being received.
Monday, November 26th, 2018
9:00-10:15 am
Parliament Hill 101
In this presentation, a professional government relations firm will share some of the do's and don’ts of advocacy meetings and engagement on Parliament Hill.
10:15-10:30 am
Wellness Break
10:30-11:00 am
Empowering You to Handle Difficult Situations
During this session, CASA's Executive Director will go over potential difficult situations that may arise within meetings, and teach you how to handle them to ensure that everyone feels safe and comfortable.
11:00-12:00 pm
Interactive Session: Spot the Blunder
Through demonstrations with experienced student advocates, we will look to uncover some of the common mistakes in advocacy meetings.
12:00 - 1:30 pm
Lunch
1:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Lobby Training: Practicum and Trial Runs
In this session, we will break off into groups to conduct practice advocacy meetings in both English and French. Experienced advocates will be available to provide advice and constructive feedback.
6:00 - 7:00 pm
Observer Roundtable
Observers (non-members of CASA or QSU) are invited to join our observer roundtable, where you will have a chance to ask questions about CASA or the event, as well as give feedback on how things are going so far.
Tuesday, November 27th, 2018
7:30-8:30am
Breakfast Session and Launch!
In this working breakfast session, we will have a formal Q&A to answer any last minute concerns. Then, we will officially launch the first day of our advocacy meetings!
8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Lobby Meetings
All attendees will attend their scheduled lobby meetings, and remember to record them afterwards in Highrise.
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Reception on Parliament Hill
During this reception, attendees will have the chance to mingle with parliamentarians in a more informal setting. Hors d'oeuvres will be provided.
Wednesday, November 28th, 2018
8:30 am - 9:00 am
Debrief
Let's talk about our meetings yesterday: what worked, what didn't, and anything funny that happened.
9:00 am - 1:45 pm
Lobby Meetings
All attendees will attend their scheduled lobby meetings, and remember to record them afterwards in Highrise.
1:45 - 3:15 pm
Students Inform Mental Health Standard
The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) is currently developing a standard for post-secondary institutions to meet when it comes to mental health support services on campus. To inform the standard, the MHCC is looking to gain insight into students' perspectives on mental health on campus.
3:15 pm - 5:00 pm
Lobby Meetings
All attendees will attend their scheduled lobby meetings, and remember to record them afterwards in Highrise.
4:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Debrief
Let's talk about our meetings today: what worked, what didn't, and anything funny that happened.
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Indigenous Student Experiences
The Native Women's Association of Canada will be holding a workshop to communicate to CASA student leaders the challenges many Indigenous students face when it comes to post-secondary education.
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Committee Working Time
Committees are encouraged to use this time to work in-person on their ongoing committee projects. Food will be provided.
Thursday, November 29th, 2018
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Lobby Meetings
All attendees will attend their scheduled lobby meetings, and remember to record them afterwards in Highrise.
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Fireside Chat with Senators
In this interactive Q&A session, delegates will have chance to discuss the future of post-secondary education with a panel of senators. Please arrive at 11:30 am, in order to leave time for you to get through security before the event.
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Lobby Meetings
All attendees will attend their scheduled lobby meetings, and remember to record them afterwards in Highrise.
5:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Debrief
Let's talk about our meetings today: what worked, what didn't, and anything funny that happened.
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Partners Table
Meeting between CASA and its provincial partners from across the country.
Friday, November 30th, 2018
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Board Action Plan Updates
In this session, CASA's Board of Directors will provide an update on their action plan progress. They will also answer any questions the membership have.
10:00 am - 10:45 am
Federal Policy Committee Updates
CASA's student-led Federal Policy Committee has been working hard to update outdated policies and devise new ones for the membership's approval. They will present their work and answer any questions during this session.
10:45 am - 11:00 am
Break
11:00-11:45 am
Mental Health Campaign
The National Advocacy Committee has developed a mental health campaign called #StudentsLetsAct to push government to take action to better support students who are struggling. During this presentation, the committee will outline the campaign, distribute campaign kits, and prepare CASA's membership to run it on their individual campuses.
11:45-12:15 pm
Financial Update
CASA's Treasurer will provide an update on the organization's finances.
12:15 pm - 1:30 pm
Lunch
1:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Closing Plenary
One delegate from each member association will sit at the plenary table in a formal meeting setting to vote on important motions. Others are invited to observe the plenary session.