Conference Schedule
Sunday, February 16, 2020
5:00 - 7:00 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.
Monday, February 17, 2020
8:00 - 8:15 am - Conference Welcome
We will be opening the conference with some words from a First Nations elder.
8:15 - 8:30 am - Opening Plenary
8:30 - 9:00 - Code of Conduct Presentation
CASA's Code of Conduct Officers for this year, Natasha Donahue and Elise Vaillancourt, will present CASA's Code of Conduct to establish expectations for behaviour throughout the conference.
9:00 - 11:00 am - Policy and Fact Review for Advocacy Week
In this presentation, our Research and Policy Analyst and Director of Stakeholder and Government Relations will go over the advocacy documents and review the research and facts behind the asks this year. They will also go over common pushbacks and questions to anticipate, so delegates are prepared for their meetings.
11:00 - 12:15 - 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.
12:15 - 1:30 - Lunch
1:30 - 2:30 - Interactive Session: Spot the Blunder
Through demonstrations with experienced student advocates, we will look to uncover some of the common mistakes in advocacy meetings.
2:30 - 2:45 - Break
2:45 - 3:45 - Highrise and Social Media Training
In this practical training session, our Director of Communications and Operations will go over the crucial process of recording your meetings in the Highrise system. Highrise is a contact management system that enables staff to do follow-ups, keep track of how our asks are being received, and records any important information to note about the Parliamentarians or Senators you meet with.
3:45 - 5:45 - 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.
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
8:00 am - 9:00 am - 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 - 5:30 - Lobby Meetings
All attendees will attend their scheduled lobby meetings, and remember to record them afterwards in Highrise.
5:30 - 7:30 - Reception on Parliament Hill
During this reception, attendees will have the chance to mingle with Parliamentarians and Senators in a more informal setting. Hors d'oeuvres will be provided.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
8:30 - 9:00 - Debrief
Let's talk about our meetings yesterday: what worked, what didn't, and anything funny that happened.
9:00 am - 12:00 pm - College and Polytechnic Forum
This Forum will provide a space for College and Polytechnic Associations to discuss issues pertinent to their constituencies, and interact with a panel of professionals from CiCan and Polytechnics Canada.
9:00 am - 4:30 pm - Lobby Meetings
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 - Committee Working Time
Committees are encouraged to use this time to work in-person on their ongoing committee projects.
5:00 pm - 6:00 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.
Thursday, February 20, 2020
9:00 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 - 5:30 pm - Debrief
Let's talk about our meetings today: what worked, what didn't, and anything funny that happened.
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm - Awards Dinner
Dress up in your finest! It's the annual Awards Dinner! Hosted by Home Office Staff, delegates will eat a delicious dinner provided by the Lord Elgin, and see who wins the coveted awards for Future Governor General, Future Prime Minister, CASA MVP, and more!
Friday, February 21st, 2020
8:00 am - 8:30 am - AGM Open and Highrise Working Time
We'll open up the next chapter of the conference together and provide delegates with time to complete any Highrise entries from the week's meetings.
8:30 am - 9:45 am - Updates: Board, Committees, Home Office
The Board and Home Office will provide updates on what they have been working on since Policy and Strategy, and what they will be finalizing before the E-Plenary in March.
9:45 am - 10:00 am - Break
10:00 am - 12:00 pm - Fee Structure Discussion
Led by members of the Board, the membership will have a discussion about the organization's fee structure.
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Lunch
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm - Life After Student Leadership
As a former student leader, CASA's Director of Communications and Operations will discuss transitioning to a life after student leadership, some of the challenges you might endure, and how your time as a student leader has prepared you for them.
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm - UEQ Partnership Agreement Discussion (Members Only)
Members of CASA and UEQ have negotiated a new agreement to be presented to the membership for approval. This discussion will be for members only.
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm - Break
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm - Future of the Indigenous Student Advisory Group
What did we learn from this past year? What steps can we take to move forward, together?
Saturday, February 22nd, 2020
8:45 am - 9:00 am - Welcome
The Executive Director will outline the schedule for the day.
9:00 am - 9:45 am - Financial Update
CASA's Treasurer, Gurvir Gill, will lead a presentation about the most recent quarter for the organization.
9:45 am - 10:00 am - Break
10:00 am - 10:45 am - Build a Foundations
This session will provide members with an opportunity to reflect on the very beginning of this year, and build May 2020's Foundations Schedule. What did you enjoy? What did you find useful? Were there sessions that you could have gone without? Now is your time to build the ultimate Foundations for next year's membership.
10:45 am - 11:15 am - From Here to Foundations
CASA's Executive Director will outline what will be happening between the end of this conference and Foundations 2020. This will include additional details about the March E-Plenary.
11:15 am - 12:15 pm - Lunch
12:15 pm - 12:45 pm - Conference Bids
Members who have placed bids to host Policy and Strategy 2020 will present to the membership. The membership will then vote on the conference host during Plenary.
1:15 pm - 6:00 pm - Plenary