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The Future of CURAC Regional Conferences

The Future of CURAC Regional Conferences. By Joan Cunnington Ontario Colleges Retirees’ Association (Seneca College). The Current Status of CURAC Regional C onferences. Six successful regional conferences have been held in the Maritime provinces

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The Future of CURAC Regional Conferences

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  1. The Future of CURAC Regional Conferences By Joan Cunnington Ontario Colleges Retirees’ Association (Seneca College)

  2. The Current Status of CURAC Regional Conferences • Six successful regional conferences have been held in the Maritime provinces • The first Ontario regional conference took place on October 15, 2012, in Toronto • BC CURAC members gather regularly at joint meetings known as “The Summit” • Each association takes its turn as host • Helped with organizing 2012 CURAC conference and AGM in Victoria

  3. What`s happening in the rest of Canada – the Prairies? • Not too many CURAC members in the region • Newer colleges and universities have few if any retirees • Distances can be a deterrent • Suppose Regina were chosen as a regional conference site? • Edmonton – Regina: 486 mi 782 km, 7 hr 41 min • Calgary – Regina: 471 mi 758 km, 7 hr 18 min • Winnipeg – Regina: 356 mi 573 km 6 h 13 min

  4. What’s Happening in the Rest of Canada – Quebec? • Potential for regional conferences needs reassessment following changes in CURAC membership in Quebec • Folding of University of Quebec retiree associations • Withdrawal of Laval University retirees from CURAC membership • Remaining CURAC members in Quebec are English speaking institutions

  5. The Present and Possible Future Situation • Based on the foregoing, the outlook nationwide for regional conferences is rather mixed • Contemplate another scenario • Suppose no member association is willing to host the 2015 conference and AGM? • It takes at least one year of hard work for the local organizing committee to raise the necessary funds and organize all the details • Should a change of the annual conference and AGM format be considered?

  6. The Future of Regional Conferences? • Could regional conferences held in alternating years augment the present annual national conference if it were held biennually? • What benefits might accrue from such regional conferences? • Since we must have an AGM, is an AGM by tele- or video-conference feasible?

  7. Benefits of CURAC Regional Conferences • Greater participation of individual retirees and their CURAC member associations in local conferences • Generate increased interest and participation in national conference and AGM • Flexibility of session topics and conference format • Focus on local issues - go beyond usual topics • Encourage individuals to “Have Their Say” • Enhance CURAC’s visibility and relevance in the region • Invite non-member associations to participate and become CURAC members • Easier to organize than the national conference • More affordable for attendees

  8. Collected Wisdom (1)Towards Regional Conference Success • Location • Reasonable access for attendees • Public transit if available • Maximum two- or three-hour drive • Reasonably priced hotels/motels nearby if needed • Cost • Conference fee should be low • Provide refreshments only, i.e. tea, coffee, water • Outside speakers if required should be pro bono • Keep operating expenses to a minimum

  9. Collected Wisdom (2)Towards Regional Conference Success • Conference format: • Select high-quality topics that spark debate for discussion in “buzz” groups • Provide many opportunities for individual participation • Arrange lunch near the conference site or in a large cafeteria where participants can gather at tables according to topic of interest • Similar to AROHE conference breakfast topic tables

  10. Collected Wisdom (3) • Conference organization: • Rotate hosting responsibilities (as in BC) • Share the load – volunteers from other groups can help host association with conference planning , e.g. BC groups • Hold the conference at a non-member institution? • Appoint a national executive member as regional conference coordinating facilitator or establish standing regional conference organizations • To provide assistance when needed • Cultivate connections with active personnel at possible conference sites • Coordinate with local retiree associations as well

  11. Collected Wisdom (4) • Make sure participants complete evaluation forms • Provides opportunity for more input from individuals • Ask for ideas for future conferences • Find out what went well, what could be improved, and what can be omitted next time • Example: Ambient noise in a room where there are several discussion groups makes listening very difficult for those who wear hearing aids or have other hearing problems • If possible, have “buzz” groups in separate rooms

  12. Most Essential for Future Regional Conference Success • Champions who will seize the idea …. and make it happen ------------------------- • Tarun Ghose’s pioneering work led the development of regional CURAC conferences ------------------------- • I would like to thank all those kind people who responded so promptly and helpfully to my emails asking for their opinions about regional conferences.

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