Two weekends ago, six of us SAA members attended the 2015 District 1 CASE ASAP conference at Fairfield University in Connecticut. We represented UMass Amherst and the SAA here, and were one of eighteen schools present from across the Northeast. It was an eventful two days packed with school spirit, SAA pride, and inspirational ideas – not to mention great food and fun!
The gist of the conference is to get Student Alumni Associations or their counterparts from across the region talking – networking, sharing their successes, and exchanging their tips and tricks about how to build a successful organization. Between the six of us attending on behalf of UMass, we attended about 25 different seminars and presentations about recruitment, engagement, and traditions at other universities. Specific topics ranged from comprehensive social media training to creative recruiting of new members, and everything in between. Our very own Sara Hickey and Maddy Monahan hit the ball out of the park with their presentation on Commencement Ball. All of us took away valuable skills that we are excited to share with the home group, and we hope to see the inclusion of some new ideas in the coming semesters!
Other highlights included a thought-provoking keynote address by Karen Donoghue, Fairfield U.’s Dean of Students; a healthy dose of spirit- and mascot-based competition between the schools in attendance; and a jaw-dropping three-course lunch that closed out the weekend. Fairfield University’s SAA and Stags Give Back groups did an impressive job hosting all of us on their beautiful campus.
The last event before headed back to Amherst was the annual District 1 Awards Ceremony. The UMass SAA received two awards: first, for Outstanding Internal Program, we were recognized for our stellar Fall Retreats. Then, for Outstanding External Program, we were highlighted for our exceptional Commencement Ball tradition.
The CASE ASAP conference was truly a spectacular experience. Not only did we gain fantastic skills and insights into the best ways to present ourselves and our organization, but we also had a great time doing it! We shared of our successes, got great ideas in return, all while making valuable connections. We are eager to impart what we have learned – and to attend the national conference this summer!
Dan Riecker
Check out some pictures from the conference
Dan with his SWAG bag
We might not be in the next Olympics but we had fun ice skating.
We won, check out our awards!!!!
