Getting the most out of the C.O.O.L. Idealist Conference
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In an effort to help students and administrators make the most of the 2006 C.O.O.L. Idealist National Conference,
we have put together some suggestions to enhance your experience before, during, and after the conference.
 Year of Service Members
Before the conference:
Think about what you would like to accomplish by attending this conference. Do you want to:
- Learn more about programs at similar organizations or campuses?
- Explore ways to create new programs or initiatives in your office?
- Network with other nonprofit professionals, campus administrators, and/or students?
- Learn more about the nonprofit sector, either personally or professionally?
- Rejuvenate yourself in the company of others in your field?
- Feed off the energy and passion of over a thousand young, idealistic students?
Think about why you are attending this conference and what you hope to gain from it. Do you want to:
- Explore a specific issue in more depth?
- Learn how to make your program stronger?
- Connect with other year of service members?
- Discover next steps as a year of service alum?
- Land an internship?
- Meet like-minded folks?
- Gain skills to help advance your career?
- Hang out in Nashville?
Try to come up with two to three personal goals that complete these sentences:
- After this conference, I will be able to
- After this conference, I will know
- After this conference, I will have met
Prior to the conference, read through the list of workshop offerings and note the ones that look interesting. With about 150 choices, choosing just five (one in each of the five workshop blocks) is often the most overwhelming part of the conference. You might want to mark a few during each block and rank them, as some might fill up quickly and you'll want to have a second or third choice ready to go!
Submit a proposal to present a workshop! If you would like to participate in the conference by presenting a workshop on a topic near to your heart, check back soon for more information about submitting a workshop proposal. If you've never presented a workshop before, be sure to download our online resources:
(Download our Workshop Design Guide.)
(Download our Workshop Design Template.).
Prepare your resume and bring several copies with you to the conference. Whether you're in the market for a job or interested in making connections for the future, having a resume on hand is never a bad idea!!
As mid-March approaches, check out the list of nonprofit organizations that will be present at the Opportunities Fair. Take some time to read through the list, research what they do, and mark who you would like to meet with at the fair.
Identify some activities in Nashville that you would like to do. There are all kinds of interesting places to go in and around Nashville — do some homework and make a list of all those things that you just can't miss!!
During the conference:
Network, network, network! This is your time to be fed with all kinds of information and experiences from other year of service members and nonprofit professionals. Be sure to connect with as many people as you can.
Collect business cards from the individuals you meet, and jot down notes on the back. Be sure to follow up with these folks after the conference to extend your personal and professional network. They are here to meet and develop long-term relationships with folks like you!
Don't be afraid to learn! While you're probably at the conference representing a campus or organization, this is also a fantastic opportunity to feed yourself with information about issues that are important to you. Don't hesitate to get in on conversations and discussions about issues that generate your own passion!
Write to presenters whose workshops you were unable to attend. Often, presenters are more than happy to share their notes or any other resources they might have with interested individuals. Though there are a lot of opportunities to learn throughout the conference, don't hesitate to extend your learning beyond the weekend!!
Keep a journal. Spend some time each day writing about your experiences — things you learned from workshops, people you met, thoughts that occurred to you, etc. Make sure that you don't lose these bits of information and reflection in the craziness of the conference!
After the conference:
Follow up with all of the good folks you met at the conference. Pull out those business cards and send a few emails or make a few phone calls. While the conference is a great opportunity to meet new people, it is often so packed with events that the deep and meaningful conversations have to happen later. Be sure that they do!
Connect with Idealist On Campus for trainings, ideas, events, and a multitude of other resources. We strive to provide a host of resources for students, administrators, and year of service members who are interested in making the world a better place. Send us an email, or give us a call — we would love to support your work in any way we can!
Thank whatever organizations or individuals provided funds for you to attend the conference. You would not have had this awesome experience without them!
Follow up with the other year of service members in your region, regardless of program or organization. Ask them what they've decided to do in their community after participating in the conference.
Meet with some of the folks in your community who you think would support your ideas for action. This might include:
- An ally at a local college or university
- The director of your regional, state, or national program
- Staff members at local organizations in your area, aside from your own
- Year of service alumni in your area
- Or a whole host of others.
Share with them your experiences at the conference and find out if they are interested in helping you pursue your ideas for change!
Keep in touch with us! Consider whether your community would benefit from connecting with Idealist On Campus through training sessions, networking possibilities, ongoing communication, or a variety of other initiatives. Email us at heather@idealist.org.
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