We look forward to a dynamic and eclectic array of programs at the 2006 C.O.O.L. Idealist National Conference at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Whatever your interests, learning style, or goals for attending the conference, you can be sure that there will be something incredible in store for you!
Friday Forums
To kick off the conference program, fourteen Friday Forums provide participants with
an intensive, half day-long immersion into a given topic. Forums can include reflection,
discussion, training, panels, and more, and are offered by one or more organizations with
unique expertise in the forum topic. Check back soon to see a list of the Friday Forums
offered this year.
Administrator Forum
While we know this event will make a deep impact on the lives and work of your students,
we also want it to do the same for you. Planned with a range of campus professionals in mind
— community service and service-learning staff, career services professionals, faculty,
and others — this half day-long session is a time to learn more about what others are doing
around the country, share best practices, connect with your colleagues, learn about new
ideas and resources, and spend some time reflecting on your work.
Opportunities Fair
The Opportunities Fair gives you and your students the chance to interact with representatives from more than 70 outstanding nonprofit organizations offering jobs, internships, volunteer opportunities, and innovative programs to bring back to campus. National and local (Nashville area) organizations will attend — all of them are eager to connect with your students and your programs.
All-Conference Celebration
On Friday night, conference participants come together for fun and inspiration — this
first evening of the conference is always an exciting time that helps participants
experience their connections to others. This high-energy event features entertainment,
music, a keynote speaker, and a student keynote speaker
(encourage your student leaders to apply!).
C.O.O.L. Idealist Awards
This year we will continue our tradition of recognizing outstanding individuals and campuses
that have demonstrated excellence in one of four different award categories. Nominate a person or program for an award!
Social Opportunities
After your students have spent the day learning, reflecting, and meeting new people, we provide a range of safe, fun, and casual social options on both Friday and Saturday nights. Students will have various opportunities to explore Nashville. You are welcome to join these activities or go out on the town with new and old friends and colleagues.
Workshops
These 90-minute sessions are intended to inform and educate on a variety of topics. Five
workshop blocks are offered — three on Saturday and two on Sunday — with about 30 options
per block (150 workshops total in various formats).
In order to best organize the conference program, we have created several broad tracks
that will run throughout the event. Some
workshops will fit into more than one track. This is our way of focusing the content and
helping you navigate through the available sessions.
(Click here to view track descriptions.)
Workshops are a great way to share your experiences and to facilitate conversation among
other conference participants. There may be an issue that you are well-informed and
passionate about or there might be a campus program you are especially proud of. Be sure
to check back soon for more informaiton on how to submit a workshop proposal!!
We encourage campus administrators to lend support to their students who are interested
in submitting a workshop proposal. We have also generated some online resources to help
students and other first-time presenters through the process of designing a workshop and
completing the online submission form.
(Download our Workshop Design Guide.)
(Download our Workshop Design Template.)
Senior and Junior Administrator Offerings
Throughout the administrators' track, there will be workshops geared toward junior
administrators (those relatively new to their field) and senior administrators (the
seasoned professionals). At the conference, all administrators will receive a guide to
the administrators' track, displaying which workshops are geared toward relative
newcomers and which are geared toward relative veterans. Though these workshops might
cover similar subject areas, they will assume different levels of experience.
Networking Breakfast
Campus administrators will have the opportunity to enjoy breakfast
with several of the nonprofit sponsors of the conference. This will be a chance for
administrators to ask questions of those in the nonprofit field and a chance for
organizations to connect with campus staff. This breakfast is an informal opportunity to
meet and greet and make some great connections along the way!
Student-Led Plenary Sessions
In addition to all these great options, there will be five to eight plenary sessions.
These sessions are mostly student-planned, student-led panel discussions, bringing
together leaders to engage in candid conversation with students. Dozens of incredible
and informative speakers will gather to discuss a variety of current topics. The
conference Student Planning Committee will be working
diligently to plan these sessions — check back here to see what they've come up with!!
Closing Celebration
After a weekend packed with so much activity and excitement, the Closing Celebration
brings the event to a close on a high note. This event will feature another keynote
speaker and another student keynote speaker. Check the conference website often to
find out the names of speakers.
For Administrators
