MARCH 19 - 21, 2021

Beyond just a meeting or conference event, symposiums were a key part of ancient Greek culture, a convivial party, where intellectuals, artists and leaders gathered over food, drinks and music to exchange ideas and engage in deep conversations. While changing circumstances continue to challenge every aspect of our lives, we wanted to push the boundaries of what a conference can be. In the year of Zoom, "Forward: The Rotaract Canada Symposium" is an innovative online conference designed to incorporate some of that ancient Greek symposium atmosphere to create a fun, dynamic space for inspiration and growth. 

Canada's first-ever national Rotaract conference will connect Rotaractors from coast to coast and bring world-class speakers, skill-building workshops, and relationship-building opportunities to the comfort of your home. Our event will explore leadership, innovation and sustainability, promoting discussion, collaboration and long-lasting connections with other passionate Rotaractors. The symposium will also be the first large-scale Rotaract training event in our region, providing tailored club officer and district Rotaract representative training sessions that will help set our Rotaract leaders up for success so they can turn their club's most ambitious projects into reality. Whether you are a long term, an incoming club director or a brand-new member, eager to meet fellow Rotaractors and learn more about Rotary, we welcome all crowds. Come learn about strategic planning and communications, sustainability, inclusion and much more! 

Canada is a great big country. Our region encompasses districts and clubs across Canada and many parts of the United States covered by binational districts. In the interest of making an event as accessible as possible, Rotaract Canada MDIO had already been scoping out an online conference instead of an in-person one long before the COVID-19 pandemic. Charging a modest amount in attendance fees allows us to invest in a professional webinar platform to ensure the event runs smoothly while keeping this a high-quality yet accessible event. Bring your club and save: clubs purchasing five tickets or more will receive a $5 discount on each ticket! Sponsoring Rotary clubs are encouraged to subsidize admission costs for their Rotaractors in part or in its entirety. 

A Conference By Rotaractors, For Rotaractors

Here at Rotaract Canada, we believe in the value of first-hand experiences, sharing practical knowledge and best practices. FORWARD: The Rotaract Canada Symposium is the result of a partnership between Rotaract Canada MDIO and the Rotaract clubs of Halifax, District 7820, Mount Allison University, District 7810, University of Alberta, District 5370, Vancouver, District 5040. Our diverse organizing committee brings a breadth of perspectives from across our region to create an experience that addresses unique needs and challenges. The people behind this event are Rotaractors like you and me, from different parts of Canada, from community and university clubs, who understand our organization's challenges and needs. This Rotaractor-organized event puts the Rotaract spirit in training to make it fun, dynamic and inspiring while leveraging world-class Rotary keynote speakers and accomplished trainers to deliver a one-of-a-kind experience. It's the knowledge and inspiration of Rotary reinvented.  

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Event Programme

Our programme will include keynote speakers whose stories will inspire you to reach new heights in your club's work in the community. It will also include a variety of breakout sessions and practical training. As interesting as every single session may be, your mind and your eyes will need a break. What do they say about millennials' attention spans again? idk, I forgot... The event will feature plenty of screen breaks as well as socials and opportunities to meet new friends, connect and network, just like at an in-person event!

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A full event programme is available by clicking here, but here's a quick overview!

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Friday, March 19, 8 – 9:30 p.m. ET.

• Networking Night

Saturday, March 20, 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET

• Opening Ceremonies

• Jennifer Jones: Passion, Perseverance, and Thinking Young

• Break

• Breakout Sessions: Tackling Implicit Bias, The Rotary Foundation Canada and Rotaract, Bridging the Gap: Rotary and Rotaract Relations Panel, Make M&M's: Make Membership Memorable.

• Lunch Break

• Breakout Sessions: Black in Rotaract, Building an Accessible Rotaract, More TBA.

• Vic Grosjean: Our Role in Sustainability & Ocean Conservation

• Interactive Social Session

• Brittany Arthur: The Power of Empathetic Leadership

• End of Day Notes

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Sunday, March 21, 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET

• New Day Remarks

• Valarie Wafer: Rotaract's Role in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• Break

• Club Officer & DRR Training Session 1

• Lunch Break

• Club Officer & DRR Training Session 2

• Interactive Social Session

• Brian Rusch: Coming Out Into Our Own Legacies

• Closing Ceremonies

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After Hours Events (Saturday & Sunday, 7 p.m. ET onwards)

Saturday

• Game Night: Join us as we play virtual versions of your favourite board games!

Sunday

• Project Showcase: Come see some of the greatest Rotaract clubs projects from across the country!

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