Call for Hosts: IMPACT National Conference

Posted by on November 26, 2012

If you have ever considered hosting the IMPACT National Conference, we are currently looking for hosts for the 2014 and 2015 conferences.

The conference is primarily organized by a National Planning Committee with support from the IMPACT Board. This system makes it so that the primary burden or responsibility does not fall on the host campus and there are all kinds of benefits to your institution as a whole and specifically to your service or civic engagement program.

If you are interested in having your campus host a future conference, the first step is to review the Request for Applications and the Key Criteria documents on the IMPACT Conference website http://www.impactconference.org/about-the-conference/host-the-conference/.

Please let me know if you are interested. I would be glad to have a conversation with you about the details.

Julianne Dunn
Chair, Host Campus Search Committee for 2014

For more information, visit the IMPACT Conference website at http://www.impactconference.org/ or contact the Host Campus Search Chair, Julianne Dunn, by email at jbdunn@clintonschool.uasys.edu or by phone at 501.683.5392.

Conference Overview:
The conference (under its different names over time) has historically been the largest convening in the nation on engaging college students in service, activism, politics, advocacy, and other socially responsible work. Since 1984, the conference has brought together student leaders and activists, campus administrators, and nonprofit professionals for three-four days of networking, training, sharing of best practices, and learning.

Highlights of the conference include:
•    Approximately 600 participants, including college students and staff from across the country who are actively and creatively engaged in service, activism, and civic life on their campuses and in their communities. Student-led workshops on a wide variety of topics, including leadership skills, international human rights, career development, campus dialogue models, and much more. Over 50 local, national, and international nonprofit organizations offering volunteer opportunities, jobs, internships, year of service programs, and more for students and administrators of all levels
•    Experiencing the power and inspiration of a national campus-based movement.

Benefits of Hosting the Conference include:
•    Hosting the conference raises the visibility of community service, service-learning, and civic engagement on your campus, including with senior university/college officials.
•    The college/university president or other senior official has the opportunity to welcome and address the conference participants. The process of preparing the president’s remarks often serves to deepen the president’s understanding and appreciation of civic engagement and service-learning at your institution.
•    Hosting provides the opportunity for a large number of your students, staff, and faculty to attend the conference.
•    Host campus students who get involved in organizing the conference gain valuable leadership skills and experiences.
•    Hosting the conference is also an opportunity for your institution to support and advance the field of community service, service-learning, and civic engagement.

Proposal Procedure:
Proposals should be submitted using the outline listed in the IMPACT Site Request for Proposals document at http://www.impactconference.org/about-the-conference/host-the-conference/. Successful proposals include proposed conference dates in February, available conference facilities, descriptions of lodging and transportation options, and information about the host campus and service/service-learning office. Any additional information that you think is relevant to our decision is welcome.