“I have never felt so eager to do good and change the community I live in than I am after this weekend.”
That was one of the opening lines of an email I received from a college student from Paterson, NJ after he attended the Student United Way Leadership Retreat.
For the past seven years our student conference has brought together hundreds of bright, passionate and caring young people who are eager to improve lives in their community. There are lots of reasons why you don’t want to miss this year’s conference (September 12-14 in Alexandria, VA). Here are the top five:
1. You get to experience our nation’s capital like a boss
Last year we took our students leaders to the White House for a briefing from administration officials. This year we’re taking our talents from executive branch to the legislature and touring the US Capitol Building.
Thanks to the #SUWLR UWDE made it to the White House!! Here's an Advisor and Delegate at the West Wing!!!!! pic.twitter.com/e6kr4eKCMj
— United Way Delaware (@UnitedWayDE) September 7, 2013
2. Learn practical skills that help you grow as a leader on campus and in your future career
Want to learn more about education, income and health issues? We got you covered. Want to learn how to run the perfect meeting and manage group projects online? We got you covered there, too. The learning sessions will even include a panel where you talk to young United Way professionals and learn how to leverage your volunteer experience to land your first job after college.
3. Our speakers will inspire you
At 24, Svante Myrick became the youngest and first African American mayor of Ithaca, NY. Go back in time a couple years and you learn he was a cofounder of the Student United Way of Cornell University. Go back a few more years and you’ll hear the amazing story of a community that came together to support Mayor Myrick when, he was a homeless youth.
Mayor Myrick stole the show in last year. You’ll have to attend this year’s conference to see what awesome speakers we have in store for 2014!
"Who you are is no more important than who you want to be." Still amazed by @SvanteMyrick! Thank you! #SUWLR pic.twitter.com/MrnEC0f1fy
— Alyssa Jean (@alyssajeanxoxo) September 8, 2013
4. You get to hang out with amazing people
And you get to hang out with them in Washington, DC.
#SUWLR the start of our retreat in front of the West Wing at the White House. It's been awesome weekend. pic.twitter.com/F2gfq1ZtE3
— Phill @ United Way (@ImpactingBC) September 8, 2013
5. It’s free!
Let’s be honest – you’ve probably attended much more boring events solely for the promise of free pizza. Our conference will train you to be a better community leader, connect you to amazing, like-minded people, and expose you to once in a lifetime experiences. And we’ll feed you. And give you LIVE UNITED swag to take home. All you have to do is get here and pay for your place to stay. The rest is on us.
So what are you waiting for? Register for the Student United Way Leadership Retreat today and take your campus by storm.