Find your inner leader

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: DESIGNED BY DARBY MOUSSEAU
Students have the opportunity to attend a free conference on Feb. 4 to help bring out their inner leader. They will be provided a free breakfast, lunch and a chance to win a laptop.

In collaboration between the Fanshawe Student Union (FSU) and Fanshawe, students are presented the opportunity to attend Launching Leader, a one-day student leadership conference.

The event will take place Feb. 4 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Alumni Lecture Theatre, D1060.

“The student leadership conference is a great opportunity for students not just to learn skills on how to become a leader but also to be able to network within other students from different programs,” said Rubelyn Smith, campus life facilitator with the Student Academic Success Services.

According to Smith, the conference is also a chance for students to add to their co-curricular record.

“[The conference] counts for 10 hours of the activities they do so with this conference plus an additional workshop,” Smith said. “They would be able to complete their co-curricular record.”

In addition to aiding students in building their skills, it is also free for full-time students to attend and they will also be provided with a free breakfast, lunch and a chance to win a free laptop.

With full stomachs, Smith is hoping the conference will help each student find their inner leader.

“Our goal is that students really see the potential in them,” Smith said. “A lot of students think they need to take multiple courses to be a leader, but I feel like internally we already have that within us, we just have to get it out of us.”

The conference will be set up in such a way that no matter the learning style of the student, they will find something for them.

“This conference will be interactive and will include workshops, advice, practical application and takeaways,” Smith said. “If you don’t know if you’re a leader, this conference is for you. If you want to be a leader, this conference is for you. If you’re already a leader, then this conference is definitely for you.”

And to help trigger your inner leader, entrepreneur, motivational speaker or rock star, mentor Paula Morand will be attending as the keynote speaker.

“[She] will talk about bold courage using her high energy and humour to give you a better understanding of the foundations for becoming a leader who impacts,” Smith said.

Morand will also be the facilitator for the Emerging Leaders breakout sessions.

To register for the conference go to fanshawe.ca/leaders or at a table that will be set up in B cafeteria all week.

According to Smith, students will receive an extra ballot to win the laptop if students sign up in person at their table.

“We want to find out as service providers what it is that we can offer students,” Smith said. “This is a great way for us to find that out.”