CONFERENCE SESSIONS AND SPEAKERS
Following is a description of the conference sessions, along with the names of the moderators and panelists, and their titles at that time.
Is Leisure a Relevant Concept in 2012?
During this opening session, speakers presented their views on whether this notion of leisure had relevance in the world today. This session explored whether with our current lifestyles and the myriad of social, economic, environmental, and political issues we face, we are even capable of experiencing happiness or a state of holistic wellness. Moderator: Adam Barnett (2004). Community Outreach Facilitator (for Imagine Bloomfield).
Panelists:
During this opening session, speakers presented their views on whether this notion of leisure had relevance in the world today. This session explored whether with our current lifestyles and the myriad of social, economic, environmental, and political issues we face, we are even capable of experiencing happiness or a state of holistic wellness. Moderator: Adam Barnett (2004). Community Outreach Facilitator (for Imagine Bloomfield).
Panelists:
- Dr. Ron McCarville (1977) Leisure Studies Professor, Associate Dean, Applied Health Studies, University of Waterloo.
- Robin Norrie (1986) Manager of Recreation-Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation, Nova Scotia Department of Health & Wellness
- George Karlis (1987) Professor, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa.
- Meg Cuming (1999) Active Living Coordinator, Municipality of the County of Kings
The role and meaning of Higher Education in community today
In this session, the role and meaning of the formal education system was examined looking at whether a system conceived of more than a century ago still had relevance in 2012 and to what extent are students were acquiring knowledge and tools for the 21st century? Moderator: James Sanford (1987). Senior Director, Student Affairs, Acadia University.
Panelists:
In this session, the role and meaning of the formal education system was examined looking at whether a system conceived of more than a century ago still had relevance in 2012 and to what extent are students were acquiring knowledge and tools for the 21st century? Moderator: James Sanford (1987). Senior Director, Student Affairs, Acadia University.
Panelists:
- Keith Publicover (1985) Motivator, Innovator, Change Agent
- Jackie Oncescu, Program Coordinator (2003, ’06). Faculty member and Coordinator, Global Studies Program, Algonquin College.
- Kelton Thomson (2007) Student Services, Manager Residence Services, UPEI
- Alex Atkinson (2012) Current Graduate
How to build community wellness
Although ‘sense of community’ remains critical to the individual health and wellbeing, many factors exist that threaten to and actually diminish the quality of community wellness. Ways and means of building key aspects of the social fabric of communities were addressed. Moderator: Dawn Stegen (1987) Director of Regional Services- Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation, Nova Scotia Department of Health & Wellness
Panelists:
Although ‘sense of community’ remains critical to the individual health and wellbeing, many factors exist that threaten to and actually diminish the quality of community wellness. Ways and means of building key aspects of the social fabric of communities were addressed. Moderator: Dawn Stegen (1987) Director of Regional Services- Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation, Nova Scotia Department of Health & Wellness
Panelists:
- Marilyn Johnson (1975). Director of Recreation & Parks, Municipality of the District of Shelburne.
- Rev. Wilma Janzen, (1987, 2008) Facilitator, St. Luke's Renewal Centre, Springhill Institution.
- Gabrielle (Riley) Gallagher (2003) Active Living Coordinator, Halifax Regional Municipality
- Oonagh Proudfoot (1993, 2006 ) Manager, Student Support-Student Affairs, Acadia University
Youth in community: asset or liability?
This session explored the meaning of adolescence in society and what role youth can and should play within communities. Speakers explored why youth are often perceived as liabilities rather than assets, what assets youth bring to communities, what unique challenges youth face today that other generations did not, and how to create youth friendly communities. Moderator: Linda Atkinson (1978) Director, Nova Scotia Child and Youth Strategy
Panelists:
This session explored the meaning of adolescence in society and what role youth can and should play within communities. Speakers explored why youth are often perceived as liabilities rather than assets, what assets youth bring to communities, what unique challenges youth face today that other generations did not, and how to create youth friendly communities. Moderator: Linda Atkinson (1978) Director, Nova Scotia Child and Youth Strategy
Panelists:
- Vicki Corley Weaver (2000), Recreation & Physical Activities Coordinator, Municipality of the County of Cumberland, Nova Scotia
- Leah Levac (2001) Program Innovator, Centre for Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship, Renaissance College, UNB
- Hannah Feldberg (2004) Director-Leadership, Me to We, New York.
- Amanda Penrice (2010) Coordinator: Middle Childhood Matters Coalition, Toronto.
Finding our place in the global village
Technology has created the concept of global village which can be resided in physically or virtually. This session investigated the outer boundaries of the global village and what our participation in it means both to other communities and to those who venture into them. The knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to be a global explorer and contributor were discussed. Moderator: Mary Sweatman (2003). Part time Faculty member, Department of Applied Human Science, Concordia University, Montreal.
Panelists:
Technology has created the concept of global village which can be resided in physically or virtually. This session investigated the outer boundaries of the global village and what our participation in it means both to other communities and to those who venture into them. The knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to be a global explorer and contributor were discussed. Moderator: Mary Sweatman (2003). Part time Faculty member, Department of Applied Human Science, Concordia University, Montreal.
Panelists:
- Helen Green (1985) Managing partner/Vice President, Marketing- International, Study Abroad Canada, Charlottetown, PEI.
- Simone Jucker (2001) International Trade and Development Consultant. Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Rachel Bedingfield (2002) Physical Activity Consultant - Central Region Coordinator of Active Halifax Communities, NS.
- Eric MacKenzie (2006) Community Recreation Coordinator, 14 Wing Greenwood, NS.
Environmentally sound living
It’s human nature to want to explore our environment but as we wander around we are leaving large footprints upon mother earth. It is critical that we discover ways of pursuing more sustainable practices as individuals, organizations, and communities. This session provided insight into how to live a more environmentally aware lifestyle, personally and professionally. Moderator: Debra Ryan (1980) Recreation Manager, Annapolis County Recreation Services
Panelists:
It’s human nature to want to explore our environment but as we wander around we are leaving large footprints upon mother earth. It is critical that we discover ways of pursuing more sustainable practices as individuals, organizations, and communities. This session provided insight into how to live a more environmentally aware lifestyle, personally and professionally. Moderator: Debra Ryan (1980) Recreation Manager, Annapolis County Recreation Services
Panelists:
- Jane Murphy, (1996) National Director, Trail Trans Canada Trail
- Dave Wright (1998) Environmental Legislative Auditor, Office of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development / Office of the Auditor General of Canada
- Andrew Bonnell (2000) Director of Standards, Tim Horton Children's Foundation
- Rachel Eisener (2013) Acadia’s First Farmer in Residence.
Sport matters: Or does it really?
There has existed a long held belief that sport is good for individuals, their communities, and for society yet the media is full of examples where this is not the case. If there is inherent value in sport, how can the positive outcomes be strengthened and the negative effects diminished? Moderator: Amy Duncan (2004) Executive Director, PEI Curling Association
Panelists:
There has existed a long held belief that sport is good for individuals, their communities, and for society yet the media is full of examples where this is not the case. If there is inherent value in sport, how can the positive outcomes be strengthened and the negative effects diminished? Moderator: Amy Duncan (2004) Executive Director, PEI Curling Association
Panelists:
- Margaret Tibbo (Muggs) (1977) Recreation Specialist/Clinical Leader, The Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre, St John’s, Newfoundland
- Andrew Trites (1998) Specialty Representative-Immunology, Division of Gastroenterology, Abbott Laboratories Canada, New Brunswick
- Nicole Phipps (2008) Coordinator, Events & Hospitality, Acadia University. NCCP level 3 certified coach and a Nova Scotia Basketball Officials level 3 certified referee
- Nicole Larade (2010) Community Sport Development Coordinator: South Shore NS.
Is technology building or destroying our sense of community
Technology has provided us with tools that can instantly connect us to others in every part of the world and to one another every minute of the day whether we want to be or not. This session explored how time spent in virtual communities is impacting life in the communities in which we reside. Moderator: Carol Davis-Jamieson (1974) Central Regional Representative-Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation-NS Department of Health and Wellness
Panelists:
Technology has provided us with tools that can instantly connect us to others in every part of the world and to one another every minute of the day whether we want to be or not. This session explored how time spent in virtual communities is impacting life in the communities in which we reside. Moderator: Carol Davis-Jamieson (1974) Central Regional Representative-Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation-NS Department of Health and Wellness
Panelists:
- Carroll Randall (1976) former Director of Recreation Services, Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (retired).
- Dr. Charlene Shannon (1996) Associate Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology-University of New Brunswick
- Marie-Claude Du Cap (2002). Student life counselor, cultural and international projects. Cégep de Saint-Jérôme, Quebec.
- Heather MacDonald (2009) Program Manager, NS Junior Achievement.
Putting fun into the workplace
As people spend more time working and the mental health of the nation declines, do we need ways to recreate ourselves after work as was the case during industrial times, or can the workplaces become ‘fun friendly’? This session looked at means of making the workplace better for our mental health. Moderator: Lara Abramson (2009) Development Coordinator, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Panelists:
As people spend more time working and the mental health of the nation declines, do we need ways to recreate ourselves after work as was the case during industrial times, or can the workplaces become ‘fun friendly’? This session looked at means of making the workplace better for our mental health. Moderator: Lara Abramson (2009) Development Coordinator, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Panelists:
- Donna Hendy (Kean) (1988), Organizational Change Management, Nova Scotia Public Service Commission
- Tyler Hayden (1996) Professional Speaker, Team Designer and Author
- Cindy James (1986) Manager: Marketing and Business Development, Centre for Entrepreneurship Education & Development
- Erin Sarsfield (2002) Change and Human Performance Business Consultant
Conference Wrap Up
This wrap up session will feature a brief summary of key points from each session in addition to a closing plenary delivered by Dr. Jude Hirsch. Jude will weave together the threads of the diverse sessions into a tapestry of understanding of the global societal impact of graduates of the Acadia recreation program over the past four decades.
Facilitator: Dr. Jude Hirsch, Chair, Department of Outdoor Education, Georgia College.
This wrap up session will feature a brief summary of key points from each session in addition to a closing plenary delivered by Dr. Jude Hirsch. Jude will weave together the threads of the diverse sessions into a tapestry of understanding of the global societal impact of graduates of the Acadia recreation program over the past four decades.
Facilitator: Dr. Jude Hirsch, Chair, Department of Outdoor Education, Georgia College.