SOCIETY OF ACADIA UNIVERSITY
RECREATION GRADUATES (SAURG)
In 2011, a group of Acadia Recreation Graduates living in the Wolfville area, attended a meeting to discuss the idea of forming an alumni organization, and developing ideas as to how to best celebrate the 40th anniversary of the start of the Acadia Recreation degree program. Although the Recreation program began in 1969 as Recreation and Physical Education, 1972 was the first time that the university calendar made a distinction between the two laying out prescribed course for those interested in Recreation and those interested in studying Physical Education, although there was still considerable overlap in the curriculum.
There was enthusiasm expressed by the dozen or so in attendance at the meeting and it was agreed that the Society of Acadia University Recreation Graduates (SAURG) be established with an Interim Board of Directors, and under the authority of the new Board, a conference and reunion would be held. The first meeting of the Board took place January 7, 2012. As well as the conference and reunion planning, the Board developed bylaws and paperwork in order to become incorporated which it did on March 27, 2012. The purpose of the organization was to establish lifelong connections between graduates of the program through initiatives that promote connection, collaboration, and celebration.
What developed over the course of the next few meetings, was a plan to hold a weekend reunion the following May. A key point of discussion was whether graduates living throughout the country and elsewhere, would find it feasible to return to Wolfville for just a weekend reunion, especially those who had pursued careers in fields other than Recreation. It was decided to hold a professional conference for the two days prior to the reunion that would showcase societal issues faced by graduates who had gone into such fields as education, justice, and youth services in addition to recreation.
There was enthusiasm expressed by the dozen or so in attendance at the meeting and it was agreed that the Society of Acadia University Recreation Graduates (SAURG) be established with an Interim Board of Directors, and under the authority of the new Board, a conference and reunion would be held. The first meeting of the Board took place January 7, 2012. As well as the conference and reunion planning, the Board developed bylaws and paperwork in order to become incorporated which it did on March 27, 2012. The purpose of the organization was to establish lifelong connections between graduates of the program through initiatives that promote connection, collaboration, and celebration.
What developed over the course of the next few meetings, was a plan to hold a weekend reunion the following May. A key point of discussion was whether graduates living throughout the country and elsewhere, would find it feasible to return to Wolfville for just a weekend reunion, especially those who had pursued careers in fields other than Recreation. It was decided to hold a professional conference for the two days prior to the reunion that would showcase societal issues faced by graduates who had gone into such fields as education, justice, and youth services in addition to recreation.