Schedule

Are you the best SG in America? Before you start boasting, even the finest SGs have lots of room for improvement. And just because you control millions in student fees and get quoted in the campus paper doesn’t mean that you’re truly appreciated, respected, and actually get things done for your fellow students. The nation’s “Super SGs” have some key characteristics in common. This is your chance to finally find out how yours stacks up against the best. By taking ASGA’s “SG Effectiveness Test,” you’ll learn about your strengths and weaknesses and will get guidance on setting priorities and realistic goals to improve your SG now.

Delivery Format: Lecture style because of the amount of information provided. The presenter encourages feedback through direct questions throughout.

Level of Interactivity (1–5, 5 being very interactive): 3

Learning Outcomes. After attending this session, participants should be able to:

• Understand the 13 key components that make up great SGs
• Know what to do first to improve
• Understand your SG’s current strengths and weaknesses

Many SGs make the same mistakes over and over, never learning from the past. In this workshop, you’ll discover the most common SG missteps, and most importantly, how to avoid these pitfalls during your term of office.

Delivery Format: Because of the significant amount of information provided in this session, it is presented in a lecture format. The presenter welcomes and encourages feedback through direct questions as well as fielding impromptu questions throughout. The presenter uses volunteers to illustrate key points.

Presentation Resources: The session utilizes Microsoft PowerPoint, as well as printed handouts.

Level of Interactivity (1–5, 5 being very interactive): 4

Learning Outcomes. After attending this session, participants should be able to:

• Understand the importance of learning from the mistakes of others
• Brainstorm your own list of mistakes to avoid at your institution

You are only as strong as your weakest link. The more you understand about the various personalities in your organization the more successful you will be. While there may be no “I” in team, understanding yourself can be the key to your success in SGA! Participants will take a personality inventory that will help them understand how they operate in a team and how to use that information to build a better SGA.

Delivery Format: This workshop utilizes a balance of engaging lecture format and individual and small group interactive activities that are self-reflective, thought-provoking and oriented toward skill-building.

Presentation Resources: The session utilizes visual display media (i.e. Microsoft PowerPoint), as well as printed handouts.

Level of Interactivity (1–5, 5 being very interactive): 4

Learning Outcomes. After attending this session, participants should be able to:

• Assess individual personality type
• Understand how individuals work in teams
• Understand how to utilize the assessment to create a better team environment

Your SG must do something real that matters to fellow students if you ever want to be respected and appreciated. This workshop will give real examples of innovative and exciting “signature programs” that are being used by SGs nationwide to get the attention of students and administrators. These programs will make your SG much-admired and “relevant,” and will help you with everything from member recruiting to voter turnout to relations with administrators.

Delivery Format: Because of the significant amount of information provided, it is presented in a lecture format. The presenter welcomes and encourages feedback through direct questions as well as fielding impromptu questions throughout.

Presentation Resources: The session utilizes Microsoft PowerPoint, printed handouts, and props.

Level of Interactivity (1–5, 5 being very interactive): 4

Learning Outcomes. After attending this session, participants should be able to:

• Be aware of the 800 programs you could bring to your campus
• Understand what makes a “signature program” and how do you find one that will work for you
• Understand which signature programs are best

Advising the Student Government is not just about keeping things running. It is about helping student leaders step up, make decisions, and leave a real impact on campus. But how do we, as advisors, set them up for success without taking over? This session will give you practical strategies to develop student leaders, keep them engaged all year, and help them navigate campus politics. Expect real talk, real examples, and real solutions you can take back to your campus. Gain new strategies and the confidence to empower your student leaders to succeed. Let’s make Student Government thrive!

Delivery Format: This workshop combines interactive activities with a lecture format to keep participants engaged in discussion.

Presentation Resources: The session utilizes visual display media (i.e., Microsoft PowerPoint).

Level of Interactivity (1–5, 5 being very interactive): 4

Learning Outcomes. After attending this session, participants should be able to:

• Equip Student Government advisors with practical strategies for developing leadership skills
• Embed leadership development throughout the year to keep student leaders motivated for long-term success
• Walk away with actionable tools to help student leaders navigate campus politics, and advocate effectively for change

When it matters, do you do the right thing? Have you ever had a dilemma to resolve in your SGA? What ethical principles does your SGA value? Come understand how developing a code of ethics is as important as setting your yearly goals. This interactive session will help participants gain hands on experience in thinking through ethical dilemmas and developing a code of ethics for their SGA.

Delivery Format: This workshop utilizes a balance of engaging lecture format and interactive small group activities that are self-reflective, thought-provoking and oriented toward skill-building.

Presentation Resources: The session utilizes visual display media (i.e. Microsoft PowerPoint), as well as printed handouts.

Level of Interactivity (1–5, 5 being very interactive): 4

Learning Outcomes. After attending this session, participants should be able to:

• Understand the definition of an ethical dilemma
• Learn how to problem solve ethical dilemmas
• Learn how to develop a code of ethical behavior in your SGA

The times we live in have exposed a major weakness for most Student Governments: our web sites are outdated, inaccurate, and just plain bad. Also, our social networks are drastically underutilized. This workshop will provide tangible instructions on how to improve our entire web presence.

Presentation Resources: This session utilizes the internet.

Level of Interactivity (1–5, 5 being very interactive): 4

Learning Outcomes. After attending this session, participants should be able to:

• Understand what should be included at our SG web site
• Learn how to utilize social media to engage our student body
• Recognize the importance of focusing on web/social media

We all like to think our SG can change the world, but the reality is more brutal. Even the greatest SGs in America are limited in their authority, “power,” and influence. Can you really stop tuition increases, get more financial aid from the federal government, and build a new parking garage? This brutally frank session tells the truth about which projects, issues, and programs you can take on successfully—and which ones are doomed to fail.

Delivery Format: Because of the significant amount of information provided in this session, it is presented in a lecture format. However, half of the workshop is an interactive exercise that includes all participants working in small groups. The presenter welcomes and encourages feedback through direct questions as well as fielding impromptu questions throughout.

Presentation Resources: The session utilizes Microsoft PowerPoint, as well as printed handouts.

Level of Interactivity (1–5, 5 being very interactive): 4

Learning Outcomes. After attending this session, participants should be able to:

• Understand which issues are impossible, possible, and probable to make a difference
• Understand how to prioritize your work on issues that are realistic
• Determine how much time to spend on lobbying

Student government leadership is rewarding and intense. You show up for others, but this session helps you focus on how to show up for yourself. Learn how to create a culture of care, build trust in your team, and stay grounded through the demands of the year. This session provides practical strategies for preventing burnout, improving your team’s dynamic, and leading with clarity. Expect honest reflection and peer connection. Walk away with a care plan that supports you and your team through real stress and pressure.

Delivery Format: This workshop uses reflective activities, small group discussion, and peer-to-peer feedback.

Presentation Resources: The session utilizes visual display media (i.e., Microsoft PowerPoint).

Level of Interactivity (1–5, 5 being very interactive): 4

Learning Outcomes. After attending this session, participants should be able to:

• Recognize signs of burnout in Student Government roles
• Identify ways to strengthen support and trust within your SGA team
• Build a care plan that supports sustainable and collaborative leadership

Have you ever stopped to think about how you lead? Have you ever considered the different voices of those you lead? Developing your leadership style takes time and experience. Let’s dive into understanding your leadership voice as a part of that journey! Do you like to focus on relationships? Are you the type of person who likes to get things done or are you the team strategist? Whatever your style, we all have the ability to lead followers through our authentic voice. Join me as we journey through this topic through an engaging series of questions and experiences.

Delivery Format: This workshop utilizes a balance of engaging lecture format and individual and small group interactive activities that are self-reflective, thought provoking and oriented toward skill building.

Presentation Resources: This session utilizes display media (PowerPoint) as well as printed handouts.

Level of Interactivity (1–5, 5 being very interactive): 4

Learning Outcomes. After attending this session, participants should be able to:

• Understand the leadership lens from where they operate
• Understand the 4 Needs of Followers
• Identify how to build trust on a team