What is the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations?

• Canadian Alliance of Student Associations, or CASA, is made a collection of student organizations representing over 250 thousand students across the country. It is a not-for-profit and member-driven and funded organization. Each student at StFX contributes to its funding by paying an annual membership fee of $3.91.

How does CASA operate?

• CASA operates on a grassroots model, empowering student leaders as the primary decision-makers who set priorities and guide its actions. Member associations elect or appoint delegates representing over 250 thousand students across Canada to participate in CASA's General Assemblies.

Who are the StFX Students’ Union delegates for CASA?

• The StFX Students’ Union delegates for CASA are the Vice-President of External Affairs (primary delegate) and the President (secondary delegate).

Who manages CASA and its operations?

• The General Assembly of CASA, also known as the membership, elects a Board of Directors. The Board oversees the Executive Director, who in turn manages the full-time Home Office staff. These positions are financed through the student membership fees.

How are the rest of the membership involved?

• The chairs of CASA’s standing committees are elected by the delegates and are composed solely of voting student members. These committees handle much of the groundwork that the organization does.

Who implements the priorities of CASA?

• The Board and the staff are responsible for implementing the priorities set by the elected delegates, ensuring alignment with the mission, vision, and values of CASA. Each year, the StFX Students’ Union Vice President of External Affairs and President meet with the rest of the membership for four key conferences throughout the year.

Key CASA Conferences

Spring: Foundations

• Location: Ottawa
• Objective: This inaugural gathering gives incoming delegates the opportunity to meet their counterparts from Student Unions and Associations nationwide. It's a platform for these delegates to comprehend their roles, grasp the essence of CASA, and determine CASA's advocacy priorities for the year. In addition, delegates receive media training, political updates, and a presentation by an Indigenous elder.

Summer: Policy and Strategy

• Location: The location changes annually as outgoing delegates bid for their Student Union/Association to host the event during the CASA Annual General Meeting each spring.
• Objective: This event focuses on the formulation of policies and strategies aimed at achieving the priorities established during the Foundations event. Most of this work is carried out within the standing committees.

Fall: Federal Advocacy Week

• Location: Parliament Hill, Ottawa
• Objective: CASA delegates convene with members of Parliament (MPs), staffers, and bureaucrats to represent students and advocate for the year's set priorities. For instance, in November 2016, CASA facilitated 160 meetings during Advocacy Week. For a comprehensive look at the subjects covered on behalf of StFX students, you can find CASA's 2016 Advocacy Week Booklet on Inclusivity and Innovation.

Winter: Annual General Meeting

• Location: The location changes annually as delegates bid for their Student Union/Association to host it during the Policy and Strategy conference in the summer.
• Objective: The meeting is an occasion to evaluate the work undertaken by the membership during the year and finalize projects. It also serves as a platform for committees to seek any final approval from the membership on decision-making items. Attendees receive presentations on financial statements, Board Officers, and CASA Home Office Staff. Furthermore, the membership also bids and votes on the next host for the Policy and Strategy conference.

What is Students Nova Scotia?

• Students Nova Scotia is an alliance of Nova Scotia post-secondary student associations. It represents students from universities and colleges across Nova Scotia. Membership consists of student leaders from Acadia, Cape Breton University, Saint Mary’s University and StFX.

How is Students Nova Scotia funded?

• Similar to CASA all member schools contribute a membership fee to fund the organizations operations. StFX students contribute to Students Nova Scotia through a membership fee. The fee is $5.99 annually for full-time students and $3.44 for part-time students.

What is the purpose of Students Nova Scotia?

• Students Nova Scotia unifies the voice of 20,000 students in Nova Scotia. It helps shape the direction of post-secondary education by researching challenges, proposing solutions, and establishing the political framework necessary for implementing these solutions.

How does the Students Nova Scotia Board work?

• The Students Nova Scotia Board convenes in person at least four times a year. These meetings rotate between the member institutions. In addition, the Board holds bi-weekly conference calls. These meetings are used to communicate between schools and establish organizational goals and objectives for the year.

Are there additional meetings beyond the monthly in-person and bi-weekly calls?

• Yes, Students Nova Scotia committees meet throughout the year at the discretion of the respective committee's Chair.

Who are the StFX Students’ Union delegates for Students Nova Scotia?

• At Students Nova Scotia, the primary delegate for the StFX Students’ Union is the Vice-President of External Affairs, and the secondary delegate is the President. In addition, if a school's primary delegate takes on the role of chair, that school gets to send an additional student delegate. At the StFX Students’ Union, this student is often another executive team member, but sometimes a student with a passion for advocacy is chosen from outside the SU.

Key StudentsNS Conferences

• The delegates from the StFX Students’ Union attend several important conferences throughout the year:

Spring: Transition Weekend

• Location: The location rotates between member Student Unions/Associations.
• Objective: This event serves as the first opportunity for newly elected or appointed delegates to meet their counterparts. Outgoing delegates also attend to assist with the transition process. It's a platform for new delegates to understand their roles and comprehend the workings of SNS.

Summer: Annual Planning and Annual General Meeting

• Location: The location rotates between member Student Unions/Associations.
• Objective: During this conference and meeting, SNS delegates decide on major projects for the year and assess the Strategic Plan. This meeting largely determines the working direction of the organization for the year.

Fall: Provincial Advocacy Week

• Location: Halifax
• Objective: This event sees SNS delegates meeting with Members of the Provincial Legislature, a.k.a. MLAs, staffers, and bureaucrats. The goal is to propose recommendations that would instigate positive change and impact students' lives beneficially.