7th Annual
North Country Symposium Information
Date
and Time:
Wednesday evening, April 1, 2009, Registration begins 6:30pm, Thursday April 2, 2009 registration begins at 8:30am, Event from 9:00am to 5:00pm
Location:
Eben-Holden Conference Center
St. Lawrence University
Canton NY, 13617
To find the Eben Holden Conference Center, from the main intersection in downtown Canton, New York, proceed south on Park Street through the St. Lawrence University campus. Signs and parking attendants will direct you to the appropriate parking lots and the Eben Holden Conference Center. For a map of the St. Lawrence University campus, go to http://www.stlawu.edu/campusmap/.
Registration Materials:
Registration Form
Program Overview
Symposium Program
Theme:
“Opportunities for Sustainable Growth in Today’s Economy”
This year’s North Country Symposium, the 7th annual conference, takes place amidst economic conditions in both the region and nation that have not been seen in several decades. Some commentators have gone so far as to use the terms “uncharted waters” and “depression.”
The Chinese pictogram for “crisis” contains two ideograms – one for “danger” and the other for “opportunity.” Despite the sense of imminent crisis and its related challenges, our strong North Country communities and natural resource base present genuine opportunities for sustainable growth. This year’s North Country Symposium explores how the “crisis” provides opportunity, not just danger.
The opening session of the Symposium this year will be on Wednesday evening, April 1, when the nature of the “crisis” as it relates specifically to our region will be explored as well as a preview of some ways in which opportunities exist within today’s limited economy. The following day, Thursday, April 2, the Symposium will go into full swing, both to explore the work of groups creating sustainable development initiatives on the local level, and also to meet with the Symposium’s “Action/Research Teams” to plan for work in the coming year.
Presentations/Schedule:
| Wednesday, April 1 |
| 6:30pm |
Registration |
| 7:00pm |
Welcome and Background on Symposium
Today’s Economy and its Impact on the North Country
Karen St. Hilaire, St. Lawrence County Administrator
William Vitek, Clarkson University
Progress Reports on Symposium Initiatives
Energy Team; Education Team; Agriculture & Food Team
Response and Keynote Preview
Jeff Yost – President and CEO, Nebraska Community Foundation
|
| Thursday, April 2 |
| 8:30am |
Registration |
| 9:00 |
Welcome and Background on Symposium
James Shuman, Chair, Symposium Steering Committee
Keynote: “The Nebraska Experience – Success Stories and Challenges for 2009”
Jeff Yost – President and CEO, Nebraska Community Foundation |
| 10:00 |
Break |
| 10:15 |
“News Report” on Wednesday Evening’s Symposium
David Somerstein, North Country Public Radio |
| 10:30 |
“Silver Linings: Opportunities within the Current Economic Crisis”
The North Country Regional Foods Initiative –
Katherine Lang, Cornell Cooperative Extension
New Training for Home Performance Contracting & Weatherization –
Kathy Del Guidice, SUNY Canton
New Business Development Programs –
Greg Slack & Jessica Kelly, Clarkson University |
| 12:00 |
Lunch |
| 12:45pm |
“Silver Linings: More Opportunities within the Current Economic Crisis”
North Country Health Initiatives –
Anita Merrill, Director, Northern Area Health Education Center
Coordinated Transportation Initiatives –
Nancy Robert, Transportation Coordinator, SLC Planning Office
Biofuels and Local Energy Initiatives –
Patricia Green, Community Energy Services
|
| 2:15 |
Instructions to Action/Research Teams and Questions to Consider |
| 2:30 |
Break |
| 2:45 |
Action/Research Team meetings |
| 4:15 |
Reports from Action/Research Teams
Responses from Keynote Speaker
Closing Comments |
| 5:00 |
Adjournment |
Who May Attend?
Anyone with an interest in the future of the North Country!
Registration:
Registration materials are available online (Registration Form)
We ask that you pre-register so that we may secure the space and food appropriately.
You may mail your registration form by Monday, March 30, 2009, to the address listed.
Alternatively, you may fax your registration information to 315.229.7423.
You may also email the completed registration form to gabogo07@stlawu.edu
Fees: While no fee is charged this year, we ask that you pre-register. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Questions?
Doug Welch, Coordinator
North Country Symposium
St. Lawrence University
Canton, NY 13617
315.229.5631
dwelch@stlawu.edu
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