LIVEBLOGGING – SSC Retreat – Monday Night/Tuesday Morning

A general description can be found here.

Almost 20 members of Sikh Students Associations from across California made the icy trek up to Big Bear Lake.  Although there were late arrivals, students from over 7 universities checked in to the cabins by 8pm.

Taking a 1.5 mile walk in the cold, the participants found their way to the Jakara classic – Denny’s – and sat down to enjoy their first meal together.  The group then returned to the cabins for the invocation and start of the retreat.

The first discussion centered on Leadership and Sikhi: The Role of the SSA.

The shabad discussed to begin looking at a Gurmat-vision of leadership, based on humility, inclusivity, and restrain can be seen here.

Next the group began discussing expectations of the retreat.  High on the agenda were:

1. Leave with concrete steps to deal with the myriad of problems concerning SSAs
2. Increase communication between SSAs (possibly a shared SSA blog)
3. Create a repository for best practices, procedures, and resources

The group concluded the evening with Kirtan Sohila.  Tuesday will be a long day.  You can see two members getting ready for it!

Agenda

Monday – 12/28
6-8pm Check-In/Dinner/Intros
8-9 – Leadership in Sikhi and the role of the SSA
9-10 Discussion/Expectations
10pm – Kirtan Sohila

Tuesday – 12/29
8-9am – Japji Sahib/Kirtan
9-10 – State of the SSAs – Past and Present
10-11 – Successes and Best Practices – discussion
11-12pm – Mission of the SSA – Mission statement activity
12-1pm Lunch
1-2pm – The Sikh Students Collaborative
2-3pm – Starting an SSA / Recruitment, Retention, and Expansion
3-5 Event Planning – What type of events? On Campus, Intra-SSA Collaborations, and Beyond Sikhs
5-6pm Free Time
6-7:30pm Fundraising
7:30-8:30pm Rehraas
8:30-10:30pm Excursion

Wednesday – 12/30
9-10am – Japji Sahib/Kirtan
10-11am – On Campus Gurbani
11-11:30am Wrap-Up

Pictures soon to follow!  Together, we are the movement.