Conferences

State Conference

The 56th Annual State Conference will take place at Bishop Watterson High School in Columbus, Ohio.

The OASC State Conference is a state-wide Conference for all schools that hold membership in the Ohio Association of Student Councils. Non-member schools are not permitted to attend because this Conference is the official business meeting of the organization. the election of the student and adult representatives to the Executive Board, a "state of the organization" report, keynote speakers, small group discussions and other sharing activities highlight this three day event.

Registration starts Thursday evening around 6:30 PM, the first session starts at 8:00. Thursday evening has plenty of time to meet people, see old friends, look at the Hall of Ideas and other activities while school register. The Opening Session will introduce the Conference to delegates and have presentations from various OASC and host school personnel. After the Opening Session delegates will meet their host families and head "home" for the night. Friday opens with the First General Session in which there will be a Keynote Speaker. After the First General Session there are small group workshops for High School Delegates, Middle Level Delegates and Advisors. Lunch is at noon. More discussion groups follow. Around 3:30 delegates depart for host homes and change for the Banquet. Around 6:00 delegates and advisors assemble for the Banquet and after that, the Dance. Everyone returns home at 11:00. Saturday features the election of new State Representatives, another discussion group and ends the Conference with the Second General Assembly. The Conference ends around 12:30 PM.

Important: All student delegates are required to arrive on Thursday night and are to stay until the last session Saturday afternoon. If a student can't be at the Conference the whole time, do not register that student. Students can't leave and return to the Conference, arrive late, or leave early.

Registration

The official "State Conference Mailer" will be mailed to CURRENT OASC member schools in January. Registration is done by school. Your student council adviser will know how to sign you up if you attend an OASC member school. If you are an adviser and have not received forms by a date six weeks before the Conference, please call the OASC office to have them sent to you. Each school may send a delegation of five students. However, the following do not count in the five, but have separate registration forms:
  • Advisers / Principals
  • Middle Level Staff (High School Students who Teach)
  • Senior High Discussion Group Leaders
  • OASC Executive Board Members
  • Middle Level ALT Students (Advanced Leadership Training)

ALTs and Staff Members will receive their own forms at their home that advisers may need to sign.

To greatly expedite your check-in, your whole school delegation should arrive together and have health forms ready.

Suggested Items to Bring

  • Your Health Form (see below)!
  • Appropriate dress (see below).
  • A notebook and pen.
  • Information to share on activities you do at your school.
  • A camera.
  • A gift for your host family.
  • An open mind to new ideas.

More Information

  • Luggage: With so many students coming to the Conference, it is very important for you to label every piece of luggage and bag that belongs to you. Be sure to label hanging bags, small bags, as well as the larger pieces of luggage. If something is misplaced this will make it easy to locate.
  • Medical Form: A student medical form is enclosed in the Conference mailer. It is vital that the form is completed and you have it ready to be turned in during registration. Again, you MUST have this medical form to register.
  • Thank You: Student delegates will be staying in the homes of the people of the Conference community. Show your thanks and appreciation for your host home before you leave. In the past, some students have brought a card and small gift from home as a token of their thoughtfulness. Please take the time and effort to say thanks!
  • Changes: Registration for Conference is important. It determines our meal counts and the number of the different items we order for each person. We do not want to be short, but OASC can't afford to over order. So, please be sure that if you can't attend, to write the OASC Office to cancel your registration. We can only issue refunds if we receive your written notification several weeks before Conference. You can substitute one delegate for another as long they are the same sex. Again this must be received by the OASC Office several weeks before the Conference in writing. Any registration not cancelled before the cancellation deadline will be charged for.
  • Dress: State Conference is the Annual Business Meeting of OASC. We ask that all participants dress appropriately. Shorts, sweat outfits, halter tops, and similar type dress should not be worn during the Conference. It is important that all delegates and advisers follow this guideline. Show your class! In the last couple of years, students and advisers have complained that not everyone follow this guide. Please help us maintain a "class and style." Every adviser is to monitor their delegates. If we all follow this simple guide, it will make our Conference better. In addition, everyone will need appropriate clothes for the banquet / dance. It is a dress up affair. Gentlemen should wear coats and ties and ladies should wear nice dresses / outfits.
  • Housing: Student delegates and staff will be housed in homes that are officially designated as a "Host Home for the OASC State Conference." No student is permitted to change his or her housing nor stay anywhere else. In addition, our policy does not allow student to commute to and from their host home. Finally, students from the same school will be divided up. This helps mix students from all over Ohio and it provides a greater opportunity for meeting new people. Advisers will take care of their own housing arrangements.
  • Sales: OASC will have available all items that we sell throughout the year. Tee-shirts, pins, button, and various books on student council are some of the things your can purchase. You may want to bring extra money for this. In addition, our special Conference shirt will be on sale.
  • Emergencies: Your parents can contact you in case of an emergency. The phone number for this will be in the registration information. Leave this number with them, but be advised that it is difficult to reach students immediately. In addition, please leave the telephone umber of your host family with your parents. (Reminder - all calls made from the school or from a host home should be collect or credit card.)
  • Questions, Comments, Concerns? If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to write or call the OASC Office in Canton. Please do not call the Host School for more information. Middle Level Staff members should contact Connie Miley with questions.