Bring your big ideas

At the last conference, participating students were asked to share one thought for the future of Dalhousie. Here's Connor Pratt's thought.

Ever had an idea on how to make Dalhousie the best it can be? Ever set that great idea aside because you just didn’t know how to start?

Good news. Brains for Change, run by the DSU Launchpoint team, is here to help by fostering--and perhaps even funding--your idea.

“It doesn’t matter what the idea is about,” explains DSU Leadership Director Jamie Arron. “For us, it's a vehicle to engage students.”

By bringing together students from all faculties, and adding mentors from both the university and community, Brains for Change hopes to act as a forum for participants to build momentum around their ideas.

Shy about making your voice heard? “There’s roles for everybody,” assures Mr. Arron, “leading and supporting!”

Even if you haven’t hit upon your big idea for changing the world (or Dal) yet, Brains for Change is still a great place to start. “We’re targeting first and second year students. The whole process is designed to bring people in slowly, you’re not expected to have all the answers,” says Mr. Arron.

Here's another idea, this one by Mike Curry.

Jamie Arron is one of the many ‘brains’ behind Brains for Change. He understands first hand that committing the time to creating change on campus and in the community can be tricky for students who are juggling a full academic load.

“You have to be willing to say what your priorities are,” admits Mr. Arron, who is a fourth-year student in International Development Studies. “For me, hands on experience is just as valuable as classroom learning; they complement each other.”

Now in its second year, Brains for Change has its next event of the season coming up on
Saturday, January 22--a day-long conference designed to stimulate ideas and help students network with like-minded people. Last year’s event attracted more than 150 students. This year, organizers have made space for 200 and are hoping to fill every spot.

At last year’s Brains for Change conference, discussions centred around three themes:
classes, careers, communities. Out of a discussion on school spirit came the idea to create a
Dalhousie flag. The contest to find the perfect design kicks off at this year’s conference on the
22nd.

Mr. Arron says his favourite part of last year’s event was “seeing the momentum that
carried on afterwards.” Also memorable was the keynote speaker, politician Danny Graham, who had a hilarious reaction to realizing the craft supplies he had used to decorate his name tag had gotten all over his face.

“It was a great moment,” recalls Mr. Arron, “because it showed students that even a public figure can be an accessible guy.”

As for what exactly to expect at this year’s conference, Mr. Arron prefers to keep plans
under wrap. (Hint: balloons are involved.)

If you’re interested in adding your brainpower to the conversation, be sure to check out the Brains for Change for Change website. Students should register for the January 22 forum by Tuesday, January 18. E-mail launchpoint@dalleadership.ca.