CFI Summer Leadership Conference

The Center for Inquiry sponsors a summer conference each year for its campus affiliates. Besides the program provided, CFI sponsors travel grants (i.e. free flights) for a few members of our group, and the entire registration/hotel cost is only $35.

In addition, at least 3-5 meals will be provided for you at the HQ. In the evenings or before/after the program, there are lots of options for sightseeing and tourism, given the proximity to Niagra Falls and Buffalo. You can take a cab downtown to Buffalo and go clubbing, or to Niagra and cross the border into Canada. From CFI HQ in Amherst (map), it's about 30 mins to the Falls (map here), and about 20 mins to downtown Buffalo (map here).

In general, out of respect to the CFI, and in recognition of the amount of money they are willing to spend on getting us there, it is not advisable to miss more than one or two of the planned events they have for you. There should still be plenty of time to see the sights if you plan carefully and adjust your departure and arrival times accordingly.

In 2006, 5 of us attended the CFI 2006 SLC. We had a blast, and I learned a lot from the other group leaders and staff there, and implemented many of those ideas upon our return.

This year, three of our members, including both VPs, are going. Brandon, Ryan and Holly are being flown up to attend, and I'm sure they'll have a great time. This year's event is from June 15th to 17th.

The format is typically like this:

1. You are flown out of either Jacksonville or Orlando on Friday morning or Thursday evening to Buffalo, NY.
   
2. They meet you at the airport in a van and pick you up and take you back to your hotel.
3. Depending on your departure time, you may get in a few hours rest or free time to sightsee.
4. The hotel last year was within walking distance last year from the CFI headquarters, and from convenience and grocery stores (useful for beer runs).
   
5. Friday evening they usually have a small reception and welcome ceremony from Paul Kurtz.
6. Friday night is up to you. You can take a cab downtown to Buffalo and go clubbing, or to Niagra and cross the border into Canada.
   
7. On Saturday morning, you're bussed out to the HQ and fed well all day - 3 meals.
8. You'll attend various 1 hr. workshops and lectures, all of which are interactive and invite participation, on various topics. Last year's topics can be found here. This is basically the "meat" of the conference and the reason they fly you up there -- to learn and exchange ideas with other group leaders and staff.
9. On Saturday night, usually the whole group wants to go downtown to Buffalo, so they all take a van. Last year, we were out until roughly 3 AM. Before we went to the bars, we went to the original restaurant where the "Buffalo wing" was invented -- Anchor Bar -- and ate them. Spectacular.
10. Sunday is very relaxed as people are flying out at different times. Again, they'll feed you breakfast and lunch, and there are a few things for the people who will be there to go listen to and participate in.
11. Depending on your flight departure, you may or may not get to squeeze another trip to Buffalo or Niagra here.
    

That's pretty much the deal. There is no excuse for not sending our officers to this event every year, and taking advantage of the opportunities provided thereby. This should be uncompromisingly affixed to the group's calander each year -- a planned event for the sake of overall group growth and improvement.
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