Presidents’ Retreat
Connect and learn with fellow U of T club leaders
Apply to the President’s Retreat 2025 by July 17 at 11:59 p.m.
Take part in a two-day on and off-campus retreat with fellow U of T clubs leaders to connect, build leadership skills and make unforgettable memories together.
The structure of the Retreat has varied over the past few years but takes place over two days: one hybrid, and one in person, off campus! In the past couple years, club leaders have visited some stunning locations such as Crawford Lake and YMCA Cedar Glen.
Current presidents and executives of recognized clubs and student groups on the St. George campus can apply.
Join fellow club leaders to:
- Build leadership skills
- Share ideas and learn from each other
- Make a greater campus impact
- Create lasting connections (and maybe s’mores)
Engage in a variety of events and activities for connecting and supporting clubs leaders, including (but not limited to):
- Workshops (Speaker led, round table format, interactive activity based)
- Food and socializing time
- Keynote speaker
- Leadership in action activities
- Reflection activities
- Icebreaker/team building activities
The retreat takes place in mid-end of August every year. More information on the upcoming retreat and applications will be available in July.
2025 Presidents’ Retreat
Day 1: August 15, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (in-person, on-campus)
- Equity and identity session
- Dedicated networking time
- Roundtable discussion to learn from each other
- Keynote speaker
- Free lunch & swag!
Day 2: August 16, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. (in person at YMCA Cedar Glen – bus provided and leaves from 21 Sussex)
- Opportunity to meet student leaders from the Scarborough campus!
- High ropes and low ropes activities
- Leadership in action activities to build communication, team dynamics and personal leadership style
- Dedicated reflection time
- Free lunch & dinner
- Campfire with s’mores!
Transportation for successful applicants will be provided for Day 2 from 21 Sussex Avenue on campus.
Apply for 2025 Presidents’ Retreat
Apply to the President’s Retreat 2025 by July 17 at 11:59 p.m.
We encourage applications to take their time in applying as this is a highly sought-out opportunity with only a limited numbers of spots. Every application will be reviewed in depth and we encourage folks to show their authentic selves.
- What is President’s Retreat 2025?
It’s a two-day program tailored for the club presidents and executives who want to foster new connections, explore valuable resources and sharpen their leadership skills. - When is the program?
Day 1: August 15, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (in-person, on-campus)
Day 2: August 16, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. (in person at YMCA Cedar Glen – bus provided and leaves from 21 Sussex) - Can everyone be accepted into the program?
- There is a quota for those who want to attend Day 1 in-person following the room’s capacity.
- Only successful applicants will be invited to attend Day 2 because we can only accommodate a certain number of people on the bus.
- Can two or more persons from the same club attend the program?
We will prioritize one person from each club to have more diversity in terms of club leaders who join the program. However, if we have some spots available, it is permitted to have more than one person from the same club to join the program. - How are we going to go to YMCA Cedar Glen?
For successful applicants who are invited to join Day 2, we will provide transportation. We will gather on campus at 21 Sussex Avenue and depart together to YMCA Cedar Glen. After the program for Day 2 is done, we will stop by Kipling subway station before returning to campus, so for students who want to take the subway can get easier access. More details will be provided to successful applicants. - I am not a club president or executive, can I apply?
We will prioritize the club president and executive. - Is this CCR Recognized?
Yes, this is CCR Recognized - Is this free?
100% free - What will I get by attending this program?
- Connections with other club leaders, including club leaders from University of Toronto Scarborough on Day 2.
- Insights, tools, and knowledge that will enable you to be a better leader for your club and for yourself.
- Food and beverages during the in-person session.
- A certificate of participation.
- When will the registration open?
June 27 – July 17 - When will I get confirmation if my application is successful or not?
- Starting from July 21, we will send information to the successful applicants. You can expect communications from clubs@utoronto.ca.
- We expect successful applicants to reconfirm to make sure your spots are booked.
- For unsuccessful applicants, you might be offered to be included in the waiting list in case some of the successful applicants do not reconfirm or withdraw their application.
- What will be the topics and who will be the speakers in the program?
- There will be workshops about understanding ourselves as a leader, how to make an inclusive and positive club environment, and how to motivate & engage your members.
- There will be roundtable discussions about how to delegate effectively and how to manage conflict as a leader in our club.
- Can I register only for Day 1 or Day 2?
You are allowed to register only for Day 1 or Day 2. However, we will prioritize applicants who can attend on both days. On Day 2, you will have a chance to connect with student club leaders from University of Toronto Scarborough.
Workshop: Building Better Leaders: Crafting an Inclusive President Blueprint
Facilitator: Haneen Azzam
Haneen Azzam is an educator and community organizer with over 15 years of experience in education and community development across the Middle East, West Africa and North America. Haneen has worked in both community and post-secondary spaces with the bulk of her experience and research centering around supporting Palestinian, and other refugee populations, in Lebanon, Palestine and beyond. She’s passionate about program design, strategic planning, and outreach, and has worked extensively on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility initiatives—developing curriculum, leading trainings, and creating supportive team environments. In addition to her work, Haneen is an active community organizer in Toronto, coordinating grassroot initiatives in her neighborhood. In her free time she enjoys connecting with others over coffees, walks, playing sports and more!
Workshop: Engaging and Motivating Your Team as a Leader
Facilitator: Luki Danukarjanto
Luki is “the soft skills guy” – a career coach who found his purpose helping others find theirs! He is a former Big 4 management consultant, undergrad campus recruiting lead.
Starting out as a shy-introverted computer scientist who studied at University of Toronto Scarborough, he then moved out of his comfort-zone into management consulting,
then found his “calling” to be a career-coach.
He is the author of SIWIKE “Stuff I Wish I Knew Earlier” how to unlock your career potential and host of a podcast of the same name.
Luki is an educator as well as mentor for various youth, entrepreneurship and newcomer organizations around the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). He is also a dad and lifelong learner! Connect with him on LinkedIn.
Roundtable discussion: Effective delegation as a leader
Facilitators: Emma Paulus & Modele Kuforiji
Emma is a Student Life Officer at University of Toronto. She got both her Master’s of Education and Bachelor of Arts from studying at University of Toronto. During her undergrad, she was an active member in Innis College Student Society as she became a first year representative, commuter representative, vice president, and president of the society. After getting her undergraduate degree, she worked for more than 2 years at Innis College University of Toronto in several leadership roles.
Modele Kuforiji did his undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto (English Major double minor in Anthropology and Environmental Anthropology). During his final year of his undergrad at the University of Toronto he began working on his research about the online world through the lens of the Afro Latino. The research began in his undergrad allowed him to expand this idea into work for his master’s at the University of Amsterdam, here he continued to use the lens of Afro Latino Identity to explore ideas of “Space and Place” and what that means for those who are creating it.
Currently he is employed as the Student Engagement Coordinator, Black Student Engagement from Mentorship & Peer programs in the Division of Student Life. His role focusses on facilitating and creating pathways in which Black Student can engage in student life on campus in a way that feels accessible.
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