Conference is a new project by the MSA that is centered around providing an educational and communicative experience for our community. Currently, conference is led by a small, closed committee consisting of Board and other members-at-large with specific interest in conference.
Firstly, the goal of conference must be determined. There is an ongoing discussion about whether conference should be a solidarity event with other Berkeley affinity groups in order to build connections with them and assisting other communities within Berkeley, or whether conference should be a faith-centered event with other MSAs from across the state to discuss pressing issues with the collegiate ummah.
Secondly, speakers and workshops for conference must be determined. This is dependent upon the previous decision, but prior attempts to reach out to speakers have been difficult so a partnership with a larger Muslim organization may be necessary to gain the connections and funding necessary to do so.
Conference is run by a closed ad hoc committee whose members include board and members at-large with specific connections to the project. The Conference Head should consist of someone other than a Board member at the discretion of the committee. Because it is a year-long project, the committee head must be prepared to serve for a year. Ideally, conference becomes an overarching project for all the committees to contribute towards, but that depends on the decisions of future conference committees.
