National Association for Student Activities

NA4SA Summer Workshop

Don't get tied into knots over trying to find new ideas...we've got the answer!

We invite all Activity Advisors to JOIN US for our annual NA4SA Summer Workshop! Started in 2018, and formerly known as the National Activity Advisors Clinic (NAAC), this event represents a rebirth of the classic "Advisor Fly-In" weekend, where activity advisors from throughout North America come together for a weekend of hands-on training, networking, idea sharing, and good old-fashioned FUN!

Our Summer Workshop is not another National Conference on Student Activities - it is a virtual event that is more intimate and focused on specific skills, ideas and activities that you can take and use right away. You'll leave our Summer Workshop invigorated, excited, and loaded with new ideas to bring back to your school - just in time for a new school year!

2024 Conference Portal - Registered attendees can CLICK HERE to access the 2024 National Activity Advisors Clinic Portal to view recorded content. You will need the unique username and password sent to you by e-mail to enter the portal.

JOIN US on Saturday August 23, 2025!

Our 2025 NA4SA Summer Workshop is an affordable VIRTUAL event designed to kickoff the new school year with valuable networking, idea sharing and hands-on activities that you can take and use right away!

Veteran activity advisors know that one of the things that keeps them going year after year is a support network of other like-minded activity advisors. Sharing ideas, reaching out when issues arise, and just the camaraderie of people who know the importance of developing student leaders through activity participation all contribute to longevity in their positions.

One more opportunity to build that network and learn some new skills to get the school year off to a good start is the NA4SA Summer Workshop, which will be hosted this year by the Texas Association of Student Councils (TASC) on Saturday August 23, 2025. The focus of this year's Summer Workshop will be "Leadership for Good" through contributing to the professional growth of activity advisors from a wide range of school groups. Veteran advisors and experts in the field will be sharing some of their resources and ideas that you can bring back, adapt for your own use, and implement on DAY ONE. Our goal is to offer the resources you need to provide a more rewarding leadership experience to your student leaders...and advising experience to YOU!

To keep the experience affordable and allow participation for advisors from across the country, the clinic will be held virtually through Zoom from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. With sessions that appeal to all types of activity advisors – clubs, class council, student council, leadership class, and more – attending this clinic is a great way to ensure a successful start to the school year for both veterans and beginners to set a course of "Leadership For Good"! The TASC hosting team and NA4SA Board member Katie Keyes are now working to finalize a hands-on, interactive, practical, and inspirational program.

WHO is our NA4SA Summer Workshop for?

Student Activity Advisors/Sponsors from middle and high school Student Council, NJS and NJHS, Class Officers, service, social and cultural clubs.
New (or relatively new) activity advisors!
School administrators and staff working on positive school climate initiatives.
Teachers of Leadership Classes
Advocates for the value of Student Activities and Leadership Development for all students
YOU!!!

WHAT experiences can you expect to have attending it?

Outstanding Keynote Speakers
Breakout Workshop Sessions
Small Group Educational Issue Sessions
Hands-On Activities, with “how to do” handouts
Mixers & Activities to use in the classroom and for Leadership Lessons/Retreats
Resources for new Advisors
Focus on a new School Year – building a new school climate, energizing staff and students to become a school of excellence

Program Components

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

JJ Colburn

Our opening speaker will be JJ Colburn, a passionate advocate for student leadership and seasoned expert in education-focused nonprofit management. JJ formerly served as Director of the Texas Association of Student Councils (TASC), where he led initiatives that empowered student leaders and supported the advisors who guide them. JJ was a Regional Earl Reum Award recipient in 2011 and also served on the Executive Board for the National Association of State Student Council Executive Directors (NASSCED).

Now co-CEO of Strategic Association Management (SAM), JJ works with associations across the country, offering strategic leadership and mentoring to staff and boards to build stronger, more impactful organizations. He is the coauthor of Leadership for Kids: Curriculum for Building Intentional Leadership in Gifted Learners and a nationally recognized speaker and trainer, known for his engaging style and meaningful, practical takeaways. JJ’s career has been defined by a commitment to equipping those who lead—from the classroom to the boardroom—with the tools to create lasting change.

Terry Hamm

Our Closing General Session presenter will be Terry Hamm, past Executive Director of the Texas Association of Student Councils (TASC). A longtime advocate for student leadership, Terry began her journey as a student council advisor and workshop consultant before taking on statewide and national leadership roles - including serving as president of the National Association of State Student Council Executive Directors (NASSCED).

Terry has been recognized with numerous honors, including the TASC State Advisor of the Year, National Earl Reum Award (2015), and most recently, the Texas Star Award for her exceptional service to student council advisors and programs. Terry also served as a national leadership workshop director at camps in New York, Maine, and Nevada. A former counselor and student activities coordinator, Terry continues to support students and staff as a part-time counselor in Bastrop ISD. Terry believes in empowering student leaders and their advisors to make a positive impact in their school and communities.

"FOR GOOD" FORUMS
A new feature for this year’s Summer Workshop will be “For Good” Forums, where attendees will gather to share ideas, build each other up, and grow together…for Good!

Training the Next Citizens of Oz
Leadership Class Strategies/Student Voice in the classroom
The Making of a Good Witch (or Wizard)
How to build confident, character driven student leaders
Flying Without a Broom
Avoiding Advisor Burnout & Finding Balance in Your Life
One Short Day, Big Impact
Building events that inspire student involvement/leadership
There’s a Team We Belong To
Fostering unity, collaboration, belonging in student groups
The Heart Behind the Hype
Increasing engagement and reaching every student

BREAKOUT SESSIONS
There will also be THREE Breakout Sessions that feature familiar faces and some new (to NA4SA) presenters on a variety of topics! The program strands for this year's Breakout Sessions will be as follows:

Defying Gravity: Elevating Student Leadership
Strategies for fostering collaboration, trust, and accountability to help student leaders soar.
The Wizardry of Planning: Turning Ideas into Reality
Best practices for guiding students through brainstorming, organizing, and executing magical events.
For Good: Advising with Impact
Balancing mentorship and student autonomy to help leaders grow while ensuring advisors don’t melt under pressure.
No One Mourns the Wicked Problems: Creative Solutions for Common Challenges
Innovative approaches and real-world experiences to tackle the obstacles student leaders face.
Dancing Through Life: Building Inclusive & Engaging Activities
Ensuring all students feel welcome, valued, and empowered to participate in meaningful ways.

Program Schedule

The preliminary Summer Workshop schedule is presented below (subject to change):

11:00-11:30 a.m. - Pre-Conference Tech Check & Social Time
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Opening General Session with JJ Colburn
12:35-1:05 p.m. - Workshop Session #1 (5 options)
1:10-1:40 p.m. - Workshop Session #2 (5 options)
1:45-2:10 p.m. - Food Break
2:15-2:45 p.m. - "For Good" Forums
2:50-3:20 p.m. - Workshop Session #3 (5 options)
3:25-4:30 p.m. - Second General Session with Terry Hamm
4:30-5:00 p.m. - Optional Idea Exchange Session

Registration

The registration rates for our 2025 Summer Workshop are listed below.

Individual registration - $35
School Group registration - $100 for the first 3 members, then $25 for each additional member (up to a total of 8)

Online Individual Registration will open on May 10

If doing a group registration, CLICK HERE for a worksheet to gather all the necessry information BEFORE accessing the online registration form.

Online Group Registration will open on May 10