Tetra Society Presents TetraCon 2020!
Thank you to everyone who attended TetraCon 2020! Click on the playlist below to view all of the presentations from TetraCon.
On Saturday September 19th, join us for TetraCon 2020! We’re going virtual this year and have created three “streams” that focus on different parts of the Tetra experience. There’s something for everybody, whether you’re new to Tetra or a long-time volunteer or chapter coordinator. Through seminars led by Tetra staff and Regional Coordinators, you will learn about how to make the absolute most of your Tetra experience. The three streams are:
- University Clubs: Whether you are a post-secondary student entering your first year of study, a post-secondary lecturer or a professor, Tetra is looking for anyone who wants to make a difference in their university community. In this series of workshops, University Club participants will discuss the benefits of getting involved in a Tetra University Club while a university lecturer talks about how Tetra projects are often a perfect fit for a Capstone project.
- Chapter Development: This stream is intended to help chapter coordinators, volunteers, and clients develop ideas about how to support your local chapter, from fundraising to social media promotions.
- What Tetra Can Do for You: If you’re just learning about Tetra for the first time, this is the channel for you! We’ll introduce you to what Tetra’s all about, provide opportunities to connect with volunteers to discuss your assistive device needs, and give some tips for starting a chapter in your community.
Schedule for the Day
| Time (PDT) | Time (MDT) | Time (EDT) | Time (ADT) | Stream One: University Clubs | Stream Two: Chapter Development | Stream Three: What Tetra Can Do for You |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 | 10:00 | 12:00 | 1:00 | Understanding Tetra: Who We Are and How We Help | ||
| 10:00 | 11:00 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Why Choose Tetra for your Capstone Projects? | Fundraising in your Community | Breakout Rooms – Discuss with Tetra Volunteers |
| 11:00 | 12:00 | 2:00 | 3:00 | What is a Tetra University Club? | Effective Social Media | How to start a chapter in my city? |
| 12:00 | 1:00 | 3:00 | 4:00 | TetraNet and TetraBase | Tetra Solutions – Made for Everyone | |
| 1:00 | 2:00 | 4:00 | 5:00 | Optimize your Tradeshows and Community Events | netClé – the affordable solution to access the computer and beyond |
Stream One: University Clubs
Make a difference to your university community by starting a Tetra University Club. Tetra University Clubs foster collaboration between students and people with disabilities as they work together developing solutions to environmental barriers. University Clubs offer students real-world experience working on projects that prepare them for careers in engineering, mechanical design, and other technical fields. Join session facilitator Zahra Mohammad ass she leads conversations featuring:
- University of British Columbia (UBC) lecturer Markus Fengler talking about Tetra’s role in Capstone project completion.
- Members of Tetra University Clubs from UBC and the University of Ottawa discussing the University Club experience.
Speaker Bios
Zahra Mohammad
Zahra is the facilitator for the University Clubs stream and has been Tetra’s Ottawa Chapter Coordinator since January after three years of volunteering. Zahra has a Master’s degree in Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering from Carleton University and was special adviser and MC for Enable Ottawa in 2018 and 2019. Zahra has great energy and a desire to give back to her community.
Markus Fengler
Markus is a lecturer in UBC’s Department of Mechanical Engineering where he teaches Mechanical Design. His passions include Design for Disability, and Sustainable Development. Before becoming a lecturer at UBC, Markus worked with Neil Squire Society and is no stranger to designing equipment for somebody with a disability.
UBC Team Enable
UBC Team Enable is a student driven club at the University of British Columbia that consists of students from different engineering backgrounds, including mechanical, electrical, robotics, and biomedical. For the past four years, Team Enable has been working on tetra projects including an adapted video game controller and an automated blanket remover as well as modified iPad holders to name but a few.
University of Ottawa Tetra Club
Students from the University of Ottawa’s Tetra Club work together as they gain valuable experience designing and building assistive devices for people with disabilities, addressing real issues in the field of accessibility.
Stream Two: Chapter Development
If you are already involved with your local Tetra Chapter, join this stream to learn more about how you can fundraise and promote on behalf of Tetra. In these four sessions, Tetra staff and Regional Coordinators will provide tips and tricks you can use to support your chapter!
- Fundraising Manager Shawna Dash will reveal some quick and effective fundraising strategies you can use to keep your chapter growing.
- Social media guru Taylor Wagner leads you through some simple steps for reaching out to your community through social media.
- Tetra’s dedicated program Assistant Doug Docherty introduces TetraNet and TetraBase, showing you how they can support your work with Tetra.
- Long-time Tetra fundraiser Sylvia Baliko discusses how you can get the most out of participating in local trade shows and community events.
Speaker Bios
Jordan Cripps
The Facilitator and Host for the Chapter Development Stream, Jordan is a Development and Communications Officer for Tetra. Jordan is involved in creating all forms of written content for Tetra, from grant applications to social media posts, and is grateful to have so many opportunities to explore his passion for the written word.
Shawna Dash
Shawna is a Development Manager with Tetra Society and has extensive experience in the non-profit, hospitality, and recreation industry. Shawna is a UVic graduate with focus on community development and social change marketing, and a commitment to continuous learning and generating serious results in all that she does.
Taylor Wagner
Taylor is a Communications Officer with Tetra Society. An avid reader and trivia Jedi, Taylor is always on the search for new knowledge to understand how people think. An SFU grad, she is passionate about marketing and communication and is accustomed to wearing many hats in her role, including social media marketing, graphic design, brand management, copywriting and more.
Doug Docherty
Doug Docherty is a program assistant with Tetra Society of North America where he responds to Requests for Assistance (RFAs), moderates TetraNet, and is helping to implement a new Customer Records Management system. Doug believes that help is empowering to endeavours to take on all opportunities to offer his support.
Sylvia Baliko
Sylvia has been involved with Tetra since the early 2000s, taking over the role of Hamilton Chapter Coordinator from her brother Ron. She currently serves as the regional coordinator for Central Canada, overseeing nine chapters in Ontario while continuing her outstanding fundraising efforts. For Sylvia, Tetra is truly a family affair, and a life’s passion.
Stream Three: What Tetra Can Do for You
If you’re just learning about Tetra for the first time, this is the channel for you. We’ll introduce you to what Tetra’s all about, provide opportunities to connect with volunteers to discuss your assistive device needs, and reveal some tips for starting a chapter in your community.
Speaker Bios
Eric Molendyk
Eric has been involved with Tetra since 2001, starting as the assistant to the provincial coordinator, then serving as the coordinator for BC until he became Tetra’s national coordinator at the start of 2018. Eric is truly honored to work with all the coordinators and regional coordinators throughout Tetra and never ceases to be in awe at the brilliance of our volunteers. Their dedication and ingenuity helps not just people with disabilities but society as a whole to re-imagine what is possible.
Nichole Yamchuk
Nichole Yamchuk is Tetra’s Prairie Regional Coordinator. During the process of a family relocation from Saskatoon to Edmonton, Nichole read about and fell in love with Tetra and what the organization stands for and was inspired to get involved. She brings to Tetra more than 10 years of experience in both fundraising and programs, including working with children with disabilities and youth mentorship. Nichole was the recipient of the “Volunteer of the Year” award for Kids Help Phone in 2014 and is excited to begin to build Tetra communities, inspire change and make a positive impact in the prairie provinces.
Andrew Jantzen
With a background as a researcher and technologist, including a BSc. in Physics and a diploma in Electronic Engineering Technology, Andrew is committed to creative problem solving to build a better world. As an electronics technology research assistant at Nova Scotia Community College, Andrew co-developed an award-winning low-cost biofeedback device that measures electrical activity in muscles. He brings to Tetra not only his technical expertise but also his successes in community engagement and policy development for accessibility in Nova Scotia – Andrew is currently part of the Built Environment Standard Development Committee in Nova Scotia.
David Ostro
For 19 years, David Ostro has been involved in just about every part of the Disability Foundation. David was the coordinator for the ConnecTra Society for over a dozen years and also served as the Disability Foundation’s Funds Development Manager, working to raise money for all of the Disability Foundation’s affiliated societies. David now focuses on Operations & Special Projects within the Disability Foundation. One of one of David’s latest projects has been getting netClé in the hands of those who need it. so somebody with dexterity challenges can more easily access their computer.
Supported by Tetra Society of North America media sponsors:
