TetraCon
Tetra Society Presents TetraCon 2021!
Since 1987, Tetra Society of North America has been connecting people with disabilities to technically skilled volunteers who build devices that address environmental barriers at work, at home, at school, and at play.
On Saturday September 18th, join us for TetraCon 2021! We’re going virtual once again this year and will be presenting content about different parts of the Tetra experience! Whether you are a longtime Tetra client, volunteer, or chapter coordinator or completely new to Tetra, TetraCon will have something for you. The theme for this year’s TetraCon is Devices Breaking Barriers! Tetra’s volunteers work with clients to build devices that support them doing the things they want and need to do, whether that be day-to day activities like eating or getting dressed or being a parent, to activities like archery, sailing, kayaking, or hiking in the woods. Join us to learn how Tetra can help you!
Click the button below to register for TetraCon:
Schedule for the Day
| Time (PDT) | Time (MDT) | Time (EDT) | Time (ADT) | Event Subject |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 | 10:00 | 12:00 | 1:00 | Greetings from Eric Molendyk, Tetra Program Manager |
| 9:05 | 10:05 | 12:05 | 1:05 | Keynote Address “How Tetra Came to Be” Tetra Founder Sam Sullivan |
| 9:30 | 10:30 | 12:30 | 1:30 | Tetra Project Videos |
| 9:45 | 10:45 | 12:45 | 1:45 | Break |
| 9:50 | 10:50 | 12:50 | 1:50 | Submitting a Request for Assistance “What is a Request for Assistance? How do I submit a request?” Sylvia Baliko, Tetra National Coordinator |
| 10:35 | 11:35 | 1:35 | 2:35 | Break |
| 11:15 | 12:15 | 2:15 | 3:15 | Client testimonial |
| 11:20 | 12:20 | 2:20 | 3:20 | Using Social Media to Share your Stories “The Power of Social Media” Presented By Jordan Cripps, Tetra Development & Communications Officer |
| 12:00 | 1:00 | 3:00 | 4:00 | Lunch break |
| 12:30 | 1:30 | 3:30 | 4:30 | Honouring Dr. Leonard Lye |
| 1:00 | 2:00 | 4:00 | 5:00 | Break |
| 1:10 | 2:10 | 4:10 | 5:10 | Virtual coordinators “Connecting from a Distance” Presented By Eric Molendyk (Tetra Program Manager) and Nichole Yamchuk (Development Coordinator, Edmonton Chapter Coordinator) |
| 2:00 | 3:00 | 5:00 | 6:00 | Who are Tetra’s volunteers? Meet Tetra volunteers from across Canada |
| 2:30 | 3:30 | 5:30 | 6:30 | Bryce Clarke Closing Keynote |
| 3:00 | 4:00 | 6:00 | 7:00 | Wrap-Up |
Speaker Bios
Sam Sullivan
Keynote Address
Our founder, Sam Sullivan, wanted to rebuild his life following a high-level spinal cord injury. Over a 20-year period, Sam established seven non-profit groups offering opportunities to people with physical disabilities in Vancouver and across Canada. Sam found that his greatest strength was in bringing people together to create self-maintaining groups: people with disabilities who want to be more engaged, and volunteers and other supporters who want to make a difference. Sam will open this year’s TetraCon with a keynote address, speaking about how Tetra came to be.
Bryce Clarke
Closing Keynote
Bryce is a police offer with the Edmonton Police Service since 1998 and is one of only two quadriplegic police officers working in Canada today. Currently, he is an Acting Detective in the Downtown Division where he oversees the Offender Management Program. He has been connected with Tetra Alberta since 2016 when looking for help to modify a snowplow that allows him to clear his own driveway. His aim as a Board member for Tetra Alberta is to help others overcome obstacles and make their daily lives a little easier. Bryce is also Vice-Chair for SCI Alberta and served as a Council member on Alberta’s Premiers’ Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities. Bryce will wrap up this year’s TetraCon and get us ready for next year!
Sylvia Baliko
Submitting a Request for Assistance
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 National Coordinator for Tetra Society, as well as the regional coordinator for Ontario. overseeing nine chapters in the province. All of this is done while continuing her outstanding fundraising efforts. For Sylvia, Tetra is truly a family affair, and a life’s passion. Join us to hear Sylvia talk about the process for getting help with Tetra.
Eric Molendyk
Connecting from a Distance
Eric has been involved with Tetra since 2001, starting as the assistant to the provincial coordinator, eventually becoming the BC coordinator and then Tetra’s national coordinator at the start of 2018. Eric is currently Tetra’s Program Manager. He continues to be 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. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for having “virtual” connections, even if meeting in person is not possible. Even if you do not have a Tetra chapter in your area, Tetra volunteers can help! Eric will be discussing how to connect with our “Virtual Coordinator” program. Eric will also handle hosting duties for this year’s TetraCon.
Nichole Yamchuk
Connecting from a Distance
Nichole Yamchuk is Tetra’s Fundraising Coordinator as well as the chapter coordinator for Edmonton. 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. Nichole has 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 brings her ability to inspire change and make a positive impact in the prairie provinces to Tetra. The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the importance of having “virtual” connections, even when we cannot meet in person. Even if there’s no Tetra chapter in your area, Tetra volunteers can help!
Jordan Cripps
Using Social Media to Share your Stories
Jordan is a Development and Communications Officer for Tetra. He 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. He will be speaking about the importance of storytelling and using social media to connect with people.
Tetra Volunteers
Our volunteers are just as diverse as our clients, young and old, students and retired professionals, Engineers, tradespeople, artisans, marketing wizards and outreach specialists, and everything in-between. A few of them will join us from around Canada to describe their experiences volunteering with Tetra Society.
Watch Last Year’s TetraCon
Supported by Tetra Society of North America media sponsors:
