MSU CLAY: FAQ & Misconceptions

MSU CLAY FAQ Q. What is CLAY?

CLAY is a 3-day, 2-night leadership conference unlike any other! As a delegate, students will experience opportunities to share and expand their knowledge of teamwork, problem solving, social awareness and wellness in an interactive session-based environment with other students. Session activities are facilitated by McMaster student leaders, who are trained to create a safe environment that is conducive to self-development. CLAY brings together high-school students from all across the greater Hamilton/GTA community for a fantastic weekend of learning, leadership and a lot of fun at Camp Trillium.

Q. When and where is CLAY taking place?

The conference takes place from Friday May 25, 2018 - Sunday May 27, 2018 at Camp Trillium Rainbow Lake!

Q. What is a “session�?

A session is a period of group-based discussion and interactive activities aimed at educating and empowering delegates with important leadership skills. Themes include: trust and risk, self-awareness, inclusivity and communication.

Q. Do I need CLAY (or other conference) experience to participate?

No. It is not required that our staff members have leadership developing conference experience when they apply for CLAY. We are excited to have a diverse team of new members as well as some returning members to create an environment for everyone to learn from each other and grow as leaders!

Q. CLAY falls during Ramadan this year. Will my needs be accounted for if I am choosing to fast?

Similar to last year, CLAY 2018 weekend falls during Ramadan this year, and we will be providing prayer space and alternate meal times for any staff and delegates who choose to fast.

Q. Do SET/LDE staff get their own group of delegates?

While SET/LDE are not assigned a group of delegates over the weekend, they will have plenty of opportunities to interact with delegates at the conference when delegates are not participating in group sessions!

Q. I have a question that is not listed here. Who can I contact?

Send an email to clay@msu.mcmaster.ca and our Coordinator will be happy to answer any and all questions you have about the CLAY hiring process or conference weekend!

MISCONCEPTIONS “SET/LDE members are the lowest scoring individuals in the interview process.”

While application scores are a part of the hiring process for the team as a whole, staff members are hired for specific positions based on other factors like previous experiences, passion for the role, and personality. Based on these factors, we will decide which position each staff member is the best fit for.

“You will only get to know your Co-Leadership Developers, and not the rest of the staff team.”

The only times you are exclusively with your co’s are during sessions! There will be plenty of opportunities before, after and throughout the conference to work cohesively as a staff team. Although a large part of conference is spent within your session groups and alongside your co’s, staff team cohesion is the foundation to a successful conference!

“You need to be heavily involved in MSU to be hired for the CLAY conference, and upper year staff are preferred.”

False. Our interview process actually evaluates candidates based on personal attributes rather than learned skills. We can always teach people the specific leadership skills we use at conference, so no previous experience is required. Another key idea behind this conference is to create a safe space for high school students, and our staff members in first and second year may actually allow delegates to feel more comfortable due to a smaller age gap.

“CLAY is the same thing as MSU Horizons.”

MSU CLAY is a unique service in that we are serving a very different delegate demographic population. Specifically, the delegate population at CLAY is made up of youth who are in high school, from across the Hamilton and the Greater Toronto Area. In addition, while Horizons takes place on campus, CLAY takes place at Camp Trillium Rainbow Lake. While the core values and beliefs of the CLAY conference may seem similar to that of Horizons, these are two very different opportunities and both hold very unique value to those who participate.

“I can’t apply for CLAY if I’m graduating this year, right?”

False! Anyone who is a full-time student is eligible to apply. We encourage students of all ages and experiences to apply, and we view diversity as an asset. If you are unfamiliar with the application process, contact CLAY@msu.mcmaster.ca for assistance.