Today’s post comes from Khushmol Dhaliwal. Khushmol recently completed her MSc in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Alberta. She is also the current Vice-Chair of the OC-SNP National Executive.

Are you interested in starting up a local Obesity Canada- Students and New Professionals chapter at your post-secondary institute? Starting up a new chapter is an excellent opportunity to gain leadership and advocacy skills and be connected to a network of students and professionals across Canada! Obesity Canada is Canada’s leading not-for-profit organization for individuals living with obesity, researchers, policymakers, and health professionals. The SNP works to promote the overall mission of OC through awareness, outreach, and advocacy events. As a local chapter, you get connected to a vast network of professionals and students in their respective fields, all working to raise awareness around obesity, weight stigma, and research and knowledge translation.

Obesity Canada also offers various grants, such as a chapter start up and events grants to support your local events. As a local chapter, you have the freedom to plan events you’d like around OC’s missions. This could include anything from healthy eating cooking classes to networking events with peers. In addition to this, the national executive hosts Canada wide events such as the pedometer challenge and research blitz competition- as unique opportunities to connect with peers across the country. OC-SNP is an amazing way to learn from others and build a community of like-minded peers and professionals!

Being a part of a chapter is a wonderful opportunity to take concrete action and be a change maker within your own community. You can help support work and research around obesity as a disease, weight stigma, and push for overall positive change!

If you are interested in getting a new SNP chapter started, here are some things to consider:

  1. The motivation to start the club!
  2. Read through our “How to Start an Obesity Canada Student & New Professional Chapter” guide
  3. You will require an enthusiastic core team, including a Chair, Secretary, Communications Director, Treasurer/Finance Officer, and Events Coordinator; the more, the merrier!
  4. A faculty advisor who can support the team’s professional development
  5. Register your group with your post-secondary institute’s student services (e.g. create a constitution)
  6. Hold an interest meeting to recruit general members and get others involved!

Does it seem too complicated, heavy, impossible to do? You are alone and you don’t know how to contact other people to get into the project with you?

Do not worry, the Recruitment Coordinator is there to assist you. Please do not hesitate to contact Sylvain at oc-snp@obesitynetwork.ca.