Date/Time
Thursday, May 16, 2024 - Friday, May 17, 2024
8:00am - 8:00pm
Come join CAA for two days of learning and celebration at the Community of Wellness Symposium and Gala in Rochester, MN! The event, titled Lifestyle Medicine: Pathway to Health and Happiness, includes information on improvements in your self-care practices and the science behind them. These “self-care practices” include a plant-based diet, along with movement, restful sleep, social connection, stress management, and more. As a participant, you’re sure to learn something new to help on your personal health journey. You can also join us as a volunteer at our outreach table to help us reach this receptive audience with our message.
Sign up for CAA’s outreach table.
What is the symposium about?
The organizers describe the event this way: “Attend our annual Symposium and Gala to discover your path to health and happiness through improvements in your self-care practices. Plant-based nutrition, movement, restful sleep, social connection, stress management, and finding your passion can help you live your best life!”
“Learn about lifestyle medicine from leading health experts who will offer practical advice on how to become your happiest and healthiest self! They’ll share tips to prevent and reverse common health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity. The Community of Wellness Symposium & Gala is a 2-day event filled with practical advice on how to make small shifts in your daily life for better health.”
For a full schedule, visit the registration page.
Who are the speakers?
Listen to leading medical experts like Wayne Dysinger, MD, Eddie Ramirez, MD, and Brenda Davis, RD, as they talk about the scientific evidence supporting Lifestyle Medicine. Join a live episode of “The Exam Room” podcast, hosted by Chuck Carroll and sponsored by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM).
At the Friday night gala, get insights on living a life filled with gratitude, kindness, and happiness from Dr. Amit Sood, a world-renowned expert in resilience and stress management.
Who is this event for?
The organizers state that the symposium is for people who are “seeking guidance on nutrition, movement, stress managment, or finding your passion. They also state that it may be of interest to those:
- Facing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or obesity
- Suffering from inflammation or arthritis
- Looking for a simpler path to your best health and wellness
“At our event you’ll learn how a simple self-care routine can prevent and reverse many of today’s chronic diseases, helping you to add years to your life and life to your years!”
Register for the symposium
Register on Eventbrite, where you can find the full schedule for both Thursday and Friday. You’ll see various costs listed depending on which aspects you want to attend. We look forward to seeing you there!
Sign up to volunteer for outreach at the symposium!
Interested in helping out at the event? Sign up to volunteer at CAA’s outreach table on March 16. You do not need to register for the symposium to attend the exhibit hall. You may want to plan time to walk around the exhibit hall before or after your volunteer shift. Note: this option will not include entrance to the symposium talks and Gala dinner. See above if you are interested in those options.
What is involved with volunteering at the symposium?
At the event, we’ll be tabling between 8 am and 3 pm. Each volunteer shift is four hours long and you can choose between the early or the later shifts. Volunteers will engage attendees to let them know about CAA and its programs.
In addition, volunteers can help with measuring our impact by writing down comments from attendees during the event. We’ll provide a pen and notebook for doing so.
Who can volunteer?
If you’re passionate about the work of CAA and helping people move towards plant-based eating, this event is for you. We’ll support you in how to do effective outreach. All are welcome to volunteer and no experience is required. The venue is ADA accessible.
Support for Volunteers
We’ll reach out to you a few days prior to the event to confirm your participation. At that time, we’ll introduce you to the staff person leading the event, Tamuno Imbu, our Community Organizer. You’ll get his cell phone number in case anything comes up day-of.
At the event, we’ll make sure you get a chance to know the staff and other volunteers participating in outreach. Then we’ll help you know what to say to attendees.
Before your shift, after your shift, or during a quiet time in your shift, we’ll have a plant-based snack and a drink for you to enjoy. We’ll also have a first aid kit on hand.
Will I hear from you after volunteering at the event?
Yes! Tamuno will reach out to thank you and tell you about the event’s impact. We want you to know about the difference you made as a result of volunteering with us.
Get involved at other Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) events!
Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) hosts many events throughout the year, including Twin Cities Veg Fest, Vegan Recipe Club, cooking classes, potlucks, outreach events, and so much more! If you can’t make this event, or just want to know about other opportunities to get involved with CAA, we’ve got so many ways to connect with the community, enjoy vegan food, and make a difference. Visit our volunteer page to see all opportunities!