2025 Fall Bonner Congress

Friday, October 10 - Sunday, October 12
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO Retreat & ecology campus

2710 S. Country Club Road, Woodstock, IL 60098

The Bonner Foundation will host our in-person 2025 Fall Bonner Congress from Friday, October 10 to Sunday, October 12 at the Loyola University Chicago Retreat & Ecology Campus. Generally hosted each fall, Bonner Congress is a gathering of about 150 student leaders from across the 65+ schools in the Bonner Network.

Each Bonner Program selects two student* leaders as Bonner Congress Representatives to attend and represent their programs and campuses during the year. Bonner Congress Representatives are part of the Bonner Leadership Team and support the quality of their programs and campus-wide engagement. These students engage in leadership training, discussion, networking, and planning on key initiatives. Bonner Congress Meeting sessions often focus on improving students’ knowledge and skills, equipping them to mobilize their peers and to develop innovative ideas for enhancing their program’s and campus’s social impact.

*There will be additional spaces available to send more than two students, on a first come, first served basis upon request.

Location

The Loyola University Chicago Retreat & Ecology Campus provides meeting spaces, overnight accommodations, and meals in a cafeteria. The space offers comfortable all-group and breakout areas, which will support Bonner Congress Representatives as they network and share ideas for their programs, campuses, and communities.

Tentative AGENDA

REGISTRATION

Each Bonner school should send one or two student representative(s)* to the 2025 Bonner Congress. Program staff and student leaders should communicate with one another before registering to ensure their everyone is on the same page regarding covering costs for registration fees, travel, and other items.

Funded Bonner Programs can draw on several sources to cover these costs, including the Bonner Congress Travel Fund, Special Project funding, and their Community Fund. Please see the table below for the registration options and rates.

*There will be additional spaces available to send more than two students, on a first come, first served basis upon request.

Register by Wednesday, September 17th

Lodging & MEALS

All of our rooms are fully furnished with following amenities: Bed linens, pillows and blankets, toiletries, towels and washcloths, desk, alarm clock.

Hotel-Style: Comfortable, hotel style suites with private baths and air conditioning.

Dorm-Style: Comfortable, residence style housing accommodations.

CHAPERONE LODGING

Due to limited room availability* all on-campus rooms will be prioritized for students. If student(s) are accompanied by a chaperone, we ask that you book a room at a near by hotel. Please see map for hotel options (about 8-15min away from the campus). *Upon request, there may be limited rooms available for staff, on a first come, first served basis.

MEALS

All of the following meals are provided during the entire conference:

  • Friday, October 10th - Dinner

  • Saturday, October 11th - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

  • Sunday, October 12th - Breakfast

We will also be providing light snacks through out each day.

WORKSHOP Submission

Attention: Bonner Students, Alumni, and Partners! We invite elective workshop proposals from those in the Bonner Network, including student attendees, alumni, Bonner graduate and national partners, and others. We seek workshops that aim to showcase best practices, models, tips, and examples of community engagement, student leadership, the Bonner Program, campus-wide engagement, social justice initiatives, and community partnerships.

This year’s conference theme focuses on student leadership and career connections, so particularly, we are looking for Bonner students to showcase interesting projects and initiatives. More example topics below:

  • Bonner Accountability & Wellness

  • Bonner Fundamentals (Recruitment & Cornerstones & Meetings)

  • Bonner Leadership Teams & Student Leadership

  • Bonner Program Visibility & Communications

  • Campus-Wide Student Leadership & Service Coalitions

  • Capstone Projects

  • Career Connections & Post Graduate Success

  • Capacity Building Projects

  • Civic Learning & Democratic Engagement

  • Social Action and Activism

  • Streamlining Operations and & Program Efficiency

Additionally, this is a great opportunity to hold space for conversations with other Bonner students about successes and/or challenges regarding service work, Bonner Program, and/or campus-wide engagement.

Proposals due by Wednesday, September 17th

Student Keynote submission

Are you a student who is passionate about service work and public speaking? If so, you're exactly the student we're looking for! We're excited to invite applications Student Keynote Speaker(s) at this year's 2025 Bonner Congress. This event is a fantastic opportunity to share your perspective with a diverse group of student leaders from all over the country.

To apply, you'll need to submit a speech outline and a draft of your speech. This is your chance to demonstrate your creativity, thoughtfulness, and dedication as a Bonner on your campus. We're looking for student speakers who can inspire and motivate other Bonners to take action and continue to make a positive impact on their communities.

Proposals due by Wednesday, September 17th

TRAVEL

We will be gathering at — Loyola University Chicago Retreat and Ecology Campus2710 S. Country Club Road, Woodstock, IL 60098

FLYING

If flying, we recommend flying to and from the O’Hare Chicago International Airport. From O’Hare Airport it is an hour to travel to Loyola and the O’Hare Airport. Please take this into consideration when booking flights.

Sponsored SHUTTLE

A shuttle will be provided to and from the O’Hare Chicago International Airport and the Loyola University Chicago Retreat & Ecology Campus. Please see shuttle times below:

Arrival Shuttle

  • Friday, October 10 - Shuttle Departs at 2:00PM CST traveling from O’Hare Airport to Loyola Retreat Campus

Departure Shuttle

  • Sunday, October 12 - Shuttle Departs at 12:00PM CST traveling from Loyola Retreat Campus to O’Hare Airport

To utilize the provided airport shuttle, you must ensure flights arrive and depart with enough time to catch the shuttle and your flights. If you need airport transportation outside of this shuttle window (delayed flight, etc.), please have an alternative transportation plan prepared in advance. (The cost for any alternative transportation is not covered by the registration fee nor the Bonner Foundation)

Alternative TRansportation

Windy City Limousine - they offer smaller shuttle services that can be reserved in advance and pay via invoice. We use them for our shuttle service. Would recommend sharing rides with other programs to split the cost.

Uber/lyft - there are uber and Lyft services available but can vary on availability. They also offer services that you can reserve in advance.

DRIVING

If planning to drive, we recommend carpooling where possible. The address is 2710 S. Country Club Road, Woodstock, IL 60098. Free parking on-site will be available.

QUESTIONS

IF YOU HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT...

Jen Gonzalez Reyes, Program Manager, at jengr@bonner.org, or Liz Brandt, Community Engagement Director, at liz@bonner.org.

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