Got Leadership Potential?

Help give the gift of friendship, while developing important skills in lmanagement, organization, budgeting etc. In addition to volunteering as a Student Buddy, we are currently seeking dynamic, creative leaders to join our executive team!

Co-Campus Coordinator: oversees the other members of the Executive Committee in their duties, and chairs all meetings.

Our new co-CC will represent Best Buddies U of S at the Best Buddies National Leadership and Training Conference in an all expense paid trip to Montreal!

Activities Coordinator:heads up event committees for large group activities

Membership Coordinator:leads recruitment campaign in Sept/March, helps ensure full member participation; Buddy Pair recognition

Fundraising Coordinator: organizes fundraising events, and works to secure donations from local businesses, and organizations

Webmaster: maintains Best Buddies U of S website

Best Buddies By the Numbers

2007 was Best Buddies first year in full operation at the U of S! We are thus looking to add to our team of exceptional volunteers as we head into our second year!

35 young adults made a new friend this year through Best Buddies U of S

10 student volunteers helped us put on 4 fabulous group events including a Halloween Meet n Greet, a Holiday Bowling Party, a Huskies Pump-up Party / Game, and a Year End Awards and Steak Night.

$10 000 – the amount of money Best Buddies hopes to raise by the end of the year to fund new opportunities for our volunteers (among many ideas – a weekend volunteer retreat, inclusion, leadership development, etc.) The possibilities are endless!

ATTEND OUR INFO MEETING!

5:00 pm, Tuesday, March 25th, 2008 Room 217, Arts Building, U of S

Questions?? Contact

Kim Hsu, Campus Coordinator

Best Buddies U of S

Making a Difference… One Friend at a Time

where your next friend could be your Best Buddy . . .

What is Best Buddies?

Best Buddies is a university based volunteer program designed to foster friendships between students and adults with intellectual disabilities. Best Buddies provides the opportunity for one-to-one friendships between people who would otherwise never have the chance to meet. It is also about breaking down barriers between people, and erasing misconceptions.

why our volunteers get involved

Probably the most important reason is to gain a new friend. A Best Buddies friendship is just like any other, but with unique rewards.

Individuals with intellectual disabilities often don't have the opportunity to make friends outside their own environment. This can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness - a situation that many people with intellectual disabilities have found difficult to change.

By getting involved with Best Buddies, our volunteers gain a different perspective on life, and an invigorating, new friendship. We hope that the friendships formed through the Best Buddies program will add a new dimension to the lives of all people involved.

How did Best BUddies Start?

Best Buddies International was founded in the United States by Anthony Kennedy Shriver in 1989. It has since grown to encompass over 1000 chapters worldwide. Best Buddies Canada was incorporated as a registered national charity in 1995. Since then the program has expanded from coast to coast, with chapters at over 70 campuses from the east coast to Vancouver Island. 2007 marks the launch of the Best Buddies chapter at the University of Saskatchewan.

Check out the Best Buddies U of S website at and the Best Buddies Canada website at

How are Buddy pairs matched?

Best Buddies U of S is proud to be working with the Saskatchewan Association for Community Living. Working with the SACL, Best Buddies U of S matches university students with a Buddy, according to personal interests, and interviews.

what is an intellectual disability?

An intellectual disability, also referred to as a developmental disability, is a term used to describe any condition that includes a lifelong impairment to a person's ability to learn and/or adapt to their environment. People with an intellectual disability do not necessarily have a recognizable condition. Some examples of diagnosed conditions include autism, Down Syndrome and Williams Syndrome. The degree of disability varies greatly from person to person. Intellectual disabilities may or may not be accompanied by physical disabilities.

The Best Buddy commitment

The most important part of the Best Buddies program is friendship. Student Buddies and Buddies make contact with each other at least once a week by telephone or email. One-to-one outings occur two to three times per month. Group activities are another vital part of the Best Buddies program. These take place at least four times a year, and are a great opportunity for Student Buddies and Buddies to get together in a larger social group.