There’s an old saying among sailors: “An anchor keeps you steady, but a sail moves you forward.”
Leadership is a lot like that balance between the anchor and the sail. The anchor is our values, our purpose, and our commitment to students. It keeps us grounded when things get stormy—when the budget is tight, when schedules are packed, when we wonder if the work is worth it.
But the sail is our vision and creativity. It catches the winds of new ideas, and that’s what carries students to experiences they’ll remember forever—the rallies, the dances, the service projects, the sense of belonging.
As activities advisors, we are both the anchor and the sail for our students. We steady them when they drift, and we also help them lift their eyes to the horizon. Students may not always remember the exact details of an event, but they will always remember how you made them feel—safe, seen, and inspired to grow.
So as we began this year’s Area D Conference, advisors were invited to reflect: What anchors you as a leader? And what winds will you choose to catch this year to move your students forward? Because true leadership isn’t about choosing between the anchor or the sail. It’s about knowing when to hold steady… and when to let go and soar.
Conference Overview
The Area D Advisor Conference took place September 14–15, 2025, in beautiful Avila Beach. Advisors gathered at the Avila Beach Community Center, balancing professional growth with community-building and inspiration.
Sunday Highlights began with a Council Member breakfast meeting, followed by check-in and a series of hands-on workshops. Christy Hertsch (Area D Coordiantor) welcomed participants with introductions, and Ron Ipollito (Past President) set the tone with a Tech Talk and lively mixer before Marsha guided a deep-dive into Google Forms. The day wrapped with closure, then advisors continued connections over a “Happy Hour-ish” at the Seacrest Hotel and a no-host dinner at Blast & Brew.
Monday’s sessions opened with Christy’s welcome and quickly moved into a thoughtful presentation on Leader in Me with Jen. Kerry’s creative Balloon-o-rama had everyone smiling, before BBQ master Rod (with Bob assisting) provided the classic tri-tip lunch that has become an Area D staple. The afternoon included Ruth’s powerful Kindness session and more of Ron’s practical Tech Tools. The conference closed with SWAPS, giving everyone meaningful takeaways to bring back to campus.
Workshops & Presentations
The conference was anchored by sessions that blended heart and practice:
Team Builders that energized advisors and gave them activities to replicate with students.
Bluey Life Lessons, connecting pop culture to leadership development.
Creating Connections, reminding us that relationships are the foundation of every program.
Tech Talks & Tools, from AI prompts to Google Forms, giving advisors new strategies to work smarter, not harder.
Kindness in the Classroom, a practical reminder that simple acts of gratitude and compassion transform school culture.
Balloon-o-rama, Kerry’s joyful artistry that sparked ideas for creativity in campus events.
SWAPS, the time-honored tradition of exchanging ideas and resources so everyone leaves richer.
(For full presentations and resources, visit the Area D 2025 Website.)
Final Reflection
Area D’s conference reminded us that leadership isn’t a solo voyage. With the right anchors in our values and the right sails in our creativity, we can weather storms and chart new horizons for our students.
As advisors return to their schools, they do so with new tools, deeper connections, and the renewed belief that what they do matters.
Because in the end, it’s not just about the rallies, the dances, or the service projects. It’s about how students feel—anchored, inspired, and ready to sail forward.