The Nova Scotia Secondary School Students' Association (known commonly as the NSSSA or as "N-Trip" to its members) is an organization in Nova Scotia, Canada run mainly by students in Grades 9 to 12, enrolled in a Nova Scotia secondary school. Its purpose is to foster growth of leadership skills among youth, primarily through the use of regional and province-wide annual leadership conferences. Every student enrolled in a secondary school in Nova Scotia is considered a member of the NSSSA, and permitted to attend these conferences.
Organization The Nova Scotia Secondary School Students' Association (NSSSA) is governed by the Provincial Cabinet, which operates under a set of established bylaws. The Provincial Cabinet is composed of an elected president, who is typically a student in their first year of university, along with two elected vice presidents, internal and external (the "Presidential Trio"). The Provincial Cabinet holds overall responsibility for the organization and oversees all activities of both the Conference Committee, which organizes the annual provincial conference held at St. Francis Xavier University (STFX), and the five Regional Cabinets, which coordinate smaller regional conferences primarily for students within their respective areas.
While many positions across the organization are filled by appointment, certain key roles are elected at the Annual General Meeting, held during the provincial conference. Elected positions include the president, vice presidents, and regional co-premiers (the leaders of each Regional Cabinet). Following the election, the Presidential Trio selects the Provincial Conference co-chairs for the following year through an application process. These co-chairs are then responsible for appointing members to the conference committee. similarly, regional co-premiers fill their respective cabinets through applications submitted by interested students.
All committee positions within the NSSSA are held on a one-year term basis. While members often reapply, this structure leads to a relatively high rate of turnover. To maintain continuity, Lorne "Abe" Abramson, the long-serving Provincial Advisor, played a significant role in ensuring organizational consistency.
Provincial Cabinet The Provincial Cabinet (PC) of the Nova Scotia Secondary School Students’ Association (NSSSA) serves as the organization's primary governing body, responsible for strategic direction, policy formation, and external relations. PC consists of several key positions, including the president, vice-president external, vice-president internal, and past president, each contributing to the leadership and operational oversight of the association. Regional leadership is also represented by co-premiers and co-advisors from various regions, ensuring localized engagement and support. There are various other positions, all of whom play roles in event coordination, communication, financial management, and digital presence.
Conference Committee The Conference Committee (CC) is a key organizational body within the Nova Scotia Secondary School Students' Association (NSSSA), responsible for planning and executing the annual provincial conference. The Conference Committee is led by three Co-Chairs, who are usually university students and also serve as members of the Provincial Cabinet. CC collaborates closely with the Provincial Cabinet to ensure the successful delivery of the largest event hosted by the NSSSA, typically held at St. Francis Xavier University. In recent years, it has had upwards of three hundred attendees.
Regional Cabinet There are six regions within the NSSSA, Strait, Cape Breton-Victoria, Chignecto, Metro, and Sou’West Valley. They correspond roughly with different school boards within Nova Scotia. Each region has its own Regional Cabinet, run by two Co-Premiers. The Regional Cabinets host regional conferences, predominantly for their member schools, but open to all. These conferences are on a significantly smaller scale than the Provincial Conference.
History The NSSSA began as an idea in 1986 among two students at Halifax West High School in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The idea was based on an already established organization in Ontario known as the OSSSA (which has since been retired). The NSSSA was officially registered with the joint stock companies of Halifax in 1992, and the first Provincial Conference was held that same year. Known as L.I.N.K. (Leadership In Nova Scotia Kicks), it was sparsely attended, lasted for one day, and barely resembled the current structure of the NSSSA, but the enthusiasm generated by the conference was carried over to the next year, and conferences have been held every year. As attendance grew, further restructuring of the organization was needed, and the regions were formed shortly thereafter, with regional conferences becoming a reality in the mid-1990s.
Provincial Conference Every year, the NSSSA holds one four-day province-wide conference for all secondary school students, taking place at St. Francis Xavier University. Conference is always held on the third weekend of May, the weekend coinciding with the national Victoria Day holiday, from Thursday to Sunday.
The Provincial Conference features a wide array of interactive programming, including skillbuilding sessions, keynote speakers, student elections, and social events.
Skillbuilding is the core of the NSSSA experience, where small groups of students led by trained high school facilitators (called Skillbuilders) engage in discussions, games, and leadership challenges that focus on confidence-building, empathy, inclusion, and communication.
Each day also includes keynote speakers (often community leaders, educators, or youth advocates) who speak on topics related to leadership, mental health, activism, and personal growth.
The weekend normally does not follow an absolutely set pattern, but most of the events occur each year. Some of these events include:
Opening and closing ceremonies, which set the tone for the weekend, explain the rules and general structure of conference, and provide a space for celebration and reflection. The Opportunities Fair, where students connect with organizations, post-secondary institutions, and community initiatives. A talent show, where students across the province have the opportunity to showcase their unique skills and abilities EPIC (Everyone Participates In Conference), a high-energy, surprise, "Amazing Race" type event done with your skillbuilding group, focused on teamwork and spirit. Presidential, vice presidential, and co-premier elections, where candidates deliver speeches and delegates vote for the next year’s Provincial Cabinet leadership. A Dance A Late Night activity (usually Karaoke and a quieter option, such as board games) A concluding Barbeque and farewells on Sunday afternoon.
Rules At the opening ceremonies, three major rules that are absolute are introduced; these are called the "3D's". The "3D's" are:
No Drinking No Drugs No Doing "It" ("it" consisting of any sexual or romantic gestures or activities. Breaking these rules can result in expulsion from a conference.
The Eight Key Concepts Some other rules are introduced as well, known as the "Eight Key Concepts". While they are not grounds for expulsion, they are meant to guide the delegates of the conference to creating a nurturing and positive environment for all. They are as follows:
1. Positive Internal Focus Always strive to maintain an optimistic outlook and emphasize constructive discussion.
2. Speaker in Charge Only one person speaks at a time while others listen. This ensures everyone has an opportunity to contribute.
3. Speak for “I” Participants should speak from personal experience, using statements like “I feel…,” rather than “we feel…,” to avoid making assumptions about others’ thoughts or emotions.
4. Avoid “Killer Statements” Discourage insults, sarcasm, or negative remarks. Even jokes can undermine the group’s sense of safety and trust.
5. Unfinished Business All issues should be addressed fully. If a discussion is interrupted due to time constraints, it should be revisited as soon as possible.
6. Right to Pass Everyone has the choice whether to participate. Recognize that some individuals may feel uncomfortable in certain situations and may prefer silence.
7. Leveling Out To promote equity, each participant should be given equal opportunity to speak. When possible, everyone should be physically on the same level (e.g., seated in a circle).
8. Business, Never Personal Critique ideas, not individuals. Encourage dissenting viewpoints without allowing disagreements to become personal or damage relationships.
Beginning of Conference The conference officially begins with delegate arrival. Skillbuilders arrive early to set up a designated table, where delegates get the chance to meet them prior to conference.
Delegates are given a one‑hour grace period to arrive at St. Francis Xavier University (STFX), locate their rooms, check in with their assigned skillbuilders, and take part in the Welcoming Activity. This introductory event, organized by the Welcoming Co‑Chairs, is designed to foster communication and relationship building among participants.
Following the Welcoming Activity, all delegates proceed to dinner. The opening ceremony takes place afterward, during which the Conference Committee introduces themselves and outlines the rules and expectations for the event.
After the opening ceremony, delegates attend their first skillbuilding session.
Skillbuilding Participants attend skillbuilding sessions, which are central to the event’s programming. These sessions vary in length from one to three hours, with a total of eight sessions spread across the four days of the conference. Delegates are divided into skillbuilding groups, typically consisting of eight to ten delegates and two facilitators, known as skillbuilders. Each group meets in a designated space separate from others to ensure a focused and intimate environment.
Skillbuilding sessions involve a variety of interactive activities, including games, puzzles, and structured discussions. These activities are designed to promote team bonding, trust, and personal reflection among group members. By the second or third session, groups often develop a strong sense of camaraderie and openness, with participants frequently sharing personal thoughts and experiences in a supportive, peer-driven atmosphere.
The role of the skillbuilders is to facilitate the activities, maintain session flow, and nurture group cohesion. Each session concludes with a "debrief," during which members reflect on the activities and discuss the lessons learned.
The first and final skillbuilding sessions follow a consistent structure each year. During the first session, delegates write their "First Impressions" of each group member on cue cards, capturing their initial perceptions. In the final session, they write "Last Impressions" for each member, reflecting on how their understanding of the person has evolved over the course of the conference. These cards are then given to the respective individuals and are often regarded as meaningful mementos. The final session typically concludes with the skillbuilders offering closing words of encouragement and a reminder to carry forward the lessons learned. Delegates frequently exchange contact information, and it is common for groups to remain in touch long after the event. Many participants cite the skillbuilding sessions as the most impactful and memorable aspect of the conference.
Dance