Wilderness & Beyond Conference
CALL FOR PRESENTERS
Great Old Broads for Wilderness (Broads) is hosting a national Wilderness & Beyond Conference this fall that will focus on education to strengthen attendees’ skills to successfully advocate for expanded public land protections. It will teach participants how to build stronger collaborations, diverse partnerships, and how to gather a broad range of perspectives and consensus to effectively achieve conservation goals.
Our Planning Committee will select session proposals and presenters based on relevance to our priority areas of public lands advocacy, education, and stewardship and as sessions relate to our theme of Wilderness & Beyond. We seek a well balanced program that represents a broad variety of topics and perspectives.
Session Criteria
Proposed session content is requested to:
- Contribute to our overall mission, vision, and values
- Provide audience engagement opportunities such as small group break-outs, discussions, and facilitated workshops
- Include a DEIJ (diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice) component
- Emphasize or demonstrate the importance of collaboration amongst community members, organizational partners, and land management agencies
Review Criteria
The strongest proposals will carefully address the criteria listed below and provide enough detail for the planning committee to fully understand what the session will entail. Proposals will be assessed and selected by how well they:
- Describe the content and activity proposed for the session
- Explain proposed format (solo presenter, panel discussion, roundtable, etc.) and what specific steps will be taken to engage the audience
- Explain how the session will inform environmental advocates about proven/best practices
- Incorporate values that advance equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility; and encourage the engagement of new audiences, forging of new partnerships, and honoring traditional Indigenous knowledge.
A sense of humor and playfulness is highly encouraged!
Session Details & Expectations
Conference sessions are 1 hour and 15 minutes and are scheduled for Tuesday, Oct 15, and Wednesday, Oct 16. We welcome and encourage non-traditional and creative session styles such as workshops with active participation such as those that include discussion, incorporate the arts, etc. We also encourage sessions that are co-created by multiple partner organizations.
Session Coordination
- A liaison or single point of contact must be identified for sessions involving panel discussions or more than one presenter. The planning committee will only communicate with the designated liaison, whose duties are to:
- Serve as the main point of contact
- Submit speaker bios and headshots
- Provide presentations, handouts, and other session materials to the planning committee
- Ensure sessions are designed such that there are opportunities for audience engagement, panel discussions are balanced among presenters, and a summary with calls to action included as appropriate.
Important information for session presenters:
Honoria and conference accommodations (lodging and meals) will be discussed once presenters are approved. We have limited funds for honoraria. Consideration will be given on a case-by-case basis. Please email Audrey Glendenning, audrey@greatoldbroads.org or Sally Sharp, sally@greatoldbroads.org to discuss. Travel expenses will not be reimbursed.
Anticipated Timeline
- The deadline for submission is May 15, 2024, at 5:00 pm MT.
- Sessions will be selected by June 1, 2024.
- Submit speaker bios and headshots within 2 weeks of being notified of selection.
- Submit final session handouts, presentations, and materials to the planning committee by 5:00 pm on Friday, Sept 20, 2024.
- Speakers are responsible for printing handouts or providing links to online materials to session attendees.
Questions?
Please contact Audrey Glendenning, audrey@greatoldbroads.org or Sally Sharp, sally@greatoldbroads.org
To submit your session proposal, please submit your proposal online HERE.