The 22nd Annual National Service-Learning Conference®
THE TIME IS NOW
April 6-9, 2011, Atlanta, Georgia

The National Youth Leadership Council, invites you to submit proposals for workshops and the Service-Learning Showcase at the 22nd Annual National Service-Learning Conference®. The Time is NOW to submit proposals that pursue high-quality service-learning practice, engage the disengaged, bridge the gap between community and school, strengthen the “I” in service-learning through professional development, and cement service-learning in main stream education.

All workshop proposals must be received no later than September 24, 2010.

All Service-Learning Showcase applications must be received no later than December 17, 2010.

About the Conference
The National Service-Learning Conference is the largest gathering of youth and practitioners involved in service-learning, drawing nearly 2,200 attendees from across the United States and many other countries each year. The conference’s multiple day, concurrent session format offers a self-directed, facilitated learning environment with education sessions, discussion groups and interactive workshops designed specifically for all levels of attendees engaged in service-learning and focused on current and emerging issues, best practices and the challenges facing us today.

About the Service-Learning Showcase
Do you have a high-quality service-learning project you would like to highlight at the conference? Not ready for a full 90-minute workshop session but have a powerful message to deliver? Then consider being part of the Service-Learning Showcase.

The Service-Learning Showcase will be held on Thursday, April 7th from 12:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Showcases will be set up as table top displays on a 6-foot table. Students are encouraged to staff their showcase. There will be neither electricity hook ups nor internet connections.

Strong showcases should show ties to curriculum, and include reflection components, youth voice and community partnerships. The showcase should effectively describe the impact the program has on its community and how the initiative is unique and replicable for conference attendees.

Presenters are able to apply for both a workshop and a showcase. All presenters are expected to register for the conference and will be offered the early-bird rate until the full conference rate applies.

About Workshop Proposals
All sessions are 90 minutes in length and will be held on either Thursday, April 7 or Friday, April 8, 2011. Workshops generally average 20-30 attendees. All presenters are expected to register for the conference and will be offered the early-bird rate until the full conference rate applies.

In writing your proposal, please keep in mind the primary audiences for this conference:
• K-12 Educators
• Students (elementary, middle, high school, and college)
• Professors/Researchers
• Administrators
• Community Partners

NYLC is seeking proposals that address topics in the following tracks:

Scientists and Stewards
The Scientists and Stewards track showcases work underway in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)-related fields, with a focus on innovative solutions for transforming your community. Topics may include using STEM service-learning curriculum and new technology, launching green initiatives, creating green leaders, and engaging private and public partners.

Classroom Transformation
These workshops provide hands-on professional development for teachers and administrators in school and district settings. Topics may include service-learning curriculum development, teaching innovations, compliance with state standards, evaluation and research, the integration of new media in education, and strategies for sustaining programs.

Student Achievement
Workshops in the Student Achievement track concern service-learning and student engagement, performance, resiliency, and success in school. Topics of these sessions may include service-learning’s unique contributions to closing the achievement gap, drop-out prevention, incorporating youth voice, and after-school programs.

Civic Contributions
The sessions in the Civic Contributions track energize participants to be more fully engaged community members. Topics may include youth leadership, social justice, community partnerships, philanthropy and fundraising, advocacy and policy work, and teen driver safety.

Global Learning
Workshops in this track are selected for their universal relevance, and feature a “think locally while acting globally” approach. Topics may include service-learning and spirituality, peace-building, health strategies, multicultural understanding, economic sustainability, and disaster relief.

We strongly encourage proposals from young people active in service-learning. Workshops that involve audience interaction are also strongly encouraged. Presenters are able to apply for both a workshop and a showcase.

Selection Criteria
Proposals will be assessed based on their relevance to the conference theme, content quality, creativity of delivery, audience participation, and incorporation of the K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice. For more information on the Service-Learning Standards, visit www.nylc.org.

Submission Guidelines

1. Proposals must be submitted online at the NSLC 2011 Call for Presenters website.
2. When filling out the online form, you will be asked to submit your narrative description via text boxes, describing all important aspects of your presentation, including:
   • Description of format
   • Goals and objectives
   • Overview of presentation content
   • Benefits to participants
   • Opportunities for participant interaction and reflection
   • Relevance to the conference theme: THE TIME IS NOW
   • Description of the primary presenter’s qualifications and experience (an optional paragraph may be included for each of the co-presenters)
3. Only complete applications will be reviewed.
4. Presentations must be limited to 90 minutes.
5. NYLC reserves the right to edit workshop titles and descriptions for length and content for the official conference program guide.
6. Academic degrees will not be included in the program guide.
7. No more than two proposals will be accepted from the same individual or organization.
8. All communications will be sent only to the primary presenter.
9. All presenters must register for the conference.

Written notification on the status of your proposal will be mailed and/or emailed to the primary presenter by November 15, 2010.

Editing Your Proposal Submission
Click here to edit your submitted proposal. You will need to enter your last name and email address to access your information. After you have completed making your edits, be sure to hit the submit button.