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Proposal Guidelines

Deadline for proposal submissions: September 9, 2022
Notifications delivered on or after: November 1, 2022

The National LGBTQ Task Force’s Creating Change Conference is the nation’s foremost political, leadership, and skills-building conference for the LGBTQ movement. We are building a future where everyone is free to be themselves in every aspect of their lives. Today, despite all the progress we have made to end discrimination, millions of LGBTQ people face barriers in every aspect of their lives: in housing, employment, healthcare, retirement, and basic human rights. These barriers must go. Through its Creating Change Conference and other advocacy programs, the Task Force is training and mobilizing thousands of activists across the nation to deliver a world where you can be you.

Please read this page completely. It contains critical instructions and information.

Session Proposals for Creating Change 2023

Content

Sessions include movement-building, grassroots organizing, leadership development, organization-building, and educational opportunities for both new and seasoned leaders. Sessions must be grounded in the values and standards of the National LGBTQ Task Force. The Task Force seeks and prioritizes session proposals which reflect a commitment to racial, economic, gender, and disability justice.

Format

Sessions offered at Creating Change 2023 will include:

1. Caucus – 60 minutes. A time for affinity groups or people working on similar projects to gather and exchange ideas, network, and build community. Caucus space can also be an opportunity to convene a group of interested participants to discuss a specific topic. Caucus space should not prioritize practical skills-building. This will be the focus of workshops (next, below).

• Workshop – 90 minutes. Workshop sessions are ideal for topics that can be effectively covered in the allotted time. 90-minute sessions feature opportunities to build skills and knowledge, emphasizing interactivity and participant engagement.

Participation and Practice

90-minute workshop proposals will be reviewed for emphasis on learning, engagement, and practice. Successful proposals will demonstrate:

• Centering Participants: Content that engages participants throughout the session, utilizing experiential and participatory learning methods wherever possible.
• “Real-World” Practice: After learning new skills in a session, it is important attendees are provided an opportunity for practical application. “Real-world” practice makes it more likely participants will apply what they have learned at Creating Change and beyond.

The Task Force discourages the submission of lecture and panel presentations unless there is an opportunity for substantive participation and dialogue. Proposals featuring panels with more than three (3) panelists are given lowest priority.

Language Justice and Accessibility

Creating Change prioritizes accessibility in several areas, including and not limited to the provision of American Sign Language (ASL) and Spanish/English interpretation in workshops and caucuses.

• Interpreters work hard to help build an accessible conference, relying on advanced preparation to optimize the services they provide. Ahead of sessions, Presenters are responsible for submitting session materials (outlines, handouts, slide decks, etc.) according to a process and deadline set by the Task Force and Creating Change.
• If materials are not submitted in advance, the session will be cancelled at the discretion of the Task Force and Creating Change.
• By submitting a proposal, you understand and agree to these terms.

Accessibility is for everyone. Thank you for joining us in this important commitment!

Session Tracks

For Creating Change 2023, the Task Force requires that session proposals fall under one of the following tracks. Track selection is made on the Request for Proposals form.

1. Advocacy, Democracy, and Policy

Sessions in this track offer strategies, ideas, tools, and trends to engage people in civic life while working toward concrete progressive change. Sessions also focus on expanding the number of LGBTQ people who are registered to vote, increasing the number of educated voters in upcoming elections, and advancing legislative/policy priorities that serve to strengthen and ensure the integrity of our democratic institutions.

2. Community and Identity

Sessions in this track focus on the needs and experiences of all the communities and identities under the broader LGBTQ umbrella. Sessions may address the history and culture of different communities, as well as the issues facing various populations. Creating Change encourages sessions on historically underrepresented populations.

3. Equity and Justice

Sessions in this track focus on dismantling oppressive systems while pursuing liberation and positive outcomes for all – inclusive of race, class, gender, sex, religion, and ability.

4. Faith and Spirituality/Practice Spirit, Do Justice

Sessions in this track focus on the pro-LGBTQ spiritual and religious movement.

5. Health and Healing

Sessions in this track focus on the broad range of physical and behavioral health concerns facing LGBTQ communities. Creating Change encourages sessions that highlight the roles trauma and violence play in our lives, as well as effective interventions with a focus on healing.

6. Movement-Building and Organizational Development

Sessions in this track focus on building individual, community, organizational, and movement strength for doing LGBTQ equity work, with a focus on best practices and inclusion. Sessions may address theories of change, intersectional analysis, cross-movement strategies, development/fundraising, human resources, fiscal management, communications and marketing, and board development.

*IMPORTANT*

Deadline

Proposals received by 11:59 pm Pacific Time on Friday, September 9, 2022, will be reviewed and considered for scheduling. The deadline of 11:59 pm Pacific Time, September 9, 2022, will not be extended. The Task Force reserves the right to decline the review of proposals received after this deadline.

No Solicitation

Proposals that primarily promote or sell commercial products, or proposals that promote or sell the commercial work products of individual presenters will be declined.

Proposal Review and Notification

Proposals are reviewed by teams of Task Force staff and outside experts. Considerations for selection include relevance of the proposed session to the values and principles stated in this document, especially the Task Force’s 2023 tracks listed above; depth of content; presenter qualifications and experience; overall strength of the submission; and proposals that reflect the Task Force’s commitment to representation of race, gender, class, age, and disability. The Task Force reserves the right to decline proposals.

Notifications regarding the status of proposals will be delivered via email beginning on or after November 1, 2022.

Registration Fees / Travel and Lodging

Registration fees help cover the cost of producing Creating Change and help sustain future conferences. Thank you for making the investment with us!

1. Those whose proposals are declined will receive a link to register at an amount equal to the discounted cost of Kick-Off registration.
2. All presenters whose proposals are accepted for scheduling will receive a link to register at an additionally discounted rate.
3. Presenters are responsible for the cost of their own travel and lodging.

Conference Schedule and Location

Following two days of annual institute programming, workshops and caucuses will be scheduled for Sunday, February 19 and Monday, February 20, 2023.

1. Presenters are expected to plan travel and lodging according to the conference schedule. Requests for scheduling accommodations cannot be granted.
2. All Creating Change 2023 programming will be held at the Hilton Union Square in San Francisco, California.

Please note: All proposal submissions must include accurate and up-to-date contact information.

Thank you for reading – you’re ready to submit!