PROPOSAL GUIDELINES -- 2010 BAHÁ’Í  SED CONFERENCE

 

Following are guidelines for submitting a workshop proposal for the 2010 Bahá’í Conference on Social and Economic Development (SED).  This year’s theme is “Deeds, Not Words: Uniting the Spiritual and the Practical”.

 

Once your proposal is received, it will be reviewed and an acknowledgement provided.

 

Types of Information to Include

 

Please note that all proposals will be given serious consideration, whether or not they meet all of these guidelines.

·        Proposals need not be lengthy.

·        Explain how your project is linked to the theory and practice of Bahá’í-inspired SED.  

·        Include connections to Bahá’í writings, or guidance from the Universal House of Justice.

o   We seek workshops that articulate Bahá'í SED principles and institutional guidance, and demonstrate their application in one’s project or efforts.

o   We encourage skillful reflection on relevant spiritual principles.

o   We encourage integration of the arts into the workshop (consistent with necessary cost control).

·        Describe the learning objectives of the workshop and a proposed plan for achieving the objectives.

 

Meeting the needs of the audience

 

·        Ensure that your presentation is concrete and practical and draws on actual Bahá’í development experience, both positive and negative.  

·        Keep the presentation of the details of your project or information concise. Make sure to convey what you have learned through your experience. Some ideas:

o   Address the “how to” of Bahá’í SED – that is, make it useful to participants.

o   Offer case studies or simulations of the process.

o   Help attendees identify problems and figure out how to solve them.

o   Offer tools and skills that participants can take home with them. Help them walk away with actionable ideas.

·        Make your workshop interactive/participatory, so as to engage attendees in an active – rather than passive – learning experience.

o   Plan adequate time for group consultation or small group interaction.  This is essential for participants to work through their understanding of the material and learn through the sharing of ideas.

o   Make it thought-provoking. Ask questions of the audience to help them with their understanding.

 

Format Requirements

 

For the written proposal, there is no specific format or word count requirement.  We prefer clarity in terms of describing the objectives to be met, how they will be met, and the project, initiative or message to be conveyed.

 

Other Information to Submit

 

·       Identify the proposed presenter(s) or facilitator(s)

o   Include brief biographical information, including a statement of each person’s relevant qualifications and his/her role in the workshop. 

·       Indicate the amount of time required for the workshop, in order to help determine how it might fit into the conference schedule.

o   Available time frames are 1.5 hours and 2.5 hours (this includes a 15-minute break).

·        A descriptive title for the proposed workshop.

·        A one-paragraph description (around 3-5 sentences) of the purpose and contents of the workshop. (This will be used in the Conference Program Guide.)

o   Accuracy of the description is extremely important. Workshop attendees sometimes express dismay at finding that workshop content differs from the description provided.

o   Include in the description reference to the level of SED experience of the target audience the workshop is aimed at and the degree of attendee participation planned. 

 

Helpful Hints on Presentations

 

As you begin to think about ways to enhance your workshop, please consider the following suggestions.  Note: These details will be sent to you if your proposal is accepted for presentation.

 

·        Make it interactive and participatory!

·        Include stories and real-life experiences, with a minimum of theory.

·        If you wish to project information (i.e., on a screen), please use presentation software that makes slides readable from a distance. Limit the amount of text on each slide.

·        Include pictures. Photos help the concepts come alive.

·        If you wish to distribute a handout, consider including an outline of the workshop.

·        Be prepared to use a microphone if necessary.

·        Practice your presentation ahead of time!

 

Proposals may be submitted via email to Proposals@rabbanitrust.org.

 

We appreciate your offer of service and devoted efforts in submitting a proposal.

 

The Rabbani Charitable Trust