Request for Proposals

The theme of the 2023 annual conference is “Literacy Unleashed”.

We’re looking for sessions that explore this idea from different angles – an exploration of what could truly be possible for Texas adults and families when literacy providers focus on innovation and creativity.

If this theme interests you, and you might have information to share, please send us your proposal. The submission form is linked below, and the content of the form is also on this page, so you can prepare the content before you submit.

The Literacy Texas Conference Committee hopes to select a broad range of topics for the final schedule. We’re interested in proposals on all literacy topics, but our 2022-23 Needs Assessment indicated particular interest in presentations on:

Using data; effective and practical program evaluation
Student recruitment and orientation
Student assessment and testing
Clear communication and plain language
Fund development and sustainability
Understanding literacy in a wider context, e.g., linked to poverty
Volunteer recruitment, support, and retention
Overcoming burnout and exhaustion in resource-depleted environments
Literacy for work and in the workplace
Learning differences and disabilities
Literacy as a part of library programs
Digital literacy and technology

2022-23 survey respondents also expressed strong interest in topics that:

Explored literacy through a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion;
Took a “case study” approach, highlighting successful programs; and
Linked findings to ongoing research, methodology, and instructional theory/best practice.

Every year, the Literacy Texas Annual Conference schedule of breakout sessions is made vibrant, topical, and varied by the gift of people’s time and expertise. People like you, willing to share your knowledge, are vital to the ongoing development of literacy professionals in Texas. We are grateful!

2023 RFP Timeline

The 2023 RFP is now open

The online submission form is linked here. The questions in it are repeated on this page, directly below, to allow you time to consider and prepare your responses before entering the information in the online form.

If you have ANY problems or issues with the online application process, call the Literacy Texas Helpline:

972-930-5298

Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Central Time

If you have any questions about presenting at the Literacy Texas Annual Conference: conference[at]literacytexas.org.

Last day for submissions: Wednesday, March 29, 2023

* Required field

2023 RFP form content for your reference

Introduction

THANK YOU for your interest in presenting at the 2023 Literacy Texas Annual Conference.

The information we’ll gather in the form has two purposes:

To help the conference committee create a varied and relevant program of sessions for conference attendees, and
To gather the information we’ll use in the printed program, on the Literacy Texas website, and on social media, to help attendees select sessions of most interest to them.

The sections below outline where and how the information you’re submitting will be used. Thank you for helping us improve every year!

*Required field

Section 1: Breakout Session Information

Breakout session title (max. 75 characters)*

Breakout session summary (max. 230 characters)*
Outline the main focus of your session in one or two sentences. These summaries will be listed in the printed program and on the Literacy Texas Conference Breakout page: literacytexas.org/breakouts (you can see examples from 2022 on that page) and are intended to catch someone’s interest and make them want to learn more.

Breakout session description (max. 3,500 characters)*
This is for the conference committee, and also for your session webpage (see an example here). The ideal description will, like the example provided, expand on the short summary you already provided (in the example, “Description”), and then outline what participants will learn and do during the session (in the example, “What we’ll cover”).

The conference committee will evaluate proposals according to the extent that they:

State clear objectives;
Focus on a specific audience;
Have the potential to interactively engage participants through discussion or activities;
Provide information, strategies, or tools participants can use in their work;
Are grounded in the presenter’s experience;
Are timely and relevant;
Provide research-based expertise for literacy providers;
Show links to the conference theme (2023: “Literacy Unleashed”).

Primary audience*
Please select one from the list below.
>Classroom Instructors (volunteers, teachers, tutors; classroom roles)
>Decision Makers (Program Directors or CEOs)
>Program Administrators (non-classroom roles in any type of literacy program)
>General audience

Audience degree of familiarity with the topic*
Who will benefit most from your session?
>Beginners – people learning about this topic for the first time
>Intermediate – people who are ready to go beyond basics with this topic
>Advanced – people who have a high degree of familiarity with this topic

Will you be promoting any type of product or service as part of this session?*
>Yes
>No

IF YES: What type of product or service? From which agency or company? (max. 300 characters)

Is this session wholly, or in significant part, a case study of a successful adult or family literacy program?*
>Yes
>No

Any other info you’d like to share with prospective attendees? (max. 300 characters)
This is optional, and any details you add here will be listed on your session webpage under “Other info” (see example linked earlier). You might list a specific resource you’ll be focusing on, alert people that they’ll need to bring a device to the session, link an interesting article for pre-reading, etc.

Primary topic area*
Please select one from the list below. You will have the opportunity to select two additional topic areas as secondary topics, immediately below.
>ESL/ELL
>HSE/ASE/ABE
>Literacy for Work
>Math/Numeracy/Financial Literacy
>Civics/Citizenship
>Health Literacy
>Family Literacy
>Library Programs
>Digital Literacy/Technology
>Distance/Virtual Learning
>Volunteer Management
>Staff/Program Management
>Community/Collaboration/Partnerships
>Learning Differences
>Program Evaluation/Data Management
>Marketing/Communications
>Fundraising/Sustainability
>Instruction/Methodology/Research
>Diversity/Equity/Inclusion
>Advocacy/Public Awareness

Secondary topic areas*
Please select two from the list below.
[same list as above]

Breakout session format*
Choose one:
>Hands-on presentation
>Round-table discussion
>Demonstration
>Lecture
>Other – please list

Preferred session length*
This year’s conference schedule includes 60-min, 75-min and 90-min breakout sessions. We will do our best to accommodate all requests but cannot guarantee a particular session length. We will communicate with all presenters about the final schedule well in advance of the conference.

Choose one:
>60 min
>75 min
>90 min
>Flexible

Preferred room set-up*
Feedback from attendees is that they like to be able to face the speaker. Please select “round tables” only if your session will involve a lot of group discussion.

Choose one:
>Schoolroom
>Theater
>Round tables

Audio-visual and technology options*
Each room will be furnished with:
LCD projector + screen
Laptop computer
Wifi access
Speakers
Flipchart & markers

Please note that we cannot guarantee any equipment beyond what we provide. You should plan to bring any special adapters or other equipment that you will need for your session.

I will bring:*
>HDMI adapter
>Apple computer adapter
>Neither of the above – I don’t need any additional equipment

Sharing of presentation materials*
Breakout session attendees often request PPT slides and other handouts to be sent to them after the conference is over. To streamline this for presenters, Literacy Texas is happy to host presentation materials on the conference website (in the “Handouts & Materials” section of your session’s webpage). If you would like to share your materials in this manner, please send them to conference[at]literacytexas.org at any time. Materials will be uploaded as soon as possible after they are received (or you can request that we hold on posting materials until after the conference – just let us know your preferences when you send).

Please send PDFs only.

Do you plan to share presentation materials to be made available on the Literacy Texas website?
>Yes
>No
>I’ll decide later

Section 2: Presenter Information

Lead presenter information*
First name, last name
Job title
Organization name
Organization website
Email address
Cell phone
ZIP code

Lead presenter history*
Have you presented at a Literacy Texas conference or symposium before?
>Yes, in 2022 and/or 2021
>Yes, in 2020 or earlier
>No

Please share a brief account of your presenting experience, for example, recent events where you’ve presented, on what topics, year of your first presentation, etc.*

Lead presenter bio* (max. 1,500 characters)
Please submit your bio in the third person. Presenter bios will be included on the Literacy Texas website and possibly in social media.

Lead presenter headshot*
Please upload a headshot in JPG or PNG format, minimum 300px on the shortest side (larger is great!).

Do you need to add co-presenter information?*
>Yes
>No

There will be space on the form to submit information for up to 4 co-presenters – the same information as listed for the lead presenter. If your session has more than 4 presenters, please get in touch with Literacy Texas: conference[at]literacytexas.org.

We’ll ask you to give as much information as you can for your co-presenters, but only your co-presenter’s name will be required in the form. You can submit your proposal and we can gather the other necessary information from you at a later date, if you don’t have it available while submitting.

Section 3: Presenter Agreements

The lead presenter and any co-presenter(s):

Must register for the conference and pay any registration fees.
Will be responsible for all costs related to transportation, lodging, and meals not provided as part of the registration.
Will be responsible for costs of audio-visual and technology equipment requested beyond one flipchart, laptop computer, markers, speakers, wifi, screen, and LCD projector.
Will not be paid a stipend.
Must follow copyright laws.
Will be responsible for any personal equipment used in the presentation, along with printing and supplying any handouts or other presentation materials for attendees.
Grant permission to Literacy Texas for use of any photography/videography for future promotional purposes.

Do you agree to the terms listed above?*
>YES checkbox

Lead presenter agreement*
I agree to be the lead communicator between Literacy Texas and any/all co-presenters about this proposed session.
>YES checkbox

END OF FORM CONTENT

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