CALL FOR PROPOSALS Bertha Capen Reynolds Society National Conference June 26-28, 1998 at the University of Houston Graduate School of Social Work Houston, TX

The working title of the Bertha Capen Reynolds Society (BCRS) conference is Daring to Struggle Together: Let's Talk, Let's Act. The conference will include examining individual and collective strategies for advancing a progressive social welfare and human rights agenda. In addition to providing a forum within which rights will be reasserted, we will also be looking at ways in which we can press the demands of marginalized and oppressed people.

Potential session leaders/facilitators should submit a one to two paged proposal which outlines the following:

Content: The conference will highlight regional issues in Texas and the South that are of national and/or international concern. Some examples are: privatization of public services, criminal justice/the death penalty, affirmative action, welfare rights/reform, border issues, immigrant rights, the effects of NAFTA, etc. More generally, topics which address human rights, issues of race, class, gender and/or sexual orientation are also welcome. Please specify where in your proposed content there will be opportunities for dialogue among participants.

Session Objectives: This year's BCRS conference aims to create a forum in which progressives with diverse interests and concerns are able to identify ways in which we can unite to confront attacks on human rights, marginalized groups, and the welfare state. We are also interested in moving beyond discussion of problems to generating solutions that lead to action. Please describe how your session fits into these conference aims. Also specify the objective(s) of your particular session and what you expect participants to get out of it.

Format: Describe the format of the proposed session you or your group plan to lead: SEMINAR. Tell us about your work, ideas, or strategies for activism in a particular area. DISCUSSION. Offer to lead a discussion on a topic area with which you have experience. TRAINING SESSION. Organize a "hands on" session that will help participants develop skills, strategies and tactics. Provide any other relevant details about the format of your session. If you will be using a different format than those above, please describe it as specifically as possible. One of the most successful elements of our past conferences has been creating forums in which participants--activists, workers, students, service providers, academics and concerned individuals--could listen to and learn from each other. Therefore, session leaders are strongly discouraged from lecturing or otherwise giving an academic presentation.

Please get your proposal(s) to us as soon as possible, but no later than February 2, 1998. Include a 50 word summary of your proposed session that could be used in the conference program/brochure. The Conference Program Committee will review all proposals and notify applicants by March 2, 1998. Mail proposals, including information on how best to reach you, to: Bertha Capen Reynolds Society, University of Houston, Graduate School of Social Work, Houston, TX 77204-4492. For more information on the conference, please call: (713)743-8081; email: SCollins@uh.edu.