Community Development Society call for abstracts

[Discussion list for COMM-ORG]

From:  "Silverman, Robert" <rms35 at buffalo.edu>

 

Community Development Society (CDS)


Annual International Conference


June 22-25, 2008 - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

 

CALL FOR PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS

 

The annual CDS conference provides an opportunity for students, 
practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to share experiences, 
expertise, and/or research findings on strategies to improve the process 
and practice of community development. The Program Planning Committee 
will accept Abstracts for proposed presentations for the 2008 
Conference. Researchers, academics, and policy makers are strongly 
encouraged to partner with practitioners on the submission of abstracts 
and presentation of sessions.

 

Deadline for Submission of Abstracts is October 31, 2007

 

CONFERENCE THEME

 

Conversation, Collaboration and Democracy - Creative Community Engagement

Community development practice and scholarship have gone through a 
number of twists and turns over the last few decades as we have come to 
better understand the field within various conceptual frameworks as well 
as their practical applications.   Today, there is growing demand for 
increased participation in decision making and democracy in communities 
and organizations.   

 

One of the principles of community development deals with the process of 
meaningful engagement in decision making that affects people's lives. 
There has been increasing demand to provide vehicles for community 
citizens to be heard, including those groups that often don't get heard. 
How can we, as developers, facilitate this process? What is the role of 
community development in democratic processes and vice versa? How do we 
increase participation in community building?

 

Some of these questions and areas of practice will be part of the 
dialogue and program content of 2008 Conference Tracks  -- we invite 
proposal submissions that include the following topics as suggestions 
within the conference theme of Conversation, Collaboration and Democracy 
- Creative Community Engagement.

 

Fields/Sectors   

Examples of Topics that Relate to Theme

Agriculture

Culture

Education

Economy

Energy

Environment

Health

Housing

Public Participation

Public Works

Recreation

Regional Development
Religion & Spirituality

Telecommunications

Transportation

*    How does community development inform democracy?

*    How do we bridge the gap between government decision makers, public 
policy formation and citizen participation?

*    What role should/could community developers play in encouraging 
marginalized groups to get involved in affecting public policy?

*    How does the state of democracy influence community development?

*    What is the role of leadership versus the role of community 
development?

*    How do we increase participation in community building?

*    How can we and should we assess the level of democracy in 
organizations and workplaces?

*    How can grass roots empowerment enhance community sustainability 
and evolve healthy governance?

*    Asset and wealth formation, building individual, group, and 
community assets, structures to build self-reliance

*    Issues of Leadership Succession / Transfer of Power to New Leaders

*    Working together through creative operating structures; 
inter-organizational strategies

*    Community Collaboration and Public/Private Partnerships

*    Evaluating Community Engagement Initiatives

*    Community Development Process

*    Navigating Community Conflict

*    Cultural Diversity: Issues and Aspects

*    Intergenerational Issues and Aspects - Engaging Youth, Seniors and 
Young Professionals

 

Error! Filename not specified.Text Box: Presenters are not limited to 
submissions on these topics. They are offered as suggestions to promote 
a broader program for participants. Proposals outside the major 
conference theme or solicited proposals will also be considered to round 
out the conference program content. The Program Committee reserves the 
right to accept abstracts for categories other than those in which they 
are submitted. View descriptions of Presentation Formats starting on 
Page 3 of this notice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR ABSTRACTS

 

All presenters except exhibitors are required to submit an abstract. The 
following guidelines will apply to anyone submitting a proposal.

 

1.       Each submission must include ONE proposal category type or 
presentation format from the list below.

 

2.       Each submission must include the following contact information 
for the session presenter or organizer:

·         name

·         organization or affiliation

·         complete address (include specific department or bureau, if 
applicable)

·         phone and fax numbers

·         active email address  

 

Proposed sessions, such as panels that involve multiple presenters, 
should list the information for all participants in addition to the name 
and contact information of the session organizer. The Program Committee 
will communicate with the session organizer.

 

3.      Provide an abstract of no more than 250 words listing a  title, 
author(s) name and affiliation, and addressing the Criteria for 
Selection described below.  Limited space on the conference means that 
high priority will be given to abstracts containing a clear presentation 
of methodology or approach used, results or outcomes obtained, and how 
local officials and/or community development practitioners can use the 
results. Accepted abstracts will be printed in the conference brochure 
as a session description. Abstracts longer than 250 words will be edited 
for space reasons.

 

4.       List specific audio-visual needs. The Conference will provide 
overhead projectors, LCD projectors (for PowerPoint presentations), and 
audio equipment if needed. Laptop computers for presentations will not 
be provided.

 

5.       Online submissions will be available through the CDS website 
through October 31,  2007  www.comm-dev.org <http://www.comm-dev.org/>  
If you are unable to submit the proposal via the website, please forward 
the proposal electronically in an attachment using Microsoft Word or a 
related program to Peggy at AssnOffices.com.   

 

6.       The submission deadline is TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2007.  

 

 

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF PROPOSALS

 

In selecting proposals for inclusion in the annual conference program, 
the Program Committee will assess the extent to which the abstract...

·         describes how the proposed session relates to the conference 
theme as stated above, or, if outside the major conference theme, 
describes the relevance to the field of community development;

·         describes the research, practice/policy approach, issue, 
topic, or best practice the session will address;

·         describes what others will learn from the presentation;

·         describes how the theory and/or practice being presented 
(i.e., project, program, or model of development at the local, regional 
or national level) effects a prescribed constituency;

·         describes how the activities, events, or models being 
presented are linked to a bigger picture...providing a component within 
a regional development framework, or not. If not, how might it affect 
the sustainability of that activity or validity of the development model;

·         describes what has been or can be learned about the process 
and results of citizen engagement, collaboration and creative community 
engagement.

·         describes how the CDS Principles of Good Practice are applied. 
Principles are listed on the home page of the CDS website at 
www.comm-dev.org <http://www.comm-dev.org/>  

 

 

 

PROCEEDINGS

The Conference intends to publish proceedings in some form to be made 
available to attendees and other potential audiences. Selected 
presenters will be required to submit actual presentations 
(presentations, papers, panel or roundtable summaries, PowerPoint, etc.) 
electronically so that they can be captured for proceedings. A deadline 
in mid-April will be announced.

 

SELECTION AND ACCEPTANCE PROCESS

 

The Program Committee will review all proposals against the Criteria for 
Selection. Selection decisions will be made on or about December 31, 
2007. Selected presenters will have 30 days to make a commitment of 
acceptance.  The Program Committee has the authority and responsibility 
for placing sessions in the program at a day and time that best suits 
the overall program.

 

THE FOLLOWING PRESENTATION FORMATS WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR REVIEW

 

PANEL PRESENTATIONS:

Format:  Panel Presentations will be 90 minutes in length involving 
three to five colleagues or peers in an open conversation or discussion 
on a topic, and will engage the audience in a question and 
answer/conversational session.  

Requirements:  Submit an Abstract as described above that also includes 
an outline of the topic, names of panelists, background information on 
the topic, and questions that may be used to stimulate audience 
participation.

 

PAPER PRESENTATIONS:  Note - Different Format Options for 2008 Conference

Format:  Paper presentations are verbal summaries of papers addressing 
ongoing and completed community development research and theory. Papers 
should present well-developed concepts, applications, and results. There 
will be two formats for presentation of papers.  One format will be 
Paper Presentations Creating Posters of Learning -- individual paper 
presentations that are 20 minutes in length, followed by 20 minutes of 
developing posters by the audience on what they have learned during 
presentation. Two or three related papers may be submitted as a panel. 
Individual proposals will be grouped with related papers by the Program 
Committee. The other format will be Learning Station Paper Presentations 
--  Paper presentations will also be slotted into the Learning Station 
session of the conference - where as a Learning Station Paper 
Presentation, presenters will be delivering 20 minute presentations, 
which they may or may not  be asked to  repeat in a second round of 
Learning Station rotations.

Requirements:  Submit an Abstract as described above indicating 
preference of Paper Presentation format. Manuscripts submitted for the 
proceedings should be under 30 double spaced pages, not including 
figures, tables, endnotes, and appendices.

 

POSTER SESSIONS:  

Format:  A poster is the medium through which the presenter describes a 
project, research results, program summaries, or lessons learned as a 
visual display on poster board. The poster usually includes a brief 
narrative paper along with tables, graphs, pictures, and other 
presentation formats. The presenter may be standing by the poster during 
an assigned time (Learning Stations), while conference participants view 
the presentation and interact with the presenter.

 

Requirements:  Submit an Abstract as described above. In addition, each 
poster must...

·         include the title of the presentation, the institution, agency 
or community where the work was completed, and author names in large 
letters at the top center of the poster;

·         be easy to read at a distance of 4 feet (1.5 m). A point size 
of 16-18 (5-6 mm) or larger is recommended;

·         post an abstract;

·         include at least one of the authors at the assigned space 
during the designated time to discuss the work presented, and be ready 
to respond to questions concerning all aspects of the presentation;

·         include a photo of the presenters, so that conference 
participants can locate them during the conference to ask questions 
outside of formal in-person presentation period.

·         provide handouts;

·         be constructed on either free-standing poster board or form 
board/form core that will sit on a 6-foot table.  One easel will be 
provided for each poster.  If you have additional set-up questions, 
contact Peggy Blankenship at Peggy at AssnOffices.com.  

 

PROJECT PRESENTATIONS/SHOWCASE OF BEST PRACTICES:

Format:  Presentations highlight the design, development, and 
implementation of a community development project or program. 
Presentations use handouts and audiovisuals to supplement a verbal 
presentation of the concept, design, challenges, and outcomes of a 
project or best practice. Presentations are 20 minutes in length, 
followed by 20 minutes of developing posters by audience on what they 
have learned during presentation. Two or three related project 
presentations may be submitted as a panel. Individual proposals will be 
grouped with related papers by the Program Committee.  Two or three 
presentations may be grouped into a 60 or 90 minute session.

Requirements:  Submit an Abstract as described above.

 

WORKSHOPS:

Format:  Workshops are innovative, interactive sessions in which 
participants learn about or use tools, techniques, and approaches that 
they can apply. Workshops must involve participants, using formats such 
as role playing, simulations, practice sessions, tool application, case 
studies, success/failure stories, or discussion. Workshops are typically 
90 minutes in length. However, day-long skill-building workshops, 
offered as "pre-conference" options, will be considered - Contact Connie 
Loden or Peggy Blankenship if interested in submitting proposal for this..

Requirements:  Submit an Abstract as described above that also includes 
a brief agenda that summarizes the learning objectives.

 

OTHER:

The Conference encourages interactive formats that engage participants 
in a variety of learning styles. Abstracts that propose a format other 
than one that is already listed above must describe the format and 
provide details on the learning styles employed.

 

EXHIBITS:

Exhibitors are invited to set up a display for the duration of the 
conference, providing an opportunity for organizations, networks, 
projects, programs, government agencies, tribal units, and businesses to 
display their materials. Exhibitors will be asked to staff displays 
during breaks or specially designated exhibit viewing times.  A fee will 
be charged for both non-profit and commercial/government exhibits. For 
additional information, contact CDS using the information below.

 

CONFERENCE CONTACTS


For more info, please contact:

 

Connie Loden, CDS VP Programs

Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance

1120 Lincoln St.

Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494

cloden at heartofwi.com <mailto:cloden at heartofwi.com>  or 1-715-423-1830


CDS Business Office

Peggy Blankenship, CDS Business Manager

17 South High Street, Ste. 200

Columbus, OH  43215

P: 614-221-1900

F: 614-221-1989

E: Peggy at AssnOffices.com

 

 

CONFERENCE WEBSITE

 

www.comm-dev.org <http://www.comm-dev.org/>