This Call for Proposals is just the starting point for you to develop ideas and questions. Sessions should open discussion, raise new ideas and issues, and spark imagination. Good ideas and inspiration will last a long time and find many applications.
2008 Session Tracks
The NEMA conference typically offers 7-8 concurrent sessions per timeslot. NEMA works hard to design its conference program so that colleagues will find a session designed to meet the needs of their discipline in every timeslot.
Broadly stated, these disciplines are: Museum Governance (Board Development), Administration, Education, Exhibitions, Collections (including Curatorial and Registration topics), Membership and Development, and Marketing. We are always looking for sessions on Volunteer Management, Earned Income, Human Resources, Technology, and a mix of “101” and advanced sessions. Consider sharing your knowledge and experience. Help us to create a conference that meets your needs.
Developing a Proposal — Deadline: February 1, 2008
Proposals will be reviewed by the Program Committee, which can help you to develop your session further and find speakers. We are always interested in new voices from a variety of institutions, as well as people from outside the field. Try to include people who come to the issues with different goals and points of view. Ask friends and colleagues for suggestions. Remember to ask the important questions: Have you heard him or her speak…and was he or she good?
The Program Committee will meet in March, and you will be notified whether or not your proposal was accepted by mid April. Speakers must be finalized by early September. Thank you for your interest in participating in the NEMA Conference!
Format
Panel presentations are the most commonly used format, but may not be very effective, particularly if they run long and leave no time for discussion! Think about other formats that may be more appropriate for your topic and intended audience. Sometimes dividing the time and using more than one format can be effective.
Debate: Find lively speakers with well-developed ideas who can present opposing views and then open the debate to everyone. This format requires a firm but open moderator.
Guest speaker: Find a true expert everyone wants to hear and allow time at the end for comment, questions, and discussion.
Marketplace: Recruit 6-10 participants who will bring materials and create a browsing area. Select one focus (like programs for seniors) or a broad brush (the 10 tricks every exhibit designer needs to know).
Panel Presentation: Panels must be limited to no more than 3 speakers plus a chair to ensure adequate time for presentations. If you wish to have a panel, bring a watch and warning cards. Be ruthless about time limits and please allow 45 minutes for questions and discussion. Research shows that we both learn and enjoy a session more when we are an active participant.
Roundtable Discussions: Recruit a thoughtful, well-informed person for each table who can provide an introduction and initiate discussion.
Chairing a session requires work. You will be responsible for confirming the speakers and communicating to them the goals, format and intended content of the session. If possible, bring participants together in advance in person or by a conference call. It is your responsibility to develop a session that is coherent and well organized.
Speaker Policies
Please remember our policies on registration and membership to avoid embarrassment later on. Please make sure that anyone you ask to speak understands these policies.
Presenters from within the museum community, including vendors and consultants who work with museums, are expected to register for the meeting if they are staying beyond their session.
Presenters from other fields are welcome guests for the day of their session but are asked to pay for any meals or events they wish to attend.
NEMA does not pay expenses or offer honoraria to presenters from within the museum community. If you have presenters from outside the field who ask for reimbursement of any expenses, you must get approval from the NEMA Executive Director.