Call for Professional Development Workshop Proposals

What Are the Themes and Potential Topics for Contemplation?

The theme for the 2010 conference, which will take place over May 2nd to 5th at the Victoria Conference Centre and Fairmont Empress Hotel on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, is: Going Green, Gold and Global: New Horizons for Evaluation. The broader context is that of a field of practice that continues to develop and evolve, and that provides value to all levels of the public service as much as non-profit and for-profit sectors. Given this, and the three sub-themes, workshop topics can reflect such experiences with evaluation as:

• Addressing environmental stewardship and sustainability related matters, with climate change being a prominent consideration in this sense.
• Demonstrating progress in, and successes with, inter-dependent, complex initiatives that involve many governing bodies, such as the hosting of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
• Building and learning from international connections in policies and programs, with an example being the strengthening of economic ties in the Pacific Rim.

An expansive view of evaluation can also be taken, including planning (e.g., building and adopting frameworks), performance measurement, periodic assessments and reviews, and reporting on results.

What Is Expected in the Way of Workshop Formats and Timing?

The workshops are expected to be hands-on, interactive sessions that provide opportunities to gain knowledge and expertise over either:

• A full day, timed from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm with lunch included; or
• A half-day, timed for 9:00 am to 12:00 noon, or 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

These sessions will either precede the conference by taking place on Sunday, May 2nd, or will follow the event on the afternoon only of Wednesday, May 5th, 2010.

Workshops can be delivered in the language of the submission, and presenters are expected to be good communicators as well as have significant experience in the chosen subject area. While a data projector and screen will be provided along with a limited number of laptops if needed, all other equipment must be ordered in advance and paid for by the presenters.

How Will Workshop Proposals be Judged?

Workshop proposals will be selected on the basis of:

1. The level of experience and knowledge of the presenter(s); and
2. The relevance and potential usefulness of the workshop content

What Should Workshop Proposals Contain?

Within a maximum of three pages, a proposal should indicate:

• The requisite level of knowledge for participants (beginner, intermediate, advanced);
• The topic(s), learning objectives and approach to be taken in delivery of the workshop;
• Any unique aspects to the proposed focus and content for the workshop, as well as whether this has been presented previously.
• The name(s) and affiliation(s) of the presenter(s), as well as a biography for each up to a maximum of 150 words.

Note that not all proposals will necessarily be accepted.

What is the Deadline for Submission?

All proposals must be submitted by Thursday, December 31th, 2009, to the attention of Sue Ryan of the Willow Group care of: susan.ryan@thewillowgroup.com.

Will Compensation be Provided for Presenters?

Workshop presenters will not be paid for their contribution including travel, but will be exempted from the conference registration fees as follows:

• One (1) complimentary registration for a half-day workshop.
• Two (2) complimentary registrations for a full-day workshop (on the assumption of there being two presenters).

How Can I Learn More?

You can call (613) 725-2526, or you can reach a member of the CES Conference 2010 Committee through the Web site www.cesbc.ca.

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Last updated on May 27, 2010
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