Equipping the Saints
for the Ministry of God's Extravagant Welcome

To fill out the Request form, click here.

Download a .pdf version of the Request For Proposals

Request for Proposed Workshops

Deadline for Submissions: May 30, 2008
Notification Process Begins On/After June 20, 2008

Many Stories

We come from many different contexts. We are Protestant, Catholic, Pentecostal, Evangelical, Anabaptist. We are African American, Asian and Pacific Islander, Latino/a, First Nations People, European American. We are queer, questioning, intersex, lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, heterosexual. We are a diverse mix of theological and political beliefs: progressive, moderate, conservative.

One Voice

And we are drawn together into Christian Community. As we come to genuinely know one another, we are invited to challenge the world to these same kinds of just, loving and genuine relationships across race, class, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation and ability. We are devout in our faith and committed to a just society that discriminates against no one. We are drawn together to speak with one voice the truth of God's extravagant welcome.

Many Stories, One Voice

Designed as a leadership development event, this conference offers:

• rich Bible Study
• challenging and profound worship and praise
• genuine relationship-building across and amidst our differences
• concrete skills-building
• reflective and incisive theological analysis
• strategic action.

Many Stories, One Voice has as its goal transformation - of individual lives, of our pro-LGBT movement and of our culture. Come join us as we joyfully equip the saints for the Ministry of God's Extravagant Welcome.

A word of welcome for our multi-faith friends and our friends without religious affiliation: while this conference is rooted in Christian tradition and draws heavily on the languages and cultures within Christianity, ALL are welcome.

SUBMITTING A WORKSHOP/SESSION PROPOSAL

Thank you for your interest in submitting a workshop proposal for Many Stories, One Voice. Please read this document thoroughly before going online to submit your proposal.

We strongly recommend that you have a draft of your proposal prepared before going online to submit your proposal. All proposals must be submitted though the website at www.ManyStoriesOneVoice.org.

Below are general guidelines for submitting a workshop proposal. Please be sure your proposal addresses each of the following components (covered below): (a) participant-centered and practice-oriented training, (b) progressive-learning approach, (c) workshop format, and (d) equipping the saints for the ministry of extravagant welcome.

A. Our Priorities: Participation and Practice!

Each proposal will be reviewed to select sessions that best engage conference participants in learning and skills building. Workshop proposals should incorporate the two core principles described below.

1. 1. Participant-Centered-trainings that engage trainees in every step of the process, utilizing experiential and participatory learning techniques wherever possible (as opposed to dry lectures or non-participatory panel presentations); and
2. 2. "Real-World" Practice-after learning a skill, actually practicing the skill. Real world practice makes it much more likely that participants will utilize the skill when they get back home.

The submission of proposals designed as panel presentations are discouraged unless there is an opportunity for substantive conference attendee participation in the dialogue. Proposals with multiple panelists (more than three) will be given lowest priority.

B. Progressive Learning Approach

To provide continuity and to insure that sessions build on one another, the Many Stories, One Voice program is structured to match skill levels of participants with sessions appropriate to those skill levels. We will make every effort to ensure that participants meet pre-requisites for the intermediate and advanced sessions. You will be asked to identify the skill level of the target audience for your session.

Please use the guide below to determine the appropriate level of your workshop. We encourage proposal submissions at the intermediate and advanced level.

• Fundamentals-Basic, entry level for new staff, board members, volunteers, church members and activists, or existing staff, board, volunteers, church members and activists with new responsibilities. Typically 0-1 year of experience in the topic area. Content covers terminology, basic theory and building essential skills.
• Intermediate-Intermediate, 2-5 years experience. Content includes putting theory into practice, and practical application. Sessions deal with serious challenges or barriers to being effective. Some time is devoted to problem solving. Include pre-requisites for intermediate sessions in the session abstract portion of the proposal form.
• Advanced-Advanced, 5+ years of experience. Sessions tailored for lead volunteers and organizers, board chairs, executive directors, pastors, denominational executives, and experienced church advocates. Content includes advanced theory, theology, Biblical studies, organizational management, and best practices. In addition, advanced sessions can include case study examinations and high-level problem solving. Include pre-requisites for advanced sessions in the session abstract portion of the proposal form.
• All Audiences - Session is suitable for participants at all skill levels.

C. Workshop Format

Many Stories, One Voice workshop sessions will last 75 minutes. They should include prepared presentations or trainings with stated and specific learning objectives and match the below-articulated foci of the conference.

D. Equipping the Saints for the Ministry of God's Extravagant Welcome

Many Stories, One Voice is a leadership development conference for the pro-LGBT Christian movement. As such, we are looking for workshops that are focused in one or more of the following areas: personal transformation, intersectionality and concrete skills-building.

• Personal Transformation — Given the gender-phobia, homophobia and heterosexism of our culture and our churches, far too often LGBT Christians experience themselves as powerless victims. In order to build strong leaders, our movement must help individuals move from a sense of disempowerment to one of agency, empowerment and action. Workshops in the area of Personal Transformation will focus on helping participants make the move to empowerment and action.
• Intersectionality — It has been said that Sunday morning at 11:00 am is the most segregated hour in America. If our movement toward God's Extravagant Welcome is to be successful and faithful to the gospel, it is incumbent upon us to engage issues of race, class, ability, age and embodiment as we talk about gender identity and sexual orientation. Workshops in this area will explore the ways in which anti-oppression work is at its best and most effective when it engages the intersections of oppressions.
• Concrete Skills-Building — As a movement of pro-LGBT Christians, we need leaders who have the tools and training to act proactively and strategically. Workshops in this area will offer new tools and training for participants in the areas of faith-based community organizing, media training, board development, fund-raising, research, Biblical studies, theology, capacity-building and other concrete skills.

Presenter Policies

In order to keep conference registration fees at the lowest possible rate, we ask presenters to volunteer time and expertise at Many Stories, One Voice. In consideration of your service as a presenter, you will be able to register for the entire conference at a discounted rate of $195. This registration rate is inclusive of all conference events and all conference meals. This registration rate does not include travel or hotel expenses. The presenter registration rate is limited to four presenters per session.

After a proposal is accepted, presenters will be sent a presenter registration packet which includes a conference registration form.

Presenter Responsibilities

As a presenter, you are responsible for making your own travel and hotel arrangements. The conference hotel, the New Orleans Marriott is located next to the French Quarter and offers a conference rate of $99/night for single and double occupancy and $119 for triple or quadruple occupancy. Please be sure to mention Many Stories, One Voice when making reservations. Reservations must be made by July 28, 2008 to receive the guaranteed conference rate. You may reserve a room by calling 1-888-364-1200. The 2008 Host Committee will organize a community housing program to provide a limited number of no-cost housing options for conference presenters and attendees. In order to participate, submit a completed housing request to the local Host Committee, available on our web site www.ManyStoriesOneVoice.org.

If you submit a workshop proposal, you are the "session contact." Session contacts are expected to serve as the communication link between the conference organizing staff and the other presenters on your session. Session contacts must provide complete contact information for each presenter and advise conference staff of any changes in the presenter line-up.

We expect that all scheduled sessions will be presented as described in your proposal and listed in the program book.

Each meeting room will be equipped with a flip chart and markers. Presenters will be asked to fill out a request form for additional AV equipment. Presenters may be asked to cover the cost of requests deemed excessive, for example, for multiple pieces of equipment. Presenters are encouraged to provide attendees with relevant supporting materials, such as fact sheets, articles, and guides. Presenters are responsible for any copying cost incurred. If at all possible, presenters are encouraged to provide their own LCD projector if needed for their presentation.

Proposal Review

All proposals will be reviewed by a team of conference organizers and outside experts in the topic area being proposed. Considerations for selection include relevance of the proposed session to the values and principles stated in this document, especially the priorities of participation and practice; depth of content; presenter qualifications/experience with the topic; overall strength of the submission; and proposals that reflect a commitment to race/gender/class/age/disability representation. We reserve the right to reject proposals.

We will not review proposals for sessions that do not fit into one of the areas of focus outlined above, namely personal transformation, intersectionality or concrete skills-building. Additionally, sessions that primarily promote or sell commercial products or promote or sell the work product of an individual presenter will not be reviewed. We will prioritize proposed sessions that include and reflect the perspectives, needs and priorities of our multi-denominational, multi-racial, multi-gender, multi-abled, and multi-aged communities and movement. We reserve the right to decline to review proposals received after the posted deadline date.

To have your presentation considered for inclusion in the conference, please complete the forms on the following pages. The proposal should be submitted with:

• a 150-200 word abstract which includes the learning objectives of the session, not for publication
• a 50-75 word description and any pre-requisites for attendees, suitable for publication in the conference program book
• a session outline that delineates how time will be used in the session and how audience participation and "real world" skills practice are to be included, not for publication
• complete contact information for all presenters, brief biographical information for all presenters, not for publication

You will be notified of the status of your proposal beginning on or after June 20, 2008.

Proposal Components

• Workshop Proposal Form
• Contact Person
• Skill Level Selection
• Format Selection
• Abstract with Learning Objectives (not for publication)
• Program Book Description (for publication)
• Session Outline
• Presenter Contact Information and Biographies (not for publication)

Request Form

To fill out the Request form, click here.

Download a .pdf version of the Request For Proposals

Top