Guiding Themes for Proposals For Concurrent Break- Out Sessions

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1 Deadline for Submission: June, The Within Our Reach 2014 Planning Committee invites proposals for posters and concurrent break- out sessions for the third Within Our Reach Conference, December 11-12, 2014, at OSU s CH2MHill Alumni Center in Corvallis. Within Our Reach is a biennial gathering of funders, river restoration professionals, landowners, public agencies, scientists and students focused on improving the health of the Willamette River. Presented by the Meyer Memorial Trust and Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, the goal of Within Our Reach is to engage a broad group of stakeholders in reflecting on the challenges facing the river, learning about restoration efforts in and beyond Oregon, and crafting practical strategies to ensure that a healthy river system is a secure part of our future. To learn more about the conference, visit This year s Within Our Reach program will include a total of fifteen individual break- out sessions, five each during three different time blocks. All concurrent break- out sessions will be 75 minutes in length. The number of speakers and presentations selected for each session will depend on the topic and session format proposed (see below for format descriptions and submission guidelines). In addition to break- out sessions, we will display 20 project posters in the foyer of the conference center and feature a dedicated poster session on the first day of the event. Guiding Themes for Proposals For Concurrent Break- Out Sessions Throughout the two- day event, attendees can expect to explore some big questions on the theme of Taking Stock and Scaling Up for a Healthier Willamette. We invite proposals that explore the full range of issues and topics related to the conference theme, including: Restoration accomplishments to date - Individual project case studies; restoration summaries by geographic area, program or partnership; lessons learned. Knowledge Gains - What have we learned about the Willamette Basin in recent years, and where do the gaps in knowledge remain? 1

2 Monitoring - What is being done to capture data that tells us something about the effectiveness and impact of restoration efforts? What s not being done that should be? What about trends in the health of the river system over the long- term? Sustainability/resiliency - What is needed - financially, institutionally, and as a practical matter - to maintain the gains achieved thus far, both in ecological and social terms? What tools, resources, relationships and timeframe are needed to ensure that the scale of restoration efforts matches the scale of the challenge? How can the base of support to sustain this work into the future be expanded - and diversified? Who should be at this table, and how can we connect with them? Please read through this packet in its entirety and submit your proposal here through our online form. You may also view the Within Our Reach 2012 conference page here for reference. Format Types We highly encourage interactive and learning- oriented session formats. Following are some examples of possible 75 minute session formats. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and we welcome proposals for sessions using formats not cited below. Panel Discussion: Panel discussions will consist of up to 3 speakers plus a moderator. Discussions are organized around a particular topic or issue upon which each speaker contributes a brief presentation (10-15 minutes; 8-10 slides), followed by a minimum of 20 minutes of moderator and/or audience questions and discussion. Submission Guidelines for Panel Presentations: There are two ways to apply for Panel Discussions, as outlined below. Individual Panelist: An individual may submit a proposal for a brief presentation that will be grouped with up to 2 other thematically similar presentations by the Planning Committee to form a whole panel session. Proposals should include a summary of the presentation topic and key points that will be addressed in the presentation. The Planning Committee will identify an appropriate moderator for these sessions. Whole Session: A group of up to 3 panelists may jointly submit a proposal for a whole session. Proposals should identify a moderator, the individual panelists, and a summary of each of the panelist s presentations. Discuss the overall goal of the session and provide a general description of the session focus and desired outcomes. 2

3 Interactive Space: These sessions provide a space for moderators and session participants to explore topics in small or full group discussions. Interactive space sessions are meant to bring mixed perspectives together to tackle big picture challenges related to the proposed issue. Applicants can propose any interactive discussion format; several examples are outlined below. Note: Upon request, AV can be made available for Interactive Space sessions if needed to support or guide group discussions, but sessions should be geared towards active participation rather than presentation. Submission Guidelines for Interactive Space Sessions: Proposals should include a description of the big picture challenge that will be addressed and a list of 4-6 sample questions that will be used to stimulate discussion. Proposals should identify a moderator who will serve as the discussion leader and the specific format to be utilized (see below, or propose another format). Fish Bowl: A fish bowl format encourages a lively, interactive discussion. Four to five chairs are arranged in an inner circle. This is the fishbowl. The remaining chairs are arranged in concentric circles outside the fishbowl. A few participants are selected to fill the fishbowl leaving one chair empty, while the rest of the group sit on the chairs outside the fishbowl. The moderator introduces the topic or question and the participants begin a discussion. The audience outside the fishbowl listens in on the discussion and any member of the audience can, at any time, occupy the empty chair and join the fishbowl. When this happens, an existing member of the fishbowl must voluntarily leave the fishbowl and free a chair. The discussion continues with participants frequently entering and leaving the fishbowl. When time runs out, the fishbowl is closed and the moderator summarizes the discussion. Roundtable Discussion: In this format, the moderator will coordinate small group discussions after introducing a big picture challenge to the full group. Small groups may each discuss a different set of questions related to the big picture challenge, or groups may all discuss the same list of questions. At the end of the discussion time, groups report out on key points and ideas that emerged. Roundtables where all groups discuss the same questions may also utilize a jigsaw approach, where, after a set amount of time, the moderator instructs one person from each group to rotate to a new group, thus increasing the level of interaction and idea sharing between groups. World Café: The world café format is designed to mimic a café environment to enable a better flow of conversation between participants. The session normally consists of 4 meeting stations / tables positioned around the room where a question or theme is posted for participants to discuss, with a facilitator and note- taker posted at each table. Participants are encouraged to rotate around the room to engage with the conversations at each table, 3

4 with a suggested timeslot of minutes per table. The session moderator will set up the session by proposing a big challenge and three or four key questions related to that challenge. The key questions will be discussed at the different tables. Table facilitators will guide the discussion and report back to the whole group at the end of the session, which can then be opened up to a whole group discussion. How- To Workshops: These workshops are designed to be skill- building opportunities for session attendees. Submission Guidelines for How- To Workshops: Proposals should include a description of the specific skill building activity to be presented and a summary of the presenters qualifications. Also describe who should attend, how they will benefit from the session, and what methods will be used to encourage interactivity and participatory learning. Ignite Session: One break- out session will be reserved for ignite talks. In ignite talks, speakers are allowed 20 slides that forward automatically after 15 seconds for a total presentation time of 5 minutes. This format encourages speakers to be creative and concise in delivering their presentations. This session will not be confined to one particular topic; instead, applicants are encouraged to propose ignite talks on the full range of issues that fit the conference theme: Taking Stock and Scaling Up for a Healthier Willamette. Submission Guidelines for Ignite Presentations: To submit an ignite presentation, submit a short description of your 5- minute talk. If you have had experience giving this style of presentation or other closely timed/rehearsed talks, list that as well. For the 75- minute session, the Planning Committee will select 7 to 10 ignite presentations. Once selections are made, presenters will be given a deadline several weeks prior to the conference to submit final slideshows. Selection Criteria for Concurrent Break- Out Sessions The Planning Committee will use these criteria as a means for evaluating proposals: 1. Creativity and interaction. We encourage proposals that incorporate new or interesting approaches to inspire interactive engagement among participants. All proposals should outline how the presenter(s) will stimulate active participation. 2. Connectivity. This event brings diverse Willamette stakeholder groups together to foster collaboration within and across sectors. We seek proposals that reflect this diversity by attempting to connect the interests of landowners, regulatory agencies, scientists, NGOs, city officials, business owners and/or other river- related interests. 3. Relevance. The strongest proposals will fit within the theme of the conference (see introduction to this document) and cover topics that are timely and relevant to a wide 4

5 cross section of Willamette stakeholders. When possible, proposals should describe if and how the presentation takeaways might be carried forth beyond the conference. 4. Quality. Proposals will be evaluated for clarity, thoroughness and originality of ideas, as well as for the extent to which they encourage participant engagement. 5. Overall program cohesiveness. Proposals will be selected based on how well they fit into the overall program, including other concurrent sessions and plenaries. During the session selection process, the Within Our Reach Planning Committee may contact applicants to suggest alternative session formats or combinations of speakers to most effectively shape each session s content and the learning experience of the conference as a whole. Project Posters The Planning Committee invites proposals for posters to be displayed for the duration of the conference in the venue s foyer and highlighted during a dedicated session on the first day of the event. The goal of the poster fair is to showcase a range of ongoing restoration and research projects throughout the Willamette Basin. The Planning Committee will select 20 project posters to feature at the conference. Submission Guidelines for Project Poster: To submit a proposal for a poster, provide a detailed description of the project to be highlighted, how it contributes to the overall health of the Willamette watershed, and how it addresses the conference theme. Presenter Requirements: Poster presenters will be required to set up posters by 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11 (the conference venue will be open starting at 7:00 a.m.). Presenters must ensure posters are staffed during 1) a 75- minute dedicated poster session on the first day of the conference, and 2) a 30- minute break on the second day of the conference. Posters should remain set up until at least 3:00 p.m. on Dec. 12. Selection Criteria for Posters The Planning Committee will use these criteria as a means for evaluating posters: 1. Collaboration. This event brings diverse Willamette stakeholder groups together to foster collaboration within and across sectors. Preference will be given to posters that highlight innovative partnerships between and among landowners, government agencies, scientists, restoration practitioners, cities and utilities, business owners and/or other river- related interests. 2. Relevance. The strongest poster proposals will fit within the theme of the conference (see introduction to this document) and cover topics that are timely and relevant to a 5

6 wide cross section of Willamette stakeholders. Posters that present new research or have potential for peer- to- peer learning will receive preference. 3. Diversity. Posters will be selected based on how well they fit into the overall set of posters to ensure a diverse collection of projects is represented. To Apply Please click here to complete our online submission form. Refer back to the submission guidelines above as needed to provide the requested materials for your proposed session format. If you have any questions please contact Monica Carson at monica@withinourreach.net or call The deadline for proposals is June, 201 Applicants will be notified of committee decisions by July 11,