17th Annual Northwest Justice Forum REQUEST FOR WORKSHOP PROPOSALS Dates: June 20th-22nd, 2023 Portland Community College, Cascade Campus Portland, OR Proposal Due Date: 5:00 PM, February 14th, 2023
Submit Proposal!
NOTE: When you click the "Submit Proposal" button above, a 20-minute countdown timer will begin. Don't worry! When the timer runs out you can request more time and your progress will not be affected. It may help to have your session description ready in a separate Word document so you can copy/paste into the submission form.
Introduction
The NW Justice Forum fosters the gathering of individuals committed to, or interested in learning about, the principles and values of Restorative Justice. We gather to increase understanding, share practical application, ensure cultural inclusion, and explore theoretical implications of living and working restoratively in the Northwest.
The Northwest Justice Forum is seeking workshop and keynote proposals for its 17th Annual Forum in June 2023. This year, the Forum is highlighting creative expressions of restorative justice, including through the arts (theatrical performance, storytelling, visual art, music, poetry, etc.) or other methods of inspired communication or expression. Imaginative workshops are highly encouraged! Please see below of more information about the Forum’s theme.
(If you would like to submit a proposal for a performance-based presentation, please see our Art RFP here.)
Theme: Expressions of Restorative Justice
Three key areas of focus for the conference are:
Restorative Justice Inspires: What does RJ sound like, look like, feel like in your practice and your community?
Restorative Justice Supports Truth-Telling: What important stories and experiences does RJ allow to be better heard?
Restorative Justice Incorporates: What other work in our community is intersecting with RJ?
While presentations and workshops with a primary focus on "Expressions of Restorative Justice" are particularly sought, any presentation/workshop that furthers the understanding and/or implementation of restorative justice will be considered. Applicants should consider and highlight those aspects of their proposal that align with the three foci of the Forum’s theme (bulleted above). Presentations about work that aligns with restorative justice but is not called “restorative justice” will also be considered.
Audience The conference is designed for restorative justice practitioners, justice and court system personnel, victim services/advocacy staff, people with lived experience of the court system/formerly incarcerated individuals, law enforcement, school personnel, students, community members, and non-profit service providers.
Session Format We encourage proposals that emphasize active learning, skill-building, case studies, creative approaches, and time for group discussion. Workshops should encourage dialogue and elicit active participation by attendees – not be primarily lecture format. It’s important to present a balance of practical application and big picture visioning. Session participation could range from 12 to 40 participants.
Session Length Sessions are usually 90 minutes in length. Please contact us directly if you are interested in a longer session (up to 180 minutes in length). We appreciate your flexibility as we assign time slots. Occasionally we offer the same session more than once. Please indicate whether you would be willing to repeat your session.
Session Coordinator All sessions involving more than one presenter need a designated contact person who will serve as the primary liaison to NWJF in terms of conference planning and communication. Coordinators are responsible for organizing, introducing and facilitating their sessions as well as providing NWJF with all necessary information and materials prior to the conference.
Audio-Visual Equipment It is important that you indicate any and all audio-visual needs that you have for your presentation. We will provide more information about what is available once those details are confirmed. If you have additional equipment needs, you will need to specify this in the proposal submission form.
Presenter Discount Presenters may attend the day of their presentation for free. If presenters wish to attend additional days, they will pay the regular rate.
Presenter Registration If you wish to attend sessions on the day of your presentation, we ask that you register for the workshop sessions you would like to attend (even though there is no cost). If you attend additional days, please register for those as well. Registration forms will be available approximately on or before March 2023 and can be found on the Northwest Justice Forum website.
Submission Process and Deadline Proposals are due February 14, 2023. Proposals will be selected on the basis of relevance to the conference theme, and to create a diverse program. To submit a proposal please complete the electronic application above.
Your proposal must include all of the following information:
1) Presenter Information
Session Coordinator: If there is more than one presenter for your workshop, designate who will serve as the Session Coordinator.
Give the full name, official title, address, email, and telephone numbers for each presenter.
Submit a short bio for each presenter.
2) Session Length
Specify your preference for the length of your session.
Specify whether you are willing to offer your presentation more than once during the conference.
3) Descriptive Title, Short Session Description, and Learning Objectives
Provide your recommended workshop title and a description of your session (no more than 100 words). If accepted, your title and description will be used in conference materials. We may edit either the title or the description, but will discuss any changes with you before publication.
Inclusive List of Learning Objectives – these may be bullet points of what the session will address.
4) Experience Level of Participants
Specify the level of experience that is most appropriate for participants at your session. All skill levels, including new to RJ, or Experienced (for those with significant prior knowledge and experience).
5) First Time Participants
If you are a first time NWJF presenter, please list one reference (name, title and contact information) who knows your presentation style/skills.
6) Session Scheduling
We will schedule your workshop to ensure that we have workshops available for all audiences in each session.
Proposal Selection Proposals will be reviewed by the NWJF Steering Committee. Proposals that align most closely with the conference theme will receive highest priority.
Notification You will be notified via e-mail of your proposal’s acceptance by the end of February, 2023. In the meantime, please pencil in the forum dates on your calendar to ensure your availability upon notification of acceptance. If accepted you will be required to electronically submit your slides and handouts to be used in your presentation by June 6, 2023. Slides and handouts will be made available to conference participants via electronic files after the conference. If accepted, you will also be required to bring the handouts and materials for those that attend your session (you will be notified of the number of participants registered for your session).
Thank You! On behalf of NWJF, thank you very much for your time and energy in preparing and submitting your proposal by 5:00 PM PST, February 14, 2023.
We look forward to seeing you at the 17th Annual NWJF!