19th Annual Northwest Justice Forum
 
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
 
Forum Dates: June 24-26, 2025
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
           
Proposal Due Date: 5:00 PM, March 10, 2025​

Submit Proposal

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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.

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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 proposals for its 19th Annual Forum in June 2025. This year, the Forum is highlighting how restorative justice is a catalyst for TRANSFORMATIONS in individuals, in communities and the world.

Imaginative, interactive workshops are highly encouraged!  Please see below for more information about the Forum’s theme.
                                                            
​                                                           Theme: Transformations

Three key areas of focus for the conference are:

• Personal transformations: How does restorative justice encourage personal transformation? What stories, lived experiences, and personal journeys reflect the transformative power of RJ?
• Community transformations: How does restorative justice change the status quo in our communities and our systems? How can we continue to develop new ways of thinking and being where all people thrive?
• Global transformations: How can restorative justice empower cultures and communities in creating change? How can we learn from each other and share ideas to grow restorative justice?  

 
While presentations and workshops with a primary focus on "Transformations" are particularly sought, any presentation/workshop that furthers the understanding and/or implementation of restorative justice will be considered.  Applicants are invited to 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, school personnel, students, community members, non-profit service providers, and law enforcement personnel (and anyone else whose enthusiasm is sparked by our topics!).
 
Session Format
We encourage proposals that emphasize active learning, skill-building, case studies, creative approaches, and time for group discussion. Workshops should elicit active participation by attendees – not be predominantly in lecture format. We appreciate a balance of practical application and big picture visioning.  Session participation often ranges 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 (if we can accommodate this, it will be as two consecutive 90 minute times, with a break in the middle). If you believe the optimal time for your session would be 60 minutes, please let us know that as well.  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, up to a maximum of two free admissions per presentation. If presenters wish to attend additional days, they will pay the normal rate for those additional days. Please contact the co-chairs if you have questions about this.
 
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 in April 2025 and will be on the Northwest Justice Forum website. 
 
Submission Process and Deadline
Proposals are due March 3, 2025. 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 by clicking the "Submit Proposal" button at the top of this page.
 
Your proposal must include all of the following information.

1. Presenter Information
   1. Session Coordinator: If there is more than one presenter for your workshop, designate who will serve as the Session Coordinator.
   2. Give the full name, official title, address, email, and telephone numbers for each presenter.
   3. Submit a short bio for each presenter.
2. Session Length
   1. Specify your preference for the length of your session.
   2. Specify whether you are willing to offer your presentation more than once during the conference.
3. Descriptive Title, Short Session Description, and Learning Objectives
   1. 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.
4. First Time Presenters
   1. If you are a first time NWJF presenter, please list one reference (name, title and contact information) who knows your presentation style/skills, and/or point us to a recording of a previous session.
5. Session Scheduling
   1. 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 March 17, 2025. 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 10, 2025. Slides and handouts will be made available to conference participants via electronic files after the conference.  
If accepted, you will also need to bring the handouts and materials for those that attend your session (you will be notified of the approximate number of participants registered for your session)

For questions or assistance, contact conference co-chairs at [email protected]. 
 
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, March 3, 2025.
                                                             We look forward to seeing you at the 19th Annual NWJF!