41st Annual CRLA Conference - Cleveland, OH - Oct. 22-25, 2008   Planning Timeline for Proposals/Presentations for 2008 Conference:

The online proposal submission form will be available online January 1st through March 22nd, 2008.

The 2008 Program Committee offers potential presenters a suggested timeline below for writing a well-crafted proposal and presenting a fine institute or session for CRLA's 2008 conference in Cleveland, OH. For any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Jan Norton,. 2008 CRLA Program & Conference Chair, at nortonj@uwosh.edu.

To look at the rubric used to score the 2007 conference before starting to draft a proposal for 2008, go to 2007 Program Rubric document.

November & December 2007

• Identify potential co-presenters and gather ideas for a proposal. Select co-presenters carefully in terms of work style and expertise. It takes more time and planning to work with colleagues who are not in your local community. Plan accordingly.
• Look through the 2007 CRLA conference program (online at http://www.crla.net/CRLA_Archives/2007/Conference/Printed_Program/CRLA2007Program.pdf)to evaluate what was accepted and how to carry those presentations to the next level of discourse.
• Learn your institution’s process for obtaining financial support for travel and begin the process.

January 2008

• Narrow your ideas to one and incorporate conference theme if possible.
• Meet with colleagues several times to plan proposal.
• Write preliminary proposal description based on examples from the 2007 CRLA program.
• Write a title for the presentation that is descriptive of the content, rather than just clever. Incorporate the theme into the title if appropriate.
• Begin to read the current literature on your topic. Plan to incorporate this review into your presentation as appropriate.
• Review evaluation criteria listed on the CRLA web site for selection of proposals. Think through how your topic and proposal will be evaluated.
• Select the mode of presentation—internet, overheads, etc. The less technology needs, the less that can go wrong before and during the presentation.

February 2008

• Continue reading current literature of topic. Incorporate into proposal.
• Write preliminary draft of summary; revise description. Address clearly every item listed in these sections in the Call for Proposals submission form.
• Write an almost-final draft of proposal. Have local CRLA colleagues informally evaluate it based on the published criteria.
• Write final draft and proof it. Include intended audience if possible in description.
  You will present what you have written in the description; make sure that is what you intend to do.
• Finalize and submit your proposal by March 1, 2008, if possible.

March 2008

• If you did finalize and submit your proposal, and receive a confirmation email of receipt of the proposal, GREAT JOB, skip down to April.
• If you did not finalize and submit your proposal, do so ASAP before the stated deadline.
• For any questions or concerns, feel free to contact the 2008 CRLA Program Chair, Jan Norton at nortonj@uwosh.edu.
  

April/May 2008

• Relax and forget about the proposal until you hear whether or not it was accepted. You will hear from the Program Committee during the first week of May.
  • If your proposal is accepted, begin work.
  • If your proposal is not accepted, feel free to contact the 2008 CRLA Conference Chair, Jan Norton at nortonj@uwosh.edu.

June/July 2008

• Make a concerted effort to read the literature on your topic during the summer.
• Check your accepted proposal description to make sure you stay on course.
• Divide up tasks among presenters.
• Set deadlines for yourself and agree to deadlines with co-presenters.
• Outline what you will do and say during your portion or entire presentation.
• Confirm special equipment needs.

August 2008

• Register for the conference.
• Set timing for each portion of the presentation. Recheck description for accuracy.
• Create and revise a loose script for yourself and time it. Remember to make plans to engage the audience.
• Continue to read the literature and begin a bibliography for presentation handout.

September 2008

• Revise your script several times.
• Practice your portion or the entire presentation once a week. Include the time you will take with media and audience participation time.
• If you have co-presenters, practice with them if possible. Make sure everyone has the timing down. You will not be allowed to go over the allotted time during the presentation.

October 2008

• Practice several times; recheck equipment scripts, handouts.
• Have the right number of handouts printed. Put originals of handouts, etc. in carry-on luggage.
• When unexpected things happen right before or during the presentation, remember to stay flexible.

Have a great presentation!
2008 CRLA Program Committee