Sponsored by Ohio State University Extension; Gist Endowed Chair for Extension

Education and Leadership; Alpha Eta Chapter (Ohio) of Epsilon Sigma Phi; and
The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

Call for Proposals

Leadership for Tomorrow: Investing in Communities
April 12-14, 2011
Columbus, Ohio
http://leadershipfortomorrow.osu.edu

Deadline: November 1, 2010

Making decisions in today’s complex world requires skilled leaders. Making decisions in our
ever changing communities requires informed and adaptable leaders. The Leadership for
Tomorrow: Investing in Communities Conference is dedicated to helping informed and
committed community leaders better serve their communities.

The goal of this conference is to enhance communication, broaden our collective reach, and
share challenges and best practices of importance to citizens as well as other organizations. This
conference will provide community leaders, scholars and other professionals with an opportunity
to explore options in which communities come together to address some of their most pressing
challenges.

This conference will focus on:

• Defining and understanding communities
• Building and leading partnerships and collaborations
• Adapting to changing community dynamics
• Maintaining civil conversations
• Utilizing technology for community networking
• Refining personal leadership skills

Proposals currently are being accepted for the 2011 Leadership for Tomorrow conference. We
are seeking proposals for presentations or posters of current research and leadership practices
that support the 2011 conference description, focusing on one or more of the topics described
above. Sessions or posters should encourage critical thinking, discussion, and practical
application.

(over)
Presenter Expenses
Please note that each concurrent breakout session or poster session presenter must register and
pay registration fees for the conference. Presenters are responsible for their own expenses.

Proposal Guidelines and Review Criteria:

• Proposals should relate to the conference theme - Investing in Communities - and address one
or more of the conference focus areas. The proposal should be dynamic, creative, and add to
the audience understanding of theory, research, or knowledge related to the overall topic of
leadership.
• Presentation types:
o Concurrent Session (60 minutes) – Concurrent sessions should give conference
participants an opportunity to explore current issues and strategies for providing
leadership or gain a new perspective on current research and best practices. Sessions
summarizing current research or evaluation efforts related to the conference theme
with a focus on application of research to practice are encouraged. The proposal
should include instructional techniques and what the presenter will teach the
participants.
o Poster Session (90 minutes staffed) – Poster sessions are graphic displays which
encourage informal discussions on topics similar to those appropriate for concurrent
sessions.
• The proposals will be judged based upon a 750-word maximum abstract and a 50-word short
description. We also request that you send a brief biographical sketch of up to 75 words.
• Review criteria:
o Research base or “best practices” are appropriate (shows connection with knowledge
base/best practices)
o Description of the content (new or newly interpreted research or practices) to be
presented is clear and complete
o Instructional techniques are appropriate and outcomes for participants are included
o Quality, appropriateness, and rigor of the content
o Contribution to new knowledge or new interpretation of existing knowledge/practice
o Appeals to diverse conference audience and fits with conference theme/focus areas

Selection Process:
The Ohio State University is coordinating a peer-review process.
Acceptance notices will be sent via e-mail by January 1, 2011.

Submission:
Proposals for presentations at the 2011 Leadership for Tomorrow Conference will be submitted
via the 2011 conference web site. Proposals must be submitted by November 1, 2010. You
may submit multiple proposals. We reserve the right to edit proposals to meet space constraints
or to combine sessions and individual submissions on similar topics. The primary contact person
will be the individual with whom we communicate. If you are the primary contact person for the
proposal, it is your responsibility to notify your other presenters. The URL for proposal
submission is: http://leadershipfortomorrow.osu.edu

For Questions Contact:

Graham R. Cochran, Ph.D., Proposal Committee Chair,
The Ohio State University • cochran.99@osu.edu or 614-688-4246.