Call for Programs

Call for Programs
Frequently Asked Questions and Instructions
Program Format

CALL FOR PROGRAMS

CONNECTION, HEALING and WHOLENESS:
Strengthening Individuals, Families & Community
Through Mental Health Counseling & Advocacy

American Mental Health Counselors Association’s
2009 Annual Conference
July 23-25, 2009
The Washington Court Hotel
Washington, DC

Share Your Knowledge!
AMHCA members, mental health counseling students and other mental health professionals are invited to present their research and expertise at the only conference devoted entirely to the mental health counseling profession. Take this opportunity to get involved and share your work with your colleagues. The National Board of Certified Counselors will approve programs for continuing education credits.

Types of Programs
Submit your proposal for a half-day (4-hour) workshop, 2-hour workshop, 1-hour workshop or poster session. Invited speakers will present two-day specialty tracks consisting of 14 hours to be held over two days. Attendees can choose from 2-day specialty tracks, half-day sessions, 1- or 2-hour workshops or poster sessions.

Program Selection Process
AMHCA will acknowledge receipt of all proposal applications within two weeks. The AMHCA Conference Planning Committee, chaired by President-elect Linda Barclay, PhD, LPCC/S, NCC, LICDC, will review all programs submitted in the appropriate application format. Programs will be selected based on topic, quality and intended audience. The Committee will send a letter of acceptance or rejection to the program chair, who is responsible for notifying others participating on the program. All successful applicants will be notified by March 16, 2009.

If you do not receive an acknowledgment postcard within two weeks of your submission, please call AMHCA at (800) 326-2642, ext. 106. Each applicant is responsible for verification that his/her proposal has been received. AMHCA will only acknowledge programs received via U.S. mail or e-mail.

Deadline: Program applications must be postmarked by Monday, December 15, 2008.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

Where should the program be mailed?
AMHCA National Office
801 N. Fairfax St., Suite 304
Alexandria, VA 22314

Can the program be e-mailed or faxed? Yes. You can e-mail your proposal to Melissa Hobson at mhobson@amhca.org.
No faxes please.

Will deadline extensions be allowed?
No. Programs postmarked or received after December 15, 2008 will not be considered.

Must all presenters be AMHCA members?
No, but lead presenter must be a member. For information, please call Linda Morano at AMHCA’s national office, (800) 326-2642 Ext. 103

Do all presenters (including the chair) need to register for the conference?
Yes, presenters must be registered for the conference, at the speaker’s discount rate.

Can I request a specific time and day for my presentation?
No. Presenters must be available to present at any time during the conference.

What AV equipment will be provided?
AMHCA will provide presenters with all of the following:

1. LCD projector with screen
2. wired mic (if needed)
3. flipchart with markers

AMHCA WILL NOT provide laptops. Presenters must bring their own computer equipment or rent it from the hotel. No exceptions will be made on-site.

Do I need to provide handout copies, and how many do I need?
We recommend that you bring about 10-20 copies if you would like to give handouts to participants in your session. Facilities will be available at the hotel for on-site copying at the presenter’s expense.

Is there any payment or reimbursement of expenses for presenters?
Only invited track programs receive reimbursement.

PROGRAM FORMAT

Program Description

Title: State the title in less than 100 characters.

Proposal Annotation: Provide a 50-word summary of the program to appear in the conference program book.

Presenters: List the name, title, institution, address, city, state, postal (zip) code, country, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail address for each presenter. The LEAD PRESENTER will be listed first in the program book; all co-presenters will be listed alphabetically in the program book.

Program Type: Select a program type: half-day (4-hour) workshop, 2-hour workshop, 1-hour workshop or poster session.

Poster Sessions: AMHCA will provide one or two easels for your poster presentation. Poster should not exceed the standard poster board size of 22” x 28”. Detailed information about your poster board presentation should be provided in your handout. Poster presenters must register for the conference.

Audio Visual Requests:Listed are the types of equipment that will be available for your selection if your proposal is accepted.

1. LCD projector with screen
2. wired mic (if needed)
3. flipchart with markers

Any other equipment such as computers and phone/internet connections MUST BE ARRANGED DIRECTLY WITH THE HOTEL AT THE PRESENTER’S EXPENSE.

Program description: Provide a written description of the presentation that includes program goals; a summary of the information, techniques, theory or research to be presented; method of presentation (panel, lecture debate, demonstration, question and answer); and a description of the accompanying AV materials or handouts.

Audio Cassette Recording Release: Give a yes or no response to the following question. Is each presenter willing to have the session audio-recorded?

Commitment: Give a yes or no response. Do the presenters agree to register for the conference and be present for the presentation? Failure to register by May 15, 2009 may result in losing the privilege to present.

Diversity: Give a yes or no response. Do the presenters agree to incorporate diversity, multicultural and international issues into their presentation to the degree appropriate?

Resume: Provide a brief biography for each presenter.

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE: SUBMISSION MUST BE DATED BY December 15, 2008. ACCEPTANCE NOTICES WILL BE MAILED MARCH 16, 2009.

If you do not send an e-mail attachment of your proposal then you must send FOUR (4) copies of your typed proposal along with a PC compatible diskette/CD in MS WORD 7.0 for Windows 2000 or ACII format.

Return to Homepage | Join or Renew Now

American Mental Health Counselors Association
801 N. Fairfax Street Suite 304
Alexandria, VA 22314
800-326-2642 | 703-548-6002
Fax 703-548-4775

© 2008 by the American Mental Health Counselors Association. All rights reserved. No portion of this website may be copied or reproduced without the express written consent of the American Mental Health Counselors Association.