The task of the committee is a large one and the selection of proposals is not a personal decision of any members. As a result, if you want to increase the chances of your proposal being selected, there are a few key things to remember:
Be unique: Even if there are 4 outstanding proposals on a topic, only one will most likely be selected because we want to have a range of content at the conferences. Therefore, proposing a topic that is more unique or uniquely applying a more common topic may increase the likelihood of selection.
Be clear: The better that the selection committee can understand EXACTLY what an attendee will learn in the session, the better the committee can evaluate your proposal. If it is not clear as to what the presentation will cover, then it is very unlikely that a proposal will be selected.
Be relevant: Some topics are better suited to the Annual Conference, and some are better suited to the Mid-Year Conference. If your presentation isn’t selected for one, it might still get selected for the other. Additionally, the wider the expected audience for a presentation, the more likely it is to get selected. Even if your proposal is unique and very clear, if the selection committee thinks it will only draw a handful of attendees, it is not likely to be selected. In these cases, the committee may suggest moving the topic to a webinar or even a written document.
Be experienced: This means experience both in the topic being presented, as well as in presenting in general. If you think you may be lacking in one or the other, consider joining forces with someone who has more experience in the one you lack. You can also gain presenting experience by doing a webinar. And make sure to document your experience in your proposal. The committee reviewing presentations may also suggest speaker collaborations, if appropriate.
To help illustrate the difference between well-written proposals and ones that could be stronger, here are a couple of examples:
Good: As of January 2020, all employers or their authorized agents (like CRAs) must query the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse database for violations by current and prospective employees and furnish information about violations. FMCSA says Clearinghouse reports are not consumer reports. Can you trust FMCSA? In this session, we’ll discuss how Clearinghouse works, how to comply with Clearinghouse regulations, and how the FCRA and related laws interact with Clearinghouse. We’ll also discuss business and legal considerations for users and CRAs to consider when using Clearinghouse.
Not as Good: Despite heightened attention and efforts to curb substance abuse in American society, employers continue to face challenges with ensuring a drug-free workplace. This presentation will provide essential information to help your company, workforce, and customers realize the benefits of a comprehensive testing program.
While both descriptions provide some level of detail, the first one is a lot clearer and specific on what an attendee will learn.
The same holds concerning learning objectives. These need to very clearly state what an attendee will learn.
Here is an example of a very clear one, and a not-so-clear one:
Good: Understand and counteract new liability theories under 15 U.S.C. 1681b(b)(1) and 1681b(f)
Not as Good: Multi-Factor Verifications
Hopefully, this provides some useful guidance. If you have any questions or would like (free) assistance in developing a strong proposal, please feel free to reach out to education@thepbsa.org.