Call for Proposals

Proposal Tips

• Collect your Thoughts - we recommend you prepare your proposal in a document before logging into the online submission form. Grammar and spelling count!

• Content is King - Be thoughtful and thorough when developing your proposal to describe the intent of the session, key takeaways, and learning objectives. Cal-ISBOA is a SHRM and HRCI Approved Provider of educational programs, and sessions are led by experts in the independent school community including members, consultants, and industry partners. 

• Make It Compelling - If it's canned, it's spam. Our attendees expect that speakers at Cal-ISBOA events understand the unique needs and challenges of independent school business. Our audience prefers to hear from their school business peers, so we give preference to sessions that feature a school presenter. Our members value varied learning formats, insights about industry trends, strategies to lead their schools, case studies, and other thought-provoking content.

• Be Authentic & Vulnerable - Share failures as well as successes. We're all human, and sometimes the best learning comes from mistakes.

• Know Your Audience - Attendees are comprised of CFO/COOs, DOFs, HR Directors, Facilities Directors, other business office staff, and industry partners. Most participants serve in a highly visible role at their school.

• Foster Interaction – Cal-ISBOA members attend events to learn and to network with peers. Thoughtful interaction infused into educational programs creates a unique opportunity for attendees to learn from each other in addition to the presenter.

• No Sales Zone – If you're an industry partner that provides products and services to schools, sharing knowledge, insights, and trends is the most effective way to promote your business. Our attendees are savvy professionals. Sales pitches disguised as education will not be well received and will result in lost opportunities.

Proposal Review & Selection Process

While proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis for general programming throughout the year, the Annual Conference, HR Workshop, and Facilities Workshop review process will begin in October and conclude in December as follows:

1. Step One: Proposals are evaluated for content that's most beneficial and relevant to members and to determine optimal delivery channel and best program fit.
2. Step Two: Proposals of interest are then more thoroughly evaluated by Cal-ISBOA's programming committees. 
3. Step Three: Selections for our signature events will be confirmed by January. Proposals not selected will remain on file for possible future selection.

Questions? Please contact Membership Engagement Manager Peggy Marshall with any questions about the proposal process

Guidelines for Presenters and Participants

Download a PDF of these Guidelines here. 

Cal-ISBOA is dedicated to providing an inclusive, welcoming, and safe experience for all participants at our events.

Our Mission: CAL-ISBOA empowers a thriving community of Independent School Business and Operations professionals to gain the knowledge, skills and innovative practices they need to serve their schools with excellence.

Our Vision: Through engagement in Cal-ISBOA, independent school business and operations professionals ensure that their schools have the human capacity, facilities, and financial strength to sustain an environment in which all students can thrive.

Our Values: Inclusive, Trusted, Collaborative, Strategic, and Accountable

Cal-ISBOA Expectations:

• Use only copyright free images and materials, or those for which you have legitimately acquired permission, in slides or other materials shared with your session.

• Review and adhere to the recommendations shared in this document.

• Expect to address your talk to an audience that represents the range and diversity in the independent school world.

• Confirm and re-confirm your session time and room, as unexpected changes can occur.

• Begin promptly and end on time.

• All presenters must register and submit payment to attend and present. Sponsors attend with a complimentary code. 

• All updates to program title, description, and presenters are due 90 days before the event. 

Tips for Successful Preparation and Delivery:

• Know your stuff. Practice and time your session. Rehearse so that your delivery will feel confident and natural; avoid over-rehearsing so much that you sound canned.

• Use your own personal device for presenting your session. When presenting face-to-face, please ensure you have the appropriate dongles/connectors for both HDMI and VGA. If presenting virtually, please assure that you have access to robust wifi and have completed the latest updates for any tools or devices you will use.

• Bring or prepare anything else you need to make your session successful.

• Submit your session slides or videos to Cal-ISBOA staff no later than 30 days prior to the conference. Cal-ISBOA staff will review all materials for adherence to established guidelines. An event-branded slidedeck will be provided for your use.

• Share your resources, including your slidedeck, with attendees. Ask Cal-ISBOA staff to post your materials on the Cal-ISBOA conference webpage.

• Arrive early to your assigned room, whether virtual or physical. Contact your committee lead or Cal-ISBOA staff for help.

• Monitor the time. Assure that your material is adjusted appropriately to fill but not overfill the time allotted for your session.

• Cal-ISBOA attendees expect to engage in every session. As you plan your session, include interactive activities, give enough time for audience engagement, and allow time for Q/A at the end if appropriate. Lecture-style content delivery should be reserved for Keynotes.

• Direct queries to your committee lead or Cal-ISBOA staff prior to the conference. Please be aware that we check email frequently during the conference, but may not be able to respond immediately; therefore last-minute requests may not be accommodated.

Strategies for Building Relationships:

• Begin from a place of empathy for others and support for the community. Practice active listening and active learning.

• Invite new ideas and opportunities for collaboration.

• Avoid any negative behavior that detracts from a productive and positive professional environment. Be aware that impact can be different from intent. Be sensitive to and inclusive of all audiences -- including those addressed both directly and indirectly.

• Consider the words you use. All communication should be appropriate for a professional audience including people of many different backgrounds.

Strategies for Sharing Best Practices:

• Best practices evolve from a spirit of collaboration.

• Be inclusive and welcoming to all participants by soliciting and listening to a variety of voices and perspectives. Remain open to learning from a range of colleagues. Provide support for those who are struggling to be heard.

• Empower the learners around you for the good of all.

• Demonstrate appropriate use of copyrighted materials, keeping in mind that session documents may be published on the Cal-ISBOA website.

• Photos and Social Media: As a conference participant, we encourage you to share your learning via social media. However, please request permission when taking or posting photographs/recordings of individuals or small groups.

• A professional photographer and / or Cal-ISBOA staff will be on site to capture media for use by Cal-ISBOA.

• Respectfully comply with any requests to modify your speech or actions.

Seeking Assistance:

Cal-ISBOA reserves the right to take appropriate action to ensure all participants are experiencing an inclusive, welcoming, and safe conference experience. If, at any time, you do not feel Cal-ISBOA is providing an inclusive, welcoming, and safe conference experience, please contact a Cal-ISBOA staff member for assistance.

Staff Contact information:

• Scarlett Vanyi, Executive Director: scarlett.vanyi@isboa.org

• Peggy Marshall, Membership Engagement Manager: peggy.marshall@isboa.org

• Roz Rini Larson, Membership & Communications Coordinator: roz.rinilarson@isboa.org