Call for Presenters

Submit your proposal for the MASCA Conference!

The Massachusetts School Counselor Association is soliciting proposals for presentations promoting evidence-based programs in the domains of academic, career, and social/emotional development or highlighting the latest techniques and practices in school counseling. Presentations showcase proven programs, current research, or skills of value to counselors, pre-K to postsecondary as well as district personnel, graduate students and counselor educators. MASCA is committed to providing programming that fosters inclusion, diversity, equity , and access, and we welcome session proposals that address these topics.

THIS PORTAL IS NOW CLOSED.

The deadline for submissions has passed.

DECISION PROCESS

Preference is given to sessions that relate directly to the work of school counselors, or to the implementation of the MA Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs. Also, presentations that pertain to these domains: Academic, Career, and/or Personal / Social – Social / Emotional Presentations, should include evidence that supports the impact of the program or service. We are looking for presentations that will help build the capacity of Massachusetts school counselors to help our students be ready for the next step on their academic journey.

MASCA’s Core Values are Advocacy, Collaboration, Equity, and Excellence.

Targeted Areas

Planning a Comprehensive School Counseling Program

Assessments and evaluations of counseling programs and individual components
Effective strategies to close achievement and opportunity gaps
Using data to deliver effecting counseling programs
Utilizing social media to market your counseling program
Managing your program with technology
Leadership Skills

School Counseling Core Curriculum

Prevention strategies for drop out, teen pregnancy, suicide and alcohol/drug abuse
Postsecondary awareness strategies for all grade levels

Individual Student Planning

Improving ACT and SAT scores
Effective counselor roles with RTI
Improving graduation rate
Reducing test anxiety

Responsive Services

Helping Transient Students (Foster, Migrant, Homeless, etc.)
Effective School Counselor intervention for student discipline issues

Student Support Services

Leading trainings for teachers and parents
Effective parent engagement strategies
Building community partnerships
Advocating to reduce systemic barriers to student success

Social Emotional Learning

Mental Health Literacy
Implementing SEL in Schools
SEL support as Multi Tiered System of Support (MTSS)
Trauma Informed Practice

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Identify and acknowledge personal limitations and biases, and articulate how they may affect your work as a school counselor
Promote equity and access for all students
Identify the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to address systemic barriers and mitigate racism in schools

Submit Your Vitae/Resume

In addition to filling out and submitting the form below, applicants are REQUIRED to submit a PDF of their vitae or resume, which includes their degree, educational training, certifications and licenses.

Other Notes:

Any pre-conference events that are planned will take place on Sunday, April 6th. This call for presenters is seeking proposals for the learning break out sessions that will take place on the main conference days, Monday, April 7th and Tuesday, April 8th only.
Proposals are only accepted through completion of this electronic form.
There may be no more than three (3) presenters (one lead presenter and two co-presenters) for any session. All communication with presenters will take place via the Lead Presenter email address provided on the registration form.
Presenters may submit more than one proposal for consideration.
Presenters who intend to sell and/or promote a product as a central element of their presentation are encouraged to explore the Sponsors and Exhibitors information. Only if space permits may these programs be considered. If a program of this nature is accepted, it does not mean that MASCA endorses the product.
Please plan your proposal based on a program session of approximately 50 minutes.
Acceptance of a proposal does not mean that MASCA endorses the content.
If your session is offered in support of a commercial product or service, clearly indicate the product/service on the session proposal form.

Please note that the 2025 MASCA Conference will have both in-person and virtual options.

As a presenter, you will be asked to present at the in-person event AND submit a pre-recorded version of your session to be shared with the virtual attendees. More details about this will be included in your acceptance email, if your session is chosen. As a way of saying thank you, presenters will be offered deeply discounted registration rates! See below for details.

Deadline for Submission: October 20, 2024
Extended to November 4, 2024

Notice regarding proposal acceptance will be sent via e-mail by early December.

The Lead Presenter will receive all communications regarding your breakout session and will be responsible for sharing it with co-presenters, if any.

Days

Hours

Minutes

IF YOUR PROPOSAL IS ACCEPTED

Presenter Instructions

PRESENT BOTH IN-PERSON AND SUBMIT PRERECORDED VIDEO
Breakout sessions will be presented BOTH in-person at the conference AND prerecorded to be submitted by March 9, 2025 to be placed on the virtual conference portal. Sessions need to be 50 minutes in length. Files must be in an mp4 file format. We suggest you use Zoom or Webex to record your session. More instructions will be provided if your proposal is accepted.

PRESENTATION MATERIALS
All presentation materials (handouts, PowerPoint presentations, etc.) must also be submitted by March 9, 2025. MASCA will upload the information to a secure area of the MASCA website or conference app for conference attendees. For your in-person session(s), you will be responsible for preparing and copying handouts, if you would like for your participants to have hard copies. We suggest 50-75 handouts. If you feel your session will be popular, please adjust amount as you feel necessary. Closer to the event date we will inform you of how many copies you may need. More details to come.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS
Presenters must make their own hotel reservations and are responsible for all other travel expenses.

CO-PRESENTERS
All communications regarding your breakout session will come to the Lead Presenter directly, and will be responsible for sharing it with a Co-Presenter (if any). Also note the rate structure for Co-Presenters. If a Co-Presenter is not added at the time of the CFP submission, one cannot be added in the future.

WI-FI
The Sheraton is equipped with Wi-Fi Internet that is complimentary for all attendees. We highly recommend designing your session so that you will not need internet access, since it can be slow or unreliable.

AUDIO VISUAL EQUIPMENT
Please note that the Conference will not supply any audio visual equipment, such as LCD Projectors and Laptops (as was noted on the Call for Presenter application). All equipment or a/v needs are at the presenter’s expense and responsibility. However, the Conference will be able to supply a screen and a table with a power connection in each breakout room. If you need additional audio visual equipment, please contact the hotel at (866) 828-9111. Any arrangements you make with the hotel will be at your own expense.

For more information or questions, please contact presenters@ncyi.org.

Presenters get Discounted Main Conference Rates!

Main Conference | April 7-8

Presenter Rate*

$90

Save $20 if you register by January 31st!**

Pre-Conference | April 6

Available for In-Person attendees only.

Professional Member***

In-Person: $85

Student Member***

In-Person: $30

Retiree Member***

In-Person: $70

Non-Member

In-Person: $105

*This rate is for the Main Conference (April 7-8, 2025) only. Pre-Conference (April 6, 2025) is not included.

**To qualify for the early registration discount, your registration form AND payment (copy of your purchase order, check, or credit card) must be received or postmarked by the early registration cutoff date.

***Your MASCA membership must be good through April 8, 2025 to qualify for these rates.

The discounted presenter rate can be used for the lead presenter and co-presenters. If your session is approved, the Lead Presenter will be emailed a link to the exclusive registration portal for approved presenters.

If your Co-Presenter(s), if any, plans to present the breakout session and then leave, there will be no registration fee. By not registering, they will not be given a name badge, program manual or tote bag, and will not be able to participate in any other sessions or meal functions at the conference.

CONTACT INFORMATION

866.318.6294

Fax 423.899.4547

presenters@ncyi.org

National Center for Youth Issues
ATTN: MASCA
P.O. Box 22185
Chattanooga, TN 37422-2185