Call For Papers for the 2011 FGS/ISGS National Conference in Springfield, Illinois

The following Call for Papers was received from Joshua Taylor, National Program Committee, FGS/ISGS 2011 Conference today:

Call for Lecture Proposals – “Pathways to the Heartland”
2011 FGS/ISGS National Conference – 7-10 September 2011

The Federation of Genealogical Societies and the Illinois State Genealogical Society are pleased to announce the official call for lecture proposals for our 2011 national conference, “Pathways to the Heartland,” to be held in Springfield, Illinois, 7-10 September 2011. The conference will explore the resources of America’s Heartland through a variety of regional and national topics aimed at engaging genealogists and family historians of all levels and experience. Topics relating to the Midwest, migration patterns, and religious and ethnic groups are encouraged. Wednesday, 7 September 2011 will include “Focus on Societies,” with lectures, focus groups, and other special events devoted to assisting genealogical societies, lineage societies, historical societies, and family associations succeed and thrive in their activities.

The program committee is specifically seeking new and dynamic proposals that will provide exceptional and unique educational experiences for conference attendees.

Potential categories for submissions include:

 Focus on Societies
 Methodologies and Strategies
 Migration/Immigration
 Regions
 Repositories
 Record Types
 Technology
 Religious and Ethnic Groups
 Midwestern Records

Speakers are strongly encouraged to submit multiple proposals (more than four) as most speakers, if selected, will provide a minimum of three lectures at the conference. There is no limit to the number of proposals a speaker may submit.

Submission Requirements
Submissions should be sent in PDF, Microsoft Word, or RTF format. File names should include your last name, first initial, and proposal topic (ex: SmithJ – Organization).

Each proposal should include:

 Speaker(s) name
 Speaker(s) contact information (including mailing address, phone, fax, e-mail). Please add your website, if applicable.
 Prior speaking experience (speakers who have not spoken at a national conference are encouraged to submit a video, audiotape, or CD recording of a recent lecture by mail).
 Speaker(s) biography
 Speaker(s) brief brochure biography (50 word maximum)
 Lecture title (titles should not exceed 10 words: title your presentations carefully, as the title that is submitted is the title that will be used in the conference program).
 Lecture brochure description (40 word maximum)
 Lecture outline/summary
 Lecture audio-visual requirements (FGS does NOT provide LCD/digital projectors, computers, or Internet access for speakers).
 Intended Audience Level

Proposals should be sent electronically to program2011@fgs.org no later than 15 May 2010.

Additional Information
Speakers will receive compensation according to the FGS Conference Speaker Policy at http://www.fgs.org/conferences/speakerpolicy.php.
 
Camera-ready handouts are required for each lecture or workshop presentation and will be compiled in a syllabus distributed to conference participants. The deadline for submissions of syllabus materials is 1 April 2011. Guidelines for the formatting of the syllabus content will be sent to speakers. 
 
Invitations to speak will be issued in October 2010 and the deadline for acceptance and submission of a signed contract will be 1 November 2010.