SESSION PROPOSAL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Each year the annual meeting is comprised of approximately 160 sessions that offer the most comprehensive educational program to the field. The annual meeting attracts approximately 5000 museum professionals from all museum functional areas and every type of museum. In submitting a proposal you are contributing to advancing the professional development and enrichment of your colleagues.

We want to make sure your session proposal submission is a success by providing you with the following information: the annual meeting theme description, purpose statement, proposal evaluation criteria, learning principles, and application form instructions.

We are here to assist you! Please call us at (202) 289-9113 if you have questions.

ANNUAL MEETING THEME DESCRIPTION      

PURPOSE STATEMENT                                  

The purpose of the annual meeting is to convene the museum community to share knowledge and expertise, assist museums and their staff to operate at the highest professional level, and conduct the business of the association. It aims to create a dynamic and engaging environment that inspires reflection, renewal, and reaffirmation of the important contribution museums make to society.

The meeting achieves this purpose by: creating networking opportunities; disseminating best practices; advancing professional standards; showcasing products and services; supporting the management and operational needs of museums; providing valid and reliable information; and discussing leading edge issues and concerns.

As a result of these opportunities attendees will: build their knowledge and skills and their institution’s capacity to better serve the public; be revitalized professionally and personally; and feel connected to the association and larger museum community.

PROPOSAL EVALUATION CRITERIA                                            

All proposals are evaluated by the National Program Committee (a panel of your peers) using the following criteria:

1. The focus and learning outcomes are well presented, and thoughtfully articulated.

2. The qualifications and rationale for presenters clearly support the purpose and learning outcomes of the session proposal.

3. The session proposal ideas and session organization are well conceived and developed; They outline the how and why. Proposals will not be accepted if they appear to be show-and-tell or product/service endorsements.

4. The proposal offers diverse and broad perspectives as appropriate to the topic from presenters who represent a range of disciplines (i.e., history, art, science), cultural perspectives, geographic locations, and/or museum size.

5. The topic is important or timely.

6. A single case study must articulate why it is a model or exemplary, and include discussion on research findings or an end user perspective that demonstrates success.            

7. Extra consideration will be given to proposals that:

a.   offer unique presentation formats.
      (Please note that a panel discussion is not a unique
        format.)

b.  reflect the annual meeting theme.

c. demonstrate unique programs, practices or collaborations between two or more museums in the Los Angeles museum community. 

LEARNING PRINCIPLES

We encourage you to conceptualize your session before submitting your session proposal online and consider these learning principles:
 

• Attendees have a rich background of knowledge and experience and learn best when experience is acknowledged and new information builds on their past knowledge and experience.
• Attendees have different ways of processing information (e.g., visual, auditory, hands-on).    

• For the most part, attendees are pragmatic in their learning; they want to apply their learning to present situations. If the information is theoretical, they want to see a clear connection to their situations. 

• Attendees prefer to be actively involved in the learning process rather than passive recipients of knowledge. They learn in interdependent, connected, and collaborative ways.      

Suggestions for incorporating learning principles into your session: 

• Acknowledge the experience and personal context of your audience. Inquire about their experience.
  
• Vary the way content is delivered to accommodate the many different ways attendees learn.
  
• Offer practical information that can be applied to the attendees’ actual or potential work situations.
  
• Include at least one opportunity for interaction with the audience and/or interaction between audience participants. If your session format requires a different room-set please articulate this need convincingly under Logistical Set-Up (Section VI. C.).

 

APPLICATION FORM INSTRUCTIONS

Two options for submitting your proposal:  

1. AAM SPC ENDORSEMENT
Deadline for AAM Standing Professional Committee (SPC) endorsement is July 10, 2009. If you are interested in a Standing Professional Committee reviewing your proposal for potential endorsement, please indicate that on the applicable section of the proposal form. See the ENDORSEMENT section of the instructions for more information.

2. AT-LARGE
Deadline to submit proposals to the AAM Meetings and Professional Education Department is August 31, 2009.  

Submission Requirements

YOUR SESSION PROPOSAL MUST:

Include a session chair and at least one presenter who is not the session chair.  
Confirm participation of all presenters.
Contain at least one presenter or session chair who is currently employed in a museum.
Agree to the terms in the Session Chair Agreement.
Submit completed proposals by deadline.

Session Proposal Timeline

July 10 – Deadline for SPC endorsement. See the ENDORSEMENT section of the instructions for more information.

Mid-August – Notification by SPCs of endorsement status

August 31 – Deadline for all proposal submissions to AAM

Late September – Notification of receipt of proposal

Mid-October – AAM National Program Committee meets to review all proposals

Early November – Notification of acceptance or rejection with feedback.

Exemplary session proposals from previous annual meetings can be found here. 

I. SESSION TITLE
Select a brief session title that succinctly and clearly captures the session content (no more than seven to 10 words). Please do not use acronyms or abbreviations in the title.

II. SESSION OVERVIEW
Provide an overview of your session by articulating how each of the following components will be addressed.

A.AUDIENCE
Describe the intended audience, i.e., is the session designed for new, mid-career, or senior-level museum professionals?  Is it designed for staff from small, medium, or large institutions?  Is it designed for a discipline-specific audience? What are their needs and how will this session meet their needs? (750 characters or less)

B.FOCUS
Describe the issue or challenge the session will address. What are the major points to be covered? Does it examine issues from cross-functional perspectives?  What is the significance to the field? Is it based on research? Is it informed by published material—if so please cite? (750 characters or less)

C.OUTCOMES
Describe the learning objectives for the session. What will attendees gain, learn, or be able to do after attending the session? (750 characters or less) 

D.RELEVANCE
Describe how the session issue is important or timely. Will it illustrate current best practices and standards in the field? Does the issue offer innovative and/or new insight? Is this issue provocative or controversial? In what way? (750 characters or less)  

III. SESSION SUMMARY
 

A.  Referring to the Session Overview, provide a brief description (no more than two sentences or 400 characters) integrating all the proposal elements. This description should include the objectives of the session, learning outcomes, focus, relevance, and audience. AAM reserves the right to edit the description. If the proposal is accepted, this text will be used for the website and final program.

IV. CHAIRPERSON
Proposal must include all contact information for the session chair: name, title, institution, address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address (if available).

Session chair information appears on the AAM website and in advance communication and the final program as it is presented on the proposal. AAM does not verify the accuracy of contact information.
 

RESPONSIBILITIES
As a session chairperson, you are responsible for planning the session from conception to delivery and all communication between your presenters and AAM. In this role you are responsible for moderating the session and ensuring that the presentation achieves the purpose and learning outcomes. A chairperson can work in a museum or museum-related organization, or as an independent professional. Qualifications of the chairperson and presenters and their relevance to the proposal will be reviewed. The session chairperson must consent to the Session Chairperson Agreement when submitting the proposal.

V. PRESENTERS  

Where applicable, the presentation should offer diverse perspectives from presenters from a range of institutions, backgrounds/cultures, disciplines (e.g., history, art, science), museum size and/or geographic location. Please verify that your proposed presenters have not consented to serving on more than two session proposals.

• The National Program Committee selects proposals based in part on the presenters listed; therefore, there must be an extenuating circumstance for a presenter to be replaced after the proposal has been submitted to AAM. Any changes in presenters subsequent to submission must be reported to the AAM Meetings and Professional Education Department as soon as possible.
       

• Proposals must include all contact information for each presenter: name, title, institution, address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address (if available). Please do not use acronyms or abbreviations. Presenter information appears on the AAM website and in the final programs as it is presented on the proposal. AAM does not verify the accuracy of contact information.      

• We recommend that panel formats include a chair and have up to three presenters for single sessions (75 minutes) and no more than six presenters for double sessions (150 minutes).

• Qualifications:Provide brief qualifications of each presenter, e.g., educational background, area of expertise, professional experience, demonstrated knowledge of the subject, and why you have chosen this presenter (500 characters or less). The National Program Committee pays particular attention to this if the proposal is an “Ask the Specialist(s)” format.
       

• Do not attach resumes or any other supplemental material.      

• Provide major points each presenter will address and how s/he will support the session’s objectives (500 characters or less).      

• NOTE:At least one presenter OR the session chairperson must currently be employed in a museum.    

VI. CONTENT

A. LENGTH A single session is 75 minutes in length with up to 3 presenters and a chairperson to allow for sufficient coverage of content. A double session is 150 minutes in length with no more than 6 presenters.
 

B. FORMAT

• Ask the Specialist(s)involves a moderator and a specialist(s) or consultant(s) who has demonstrated expertise in a specific technical area. In this format the moderator asks questions about proven diverse strategies and encourages inquiry from the audience.      

• Case Studyfocuses on one actual situation, program, or project, the decision-making process undertaken, implementation methods and its relevance and applicability to the audience. This format must provide the perspective of the affected audiences and/or evaluation that demonstrates its success. The National Program Committee accepts only those that best meet all the criteria listed.     

• Forumconsists of a moderator who poses questions to discussants on a field-wide issue. This format creates an open dialogue, a better understanding of the inherent challenges, and possible strategies to address them.      

• Interactiveinvolves a simulation, role play, or game to convey key principles and learning objectives. This format allows the exploration of ideas through audience participation or observation. Please specifically articulate the activity that will lead to interactivity.        

• Panel Discussionconsists of a chair and up to three presenters who give brief presentations on one topic. This format covers one topic in depth from multiple points of view that provides the broadest understanding of the issue’s complexity.   

• Point/Counterpointconsists ofa discussion that offers opposing points of view, facilitated by a moderator in a debate format. This format works best when the topic is controversial and when there is no shared solution; requires divergent viewpoints and well-drawn arguments.    

PLEASE NOTE: AAM does not provide video conferencing of presenters from remote locations.

C. LOGISTICAL SET-UP

In general, meeting rooms are set in theater-style. A limited number of session rooms can be set in an alternate seating style to accommodate unique formats.

If your session requires a set-up that is not theater-style please indicate and convincingly articulate a need for it.  

D. SUBJECT

Please indicate which single subject area your topic addresses. Each of the following areas should address issues and concerns that cross disciplines, look at the organization systematically, and address the museum’s mission and public accountability. Please choose only one subject area.

 

• Administration: Proposals that address the overall management of a museum through human resources (paid and volunteer), visitor services, finance, security, facilities, etc., and demonstrate how the creative use of these resources improve the museum’s ability to serve the public.
• Collections  Stewardship: Proposals that address how a museum effectively defines and fulfills its public responsibility for the intellectual and physical access to, and the care, movement, and storage of its collections.
• 
  Communications: Proposals that address how the museum develops, implements, and evaluates strategies to effectively communicate and connect with the public, the media, and public policy makers about its collections, research, educational activities, and its value to society.      

• Diversity: Proposals that promote diversity in museum staff, collections, sessions, governance, or audiences and that reflect and nurture sustainable and livable communities.      

• Education/Interpretation: Proposals that address the development of exhibitions, tours, websites, classes, school and adult sessions, outreach, etc., and how such programs fulfill the museum’s mission and its educational role.

• Ethics/Legal: Proposals that discuss the challenges and opportunities that ethical and legal issues present to individual museums and the museum community, or present information about legal issues relevant to museums.    

• Evaluation:Proposals that discuss the methodology, findings, and change that resulted from assessing any aspect of museum operations, e.g., exhibition design, programs, audience, membership, development, policies, personnel, or institutional planning.      

• Globalization: Proposals that address the roles and responsibilities of a museum in a global society and how museums can build understanding about cultures, religions, politics, social and economic forces, and the international community.      

• Governance: Proposals that address effective governance, including the type of support a museum’s governing authority and director need to carry out their unique roles and responsibilities. Discussion may include strategies and best practices in governance structure, recruitment, orientation, and management.    

• Leadership: Proposals that demonstrate how leadership at all levels is defined, identified, recognized, and nurtured by the museum and/or museum community.      

• Planning: Proposals that address how to engage and support museum staff and boards as they plan and act strategically to acquire, develop, and allocate resources (human, financial, physical) in a way that advances the museum’s mission and sustains its financial viability.      

• Technology: Proposals that address the effective use of existing and emerging technology to advance museum operations and how technology can help meet changing internal and external expectations.    

 

VII. SESSION CHAIRPERSON AGREEMENT

The AAM annual meeting offers the most comprehensive educational experience for museum professionals today. To ensure the consistency and quality of the annual meeting content you must read and agree to the Terms of Agreement before submitting a session proposal.  

If my session proposal is accepted, as Session Chairperson I will:   

• Agree that the scheduling of my session is at the discretion of AAM, without exception.         

• Submit any presenter and description revisions to AAM by the designated deadline.*      

• Inform my presenters of all expectations and deadlines* provided by AAM.
• 
  Submit all required forms (e.g., Audio Recording Waiver Form, Audio Visual Request Form, Session Change Form, etc.) by the designated deadline. AAM reserves the right to make final decisions on the number and type of audio-visual equipment supplied based on availability and expense.    

• Facilitate the session completely, to include time-keeping, audio-visual coordination, information integration, etc.      

• Review the handouts of my presenters prior to the meeting.      

• Convey to all my presenters that each is financially responsible for his/her travel and lodging expense at the annual meeting. (Limited presenter funding is available to individuals from nonprofit, non-museum organizations.)*    

• Conduct a conference call with my presenters in advance of the meeting to provide overall guidance on session organization, content, expectations, handouts, and learning objectives.      

• Communicate to all my presenters that each must register for the annual meeting.*    

*Instructions, forms, and designated deadlines will be provided in presenter guidelines mailed in January 2010, and can be accessed on the AAM website as soon as they are available.  

Endorsement

AAM’s 13 Standing Professional Committees (SPCs) play a vital role in the annual meeting process. Through their expertise and leadership, SPCs identify cutting-edge issues of concern, serve as resources on potential presenters, and provide peer review for developing and strengthening session proposals that are of interest to their respective constituencies. To be considered for SPC endorsement your proposal must be submitted by July 10. In the online session proposal, indicate which committee (one committee only) you are seeking endorsement from. You need not be a member of an SPC to submit a proposal for endorsement. Committees will then review proposals, provide feedback, and notify applicants of their decisions in August. Even if that SPC chooses not to endorse your proposal, your proposal will be considered an at-large proposal and will be reviewed by the National Program Committee. After submitting a proposal for SPC endorsement consideration, please notify the appropriate SPC or PIC contact below.

AAM Standing Professional Committees (SPC) Program Chairs

Committee for Diversity in Museums (DIVCOM)

Joseph Gonzales | (215) 922-3456 x324 | jgonzales@fleisher.org

 

Committee on Audience Research and Evaluation (CARE)

Elizabeth Kinz Kollmann | (617) 589-0467 | ekollmann@mos.org

 

Committee on Museum Professional Training (COMPT)

Janet Marstine | (973) 635-0306 | marstija@shu.edu

 

Curators Committee (CURCOM)

Ron Potvin | (401) 863-1177 | ronald_potvin@brown.edu 

 

Development and Membership Committee (DAM)

Suzette Sherman | (215) 684-7841 | ssherman@philamuseum.org 

 

Education Committee (EdCom)

Heather Nielsen | (720) 913-0062 | hnielsen@denverartmuseum.org

 

Media and Technology Committee

Hermina Din | (907) 786-1785 | hdin@uaa.alaska.edu

 

Museum Management Committee (MMC)

Casey Steadman| (404) 814-4165 | csteadman@atlantahistorycenter.com

 

National Association of Museum Exhibition (NAME)

Judy Koke | (416) 979-6660 x891 | judy_koke@ago.net

Wayne LaBar | (201) 499-7818 x 1347 | wlabar@lsc.org

 

Public Relations and Marketing Committee (PRAM)

Ann Dickson | (510) 238-3403 | adickson@museumca.org

 

Registrars Committee (RC-AAM)

Louis Goldich | (619) 463-8474 | goldich@earthlink.net 

   

Security Committee (MASC)

Michelle Lehrman Jenness | (312) 443-3561 | mlehrmanjenness@artic.edu

 

Small Museum Administrators Committee (SMAC)

Katie Andersion | (623) 229-4288 | kanderson@tenth-muse-consulting.com

__________________________________________________

AAM Professional Interest Committees (PIC)

Please notify the appropriate AAM Professional Interest Committees contacts below if you have submitted a proposal that you want them to endorse.

 

Alliance for Lesbian and Gay Concerns Professional Interest Committee (ALGC)

Timothy J. Mullin | (270) 745-6261 | timothy.mullin@wku.edu

Randy C. Roberts | (614) 261-0453 | randyc715@wowway.com

 

Asian Pacific American Professional Interest Committee

Emmanuel Francisco | (216) 515-1237 | jfrancisco@rockhall.org

 

Historic House Museums Professional Interest Committee

Lisa Lee | (312) 413-5353 | lisalee@uic.edu

 

Latino Network Professional Interest Committee (LNPIC)

Tey Marianna Nunn | (505) 246-2261 x 116 | tey.nunn@state.nm.us

 

Native Americans

and Museums Collaboration Network Committee

Genevieve Simermeyer | (202) 633-6632 | simermeyegm@si.edu

 

Packing, Arthandling and Crating Information Professional

Interest Committee (PACIN)

Richard Hinson | (713) 639-7734 | rhinson@mfah.org

 

Professional Interest Committee on Green Museums (PIC-GREEN)

John Jacobsen | (781) 639-0722 | jjacobsen@whiteoakassoc.com

Jim Richerson | (309) 686-7000 x112 | richerson@lakeview-museum.org

 

Traveling Exhibitions Committee

Michelle Torres-Carmona | (202) 633-3143 | torrescm@si.edu

 

Visitor Services Professional Interest Committee (VSPIC)

Rosemary Krill | (302) 888-4637 | rkrill@winterthur.org

 

ICOM-US

Erik Ledbetter | (202) 289-9121 | eledbetter@aam-us.org 

AAM will send confirmation of receipt of proposals by September 30, 2009. If the confirmation is not received by that date, please contact us at (202) 289-9113 or via e-mail at annualmeeting@aam-us.org. AAM is not responsible for proposals submitted but not received.

The session chairperson submits the proposal with the understanding that if their session is selected, it can be scheduled on any day of the annual meeting.

Session Proposal