OUT & EQUAL WORKPLACE SUMMIT 2016 SUBMITTING A WORKSHOP Workshop presenters drive the programming at our annual Workplace Summit. We host industry thought leaders who are experts at educating, inspiring, and convening people at the forefront of the LGBTQ workplace equality movement. This toolkit is developed to guide you through our submission process. For any questions, contact eodenberg@outandequal.org. WORKSHOPS BY THE NUMBERS Over 70 workshops with more than 250 presenters in 2015 Audience of over 3000 attendees from all 50 states, over 30 countries, and 400 companies from all industries 95% of attendees rated workshops as good or excellent 88% of attendees said they would recommend a workshop 6 workshops selcted for Virtual Summit Webinar Series REASONS TO PRESENT Workshop presenters will recieve... Discounted registration 3 day conference pass is $700 until Sept 16 ($800 after this date) Can t attend the whole conference? Presenting your workshop is free! Visibility for your company Advance workplace equality Personal professional development Stand out as an industry leader NEW Private presenter lounge All presenters will have an area to work on their presentations, network with other presenters, print as needed, complimentary snacks and beverages Pre-summit webinar for presenters
INSTRUCTIONS & OVERVIEW We hope to make submitting your workshop as simple and effective as possible. Follow the detailed instructions below to better understand the ins and outs of our online application process. STEP 1 Follow the link for the application at www.outandequal.org/events/summit/workshops or visit outandeq.smarteventscloud.com/portal/cfp/home.ww and login or create an account to save your progress as you fill out the form. STEP 2 Click Submit a Workshop and follow the instructions for application at the top of the page. Be mindful of character limitations. Describe your workshop in a succinct way. NEW FOR 2016!
STEP 3 Select the topic area that best describes the content of your workshop. This helps us categorize for review purposes and to catalog them for attendees at the Workplace Summit. STEP 4 It is important that you properly determine the target audience and expertise level of your workshop. Advanced workshops are only for experts deeply familiar with the subject matter. STEP 5 Many of the questions on our application are new for 2016 & provide key information. SELECTING THE FORMAT FOR YOUR WORKSHOP HELPS TO DETERMINE ROOM ASSIGNMENTS AT OUR CONFERENCE LOCATION. KEY TAKEAWAYS WILL BE INCLUDED IN OUR MOBILE APPLICATION SO ATTENDEES CAN BETTER SELECT WORKSHOPS BASED ON THEIR INTERESTS.
STEP 6 Be sure to add all information for associated presenters at the time of submission. Workshops featuring diverse presenters across industries, companies & agencies typically hold more weight in the review process. Please keep presenter biographies brief (no more than 75 words) as they will be featured on our mobile application. STEP 7 Review your application information and submit! Your application will be sent to your email and is available to print. Call for proposals ends on April 14th, 2016. You will recieve notification of the status of your workshop by mid-june. If your workshop is ultimately accepted, you will recieve instructions to claim your discounted presenter registration. Thank you for submitting a workshop for the 2016 Workplace Summit. We look forward to seeing you October 4-7 in Orlando, Florida!
TIPS & TRICKS FOR GETTING YOUR WORKSHOP ACCEPTED COMPLETE THE PROPOSAL IN FULL The more information you provide, the better our review committee is able to understand and place the session into the program. Please be sure to complete ALL sections of the proposal. PRESENT A NEW WORKSHOP Consider presenting a workshop that is has not been presented before at the Out & Equal Workplace Summit. ACCURATELY IDENTIFY THE LEVEL OF YOUR WORKSHOP Please take great care to note if your workshop is for beginners, intermediate, or advanced participants. At times, presenters can over-lean towards identifying their workshop as advanced-- carefully review the criteria in each category and check the box that best matches your content. PROVIDE CONCRETE, SUBSTANTIVE TAKE-AWAYS Consider including a hand-out or other supplementary materials at the end of your workshop. INCLUDE PRESENTERS FROM MULTIPLE ORGANIZATIONS The strongest workshops include voices and perspectives from more than one company. Consider inviting colleagues at other organizations to join you in leading the workshop. LIST ALL PRESENTERS LEADING YOUR WORKSHOP We have provided an opportunity list multiple presenters-be sure to list all presenters in your proposal. Workshop proposals that include information about everyone involved in leading the session are better positioned to be accepted. REFLECT DIVERSITY IN PRESENTERS Diversity & Inclusion is a cornerstone of the Out & Equal Workplace Summit. It is critically important to the review committee that workshops include presenters that reflect the diversity of our community (race, gender, geographic region, ability, etc.). PRESENT YOUR WORKSHOP IN A DYNAMIC WAY While some workshops are best formatted as a lecture, others can be presented in the form of a panel, round tables, multiple-presenters, or a debate. We encourage you to think creatively about how to present your information in the most dynamic and engaging way possible. RELATE YOUR CONTENT TO WORKPLACE EQUALITY There are a very limited number of openings for workshops geared toward professional development. Your proposal will have a stronger chance of acceptance if it relates directly to diversity & inclusion within the LGBT community and business sector.
SAMPLE 1 WORKSHOP TITLE Voluntary Self Identification (Self ID) in the Global Workplace WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION IBM and Citi will host a panel discussion to talk about how they have implemented Self ID within their respective organizations, what stage they are at in the process and the successes and pitfalls they have seen along their different journeys. Stonewall will add their unique insight from a best practice perspective; and the workshop will facilitate discussion in relation to the subjects of regional and global implementation, benefits of key stakeholder buy-in prior to implementation, and demonstrates the importance and benefits of cross sector collaboration. The content links the tracks of Changing Workplace Climate; Law, Policy & Benefits; Executives/Management; and Professional Development, and will appeal to those who are thinking of implementing Self ID through to those who are more advanced in the process. PLEASE SELECT THE ONE TOPIC AREA THAT BEST DESCRIBES THE CONTENT OF YOUR PROPOSED WORKSHOP Changing Workplace Climate (includes Research) PLEASE INDICATE YOUR PRIMARY TARGET AUDIENCE FOR THIS WORKSHOP Senior Management PLEASE INDICATE THE EXPERIENCE LEVEL OF YOUR IDEAL AUDIENCE FOR THIS WORKSHOP Intermediate WHAT IS THE VALUE OF THIS WORKSHOP? Participants will hear examples experienced by two companies that are at different stages in their Self ID implementation. You will take away an understanding of the value of Self ID to your company in relation to subjects such as training and development for those employees identified in certain sectors and the understanding of LGBT diversity within your organization. This is an interactive session, and participants will have the opportunity to ask questions of the panelists who have been instrumental in making Self ID happen. PLEASE LIST SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES YOU INTEND TO ACCOMPLISH IN THIS WORKSHOP - Logistics of setting up a Self ID process - What challenges and limitations were seen, and how they were overcome throughout the process. - Lessons learned from a regional and global perspective. - What benefits have been realized from Self ID from a senior management perspective, Legal, Diversity Office & HR cross collaboration between groups - Future plans for Self-ID PLEASE PROVIDE AN EXPANDED DESCRIPTION/OUTLINE OF THE WORKSHOP INCLUDING PRESENTATION STRATEGIES, MATERIAL HANDOUTS, TOPICS COVERED, EXERCISES AND INTERACTIVITY Panelists will be representing Citi, IBM and Stonewall; Citi being at the start of the Self ID process, and IBM having a more mature process in place. The workshop will discuss how Self ID has been implemented within two cross sector organizations and the stage they are currently at in the process. The discussion will include objectives that each organization had at the start of the initiative, the benefits of key stakeholder buy-in prior to implementation and the process that was followed to implementation stage. In addition, Stonewall will add their unique insight from a best practice perspective. The content reaches across a number of different tracks including: Changing Workplace Climate; Law, Policy & Benefits; Executives/Management; and Professional Development, and will appeal to those who are thinking of implementing Self ID through to those who are more advanced in the process. COMPANIES REPRESENTED - Citi - IBM - Stonewall UK - Target
SAMPLE 2 WORKSHOP TITLE Going International Taking ERG/BRGs from the US and beyond WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION Looking to expand your ERG outside of your company s home office? Citi, Walmart and Wells Fargo will discuss the formation of ERG branches in their international spaces through grassroots efforts of LGBT employees and allies in partnership with enterprise ERG/BRG leadership, Corporate Human Resources and Legal departments. Once the satellite groups are formed, how do they all interact with each other and with their US based peers? How do they work towards common goals? What advantages are there with international expansion? What problems need to be overcome? Join us to learn about the challenges, rewards and lessons that come with expanding your ERG internationally. PLEASE SELECT THE ONE TOPIC AREA THAT BEST DESCRIBES THE CONTENT OF YOUR PROPOSED WORKSHOP ERG/BRG or Diversity Councils PLEASE INDICATE YOUR PRIMARY TARGET AUDIENCE FOR THIS WORKSHOP Employee Resource Group members PLEASE INDICATE THE EXPERIENCE LEVEL OF YOUR IDEAL AUDIENCE FOR THIS WORKSHOP Intermediate WHAT IS THE VALUE OF THIS WORKSHOP? ERGs/BRGs often struggle with how to successfully move outside of the company home office. This panel will give real world tips on how to expand to international locations. Participants will walk away with a clearer path on how to advance their US based ERG/BRG into the international space of their company and thus allow international employees to bring their authentic self to the workplace and engage in the larger ERG/BRG space for the company. Panelists will give participants enlightenment on issues around legal, human resources, inclusion and support. In addition, attendees will learn the value of multiple locations and how to overcome problems that appear natural with growth. PLEASE LIST SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES YOU INTEND TO ACCOMPLISH IN THIS WORKSHOP Objectives include providing information and resources to participants on the following: - Logistics of setting up an international chapter - Arm ERG members with ideas on how to scale their organization to multiple offices or locations - Share insights on how to structure these groups to accomplish a common goal - Inclusion of international LGBT and ally employees in broader ERG/BRG activities - Define the unique character and skills that each group possesses and how that can be harnessed to make progress - Explore considerations of LGBT work issues internationally - Legality of establishing LGBT networks given anti-lgbt local laws - Engaging appropriate Legal and Human Resources groups - Provide appropriate local support - Workplace vs. non-workplace safety concerns - How to connect with available resources in country/region PLEASE PROVIDE AN EXPANDED DESCRIPTION/OUTLINE OF THE WORKSHOP INCLUDING PRESENTATION STRATEGIES, MATERIAL HANDOUTS, TOPICS COVERED, EXERCISES AND INTERACTIVITY Panelists will include employees actively engaged in the international expansion of the ERG/BRG at Citi, Walmart and Wells Fargo. After a brief introduction of each panelist, a moderator will present predefined questions related to the objectives for the panelists to address. Open Q&A will be encouraged from the room throughout the presentation in order to facilitate as much of a dialogue as possible between panelists and participants. Time will also be allocated to the end of the presentation for a specific Q&A forum. A PowerPoint deck will be prepared to walk through the objectives and discussion; as well as to give participants clear resources to use for follow-up. COMPANIES REPRESENTED - Wells Fargo - Citi - Wal*Mart
SAMPLE 3 WORKSHOP TITLE LGBT ERGs in the Bible Belt: It s a cinch!? WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION As marriage equality faces the nation and freedom of religion tactics threaten civil liberties ERGs/BRGs play a significant role. Join our panel as we discuss LGBT challenges in the buckle of the Bible Belt. Each company on the panel has traveled a diverse path and faces unique challenges to move forward: a national restaurant chain overcoming a long-standing image problem, a regional bank who has embraced the LGBT landscape, and an international financial services company who is building a new corporate culture as a result of establishing an Americas operational hub in Nashville. The panel is moderated by the Executive Director of the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce, who herself, received national attention when she lost her job as a Division I athletic coach at a prominent Nashville university. We all have a story to tell and we will share lessons learned that you can apply to your own ERG hurdles. PLEASE SELECT THE ONE TOPIC AREA THAT BEST DESCRIBES THE CONTENT OF YOUR PROPOSED WORKSHOP ERG/BRG or Diversity Councils PLEASE INDICATE YOUR PRIMARY TARGET AUDIENCE FOR THIS WORKSHOP Employee Resource Group members PLEASE INDICATE THE EXPERIENCE LEVEL OF YOUR IDEAL AUDIENCE FOR THIS WORKSHOP Introductory WHAT IS THE VALUE OF THIS WORKSHOP? Participants will walk away with an understanding of the history of each of these companies LGBT ERGs and the challenges the face and the opportunities that have surfaced as a result. Participants from LGBT ERGs in any size or development stage will be able to walk away with advice from panelists. It is important that this workshop be a part of the 2015 Summit because each ERG has faced or will face the same circumstances in today s fast-paced landscape. We all face moments of adversity whether overcoming regional, stigmatism, discrimination, religious bias, or integrating a diverse employee culture in a traditionally non-diverse area of the country. PLEASE LIST SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES YOU INTEND TO ACCOMPLISH IN THIS WORKSHOP The overall objective of the session is for attendees to hear inside stories and best practices from these companies with varied industries overcoming regional challenges: - Best practices at all stages of ERG growth - Overcoming and shaping public perception - Dealing with unsupportive leadership in an organization - Opening minds, which previously may have been closed - Choosing the right path and timing for change - Choosing the right internal and external partners - Communicating and promoting challenges and successes PLEASE PROVIDE AN EXPANDED DESCRIPTION/OUTLINE OF THE WORKSHOP INCLUDING PRESENTATION STRATEGIES, MATERIAL HANDOUTS, TOPICS COVERED, EXERCISES AND INTERACTIVITY The presentation strategy is a panel conversation between the three companies on the panel (Cracker Barrel, Fifth Third Bank, and UBS) moderated by the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce Executive Director. The panel will set the stage of the past and present barometer of LGBT inclusiveness in the Nashville area, including Cracker Barrel s own negative history with LGBT employees and our moderator s personal story of being separated from a major Nashville university when she and her partner announced the birth of their child. This portion of the presentation will include survey insights from Nashville area companies, photos, and video to setup the frame of mind for the audience. The second portion of the presentation will demonstrate where each company is currently in the development of their LGBT ERG including past and current challenges, objectives, and methods to meet those objectives. Each company will be represented in a portion of the slide content. The final portion of the presentation will cover lessons learned and best practices each company can share with attendees. The panel welcomes questions throughout the entire presentation. COMPANIES REPRESENTED - UBS Financial Services Inc. - Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores - Fifth Third Bank - Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce