Proposal Selection Process and Criteria

Proposal Selection Process and Criteria: Your proposal will be reviewed by the Workshop Discernment Sub-Committee, along with other proposals that are received by the due date. The sub-committee is comprised of the Coordinator of the Workshop Discernment sub-committee, the Events Coordinator, a representative from the international community, and a representative from the local community. When reviewing proposals, the sub-committee works to create a balanced slate of workshops that complement one another and appeal to a wide audience. An excellent proposal may be reviewed but not accepted for a given year’s conference because it did not flow well with the other chosen proposals. The sub-committee chooses some proposals for a one-time presentation of 3 hours, and chooses others to be presented twice for 75 minutes. The sub-committee may also choose some proposals to be presented as single, 75 minute Evening Option.
 
The Workshop Discernment sub-committee will complete its selection process by June 30 of the year preceding the conference. You will be notified of the sub-committee’s decision by the end of July.
 
When reviewing proposals the Workshop Discernment sub-committee considers the merit in combination with the following criteria. Not all criteria needs to be met by every proposal, however, the proposal must be submitted by a Spiritual Directors International member and previous conference attendance is strongly recommended. The sub-committee will review proposals with the following in mind and heart.
 
Proposal Submission:

• Does the proposal use inclusive language?

 
Proposal Themes:

• Is the proposal in harmony with the conference theme?
• Does the proposal offer to share the unique gifts of local geography, people and culture? 
• Does the proposal address enrichment/formation/training needs of spiritual directors?
• Does the proposal address the spiritual needs of spiritual directors?
• Does the proposal address the issues and concerns of spiritual directors?
• Does the proposal address current issues or trends in spiritual direction?
• Does the proposal address current world issues and themes that might affect our ministries?
• Does the proposal present a cross cultural focus?
• Will the proposal appeal to a wide-cross section of the global learning community of Spiritual Directors International?

 
Proposal Presenter:

• Is it clear that the presenter is qualified and able to teach the material?
• Will the proposal contribute to gender and geographic balance among presenters?
• Will the proposal contribute to a balance of traditions represented at Conference?
• Is the presenter a member of Spiritual Directors International?
• Has the presenter previously attended a Spiritual Directors International Conference?