Speaker Information
NHSA works hard to provide a rich array of continuing education opportunities to fit every interest and specialization. Our conferences, institutes, academy and e-learning courses provide a broad perspective and fresh ideas to attendees which gives them a deeper understanding of critical topics in Head Start and increases the effectiveness of their efforts on behalf of Head Start Children and their families.
Please take the time to review this page and the available documents; they will help you to structure your proposal and presentation so that they comply and/or exceed the eligibility requirements for IACET Continuing Education Units (CEUs) according to the ANSI/IACET 1-2007 Standard.
Conflicts of Interest Policy (PDF) |
Speaker Guidelines
Knowledge of the Subject
Speakers and moderators shall have both in-depth and broad knowledge of the presented subject, going beyond their personal experience or the experience of their organization or firm. This will help provide examples for participants that illustrate various points of view or methods of doing things, and allow more complete responses to questions. It is also valuable to incorporate a global perspective whenever possible on the topic of discussion.
Session Presenters
There will be no more than three speakers in each session with very few exceptions. Please keep this in mind when pitching a session. Educational sessions generally run for 90 minutes; thus, please bear in mind the odds of one person speaking more than 30 minutes will be unlikely.
Speaker Substitutions
Speaker substitutions are generally not allowed. Our speakers are chosen for their knowledge and communication capabilities, not because of who they work for. If for some reason you need to cancel, please let us know ASAP, and provide replacement recommendations in case we do not already have a speaker on the waiting list for that particular topic.
Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes must be clear, concise, and measurable. Learners should be informed of these intended learning outcomes prior to and during the learning event.
Evaluations
Evaluation permits the critical question to be asked and answered: have the learning outcomes of new curriculum been met? It assesses individual achievement to satisfy external requirements, and provides information that can be used to improve curriculum, and to document accomplishments or failures. Evaluation can provide feedback and motivation for continued improvement for learners, faculty, and innovative curriculum developers.
Continuing Education Units
The CEU is a currency that measures a person's participation in a formal, non-credit continuing education program, such as a workshop, seminar, tutorial, or self-study course. As defined by the ANSI/IACET International Association for Continuing Education and Training Standards which are widely recognized as standards of good practice internationally (IACET). One CEU is equal to ten contact hours of instruction in a continuing education activity. Any activity less than one hour in duration is not eligible for CEUs.
Audio Visual Equipment
NHSA will accommodate the following equipment: 1) 8 x 8 screens; 2) projector cart; 3) sound system, including a wired hand-held microphone; 4) a cable to the podium; and 5) an LCD projector (available on a limited basis, check with NHSA conference manager for specific details). Please kindly note that presenters are responsible for renting or providing any audio visual or equipment needed for their session(s) other than what is provided.
Internet Access
NHSA does not provide internet in the education session rooms. Should you require internet for your session you will need to provide your own access either with your personal MiFi.
No Commercials
No speaker will sell or promote any product, service, or publication during any presentation. Distributing or handing out a company’s promotional literature is prohibited outside of the exhibit booth. No more than one slide may be used in the presentation describing the organization’s capabilities and business operations
Non-Discrimination Policy
Speakers and presenter involved in developing, administering, and delivering education sessions, special tracks, workshops or presentation at any NHSA event are expected to maintain a high standard of professionalism and are not to discriminate or make discriminatory remarks based on gender, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, socioeconomic status, and/or sexual orientation.
Speaker Requirements
Speakers are required to provide the upload of their power point presentation, one month before the Conference. In addition to the session slides the PowerPoint must also include:
- Title
- 3 to 5 Learning Outcomes
- An interpretative summary of the presentation (The Interpretive Summary should be free of jargon and technical terms/details. A lay person reading the summary should be able to know the core message of the presentation and understand the structure of the presentation.)
- Post Session Questions
We receive numerous requests for information both during and after the conference about topics presented—thus, please provide your presentation to us in electronic form for distribution to the conference attendees one month before the conference begins.
All lead presenters and co-presenters are required to register for the conference and pay the applicable registration fee. Please visit the conference website for registration information and refer to your speaker agreement for registration fee discount information.
Review program content for accuracy. Your session description and learning outcomes are exported directly from your Call for Papers submission, sometimes information is lost when exporting from one system to the other and sometimes strange characters are inadvertently inserted. This will be used as your session description on our web site and in the conference program.. Please review the content for accuracy no later than 30 days prior to the start of the conference. The review is for editing purposes’ only, any change in content, format or learning outcomes, may result in your session being cancelled.Presentation
Please be in the session room 15 minutes before the actual session starts. At the beginning, please state the learning outcomes/objectives and purpose of your research/presentation. At the end of the session:
- Highlight the significance of your presentation
- Review learning outcomes
- Assess mastery of learning outcomes
- Remind participants to complete session evaluation form
Attendees failing to achieve 80% mastery on learning outcomes must be identified and reported to conference registrar. CE units will not be awarded.
It is essential that speakers do not exceed the time allotted for their presentation.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Coordinator, Nardos Abebe via email: nabebe@nhsa.org
Rehearsing
Rehearsal is the most important part of preparing your talk! Thorough preparation will help improve your performance and make you feel more relaxed.
- Rehearse your talk with your slides until you can practically ignore your notes. One way to reduce dependence on your script is to underline key words to recall ideas.
- Pace your rate of speaking according to the familiarity of your subject. When introducing something new, slow down.
- Remember that your talk is a combined verbal/visual presentation. Let the slides carry the message visually sometimes. But don't lean totally on the visuals. After the audience has had time to comprehend a slide and you are elaborating on a subject, it is most effective if you do not have the competition of the projected image. Use a blank slide at those points.
- Time your rehearsals. Trim or extend as required to keep your presentation within the time limits.
- Ask your rehearsal audience to think of questions that may come up. Make a list of probable questions the conference audience might ask. This will help you during the discussion period after your talk.
- Keep in mind that you are speaking to an audience. Imagine yourself in that audience. You would appreciate a presentation that is clear and complete, communicated to you in conversational language.
- Make sure your slides are legible. In general, nothing below 18pt type is going to be readable by anyone not in the first few rows---24pt and up is usually safe.
- It is essential that speakers do not exceed the time allotted for their presentation.
Speakers shall understand how to address and teach adults. This includes, at a minimum, good voice projection, coordination of oral and visual information, ability to interact positively with the audience, and ability to synthesize information into understandable segments and present them in an orderly and logical manner. One should avoid reading material from the slide presentation. Slide material should touch on key points of the presentation. Presentation skills will be a major factor used by NHSA staff and committees when recruiting speakers.