Call for 2013 Proposals & Information for Presenters

September 13, 2013, Koʻolau Ballrooms, Kāneʻohe

Since 2005, the Hawai‘i-Pacific Evaluation Association (H-PEA) has provided opportunities for evaluators and those interested in evaluation to share with and learn from each other. H-PEA invites you to participate in one or more of the following opportunities at our annual conference:

• Paper Presentation
• Roundtable (Work-in-progress/Issue & discussion)
• Symposium
• Demonstration
• Poster session

Those interested should submit the online proposal form that will be peer-reviewed by a conference committee. The review committee will judge proposals on the following points:
a) relevance to the field of evaluation
b) implications for evaluation theory or practice; and
c) value to the conference attendees.

Online Proposal Submission Form: The form requires a title, abstract (max 100 words), theme, intended audience and relevance statement (max 500 words). Proposals should detail the focus of the presentation, the way(s) in which it is relevant to the field of evaluation, and value to the audience. 

Important Dates

Proposal submission deadline: 5:00 pm, July 5, 2013.
Notification of acceptance: July 26, 2013 (via email)
Early-bird conference registration deadline: August 23, 2013
Sessions: September 13, 2013, 1:00pm-5:00 pm

Submission
Online proposal submission form: Deadline has passed

All presenters must register and pay for the conference.

Questions? Email info@h-pea.org

Paper Presentations (1:15-4:00 pm)

Accepted proposals submitted individually will be grouped with others on a related theme and will be allocated 15-20 minutes as part of a 75-minute session. A computer, projector, and screen will be provided. We ask every presenter to submit the presentation slides ahead of time so they can be loaded on the computer.

What does a Paper Presentation session look like? Paper presentation sessions will include three or four presenters who each have approximately 15 minutes. A chair will welcome the audience, coordinate the session, and keep time. Presenters may talk about an evaluation project, issue, or theory. Although a presenter may opt to take questions during his/her time, at the end of the initial 15 minutes the presenter will cede the floor to the next presenter. We encourage presenters to time their presentation prior to the conference as the time limit will be strictly enforced to be fair to the other presenters. Once all presenters have spoken, the chair will facilitate an open question-and-answer session. Presenters should have a synopsis available for distribution during the session that includes an email address through which an attendee may obtain additional information. Presenters may use visual aids to illustrate key points. A computer, projector, and screen will be provided. We ask every presenter to submit the presentation slides ahead of time so they can be loaded on the computer.

Roundtables (1:15-4:00 pm)

Roundtables are approximately a 75-minute focused discussions with attendees seated around a table. Roundtable presentations typically include short presentation, followed by discussion and feedback. Roundtable presenters should bring targeted questions to pose to others at the table in order to learn from and with those attending. Roundtables are an ideal format for networking and in-depth discussion on a particular topic. The abstract should detail the focus of the presentation, the targeted questions that will be posed, and the way(s) in which it is relevant to the field of evaluation.

What does a Roundtable session look like? When you walk into a roundtable room you will find a table with 8-10 chairs. When the session begins, the presenters offer their presentation to those seated at their table. Each presenter is in charge of his or her presentation, but most will include an extended discussion component with ample time for questions. Roundtables do not have traditional audio-visual aids available, but most roundtable presenters bring handouts illustrating their work. Roundtables are excellent venues for getting targeted feedback, engaging in in-depth discussions, and meeting colleagues with similar interests. They are not an appropriate format for presenters that anticipate more than 15 people in attendance.

Symposiums (1:15-4:00 pm)

A Symposium is a 75-minute session focusing on a single issue or question, typically with 3 or more presenters. Initially, the presenters orient attendees to the issue or question and relevant context with prepared remarks. Then, attendees explore the issue or question and finally reconvene to share their enhanced understanding through a facilitated discussion. The abstract should succinctly identify the question or issue to be addressed, and the relevant contextual factors.

What does a Symposium look like? A chair will welcome attendees to the session and will frame the key question. This will be supplemented by very short presentations by presenters describing different aspects of the issue at hand. The heart of the session involves breaking up into discussion to explore the issue. If the overall group is small, the central discussion may take place among the group as a whole. In any case, the discussion is facilitated either by a designated facilitator at each table or by a one or more facilitators guiding the whole group. As the session winds down, the group reconvenes or refocuses with an eye toward identifying what has been learned or next steps in an action-based process. Some incorporate audio visual aids to illustrate key points or raise specific questions. A computer, projector, and screen are provided.

Demonstrations (1:15-4:00 pm)

Demonstrations are formal 20-minute presentations that show how to use or apply an evaluation concept or tool. These may be contrasted with Skill Building Workshops that provide hands-on experience. The abstract should describe how the presenter will walk attendees through a clear, step-by-step explanation of the concept or tool, how it compares to other evaluation concepts or tools, its strengths and weaknesses, and how it can best be applied.

What does a Demonstration look like? The presenter will demonstrate how to use a method or tool in daily practice. Most demonstrations will include handouts for participants. Presenters tend to employ visual aids to illuminate key points; a computer, projector, and screen are provided in each room in which a demonstration is held.

Poster Session (4:00-5:00 pm)

This formal graphic presentation of a topic, displayed on poster board, offers an excellent opportunity for gathering feedback on an evaluation issue, completed or planned project, or summary of evaluation results. Posters will be displayed in the main conference room. They will be on view throughout the conference, so the main ideas should be clear without explanation. A scheduled 60-minute poster session will provide an opportunity for the presenter and participants to interact. Posters should not be used to advertise a product or service. Like a presentation abstract, a poster abstract should detail the focus of the topic, the way(s) in which it relates to the field of evaluation, and value to the audience.

Technical specifications. Posters must be pre-mounted on a presenter-supplied poster board. (They are often paper or card stock attached to a bulletin board or poster board). The poster’s text should be large enough to read easily from 4 to 5 feet away (minimum 28 point font). Maximum poster size is 38" x 60". Presenters must supply their own poster board and pins/tape/glue. Posters will be positioned on long tables near a wall or on provided easels. The venue does not allow pins, tape or adhesive on walls.

What does a Poster session look like? The posters will be on view throughout the conference. During the scheduled 60-minute poster session from 4:00-5:00 pm, poster presenters stand beside their posters and discuss their work one-on-one or in small groups with attendees. Most attendees meander through the posters, stopping to review or discuss those that pique their interest. Many poster presenters supplement their posters with a handout that summarizes their work and provides contact information for further follow-up.