National Park Service/Mark Lellouch

Each year the NASW workshop committee, which itself is composed of a diverse group of NASW members, works hard to develop a slate of sessions that reflects the broad and varied interests of our membership. They are, however, limited by the number and diversity of proposals that come in. The chosen NASW workshops directly reflect the breadth and quality of proposals received.

We need your help to ensure that everyone — educators, staff writers, freelancers, public information officers, students, writers, editors, early career, mid career, late career, new members and veterans — find something to fit their needs among the workshops. If you have an idea for a workshop, please submit a proposal. Workshops can be targeted at a specific group, e.g. a master class or newbies, or creatively crafted in such a way as to be applicable to the larger mission and themes of NASW.

Directions for submitting proposals are pasted below and can also be found at www.sciencewriters2011.org. Proposals are due March 10. For previous year's offerings, see www.sciencewriters2010.org.

Thank you for helping make this a meeting that represents our varied individual needs as well as our common interests in the craft of science writing.

— Tinsley Davis

Submit a session proposal

The goal of the workshops is to meet the professional development needs of NASW members, a diverse lot of freelancers, PIOs, and staff writers and editors, with experience ranging from total newbie to grizzled silverback. In true NASW style, we do this by having members develop sessions on the issues in science writing that interest them most. The sessions are scheduled for Saturday, October 15, and typically run 75 to 90 minutes. They can take many different forms; past formats have included single speakers, panels, interactive games, and hands-on tutorials. Wi-fi and live Internet access will be available. Organizers are responsible for lining up speakers and either moderating or finding a moderator. In return for your hard work, you will receive free NASW workshops registration and the gratitude of your peers.

To submit a proposal for the 2011 NASW Workshops, email your proposal(s) by Thursday, March 10, 2011, to workshops@nasw.org with subject line "WorkshopProposal2011." Include the following in the body of the email:

• Name and affiliation of organizer
• Email address
• Telephone
• Description of the proposed workshop and format (maximum 300 words)

This is your pitch to the committee.

While we realize that applicants cannot pre-book speakers, preference will be given to those proposals with clear thought toward, and connection to, proposed speakers. Applicants are encouraged to think broadly about sources of speakers, seeking the best possible experts within and outside the field of science writing. Some funding is available for speaker travel.

Successful proposals will be notified by May 1, 2011. Details of the session and confirmed speaker list are due by mid-June. Questions? Shoot an email to [workshops@nasw.org}(mailto:workshops@nasw.org).