UPDATE: The proposal submission process for 2009 is closed. Stay tuned for details.

In order to create the most well-rounded agenda possible, we need your help. We ask you—as members of the Netroots—to help us develop and organize the sessions that you’ll attend at Netroots Nation in Pittsburgh.

Make sure to think about these questions and aspects before submitting a proposal:

• Think outside the box with regard to format. How will the speakers interact and what viewpoints each will represent? What non-traditional ways can you think of to move the dialog along? Four panelists with a moderated Q&A is just one option. Other possible formats: an interview-style conversation, an audience-moderated session, one dynamic speaker followed by a facilitated breakout discussion, or a session that uses video or social media heavily for feedback. Be creative!
• How does the session help the broader progressive movement? How will it teach and empower activists to take what they've learned and use it for the greater good?
• Does your session offer a fresh angle? One of the Netroots' great strengths is its ability to shun conventional wisdom in favor of a new approach. Each session should offer a Netroots hook and cover interesting topics from new perspectives.
• A session submission is sometimes used as a starting point to develop a more in-depth idea. If we have similar ideas that are submitted, we reserve the right to work with both submitters to include the best ideas and most diverse participants.
• No astrotrufing. A session is not for the sole purpose of selling your book, non-profit, business, software, website idea or Facebook application.
• We strive for diversity at Netroots Nation. We favor sessions that offer a range of diversity (ethnicity, gender, age, viewpoints, geography, etc) over those that do not.
• Does your idea engage an underrepresented community? Does it reach out beyond the traditional areas of the Netroots to other activists who may not yet identify with our community?
• It is vital that you, the Organizer, be up front about how much contact you have had with a suggested speaker. If possible, please secure a tentative commitment from your suggested speaker, or check to make sure he or she is available at least one day during the convention dates (Aug 13-15, 2009). If you are unable to contact a suggested speaker, we may be able to help make the connection, so please note the level of contact on the form.
• Speakers and organizers will receive a complimentary registration for Netroots Nation. In the past, travel stipends were provided; unfortunately, we are not able to offer this for Netroots Nation 2009.
• The Organizer will be expected to arrange one or more conference with speakers and members of the selection committee prior to Netroots Nation to discuss content and format. If you are a first-time moderator, we can provide you with training on how to moderate a session.

Because of the nature of this submission process, some Session Organizers may be asked to combine similar proposals. The proposals will be judged by a panel comprised of people from all corners of the Netroots based on the criteria above. This panel includes: Netroots Nation Staff members Raven Brooks, Mary Rickles and Nolan Treadway; Adam Bonin (aka Adam B); Cheryl Contee (aka Jill Tubman); Jen Ancona; Neeta Lind (aka Navajo); Julia Rosen; Nathaniel Charny (NN Program Coordinator '07 and '08); Carolyn Dulchinos (aka No One Owns Me); and Keith Kamisugi.

The deadline for submitting proposals is Tuesday, March 31, 2009.

Most sessions will be grouped in tracks to help provide consistent themes throughout the convention. If you'd like to see some of the topics and speakers we've featured before you can check out our video archives. We welcome session proposals on any issue, but we foresee choosing at least some sessions on issues such as:

• The economy, the economic crisis and the economic recovery bills
• Energy and the environment
• Governance, oversight and accountability
• Law, justice and the judiciary
• The role of the Netroots in the progressive movement
• The media and how to influence the debate
• The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
• Healthcare
• Current public public policy issues that will likely be addressed in this Congress (Employee Free Choice Act, Cap-and-Trade, etc)
• Using online tools to effect change beyond the internet
• Best practices of activism that should be brought to a larger audience

By submitting a proposal, you are taking responsibility as the organizer of the session. It is your responsibility to secure commitments from all participants, to monitor logistics for your session (such as exceptional AV needs) and to enter all of the data about your session and its participants into our participant portal (details on the portal will be provided at a later date).

If you have questions on the session submission process, please feel free to email us at proposals -at- netrootsnation.org