Invitation for 2009 Workshop Proposals

We are accepting late workshop proposals and letters of support until October 12th. The workshop committee will consider date of submission as one of the criteria in their evaluation and decision making process.

Dear Friends,

We are actively seeking workshop proposals for the 2009 FGC Gathering of Friends to be held at the Virginia Tech at Blacksburg, VA June 27–July 4, 2009. Our theme this year will be “Wings of Joy, Fire of Love, Rooted in Spirit.” We hope the workshops will reflect the rich diversity of our faith community. We would like to see an exciting variety of workshops, the familiar and beloved as well as the new and provocative.

Workshops. For many Friends, workshops are the central part of the Gathering. Because of the variety of Friends who attend the Gathering, workshops cover a broad range of topics including Quaker history, practice, faith, writing, art, music, movement, diversity, gender and family issues. Workshops may address the Gathering theme or speak to other interests or concerns of Friends. Workshops that are interactive and grounded in worship have been important to the success of the Gathering experience for many. This year workshops that have more of an emphasis on lecture will also be considered.

Workshops will meet on First Day for an introductory session (10:30–11:45) and then continue during the next five mornings (9:00-11:45). Workshop format is usually some balance of worship, presentation or exploration of content, and experiential learning.

The Gathering of Friends is held on a college campus. Friends who propose workshops are encouraged to plan a flexible format that could be held in a lounge or classroom. The Gathering budget limits the equipment and special spaces that can be rented.

Preliminary Step--"intent to submit". As we did last year, we are encouraging Friends to complete the Intent to submit form by September 8, 2008. We will accept proposals without an intent to submit form, but we encourage people to submit both to assist with planning.

Submitting a proposal. The complete workshop proposal form is attached. All proposals must be received no later than noon October 6, 2008. Proposals can be mailed, or submitted via the link at the bottom of this letter. Your proposal is welcome in whatever form you choose to submit it. For those with internet access, webpage submission is encouraged because it makes the job of reviewing and managing workshop proposals easier.

Letter of support: Leaders are asked to have a letter of support submitted to the committee, as described in Letters of Support section of the proposal form (see link at the bottom of this page). This letter should directly address your skills and current ability for leading the proposed workshop, from the perspective of Friends. This request is made because Friends who serve on the workshop selection committee are sometimes new to FGC and often do not know people who have long served the Religious Society of Friends or who have offered workshops in the past. Friends who presented a workshop in 2007 or 2008 may instead tell us the title and number of that workshop so we may reference the evaluations in lieu of a letter of support. If you are unsure about the need for a letter of support, please contact the clerk of the workshop committee.

The committee appreciates and respects all ideas and proposals. However, in most years we receive many more than can be offered. This Gathering is being planned for about 1400 attenders, and we expect to accept about 60 workshops for adults and high school participants.

Leadership Credit. Workshop leaders are eligible for a reduction in costs equal to one adult program fee (FGC registration fee) per workshop. Leaders pay for room, board, and travel costs, sometimes with support from their Meetings. Additional scholarships may be available for leaders and for their families if requested by established deadlines.

How You Can Help. Please consider:

Submitting a proposal for a workshop you wish to lead or co-lead;
Contacting the workshop subcommittee with suggestions of possible topics or leaders;
Distributing copies of the proposal form to Friends you wish to encourage as workshop leaders;
Providing spiritual and emotional support to another Friend who is submitting a proposal.

In discerning whether to propose a workshop for the Gathering or to support another Friend in following their leading, we encourage you to consider the following queries:

How is the Spirit moving through us and transforming us as individuals and as a Religious Society?
Are we giving witness to this transformation?
What needs to happen at this Gathering so that our lives and our Religious Society continue to reflect the work of the Spirit?

We eagerly anticipate the 2009 Gathering and the spiritual wealth that the Gathering brings us. The workshops are a reflection of the commitment Friends share in being faithful to our leadings. We appreciate your interest and support and look forward to your proposal. You will receive an acknowledgment of the receipt of your proposal. You will be notified of the committee's decision no later than December 1, 2008.

Thank you, in advance, for your faithfulness and service.

In peace,

John Hunter
Clerk, 2009 Workshops Subcommittee

Click here to submit a workshop proposal for the 2009 Gathering