Workshop proposals for the 2023 FGC Gathering in Monmouth, OR closed October 14, 2022. Workshop proposals for the 2024 Gathering will open in mid-August, 2023.
Want a reminder when the workshop proposal form opens? Email Gathering Staff to be added to our reminder list. Have questions about the process? Read our Frequently asked questions about workshop proposals
2023 FGC Gathering Details
Dates: July 2-July 8, 2023 – at Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR
Theme: Listen, so that we may live
Workshop Times: In-person workshops will be 5 sessions, Monday-Friday, 9am-11:45am.
Have questions? Check out our page of frequently asked questions about workshop proposals.
For 2023, what is the Workshop Committee looking for?
We look for workshops that:
- are interactive
- are grounded in worship
- nurture individual and community spiritual deepening as well as learning
- may address the Gathering theme, Listen, so that we may live
- help FGC transform into an actively anti-racist faith community
- speak to interests or concerns of Friends including a broad range of topics such as: Quaker history, practice, social justice, faith, writing, art, music, movement, diversity, gender, and family issues
- fill the workshop times productively
In 2019 FGC made a commitment to transforming into an actively antiracist faith community. Workshops at the Gathering are essential to spiritual exploration and transformation for Friends. For the 2023 Gathering, we have added questions to the workshop proposal form to invite you to share how you are incorporating an antiracist framework into your workshop.
If this is something you are newer to, we invite you to watch this QuakerSpeak video featuring Vanessa Julye, Coordinator for FGC’s Ministry on Racism Program, and consider ways that your workshop proposal might center whiteness or European-American experiences and voices. Are there ways your workshop can weave a wider welcome and invite, honor, and even center the experiences, voices, and needs of People of Color?
Resources for facilitators on incorporating an anti-racist framework can be found in the FGC’s Spiritual Deepening Library in the Inclusion and Wholeness section. You can explore further resources on the topic Weaving a Wider Welcome in FGC’s Spiritual Deepening Library.
How much time is required during the year preceding the workshop?
- December: Receive edited short description, work with staff on further editing if needed. Confirmation due prompty.
- January-February:
- Edit detailed workshop description and leader bios for the website. Attention to detail needed!
- Access workshop leader materials and work with staff if there are any problems receiving our email and accessing information.
- Compose any message you want sent automatically to people who register for your workshop. Exact text needed.
- Winter and/or Spring: Participate in antiracism trainings online. Optional for People of Color.
- March 15: FGC office needs to know name of elder and/or tech support person. Any added co-leaders need to supply contact information.
- April: Registration required. Allow at least 30 minutes online or on the phone with FGC staff.
- June: Time to read through workshop resources and information. Info Session with all workshop leaders. Pre-Gathering A/V training for anyone who wants to use audio-visual equipment during the week. If online workshops are offered, Zoom training for those workshop leaders will take place in June.
- During Gathering: Optional drop-in session for workshop leaders to support one another
A Workshop Leaders timeline with dates will be sent to all leaders of accepted workshops shortly after the workshop is accepted.
Submitting a proposal
There are two parts to each workshop proposal: your proposal form (preferably submitted online but available by email), and a letter of support for each co-leader.
Part 1: Workshop Proposal Form: Workshops are proposed via an online form where you share your plans and background with the Workshop Committee. The deadline is usually September 30. Instructions are posted and progress can be pasted.
Here is an example of the 2023 Gathering Workshop Proposal form.
Part 2: Letter of Support: The letter of support must also be received by the posted deadline. This letter should directly address your skills and current ability for leading the proposed workshop, from the perspective of Friends. Members of the Workshop Committee often do not know not know the workshop proposers, so these letters of support help the committee in its discernment process.
Leaders of workshops at the 2022 or 2021 Gatherings can choose to have their workshop evaluations used in lieu of a letter of support. Proposals will not be considered without either a letter of support or a workshop leader evaluation summary from the past two years.
Confirming Receipt of Proposals. You will be sent to a webpage with a thank you message when your proposal is submitted. You will be notified of the Workshop Committee’s decision in early winter.
Most years we receive more proposals than we can accept, but they are all appreciated. The Workshop Committee looks forward to reading your proposals!
Financial Credits for Workshop Leaders
Workgrants for the 2023 Gathering have not yet been determined. In past years, workshop leaders have been eligible for a reduction in costs equal to 50% of the Basic Fee per workshop as leadership credit. (The Basic Fee is the cost for an adult to attend the Gathering, sleep in the least expensive adult double room, and eat three meals a day.) There is only one credit per workshop, so co-leaders need to decide how to share this credit. Leaders may request additional scholarship support for themselves and their families from FGC (during the spring registration process) or from their meetings.
For more information :
FGC Gathering Office: gathering@fgcquaker.org 215-561-1700, x2
Have questions? Look for the answers: frequently asked questions about workshop proposals.