CALL FOR PROPOSALS

IT’S ABOUT TIME: LGBT AGING IN A CHANGING WORLD  

SAGE’s Fourth National Conference on LGBT Aging

Sponsored by

Click here to download the Call For Proposals Form

 

Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) is calling for proposals for its Fourth National Conference on LGBT Aging, entitled It’s About Time: LGBT Aging in a Changing World. The Conference, presented by AARP, will be held October 12-14, 2008 at the Marriott New York at the Brooklyn Bridge.  Proposals are due no later than May 15, 2008.  Multiple submissions are welcome.

Goals of the Conference are to:

Increase awareness of the diversity of LGBT people ages 50 and older for professionals and policymakers working in aging services, LGBT programs, HIV areas, and related fields.

Provide concrete, tangible examples of replicable work that will build capacity in agencies providing or seeking to provide services to LGBT seniors.

Provide an interactive and educational setting where experts share information with attendees on the latest issues, services, programs, policies, research and trends addressing the future of LGBT aging.

Offer “skills-building” training for professionals seeking to begin or increase their capacity to provide services and programs that look to the future of LGBT aging in the United States.

Offer “best practices” or “lessons learned” in the development of programs and services for underserved senior populations that have applicability to LGBT seniors.

Conference organizers welcome proposals focusing on:

  • Service & Program. We are seeking presentations on effective service delivery systems and program/service models; outreach techniques, needs assessments and other developmental tools; best practices/lessons learned; reaching underserved populations, and more. Capacity-building sessions that offer staff and board development, fundraising approaches, event development, marketing/communications and other “nuts and bolts” components for creating LGBT services and programs in senior settings especially welcome.
  • Effective Policy Strategies/Removing Barriers. We are seeking presentations from policymakers, funders and agency professionals which address successful partnerships within and between LGBT and aging service programs; working with AAA’s and offices for aging; cultural competency curricula and training programs; policy and legal sessions on barriers affecting LGBT seniors; funding and fiscal strategies, and more.
  • Health, Wellbeing & Sexuality. We are seeking proposals for sessions that will increase competency in the areas of health, mental health, sexuality, and spirituality. The graying of the AIDS epidemic; trans-health issues; substance abuse; developmental and physical disabilities; elder abuse; and other specialized areas are welcome.
  • Role of Research/Research to Practice. We are seeking research (completed and in development) on or affecting LGBT aging; HIV over 50 and other health research; translating research into practice, practice-based research, effective evaluation and outcome measurement practices; and analyses of current issues in aging.

Presentation formats:

  • Symposium. A paper presentation and/or panel focusing on an area related to aging, LGBT aging, or capacity-building in agencies who serve this population. Symposia may report on completed research, describe innovative program experiences, or present an analysis of a current issue. Symposia should allow for presentation and a Q&A session within a 1 hour and fifteen minute time period. (Please note: paper presentations may be grouped together into a symposia by the Conference’s Program Committee.)
  • Workshop. A workshop session should be designed for an exchange of ideas and the demonstration and application of techniques and skills that offer a learning experience for the attendees. These sessions should last one hour and fifteen minutes.
  • Trainings. A half-day (3 to 3-1/2 hour) training using an established or recently completed curriculum with the goal of improving service delivery to underserved senior populations.
  • Poster Session. Poster sessions offer visual descriptions of information on specific programs, services, or points of interest related to LGBT aging. Poster sessions will be grouped in a large room and displayed for a designated 1-2 hour session for viewing by conference attendees and discussion with the poster author.
  • Roundtable Facilitator. Facilitators for roundtable discussions will generate discussion among professionals working in agencies/programs that serve or hope to serve LGBT seniors.  Roundtables can be offered around specific thematic topics or by types of service provision, and should last 1 hour and fifteen minutes.

Completed application proposals must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. EST on May 15, 2008 in hardcopy or electronic version to Karen Taylor, Director of Advocacy & Training, Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE), 305 Seventh Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10001, ktaylor@sageusa.org. Phone: (212) 741-2247

Click here to download the Call For Proposals Form