Call For Proposals
All session proposals for Power Up must be submitted through the proposal form for consideration. Submit your proposal by Sunday, August 10th, 2025 11:59 PM Central.
Topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Strategic planning
- Project management skills & workflows
- Leadership Pathways
- Leadership styles & strategies
- Playful leadership
- Advocacy
- Intellectual Freedom / censorship & book challenges
- Mentorship
- Change management
- Staff morale, retention & workplace culture
- Community engagement, partnerships, and outreach
- Program and staff evaluations
- Culturally relevant programming and collection
- Innovative or experimental programming
- Programming for consistency
- Silohing/Working with other departments
Session Formats:
- Lecture presentation: 45-minute presentation + 15 min Q&A
- Panel Discussion: 2-4 presenters focused on one big topic and sharing their experience
- Workshop presentation: One-hour hands-on learning experience
- Programming lightning talk: 5-8 minute mini presentation on or about a successful program
- Roundtable discussion: Lead an in-depth full-group discussion on a topic of your choice. No need to prepare a presentation—just shepherd good conversation!
Have an idea for a regular session and a lightning talk? You are free to submit multiple session types!
Selected presentation, workshop, and panel sessions will receive one complimentary conference registration. Selected lightning talk and roundtable presenters will receive a discounted conference rate.
Browse past sessions: 2025, 2024, 2022, and 2019. You can also preview the proposal form questions.
Proposal Evaluation
The Program Committee will evaluate all proposals submitted by the deadline as individual entries, and how they fit within the balance of conference content as a whole using the following criteria:
- Clarity and completeness of the proposal, particularly having well-developed content, learning objectives, and sufficient speakers to address all relevant aspects of the topic;
- Originality and relevance of the proposed topic;
- Uniqueness of content in relation to other conference presentations;
- A range of speaker experiences and representations
Questions? Contact the conference staff.
Diversity, Inclusion, And Equity Statement
The Program Committee encourages a diversity of presenters representing a variety of personal and professional backgrounds, perspectives, and voices. We encourage submissions from anyone who is interested in presenting, including students, new professionals, first-time presenters, and representatives of allied professions.