How Do NACSW 

Regional Conferences Work?


In a nutshell, NACSW's "vision" for bringing an NACSW Regional Conferences to your area is as follows:

  • NACSW chapter or area leaders who are interested in bringing a regional conference to their area should start by contacting the NACSW office (info@nacsw.org).

  • NACSW has developed a Speaker's and Topics List, made up of NACSW members with special expertise on topics of particular interest to Christians in social work. This list includes information about each speaker, his/her qualifications and experience, as well as abstracts on each of the topics which are available for NACSW chapter and area leaders to choose from when selecting a speaker/presentation topic for their Regional Conference. 

  • To keep the workload for local NACSW leaders to a minimum, the NACSW office will handle many of the nitty-gritty tasks associated with sponsoring Regional Conferences. NACSW's goal is to make it as simple as possible for area leaders to bring Regional Conferences to their areas. 

 

Roles and responsibilities for planning and coordinating NACSW Regional Conferences are broken down as follows between:

  • The NACSW chapter or area leader

  • NACSW staff

  • An NACSW consultant hired just to support regional conferences:

1. Chapter or Area Leader Responsibilities (ideally, this leader will form a core group to assist with these responsibilities):

  • Selecting a conference site and setting a conference date

  • Building a core group of local contacts. Specifically, establishing a connection with a representative from at least one local Christian college, one local large faith-based organization, and one local church social ministry who will actively support the Regional Conference

  • Organizing a group to pray regularly for the conference, and a time for devotions, music, and/or worship at the conference

  • Arranging any "hospitality" refreshments if desired, as well as a registration packet with relevant handouts, NACSW materials, etc.

  • Making lodging arrangements and coordinating transportation for the speaker(s), as needed 

  • Local advertising. Specifically, coordinating the efforts of local NACSW members and contacts to touch base with their local connections to promote the conference

  • Selecting a conference "MC" (Master of Ceremony) to make sure participants feel welcomed, introduce the speaker, answer participant questions, ensure conference evaluations are filled out, etc.

  • Putting together a list of local restaurants for participants (assuming there will be a lunch break) and low-cost hotel/motel sites 

  • Arranging to cover on-site registrations (and name tags)   

2. NACSW Staff Responsibilities:

  • Arranging a contract with the speaker(s) selected for the Regional Conference

  • Providing a petty cash "float" for the NACSW chapter or area leader if needed 

  • Paying any bills associated with the Regional Conference 

  • Non-Local Advertising. Specifically, preparing and mailing out  conference announcements, arranging an ad with the local chapter of NASW or CASW, posting information on NACSW's website, etc.

  • Handling advance registrations (and printing name tags)'

  • Facilitating regular communication with the NACSW chapter or area leader to provide support for the Regional Conference planning process, to help troubleshoot challenges as they come up, etc.

If you are interested in exploring the possibility of bringing a regional conference to your area, please contact the NACSW office (info@nacsw.org) today!

 

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PO Box 121
Botsford, CT 06404-0121
Tollfree: 888-426-4712
info@nacsw.org