CALL FOR PROPOSALS
SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE. STRENGTHEN SCHOOL COUNSELING.
Do you have innovative ideas, effective strategies, or valuable experiences to share with school counselors across Montana? We invite you to submit a breakout session proposal for the MSCA Spring Conference! Presenter benefit: Accepted lead presenters will receive $100 off their conference registration fee. Registration is not required to present your own session.
IMPORTANT DATES
January 4, 2027: Call for proposals closes
QUESTIONS?
For questions about presenting, contact Elizabeth Clark at [email protected].
TOPICS OF INTEREST
Topics of interest identified through survey responses from MSCA members:
1. Artificial Intelligence, Digital Citizenship, and Student Well-Being
AI in school counseling, digital safety, social media’s influence on mental health, and helping students navigate technology responsibly.
2. School Safety, Suicide Prevention, and Risk Assessment
Threat assessments, suicide prevention and postvention, risk management, and supporting students in crisis.
3. Comprehensive School Counseling Program Implementation and Advocacy
Practical, step-by-step guidance for implementing ASCA-aligned programs, advocating for the counseling role, and navigating K–12, K–8, and rural school settings.
4. Practical Counseling Interventions and Group Programming
Ready-to-use counseling activities, small-group interventions, curriculum recommendations, solution-focused counseling, motivational interviewing, and conflict resolution.
5. Student Engagement, Attendance, and Motivation
Strategies for supporting disengaged students, addressing chronic absenteeism, improving motivation, and preventing students from dropping out.
6. Mental Health, Executive Functioning, and Emotional Regulation
Supporting students with executive functioning challenges, mindfulness, cognitive and emotional development, and emerging mental health treatment considerations.
7. Family, Community, and School Partnerships
Communicating effectively with parents, strengthening family engagement, collaborating with community partners, and supporting students in foster care.
8. Legal and Ethical Issues in School Counseling
Refresher training on legal responsibilities, ethical decision-making, relevant Montana education laws, confidentiality, and navigating complex student situations.
9. College and Career Readiness, Dual Credit, and Work-Based Learning
Apprenticeships, internships, dual-credit opportunities, career pathways, STARs Act implementation,and updates from OPI and postsecondary partners.
10. Equity, Inclusion, and Culturally Responsive Counseling
Implementing Indian Education for All (IEFA) in school counseling and addressing the needs of diverse student populations.
CALL FOr proposal guidelines
Please review the following guidelines before submitting your proposal.
1. Session Format and Scheduling
- Proposals submitted through this process will be considered for breakout sessions only. Keynote speaker proposals are not accepted through the Call for Proposals.
- Breakout sessions will take place April 15–16, 2027, and will be one hour in length.
- Selected presenters must be available on either conference day, as MSCA will assign session dates and times.
- Presenters are responsible for bringing their own device to display their slide deck.
- Submission of a proposal does not guarantee acceptance.
- The lead presenter listed on the proposal will receive $100 off their conference registration fee.
- Presenters are not required to register for the conference to present their own session.
- MSCA does not provide honoraria, speaker fees, or travel expense reimbursement for breakout session presenters.
3. Content and Promotional Guidelines
- Presentations must use inclusive, nondiscriminatory language and materials that respect individuals regardless of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, physical ability, or sexual orientation.
- Breakout sessions may not be used to directly promote products or services for sale. Proposals that disguise sales pitches as educational presentations will not be considered.
- Presenters wishing to sell or promote products or services must purchase exhibit space and limit sales and promotional activities to the exhibit area.
4. Submission and Communication Requirements
- The person submitting the proposal will serve as the primary contact and lead presenter.
- All MSCA Spring Conference communications will be sent via email.
- Presenter handouts and resources may be shared with attendees through the conference app. Handouts are optional. If provided, they must be submitted electronically by Friday, April 9, 2027.
5. Presentation Approval and Changes
- If a proposal is accepted, MSCA reserves the right to edit presentation titles and descriptions for promotional and program materials.
- MSCA reserves the right to cancel a session if the presenter does not comply with session guidelines. Reasons may include failure to submit required information or the presenter agreement form, or unapproved changes to presenters.
presenter policy
By agreeing to present at the Montana School Counselor Association (MSCA) Spring Conference, presenters acknowledge and agree to the following terms regarding presentation materials, professional standards, and conference participation.
Use of Presentation Materials
MSCA may use materials shared during a presentation - including slides, handouts, and digital resources - solely for purposes related to the promotion, delivery, and documentation of the conference. All intellectual property rights remain with the presenter. This limited permission supports conference operations, helps manage access to materials, and reduces the risk of unauthorized distribution.
Professional Standards and Content Review
MSCA reviews and selects presentations with consideration for Montana Administrative Rule 10.55.714 and its emphasis on professional learning, educator growth, student well-being, reflection, collaboration, and research-based practice.
Presenters are expected to ensure their content aligns with the ethical and professional standards of the counseling profession and reflects a commitment to inclusive, evidence-based practice.
Presenter Responsibilities
By participating in the conference, presenters agree to:
- Respect intellectual property. Obtain any necessary permissions to use copyrighted materials and provide appropriate attribution.
- Protect presentation content. Not record, photograph, or rebroadcast conference sessions without prior authorization from MSCA.
- Manage resource sharing. Share presentation materials directly with attendees at their discretion.
Compliance
MSCA reserves the right to address violations of this policy or other presenter requirements. Depending on the circumstances, responses may include communication from the Executive Director or Board Chair, exclusion from the current or future conferences, or other appropriate action to protect the integrity of the conference and its participants.
