Submit Your RootsCamp Session Idea

Guidelines for Panel Submissions

RootsCamp will take place Feb 6-8, 2025, at the Maritime Training Center (MITAGS) near BWI Airport:
Address: 692 Maritime Blvd, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090, United States

Event Overview

RootsCamp is a participant-led event focused on reflecting on the 2024 elections, sharing strategies, and building connections within the progressive movement. This gathering is an opportunity to share insights and ideas that will help shape the future of progressive organizing. Panel sessions, a cornerstone of RootsCamp, inspire collaboration and action.

Need some inspiration? Check out the 2020 schedule, panel topics, and speakers.

Timeline for Session Submissions

• Submission Period: Submissions are open now through Saturday, January 18, 2025. After that, we’ll accept them but may not have space for them.

  Review Period (rolling): Starting Jan 21, 2025

Guidelines for Sessions

To ensure impactful discussions, panel organizers must follow these guidelines:

Session Themes

Panels should address one or more of the following topics:

• Personal Leadership / Career Support / Professional Development

• Skills Training

• Field Organizing and Mobilizing

• Digital Strategies

• Paid Communications

• Messaging and Issues

• Communities and Identity

• Issue Advocacy and Ballot Measures

• Voter Turnout

• Voter Registration

• Organizing

• Fundraising

• Communications (Creator/Influencer focused) and Earned Media)

• Professional wellness and self-care.

• Networking / and Organized Fun

Diversity and Inclusion

• Panels should include 2-3 speakers and a moderator.

• Strive for diversity in gender, race, and geography unless the session is identity/location-specific (e.g., Black women or Rural Georgia programs).

No Self-Promotion

Panels must not serve as promotional platforms for specific organizations or companies.

Required Materials

• Provide at least an outline and agenda. Additional materials (e.g., presentations and handouts) are encouraged.

Session Deliverables

• Submit a report within one week after the session, including:

  • Key takeaways.

  • Actionable ideas that were generated during the session.

  • Suggestions for follow-up actions or collaborations.

Session Goals

• Clearly outline what participants will gain (e.g., skills, insights, or strategies).

Submission Process

Complete the submission form on Airtable by January 18, 2024. The form requires:

1. Title of the Session

2. Description (100–150 words)

3. Proposed Agenda (attachment preferred)

4. Track/Topic (select from the provided list)

5. Target Audience

6. Presenter and Moderator Information (name, affiliation, role, and contact information)

7. Diversity Statement (explain how the panel reflects diversity or its identity-specific focus)

8. Key Takeaways (outline participant benefits).

Review Process

• Review Period: January 18, 2024 begins

• Submissions will be evaluated by RootsCamp organizers based on:

  • Relevance

  • Diversity

  • Quality

  • Alignment with RootsCamp values

• Status Updates:

  • Submissions will be marked as Approved, Rejected, or Needs Revision.

  • Feedback will be provided for revisions or rejected proposals.

• Approval Announcement: January 25, 2024

  • Approved panel organizers will receive instructions, including preparation deadlines.

RootsCamp Values

RootsCamp IS a Place For:

• Critical observations about the 2024 elections: what worked, what didn’t, and lessons learned.

• Looking forward to the future of the progressive movement.

• Discussing priorities for progressive policymaking.

• Sharing ideas, strategies, best practices, and experiences.

• Building connections within the movement.

• Uplifting, learning from, and affirming each other.

RootsCamp Is NOT a Place For:

• Discriminatory or dismissive language, visuals, or actions.

• Personal attacks or put-downs.

• Hostility, threats, or harassment.

• Grudges or divisive behavior.

Important Details About Tickets and Scholarships

RootsCamp is an incredible event that takes a significant amount of resources to organize in a very short period. We are working to raise approximately $600,000 to cover costs such as the venue, organizing team, outreach, content, and more.

• Individual tickets are $500.

• Sponsorship levels are available for organizations and donors who want to support this critical event. Sponsor RootsCamp

We are also raising money to provide scholarships, ensuring that those who cannot afford to attend—especially those who lost their election jobs—can still be part of this powerful gathering.

💡 Apply for a Scholarship: Scholarship Link
💙 Contribute to the Scholarship Fund: Scholarship Fund Link
🎟️ Get Your Tickets Today: Eventbrite Link

Additional Resources and Information

📌 Volunteer to Help RootsCamp: Why RootsCamp Now
📌 Partner With RootsCamp: A Call for RootsCamp Partners
📌 Accommodations Information: Accommodations for RootsCamp
📌 FAQ About RootsCamp: RootsCamp FAQ
📌 Sponsor RootsCamp: Sponsorship Details
📌 Submit Your Panel Ideas: Submit Your RootsCamp Panel

By purchasing a ticket, sponsoring RootsCamp, volunteering, or contributing to the scholarship fund, you directly support the professionals powering progress and people: building stronger movements together.

See you at RootsCamp!

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