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Submission deadline: August 12, 2010
Submit by email to: info@coseboc.org
Thank you! |
To Whom It May Concern:
The Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color (COSEBOC) invites localities to host our annual Gathering of Leaders in 2011 or 2012. COSEBOC is fast becoming the leading national organization focused on effective schooling for boys and young men of color. The Gathering is our signature event annually convening educational leaders, researchers, policy-makers and students who represent the schools affiliated with COSEBOC and committed to our cause. It showcases the successful practices of schools and districts demonstrating success and enables others to learn how to replicate these successes in their own schools.
History and Key Achievements of COSEBOC’s Gathering of Leaders
The first Gathering of Leaders was held in Boston in June 2007, hosted by Wheelock College and supported by the Boston Foundation, the Barr Foundation and the Hyams Foundation. Its purpose was to develop collegiality
amongst somewhat isolated school leaders of schools successfully educating boys of color, building visibility for this field of work. The second conference, held in Atlanta in April 2008 and hosted by Morehouse College, focused on the presentation of research and practical strategies to support the work of our leaders. The 3rd Gathering was held in New Orleans, hosted by Xavier and Dillard Universities, and enabled practitioners to discuss and provide feedback to researchers on the then draft of the COSEBOC Standards. The 4th Gathering took place this past April in Washington D.C., hosted by Howard University School of Education, and included a Congressional Hearing co-sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. Attendance has grown from 50 in 2007 to 125 in 2008 to 150 in 2009 and 200 in 2010. We project 250-300 attendees at the 2011 Gathering of Leaders.
5th and 6th annual Gatherings of Leaders
COSEBOC will hold its 5th annual Gathering of Leaders on April 28-30, 2011 and its 6th annual Gathering of Leaders on April 26-28, 2012.
Program
The theme of the 5th annual Gathering is “Boy, Don't You Turn Back: The Power of Resilience", drawn from a line in the well-known Langston Hughes poem Mother to Son. This theme will illuminate the power of the resilience displayed by boys and young men of color that enables them to prevail and to succeed despite obstacles lying in their path. It will give focus to the personal characteristics required for success and developed by effective schools including resilience, perseverance, determination, and respect for community. It will showcase schools and school districts demonstrating success and the programs, curricula, systems and strategies they utilize to do so.
The theme for the 2012 Gathering will be determined by end of 2010. Presentations, workshops and speakers for each Gathering will be selected to illuminate the theme as well as other components of COSEBOC’s Standards for schools educating boys and young men of color.
Pre-Sessions
Each Gathering will offer special opportunities prior to the main Gathering:
- an invitation-only pre-session on the theme of Leadership for a New Age for aspiring and new school leaders that will cover a combination of adaptive and technical issues;
- an invitation-only pre-session for Strategic and Philanthropic Partners;
- an open policy forum on current issues re: schooling for boys and young men of color;
- Visits to local schools demonstrating success in educating boys and young men of color.
Workshops
A Call for Workshop proposals will be widely disseminated in November of each year with proposals due by early January of the following year. These presentations can be in forms that best fit the multiple intelligences and learning styles that our students possess including oral, visual, kinesthetic and analytical presentations. The Design Team will review all submissions; selected presenters will be notified by the beginning of February for that year’s conference.
Design Team
As in past years, a volunteer Design Team will play a key role in planning the Gathering, led by COSEBOC Director of Professional Services Brenda Artwell. We welcome participation by select representatives of the local host(s) on this Design Team.
Co-hosts and local host committee
COSEBOC assumes that one or more colleges and/or universities will serve as host/co-hosts of the conference.
Host/Co-hosts will provide the following:
- Facilities (see following description)
- Provide breakfast and lunch for @250 attendees for two days. If COSEBOC wishes to have additional attendees, the host will provide additional meals at a reasonable cost.
- Students or staff to help with set-up, registration, special projects – COSEBOC can barter one day of student work for one day of free conference attendance
- Promote the presence of the host university President at the Gathering of Leaders
- Utilize their contacts to assist and support COSEBOC to generate at least $20,000 in local funding from foundations and/or corporate sponsors for the Gathering
- Utilize their contacts at local school systems, charter schools, colleges, policy institutes, etc. to promote the Gathering – generate at least 50 attendees from a 30 mile radius
- Utilize their contacts with local media to promote the Gathering
- Assist COSEBOC to identify college, local cable access station, or other local resource that can video all conference sessions and make copies for sale and other uses
- Host school district will join COSEBOC as a member
- Shuttle or buses for transporting attendees to and from hotel, highly desirable
- Host the COSEBOC Board of Directors meeting in October of the previous year – provide meeting room, lunch, and lodging (if available)
The awareness, endorsement and/or presence of the host university President at the Gathering has been an important indication of the commitment of the host site in past years.
Facilities
The Gathering of Leaders requires facilities including:
- Auditorium with WiFi that seats 300+
- Space for registration tables outside the auditorium
- 10-15 breakout rooms with WiFi that can each seat 30 people at desks or tables in the same building or in a building adjacent to the Auditorium
- Access to AV equipment including LCD projectors, screens, display space, etc.
- Copying available on-site – pro bono or for a reasonable fee.
Conference Fees
COSEBOC expects to maintain 2011 Gathering registration fees at the same level as 2010 -- $295 for members and $395 for non-members. We plan to provide scholarships for up to 20 emerging leaders with corporate sponsorship. 2011 Gathering finances will be reviewed prior to final determination of 2012 registration fees.
To Apply to Host a Gathering of Leaders:
Communities interested in hosting the 2011 or 2012 COSEBOC Gathering of Leaders should submit, in writing, a 2-3 page proposal indicating why and how they see hosting the Gathering as an important event in their work to educate boys and young men of color and an outline of their capacity to provide required resources listed above. Further information can be provided by and proposals should be submitted to:
Ron Walker, Executive Director
COSEBOC
info@coseboc.org
781-775-9461
Thank you for your interest. |
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