Originality 

It is essential that at the NRPA Annual Conference we continually present unique and exciting programs that reflect our dynamic community in a way that engages participants and facilitates learning (i.e., small group discussions, report outs, Q&As) 

• 5: Excellent - The session proposal contains highly original approaches to and/ or new perspectives toward programming and/or topic that reflects the NRPA community. Session format is informative and includes multiple ways for participants to engage. 
• 4: Good - The session proposal contains some original approach and perspectives reflecting the NRPA community while addressing content that has been covered in other ways in the past. The session has multiple elements of engagement. 
• 3: Competent - The session proposal addresses content that is expected and needed at the NRPA Annual Conference in a manner that is fitting and expected for that content within NRPA Annual Conference standards and has at least one element of engagement. 
• 2: Needs Improvement - The session proposal may be appropriate for the NRPA Annual Conference, but with some alteration to provide a unique and original stance with no elements of engagement. (i.e., The same session was delivered elsewhere but may be good if a different approach is taken) 
• 1: Not Original - The session proposal demonstrates content that has been covered at length, has been presented on before by the listed speakers, or does not meet the suggested standards of an NRPA Annual Conference Education Session. 

Relevance 

NRPA seeks sessions that are of great interest to prospective attendees and clearly benefit the professional needs of the designated audience. The topic is important to the field and the communities we serve and timely. 

• 5: Excellent - This session proposal represents forward looking (vs cutting-edge?) content that reflects emerging trends and current needs of the profession, the communities we serve and is timely. 
• 4: Good - The session proposal demonstrates content that is timely and relevant to the profession and the communities we serve and includes either an emerging trend OR current need. 
• 3: Competent - The session proposal demonstrates content that is relevant to the audience but may perpetuate a topic area that has plenty of coverage. 
• 2: Needs Improvement - The session topic may meet the audience, theme, and context of the NRPA Annual Conference with some adjustment or a move to a different track. 
• 1: Not Relevant - The session proposal is not relevant to the NRPA Annual Conference audience, theme, track, or context. 

Diversity 

Similar to the communities served, NRPA is composed of members that represent different races, ethnicities, gender identities, abilities, ages, backgrounds and size and/or region of agency. It is imperative that conference sessions reflect that diversity in presenters. 

• 5: Excellent - The proposal reflects multiple dimensions of diversity in its presenters. 
• 3: Competent - The proposal reflects at least one dimension of diversity in its presenters. 
• 1: Does Not Meet Standard - The proposal does not include diverse presenters. 

Inclusion 

The sharing of different perspectives and experiences, and ways to address and include them are essential in creating equitable programs, developing policies and organizational practices. Sessions should address or be inclusive of multiple perspectives and how difference in needs can and should be addressed. 

• 5: Excellent - The proposal contains multiple diverse perspectives and experiences, and includes highly original approaches to address the difference of needs within the profession and provides examples of practical application. 
• 3: Competent - The proposal contains at least one diverse perspective or experience, and includes approaches to address the difference of needs within the profession. 
• 1: Does Not Meet Standard - The proposal does not include different perspectives or approaches based on diverse experiences. 

Overall Quality 

NRPA is dedicated to ensuring that the learning programs at Annual Conference meet the highest standards of excellence with sessions that are comprehensive where topic, intent and learning outcomes are focused, well presented, and thoughtfully articulated. 

• 5: Excellent - Strongly recommend this session. The quality of the proposal exceeds the highest standards of excellence for content delivery within the context of the NRPA Annual Conference. 
• 4: Good - This proposal complies with requirements for NRPA Annual Conference Education, delivering a standard format and quality that has become expected of an NRPA conference education session. 
• 3: Competent - The proposal is competent but may require some minor changes to be considered for the NRPA Annual Conference (i.e., Shorten title, change track, session length, adjust methodology/learning outcomes). 
• 2: Needs Improvement - This proposal requires adjustments if it is to be considered for the NRPA Annual Conference (i.e., Change or adjustment in speakers, topic approach, methodology). 
• 1: Does Not Meet Standard - This proposal does not meet minimum standards for delivery at the NRPA Annual Conference. 

Last updated September 2022.