Sample Proposal Outline

The pictures used in the 4 submission category guidelines on this page reflect visions of buildings that will make up Columbia University's Manhattanville Campus of the Future - A fitting Tribute to our Conference Theme!

The Conference Program Committee has received requests for more specific guidelines for proposal submissions. Therefore, this page describes suggested outlines, with word counts, for the four conference categories: (1) Paper Presentations; (2) Experiential Learning Sessions; (3) Coach Demonstrations; and (4) Panel Discussions.

Each proposal submission should be between 800 and 1,200 words, single-spaced (with one-inch margins, top, bottom, left, and right), using Times New Roman 12 point font. The 800 – 1,200 word count total for proposals is all-inclusive (i.e., from title to select references).

Proposals are intended to be a summary of full conference submissions. Once accepted, additional guidelines for full submissions will be provided. Be sure to make an explicit connection to the "Future of Coaching" Conference Theme.

NOTE: 3 of the 4 proposal categories (i.e., Papers, Experiential Learning and Demos) must be “blind review” ready, meaning that no personal or organizational identifying content should be included (e.g., citing author’s prior work, or naming popular trademarked or copyright frameworks – these should be referenced in general, descriptive terms in proposal submissions, with full identification included in final, accepted submission.

NOTE: panel discussion submissions will be peer reviewed, yet not blind review (i.e., identification information, e.g., name, organization, etc. can be included in the body of the proposal).

As a reference point, the 1,200 word limit (via one inch margins, using Times New Roman, 12 point font, single-spaced) translates into about three pages in total, including selected references; yet it could be slighter longer or shorter, depending on the use of tables and/or figures.

Please use the suggested outlines for each submission category as you finalize your proposals by not later than the extended March 31, 2016 submission deadline.

We encourage you to use the link below to use the "proposal templates" developed for each submission categories to ensure you follow the required format for consideration:

http://cclacolumbia.org/blog-post/2016-columbia-coaching-conference-proposal-templates

NOTE: use the link below to: (1) create a profile and (2) upload proposals in the All Academic Submission Site:

http://convention2.allacademic.com/one/ccc/ccc16/

Provide a summary of the proposed, intended session using the outline below and the 800 – 1,200 word limit provision. The word limit for final submissions accepted in this category is 3,500 (including references and supporting materials). As a general guideline, submissions accepted in this category will have a total of 90 minutes to conduct the experiential session, inclusive of introductions, set-up, planned activities, and questions/comments/observations from the audience.

Title (headline of your submission, limit 20 words).

Abstract (a 75 word [maximum] summary of the proposed session, including its purpose, focus, target audience, and key ‘take a-ways’ from the session).

Key Words (include three to five key words that quickly identify the type of session, e.g., “Coaching Tools,” “Assessments for Coaching,” “Group Coaching,” etc.).

Session Objectives (i.e., list two to three objectives, what attendees will learn, be able to do differently, and/or experience as a result of attending this session. Target 50 to 100 words for this section).

Tip: Please state learning objectives in behavioral terms, using phrases such as “by the end of this session participants will be able to… write, define, repeat, name, list; and/or discuss, describe, explain, review; and/or illustrate, use, employ; and/or differentiate between/among, compare, contract, solve; and/or propose, plan, design, manage, collect; and/or evaluate, rate, select, etc.” Please try to avoid using commonly misinterpreted terms such as, “by attending this session participants will… know, learn; and/or understand, appreciate; and/or show, apply a thorough knowledge of; and/or analyze; and/or establish creativity; and/or show good judgment, etc.” when stating learning objectives. The first set of phrases support observable learning outcomes; whereas the second, although implying learning, is not as easily observable.

Session Outline (i.e., include a listing of the major topics and activities planned for the session, with estimated timing, along with short descriptions, tools, and/or resources planned for each. Target 250 to 600 words. There should be only one major emphasis in each session).

Conceptual/Theory-Input (i.e., description of any theories, models, and/or frameworks that inform the design and content of the proposed experiential learning session, including sample citations, using the author’s last name and year in the body of the text, with the full citation in the list of select references. Target 100 to 200 words).

Implications for Practice (i.e., conclude with a short description of the implications of your session for practicing executive and organizational coaches. Target 100 to 200 words).

References (i.e., include major, select references, used for the proposal, and note that that these are included in the total word count of 800 – 1,200, so the more references included, the shorter the other sections of the proposal will need to be to adhere to the word limit. There will be more space in the final submissions for additional references; samples are only needed for proposals).

NOTE: As this is a conference for scholars and practitioners, the experimental learning session category is intended to provide opportunities for continuing professional development of coaches, while also modeling various ways theory and research can inform evidence-based practice. Wherever possible, please make connections to the conference theme of “The Future of Coaching: Building Bridges and Crossing Boundaries” - submissions that do this well, will have higher acceptance rates.

Contact Program Co-Chair Robert Levey for questions experimental learning submissions (relevey@comcast.net).

Provide a summary of the proposed coach demonstration using the outline below and the 800 – 1,200 word limit provision. The word limit for final submissions accepted in this category is 3,500 (including references and supporting materials). As a general guideline, submissions accepted in this category will have a total of 90 minutes to conduct the coach demonstration, or a series of short demonstrations, inclusive of introductions, set-up, the actual demonstrations, and questions/comments/observations from the audience.

Title (headline of your submission, limit 20 words).

Abstract (a 75 word [maximum] summary of the proposed coach demonstration, including a high-level overview of the flow of the session, along with intended learning outcomes for attendees).

Key Words (include three to five key words that quickly identify the competencies of focus in the demo, e.g., “Establishing the Coaching Agreement; Establishing Client Trust & Intimacy, etc. via ICF core competencies; or “Understanding Self; Commitment to Self-Development; Managing the Contract,” etc. EMCC’s competencies; and/or “Self-Knowledge; Acknowledging Personal Strengths & Development Need; Self-Mastery,” etc. via WABC’s s competency model, or another competency framework).

Competencies (i.e., provide summary descriptions of the competencies planned for the demonstration from the source, e.g., ICF, EMCC, WABC, etc. Target 100 to 200 words).  

Demonstration Outline (i.e., include a listing of the session objectives [NOTE: please state in behavioral terms vs. descriptive terms, see “Tip” in the Experiential Learning Session section]. Also include information regarding overall flow of the coach demonstration, e.g., roles [coach, volunteer client, audience], elements of the demos, and planned audience interaction/involvement, including time for questions and observations – Target 200 to 650).

Implications for Practice (i.e., conclude with a short description of the implications of your session for practicing executive and organizational coaches. Target 100 to 250 words).

References (i.e., include major, select references, used for the proposal. Note that these are included in the total word count of 800 – 1,200, so the more references included, the shorter the other sections of the proposal will need to be to adhere to the word limit. There will be more space in the final submissions for additional references; samples are only needed for proposals).

NOTE: As this is a conference for both scholars and practitioners, the coaching demonstrations category is also intended to both provide opportunities for continuing professional development of coaches, while modeling how theory and research can inform evidence-based practice. In this category, the emphasis should be on enhancing “use of self” via select competencies. Wherever possible, please make connections to the conference theme of “The Future of Coaching: Building Bridges and Crossing Boundaries" - submissions that do this well, will have higher acceptance rates.     

NOTE: The program will schedule 2 coach demonstrations during a 90 minute block (40 minutes for each demo).  

Contact Program Co-Chair Robert Levey for questions coach demo submissions (relevey@comcast.net).