Be a Peer Reviewer for the NYLC Conference

Posted by on September 19, 2003

TO: Prospective National Service-Learning Conference Peer Reviewers
FROM: Joe Follman, Host Committee, 2004 National Service-Learning Conference
RE: Peer Reviewers for 2004 NSLC Workshop Proposals

The National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC), sponsor of the annual National Service-Learning Conference, is seeking service-learning practitioners to review workshop proposals for the 2004 National Service-Learning Conference. Please consider helping us make this conference a true collaborative effort, reflective of the growing diversity of the field, by joining us in this international event.

On March 28-31, an anticipated 3,500-4,000 service-learning practitioners will convene in Orlando, Florida for this year’s conference, “Citizens not Spectators: Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy.” The conference theme highlights service-learning pedagogy as a central strategy for bridging the instruction of civic knowledge and skills with opportunities for active service. In times of uncertainty and unrest, the greatest need of a lively democracy is an active citizenry; to reinvigorate our democracy, we must start with young people.

The deadline to submit proposals to present is September 30 (go to http://www.nylc.org for instructions on how to apply to present) will explore how schools, higher education institutions and community-based organizations form partnerships to meet both the educational goals of students and the needs of their communities.

Peer reviewers will read and evaluate 7-10 workshop proposals using a standardized form. Each proposal will be read by at least two reviewers. Reviewers will have approximately two weeks for this process, which will happen in mid-October, 2003. In order to better match proposals with reviewers, reviewers will be asked to identify with at least one of the conference strands that represent their specialty or interest area.

The seven strands are:

–Research and Policy: Sustaining Service Learning through Thought and Practice
–Academic Excellence: K-12, CBOs, NGOs and Higher Education Institutions Using Creative Curricula and Pedagogy
–Civic Engagement and Lifelong Learning: Reaching Spiritual, Educational, and Civic Balance through Service-Learning
School/Community and High Education Partnerships: Meeting the Goals of Schools and Communities through Service Learning
–Environment and Global Stewardship: Nurturing Planet Earth through Service Learning
–HIV/AIDS Prevention and Service Learning: Solutions to Stemming the Global Pandemic through Service and Life Skills
–Community Development and Social Justice: Creating Just and Multi-Cultural Communities through Service Learning

If you are interested in being a peer reviewer or have questions about the process, please contact Joe Follman no later than October 2, 2003, by phone at 888-396-6756, or by e-mail, jfollman@admin.fsu.edu

Thank you so much for considering helping shape the 15th Annual National Service-Learning Conference by giving your time to this effort!