Call for Workshop Proposals

Proposals Due December 19, 2025

We invite you to submit an educational workshop proposal(s) for the in-person conference. NASW-MS Chapter welcomes submissions of proposals to be presented at the 2026 Chapter Conference. Our theme is Social Worker: Defend, Uplift, Transform. The conference will be held March 26-27, 2026, Westin Hotel, Jackson, MS.

NASW invites compelling proposals that address a wide range of topics related to, but not limited to, social work action. Please review the Guidelines to assist in preparation for submitting a proposal. The presenter(s) of proposals selected are required to register for the conference by January 30, 2026. If presenters do not register for the conference by the due date, your proposal acceptance will be rescinded.

NASW will focus on best practices, policies, social work history, and research findings that incorporate social work action and collaboration. Proposals are encouraged in all social work areas and at all levels of practice.    

Presenters are invited to submit proposals in one of these primary issues/topic areas:

Cultural Diversity issues related to any of the above areas are strongly encouraged.  

Educational content must be post-graduate (BSW) level.

Presentation formats: 90-minute sessions will be scheduled on Thursday and Friday, March 26 and 27, 2026, except for supervision, which is 2 hours.  

Submission

• Use the electronic application located on the chapter’s website. No hand-written or PDF submissions will be accepted. If pdf application is submitted, proposal will not be accepted.
• Submit proposal no later than December 19, 2025.
• Submit electronically to: The proposal format can be found on our website at www.naswms@socialworkers.org

Submit proposal no later than November 30, 2024.

Communication

• The primary presenter will be the individual whom NASW will contact questions, decision of the Program Committee, and notice of date and time of session scheduled.    The primary presenter is considered the individual that signs the 2025 Presenter Agreement included with the Workshop Proposal Abstract.
• The primary presenter will be notified of the Program Committee’s decision by January 19, 2026.    Notification will be made via email. 
• NOTE: The annual conference will be in person.
• It is the responsibility of the primary presenter to share information from NASW about the proposal status and the conference details with any co-presenters.
• All workshops will be Thursday, March 26 ^th and Friday, March 27^th 2026.  Times that a presenter absolutely cannot present during the designated time of sessions MUST be included on the form.   Due to the volume of proposals received, specific time requests cannot be honored.
• The proposal form includes a section to indicate if the presenter(s) is willing to present the educational program twice during the conference.   If you indicate yes, you may be asked in advance and/or during the conference should a presenter cancel at the last minute, to present your offering for a second session.
• Upon request, the Chapter will provide the primary presenter with results of attendees’ evaluation within ninety days following the conference.

Student Co-Presenters

• Social Work students from CSWE accredited schools will only be considered as co-presenters with their Social Work faculty.   The faculty member MUST present a minimum of 60% of the program and indicate agreement to this requirement on the submitted proposal.   The faculty members agree to be responsible for the students’ presentation content and method(s) of presentation.

Proposals will be reviewed based on the following criteria:

• The topic is consistent with the 2026 conference theme.
• The submission adheres to the conference proposal guidelines.
• The abstract is well organized, concise, and clearly written.
• The author clearly states the purpose and learning objectives of the presentation.
• The abstract provides evidence of the author’s knowledge of the topic.
• The topic and content are evidence-based.
• The subject contributes to a balanced conference program.

Conference Registration

The full conference registration fee for the primary and additional presenters will be reduced if

1. Registration fees are completed by January 30, 2026.
2. On-line registrations will be accepted for presenters. The individual who signs the NASW-MS CHAPTER 2026 Presenter Agreement, is considered the primary presenter .  If submitting by check or money order, the registration fee must be received and postmarked by January 30, 2026.

   Presenter Type	Price
   Primary Presenter Registration NASW Member	$200.00
   Student Presenter (BSW or MSW) NASW Member	$15 *Member number required
   Primary Presenter Registration Non-Member	$250.00
   Student Presenter (BSW or MSW) Non-Member	$65

3. The Chapter does not reimburse travel, lodging, and meal expenses of workshop presenters.  

If your organization or agency wishes to exhibit during the conference to promote your organization’s services, please contact the Chapter office or check out our website. Register exhibits by January 30, 2026! No payment will be accepted after February 6, 2026.

Should you have any questions about the workshop proposal submission process, please contact the office at 601.936.0557 or email:gbouiehaynes.naswms@socialworkers.org or rvirgil.naswms@socialworkers.orgWe look forward to your submission.See you at the 2026 Annual NASW MS Conference, Social Workes: Defend, Uplift, Transform.