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Call for Speakers Proposals

FCSSAA Annual Conference

Deadline: Submissions close at noon on Friday, April 4, 2025

The Family and Community Support Services Association of Alberta (FCSSAA) invites you to submit a presentation proposal for the 2025 FCSSAA Conference, taking place November 26-28, at the DoubleTree by Hilton West Edmonton.

Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is a unique partnership between the provincial government and participating municipalities or Metis Settlements, delivering preventive social services programming in Alberta. FCSS focuses on strengthening individuals, families, and communities by enhancing their ability to deal with challenges, creating resilience, and fostering well-being.

This conference is an annual gathering for FCSS staff, board members, elected officials, volunteers and other community builders to:

  • Share ideas, strategies, and experiences,
  • Learn from one another,
  • Explore innovative approaches, and
  • Deepen their understanding of the essence of prevention.

We are seeking session proposals that reflect the breadth and impact of Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) work in Alberta communities. Presentations should inspire, inform, and equip audiences to enhance their efforts in building strong, resilient and inclusive communities.

  • Strategies and best practices for programs targeting youth, adults, families, older adults, and seniors.
  • Examples of successful initiatives in addressing mental health, social isolation, poverty reduction, or substance misuse.
  • Approaches to fostering resilience and capacity in individuals and families.
  • Best practices for effective governance in nonprofit and community organizations.
  • Policy development and strategic planning to support sustainable and impactful programming.
  • Building and maintaining strong relationships between boards, staff, and community stakeholders.
  • Understanding and navigating the legal and fiduciary responsibilities of board members.
  • Engaging in effective advocacy to influence public policy and funding decisions.
  • Creative solutions to emerging challenges in community service delivery.
  • Leveraging technology to enhance program reach and effectiveness.
  • New funding or partnership models that support sustainable services.
  • Programs and practices that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in communities.
  • Culturally responsive programming tailored to Indigenous populations, immigrant communities, and other diverse groups.
  • Strategies for addressing systemic barriers in service delivery.
  • Tools and techniques for fostering collaboration among local organizations, volunteers, and community members.
  • Programs that strengthen community bonds and encourage active citizenship.
  • Case studies on building effective partnerships across sectors.
  • Workshops on leadership, conflict resolution, and effective communication.
  • Strategies for managing change and navigating complex social challenges.
  • Practical tools for program evaluation and measuring community impact.
  • Discussions on demographic changes, policy shifts, or economic factors shaping FCSS work.
  • Innovative ways to adapt programming to meet evolving community needs.
  • Exploring opportunities for cross-sector collaboration to address complex social issues.

We encourage presentations that are interactive, practical, and solution-focused, leaving attendees with actionable ideas and tools they can apply directly to their work. Whether you're presenting a hands-on workshop, sharing a case study, or hosting a panel discussion, we look forward to learning from your expertise and insights.

In order to submit a proposal all potential speakers must create an account using the “Sign Up Here” button at the top of this page. Once the account has been created the site will walk you through the required information needed to complete the proposal submission. Be prepared to provide information about yourself, the session you’d like to present, who the target audience is, and other relevant details.

Proposals will be reviewed using the following criteria:

  • Originality: New, inspiring and impactful ideas or approaches.
  • Relevance: Practical, immediately applicable content tailored to the audience, particularly in preventive programming.
  • Innovation: Creative solutions or approaches to challenges in the human services field.
  • Overall quality: Clear communication, accurate content, engaging delivery.
  • By submitting a proposal, presenters commit to attending and delivering their session as proposed, if selected.
  • Successful applicants will be encouraged to share their presentation materials electronically on the FCSSAA website after the conference.
  • The Conference Planning Committee reserves the right to edit descriptions and speaker biographies for the conference program.
  • Limited funds may be available to cover speaker expenses.

By sharing your expertise and experiences, you:

  • Contribute to the growth and success of preventive programming in Alberta.
  • Inspire others with innovative practices and solutions, and
  • Build valuable connections with professionals across the human services sector.

We encourage submissions from diverse perspectives, communities, and disciplines to ensure the conference reflects the richness and variety of FCSS’s work.

For questions or further information, please contact Colleen Burton Ochocki at coordinator@fcssaa.org.