Call for Presentations

Submission Deadline: December 9, 2005

The National Association of Local Boards of Health (NALBOH) is accepting applications for presentations for its 14 th annual conference, which will be held July 26 – 29, 2006 in San Antonio, Texas. Applications must be received by December 9, 2005. The goal of NALBOH’s annual conference is to provide current public health information and training to board of health members from across the United States.

Abstract Submission Guidelines | Abstract Selection Criteria | Frequently Asked Questions | Presentation Submission Forms

Abstract Submission Guidelines

1. Please complete the form as requested. Incomplete forms or answers that exceed the word limit may be returned for completion or removed from consideration.
2. The presentation title should be short but descriptive (no more than 10 words) and related to the content of the abstract. This title may be printed in preliminary and final conference literature for prospective registrants and conference attendees.
3. Please indicate the time needed for your session. Generally, NALBOH’s concurrent sessions are 50 or 75 minutes long. Please include a minimum of five to ten minutes for a question and answer period.
4. Please select the conference track for which you would like to have your abstract considered.
5. Please provide contact information for all presenters. All correspondence regarding this abstract, and if accepted, conference presentation logistics will be addressed to the primary contact. NALBOH strongly suggests that the number of presenters in a session be limited to three. In addition to presenter contact information, please provide a brief biography for each presenter. If accepted, these bios will be used to provide the session moderator with introductory information. Please note that substitutions will be allowed for presenters who have been accepted but are unable to attend.
6. Please provide a brief abstract of what your presentation will address (150 word limit).
7. Please provide three learning objectives that describe the desired outcome(s) of the presentation e.g., what the attendee will be able to do at the end of the presentation. Objectives may be expressed in terms of gained knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, or evaluation.
8. Please describe how the session is relevant to public health governance or local boards of health (150 word limit) .
9. Please submit your completed form by December 9, 2005

Abstract Selection Criteria

The goal of NALBOH’s annual conference is to provide current public health information and training to board of health members from across the United States. In 2006, NALBOH and the National Association of County & City Health Officials (NACCHO) will be co-located in San Antonio. Therefore, NALBOH will give preference to submissions that:

• Are submitted from local board of health members
• Are submitted from health officers
• Include local board of health members
• Present topics related to public health governance or address specific local board of health responsibilities in relation to the topic

The NALBOH program committee will review all applications and make its selections based on the criteria above. Applicants will be notified of the status of their submission by March 10, 2006. All accepted presentations will be part of a NALBOH certification program for local board of health members. Presenters will be required to submit presentation materials and five to ten test questions related to the content by June 30, 2006.

Frequently Asked Questions

Abstract Submissions

1. I’m not sure of my session length. What do I enter?
   Generally, NALBOH’s concurrent sessions are 50 or 75 minute concurrent sessions in length. Because we’ll be co-located with NACCHO, NALBOH will work to ensure that both conference programs will correspond while maintaining the integrity of NALBOH’s program. At the time of this Call for Presentations, NALBOH has not finalized its 2006 conference program structure. Therefore, please indicate on the form the time you will need for your presentation.
2. My presentation is only 20 minutes long? Will I be considered?
   NALBOH will consider all abstracts. If the topic is determined to be one that we would like to have during our conference, NALBOH will address any time deficiencies. Generally, we will either suggest a local board member who may provide additional information or, depending on total session length and appropriateness of content, we will combine complementary presentations.
3. Why do I have to write a summary and an abstract?
   NALBOH uses the summary to evaluate the entire application. If accepted, the abstract will be used in NALBOH conference literature. The abstract ensures that NALBOH accurately represents the session to prospective and conference attendees.
4. I’d like to have four presenters in my session. What should I do?
   For topical sessions (e.g., where presenters are imparting information or data), NALBOH strongly encourages you to limit the number of presenters in a session a maximum of three. If you are interested in arranging a panel of participants, e.g., those who talk for a few minutes each and then engage in discussion with the attendees, and need more than three presenters, please indicate the reasons why you’re doing so on the form.
5. Will I be able to add a presenter later?
   NALBOH works diligently to ensure that sessions are balanced and promotes presenters so they receive the recognition they deserve. Last minute additions may disrupt our careful structuring of the conference program. NALBOH will review changes to a session on an individual basis.
6. Why do I have to send a bio?
   We require bios in order to evaluate each speaker’s background and to reduce the amount of information we’ll need later on once the session is accepted.
7. What are learning objectives and why do I have to provide them?
   Learning objectives describe the desired outcome(s) of the presentation e.g., what the attendee will be able to do at the end of the presentation and may be expressed in terms of gained knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, or evaluation. We require them to evaluate if the session is of educational value to members of local boards of health.
8. How do I write learning objectives?
   Using words such as “understand,” “know,” and “appreciate,” define what attendees will understand, know, or appreciate. The following list of action verbs can be utilized to create strong, clear, and meaningful learning objectives: list, define, implement, assess, analyze, solve, construct, identify, compare, create, outline, review, apply, demonstrate, employ, operate, utilize, calculate, determine, compile, coordinate, develop, design, incorporate, evaluate, measure, and contrast. This is not an exclusive list—it is intended to provide you with examples and ideas for writing your learning objectives.
9. How do I submit my abstract?
   Please submit your completed form by December 9, 2005 using one of the following methods:
   US Post
   NALBOH, 1840 East Gypsy Lane, Bowling Green, OH 43402
   Fax
   419-352-6278
   Email with attachments
   Jennifer O'Brien - jennifer@nalboh.org
10. Who do I contact if I have questions?
    For more information or questions, please contact Jennifer O’Brien at 419-353-7714 .

Abstract Selection

1. How are abstracts evaluated?
   NALBOH’s Program Committee evaluates all submissions based on the following criteria:
• Submitted by a local board of health member(s)
• Submitted by a health officer(s)
• Include local board of health members
• Present topics related to public health governance or address specific local board of health responsibilities in relation to the topic

The Program Committee rates each submission based on the above criteria and determines how or if it will fit into our conference program.

1. Will being a NALBOH member help in my evaluation?
   NALBOH does not require presenters to be a member, although we encourage presenters to become one. To increase the likelihood of acceptance, we strongly encourage that each session have a local board of health member as a presenter and/or include the local board’s perspective in its presentation.
2. How do I increase my chances for acceptance?
   Submissions that receive the highest scores generally have a local board of health member as a presenter, elaborate or reflect on the local board’s role, or address governance issues. If you have a topic and are interested but unable to include a local board member in your presentation, please contact Jennifer O’Brien at 419-353-7714 or jennifer@nalboh.org for assistance.
3. What is NALBOH’s certification program?
   NALBOH pilot tested a certification program for local board of health members that was delivered at our 2005 Annual Conference. Based on the feedback from 2005, the certification program will be modified be a part of the 2006 Conference. We want to be sure presenters know of this initiative prior to presentation submission.
4. If accepted, what will be my responsibilities as a presenter?
   All presenters will be required to register for the Annual Conference and attend their session. In addition, because NALBOH will be conducting a local board of health member certification program (see question 4 above), you will be required to submit any presentation materials (e.g., articles, PowerPoint, resources, etc.) prior to the conference. You will also need to provide five to ten test questions related to the content. NALBOH will provide assistance once to you in developing appropriate questions.
5. How many test questions do I have to submit?
   Because of the certification program, each presentation will have a five to ten question test related to the session’s content provided to those in the program. At this time, NALBOH’s Education and Training Committee are making recommendations to the revision of the program. You will be informed of the number of questions you will need to provide to us by June 30, 2006.
6. What are the important dates I need to remember
   Call for Abstracts Due December 9, 2005
   Status Notification March 10, 2006
   Presentations Due with Questions (if accepted) June 30, 2006
   Annual Conference July 26 – 29, 2006
   

Presentation Submission Form

Primary Presenter:

Additional or Co-Presenters:

When providing the information below, please expand the space provided to meet your needs.

• Please provide a summary of your presentation.   (150 words limit)

• List the three major objectives of this session.

• How is this presentation relevant to public health governance and local boards of health (150 word limit)?

• Please provide a short abstract (50 – 75 words limit) to be used in NALBOH’s conference literature.

Please send your completed form by December 9, 2005 using one of the following methods: