The list below is designed to support you through the RFP application process. We recommend following the steps outlined below:  

1. Review the Frequently Asked Questions below. 
2. Review the PDF of the Workshop Proposal Form before completing the form. 
3. Sign up for SOWA emails to receive announcements
4. If you would like support with the RFP application or workshop development, please make an appointment for RFP Application/Workshop Development via this booking form.. 

• The Request for Workshop Proposals is being released on May 1, 2024. 
• The deadline for proposal submissions is July 12, 2024. 
• All applicants will be notified of the status of their proposal by Friday, August 23, 2024. 
• If selected to present, you will be required to confirm your plans to present by September 6, 2024. 
• If selected, we require all presenters to attend a virtual Presenter Orientation Meeting on the week of Oct 8th-12th 
• The Bridge Conference will take place November 4th and 5th at Greater Tacoma Convention Center and Marriott Tacoma Downtown in Tacoma, WA. 

• Share your expertise with leaders in the expanded learning opportunity field from Washington state and beyond 
• Opportunity for professional development via our offer up to 2 complimentary registration (value of $600) to each presenting team selected through the RFP. 
• Promotion of your session and organization through social media and our public-facing conference agenda on Sched 
• Share your contact information with attendees who may be interested in inviting you to share your expertise with their own organizations 
• Receive workshop survey feedback to support your development as a presenter, with the potential for a testimonial 
• Opportunity to join our list of potential trainers for paid contracts with School’s Out Washington 

Please review the event description and learning objectives.  

2024 Bridge Conference: Moments to Movements 

SOWA’s annual Bridge Conference brings together youth program professionals, community leaders and organizers, funders, and policymakers from across the country.  

Many of our attendees work in grassroots youth programs with limited resources. For those attendees, Bridge serves as an important connection to the broader youth development field, relationship building, and knowledge to help them sustain and grow their impact. 

Reflected in all aspects of Bridge are the values of equity, belonging, leadership, nourishment, change, innovation, and community. Our conference actively centers diverse BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) voices and youth program providers throughout the event and planning process. In 2022, 64% of attendees identified as BIPOC, and represented a diverse range of urban, suburban, and rural-based programs.  

When gathered, our attendees and presenters work toward a collective vision of more equitable systems for young people that includes community care, best practices, and advocacy. 

We gather to:

• Learn how to implement tangible practices that promote high-quality programs and an equitable expanded learning ecosystem 
   
• Identify and address the ways that racial inequities impact youth, expanded learning opportunities, and educational outcomes
   
• Highlight strengths and inequities in programs and systems and begin to strategize how to co-create stronger partnerships across sectors.
   
• Experience belonging and personal/professional nourishment through social connection and networking. 

Moments to Movements 

Transformation lies at the core of our shared mission as youth providers. We are all committed to nurturing and facilitating opportunities that pave the way for significant moments of change for young people and the communities we serve. Acknowledging the profound impact of these pivotal moments, this year’s Bridge Conference theme, “Moments to Movements” encourages us to explore the transformative power embedded in these experiences.  

At this year’s conference we will center: 

• Community Building: Our conference emphasizes fostering a supportive community within the youth development field through networking and collaborative sessions. 
• Collective Action: We’re dedicated to promoting collective action and collaboration among stakeholders to drive positive change and advancement. 
• Advocating for Legislative Change: By mobilizing efforts to influence policy, we aim to create a more supportive and equitable environment for youth development initiatives. 
• Skills & Resources Empowerment: Attendees will gain essential skills and resources to support youth effectively, through workshops and resource-sharing platforms. 

Join us as we navigate the intricate interplay between individual experiences, collective movements, and the overarching landscape of youth development. Together we will uncover strategies to cultivate, amplify, and harness these moments to catalyze a ripple effect of positive change. 

Check out previous examples of Bridge workshops.

• Race and Equity: While we are seeking sessions across all focus areas that incorporate race and equity, this focus area is especially for sessions where topics of race and/or equity are the main content area. Examples include the intersections of race and _____ (e.g. class, disabilities, access to food and housing, adultism, racial literacy, white privilege, structural racism, social justice, or sex, gender, gender identity, or supporting specific populations such as immigrant and refugee youth and families). 
• Youth Development Programming: What do high-quality out of school time programs for youth, especially low-income youth, and youth of color, look like? What practices, curriculum, and environments will provide the opportunities youth deserve in order to thrive? Examples include cultural responsiveness, social and emotional learning, trauma-informed and restorative practices, STEM, sense of belonging, relationships, identity development, creativity, safety and wellness, youth leadership and engagement, and program development. 
• Capacity and Systems Building: What does it look like to invest in our staff and our field? How do we strengthen the formal systems (policies, institutional practices, and funding) and the informal and cultural systems (communities of practice, beliefs, and youth and family voice) to advance equity? Examples include practice and policy change that promote racial equity within organizations; staff and volunteer development; leadership and management practices; grant writing; workforce development; advocacy; research and evaluation; assessment, planning, and improvement; and connections between family, school, and community. 
• Emerging Issues: What does the future of youth development look like? Reflecting on the past couple of years and looking to the future, what are some topics our field should prioritize to meet the needs of youth? Examples include mental health, deepening investment in racial equity conversations and actions, youth activism, creative or restorative justice, and identity development for adults. 
• Multi-Sector Partnerships & Collaboration: How can we build enduring partnerships in youth development and education? Which types of partnerships, and the way their members collaborate, can help create a more equitable and expansive learning environment? There are various examples, such as sharing power in cross-sector partnerships, managing the effects of turnover within relationships, developing genuine partnerships with youth and families, applying community-centric fundraising principles, and seeking funding for cross-sector collaborations. 

When submitting a proposal, we will ask you to indicate which days you are available to present at the conference. Because there are a limited number of workshops in each Period, your availability may influence our decision-making as we finalize our menu of workshops. All sessions are 90 minutes. 

• Monday, November 4, 10:30am – 12:00pm. PST  
• Monday, November 4, 1:15pm – 2:45pm PST  
• Monday, 3:00pm – 4:30pm PST  
• Tuesday, November 5, 9:00am – 10:30am PST  
• Tuesday, November 5, 10:45am – 12:15pmPST  

The maximum number of people per room will vary, from about 32 to 80. We cannot estimate exactly how many people to expect in your assigned room, as so many factors influence how many people choose each session. Rooms may be set up with round tables, school room or theatre style.

SOWA will prioritize the following criteria in the workshop selection process: high quality and compelling workshop (e.g. clarity of title, description, style and delivery), conference alignment and relevance (with event learning objectives), racial equity alignment, and providing a balanced, diverse program including a majority of presenters identifying as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color (BIPOC) and workshops from across Washington state, and an array of  topics for attendees with different roles and levels of experience and expertise to choose from. English grammar is not part of our criteria. 

Required Presenter Orientation: If selected, all presenters are required to attend the Presenter Orientation meeting via Zoom on one of the following days/times:

• 10/08/24, 4:30pm-6:00pm PST 
• 10/10/24, 10am-11:30am PST 

Room Host & Pre-Workshop Check-In: Presenters must arrive 30 minutes prior to their workshop start time, check in at registration, and check in with the room host at the assigned room at least 20 minutes prior to session start time.  

Complimentary Registration: We encourage you to attend the rest of the Bridge Conference and offer 1 complimentary registration (value of $550) to each presenting team selected through the RFP. Co- presenters are welcome to purchase a ticket if they wish to attend. If you are selected, you will receive information about how to register as a presenter and we strongly encourage you to register at that time in order to reserve your spot.  

Products: We encourage you to share free resources, tools, curriculum, etc. in your workshop session. If you are interested in promoting a product or service that is not free or widely available to the public, we offer you the opportunity to become a sponsor or exhibitor for Bridge. Please see our current Bridge website for more information. 

Photos & Video: School’s Out Washington may take photos and video of the 2024 Bridge Conference, including speakers, attendees, and other activities to use in marketing and other materials. Conference attendees waive any rights and any claims regarding the taking and publishing of such photos, video, etc.  

Important Dates & Timeline: 

• The deadline for proposal submissions is July 12, 2024.  
• All applicants will be notified of the status of their proposal by August 24, 2024.  
• If selected to present, you will be required to confirm your plans to present September 6, 2024. 

If you have specific questions related to the workshop proposal, please email our team at bridge@schoolsoutwashington.org or visit our current Bridge website for more information. 

First, please view this PDF to review the full list of the questions we ask in the Proposal form. Then, complete the Proposal form by July 12, 2024.