Guidelines for Writing Priority Proposals

My name is Bobbie Beth Scoggins, President of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD). The Board of Directors and myself are very excited about our upcoming Conference this July 2012. The theme of the Conference is “Nothing About Us, Without Us” 

For the first time in history, the NAD is taking steps to help prepare individual members and new delegates for the conference by providing guidelines and information on writing priority proposals and resolutions.

This information will help you prepare for the Council of Representatives meeting. This is an important part of NAD since it lays the blueprint to our Vision 2020 strategic plan and sets the direction for the organization for the next several years.

If this is your first time attending the NAD Conference as an official delegate of your state association or affiliated organization, this information is important. You will vote on the priorities in which the NAD headquarters will implement for the 2012-2014 term at the Council of Representatives.

Successful motions are presented and voted on upon by official delegates. Before you submit a proposed conference priority, review the (20) NAD 2010-2012 Conference priorities:
http://www.nad.org/about-us/priorities [1] 

You can also view conference priorities from 2008 from this site. The Vision 2020 plan is a useful tool for developing conference priority proposals:
http://www.nad.org/about-us/vision-2020-strategic-plan [2]

A sample of a Priority Proposal motion form is shown here:

Title: Red T-Shirts for Delegates

Proposed Priority: Require all NAD delegates to wear red t-shirts to the Council of Representatives (both days) at the 2008 NAD Conference.

Rationale: This will make NAD delegates easy to identify during Council of Representatives meetings and make voting easier to tally.

Fiscal Impact: The NAD would purchase a stock of red t-shirts (at an estimated cost of $10 each, with two (2) t-shirts per person in various sizes. The t-shirts would be sold to delegates at the start of the 2008 NAD Conference. Delegates would pay $20 to the NAD for these t-shirts. Estimated total cost for 125 delegates: $2,500. Cost to NAD: $0 (except staff time for ordering, shipment, and distribution).

Make sure your Priority Proposal Form is clear, concise, and complete before you send in your submission.

Each motion for a proposed priority has four parts:

Title 

Describe in a few words the focus of your proposed priority. The proposed title needs to be a part of NAD’s mission and vision. For example:

“Deaf History Month”

Make sure the title matches the intent or purpose of the proposed priority being proposed.

Priority

Write the text of the proposed priority as a statement (clear, straightforward, and specific focus).

For example:

There is no Deaf History Month that is acknowledged by our government. We feel the NAD should seek ways to bring recognition to Deaf History by showcasing accomplishments of well-known deaf U.S. citizens.

Make sure the proposal can easily be understood and replied to with a vote of, “Yes, I am in favor of this proposed priority,” or, “No, I am opposed to this proposed priority.”

Do research in advance on your proposal.

Ask yourself the following questions:

Did the NAD address this in the past, or is this something the NAD is already doing? Is your proposal nationally significant? Is it forward-looking?

Is it something that will have an effect on a large or small segment of our population?

It is recommended that you check online documents, as well as those listed under the 2010-2012 NAD Conference business. 

It is also very important to keep the focus of your proposed priority simple and to the point.

Do not combine multiple ideas or concepts in a single motion.

Rationale

Clearly explain the rationale, that is, briefly state the reason why you believe your proposal is worth considering as a top priority for the NAD.

For instance, why is your proposal of national significance? How will it impact the entire nation?

For example:

A national Deaf History Month will ensure for generations to come that the history of deaf people will be preserved and people will have an opportunity to appreciate the accomplishments that deaf people have made to this nation.

Fiscal Impact 

Clearly explain the fiscal impact for the proposed priority (how much would it cost the NAD, where the funds would come from, and how your proposal would be carried out).

For instance, do you think membership fees should be increased to pay for your proposed motion?

Make sure your proposal is clear, concise, and complete.

When you complete the Conference proposed priority form, please submit it via email to steeringcommittee@nad.org [3].

The deadline for submitting proposed conference priority motions is Tuesday, May 15, 2012.  Late or incomplete proposals will not be accepted.

Also, if you have any questions about any of the information I’ve explained in this video, you may also send an email to steeringcommittee@nad.org [3].

We looking forward to seeing you in July at the NAD Conference in Louisville, Kentucky!