Program Committee Support

Learn more about the call for proposals and submit today! The session submission deadline is December 4th 11:59 pm CT (UTC -6). Send questions about DrupalCon (session submission process, logistics, etc.) to Bethany Lister. Get tips and request proposal feedback from the DrupalCon program committee anytime in the #session-help Slack channel.

A note from our fabulous DrupalCon Minneapolis program committee:

DrupalCon Minneapolis session proposals close December 4, 2019, so get your proposals in now! This year, we’re excited that we have a large volunteer committee that wants to help facilitate new voices, first-time speakers, and assist those who might be on the fence about whether or not they’re ready to speak at Drupalcon.

Have you spoken at your local meetups, Camps, or online but this is your first time thinking about speaking at Drupalcon? Hopefully we can help address some of your concerns!

We want your voice!

I know, I know… you are all about how Drupal is a diverse community. So, what if you can take that diverse community and turn it into a diverse community of speakers? Well, that’s what we’re working toward here.

We want to showcase our community through our speakers. Let’s talk about how you can share that unique voice and perspective of yours that we want to hear!

While Drupalcon North America is presented in English, we understand that English is not the first language of many of our speakers and attendees. Even for English as a first language speakers, everyone has different levels of comfort, facility, norms and language choices.

If you’ve been wanting to speak at Drupalcon but think you’re not good enough--guess what? You mostly likely are good enough! Share what you know, what you love, the challenges you’ve faced and what you’ve learned on a subject. Your passion, your engagement with your subject--that is what will engage an audience. That is what people want and will remember.

Many people face challenges in speaking in one way or another. Everyone is unique but we're all human but more importantly--we are more alike than we are different.

So, what are you waiting for? Yes, YOU! We’re going to make a couple of guesses here on what you’re waiting for, let’s see how we do.

I have stage fright!

Some degree of anxiety is, generally speaking (ha ha), common. Few speakers are “born speakers” no matter how calm they may appear. Many of our most engaging speakers get nervous. We get it, the scale of Drupalcon can carry a lot of pressure and make you even more nervous.

The truth is, though, that your audience wants you to succeed. We want you to succeed. When you succeed, everyone does. So, submit a session and let us help you get over the nervousness. We’ve been there, we can help.

I’m not sure I feel comfortable presenting in English

Here’s something you might not know: many of our attendees are also like you. No, really, it’s true! Even the lead of the project wasn’t born speaking English, he had to learn it, too. You are not alone. So, don’t rush, speaking slowly makes it easier for your audience to understand you, whether English is their first language or not.

Another option is to use subtitles. Subtitles are great for everyone from English language learners, hearing impaired, or for users at home that are unable to use speakers exclusively whether for ESL reasons or hearing or processing differences. Some options include Google Slides or the Midcamp Live Captioning script.

But what if they ask me questions?

Look, we know doing a Q&A can be challenging. Really, we get it. Did you know that there are some studies that have found that Q&As don’t add much value? Whether it does add value or not, your session does not require a Q&A section. This is your session and you can make that choice based on your content, your audience, and your comfort. You can even mix up the Q&A by having a co-presenter or facilitator. How exactly the Q&A looks or doesn’t look is up to you.

But I can’t practice

Really? Yes, practice is the single most critical thing you can do to ensure success. Practicing even with an empty room is super useful, although practicing with humans--say, at your local meetup, Camp, internal company lunch and learn, or even Toastmasters--will probably help you more.

We’re here to help!

Please, please join us in the #session-help Slack channel if you want to practice your talk, find a co-presenter, topic advice, or suggestions for proposal improvements, etc.

Contributed by Brenda Boggs, Cathy Theys, Nick Wilde, and Kirsten Burgard.