Call for Workshops

Faculty, Staff, Students and Community Members: Call for Proposals

Welcome to Values Day 2025

We are thrilled to invite proposals for Stetson University's annual Values Day, one of our most cherished traditions established by President H. Douglas Lee. This special day brings together our entire university community - students, faculty, staff, and community partners - for reflection, dialogue, and action centered on our core values: personal growth, intellectual development, global citizenship, and personal and social responsibility.

This Year's Theme: "Let Your Life Speak"

This year's theme invites each of us to examine how we can live in true alignment with our values - moving beyond reflection to consider how we act, serve, and lead in our daily lives. Inspired by the Quaker saying adopted by Dr. Lee himself, this theme challenges us to make our newly articulated University values actionable and authentic.

We encourage proposals that help our community explore Eessential questions:

What values guide the choices you make?
Does your life reflect the kind of world you want to help create?
How do we as a community live our shared values together?
What does authentic leadership look like when grounded in values?

Presentation Formats

Workshop Sessions (75 minutes) Interactive workshops that engage participants in hands-on exploration of values-based topics through discussion, activities, and practical application.

Split Sessions (35 minutes each) Two complementary presentations sharing the same time block with a 5-minute transition. Ideal for related topics or different perspectives on the same theme.

Suggested Topics:

We welcome proposals that connect to our theme "Let Your Life Speak" and help participants translate values into action. Topics may include:

Values in Action & Leadership
Personal Growth & Self-Reflection
Social Responsibility & Community Engagement
Global Citizenship & Cultural Perspectives
Professional & Career Development
Technology & Digital Life
Health & Wellness
Creative Expression & Arts
Environmental & Sustainability Issues

*See more details on application

Audience

Your presentation will reach a diverse audience including:

Undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines
Faculty and staff across all departments
Community partners and local organizations
Alumni and community members

Proposal Requirements

Proposal submissions should include:

Title (limit 15 words)
Format (75-minute workshop or 35-minute split session)
Presenter Information (name, title, affiliation)
Abstract (150-200 words describing your session's content, approach, and learning objectives)
Connection to Theme (50-75 words explaining how your proposal relates to "Let Your Life Speak")
Interactive Elements (brief description of how participants will be engaged)
Technical Requirements (any special equipment, room setup, or technology needs)

Presentation Guidelines

All presentations should:

Connect clearly to the "Let Your Life Speak" theme
Include interactive elements that engage participants
Provide practical takeaways participants can apply in their lives
Be accessible to a diverse, multidisciplinary audience
Encourage reflection on personal values and actions

Collaborative Proposals Welcome

We encourage collaborative proposals from:

Multiple departments or organizations
Faculty-student partnerships
Community organization partnerships
Interdisciplinary teams
Student organization collaborations

Note: Presenters may participate in a maximum of two presentations but can be the lead presenter on only one.

Special Creative Showcase Opportunities

In addition to traditional workshops, we're seeking proposals for:

Student Film Festival: "Values Through the Lens" (120 minutes)

Calling all student filmmakers, storytellers, and visual artists! Submit your original short films that explore themes of values, authenticity, and "letting your life speak." This curated screening will showcase the creative talents of Stetson students while providing a powerful medium for examining how we live our values.

What We're Looking For:

Original short films (documentaries, narratives, experimental, animation, etc.)
Films that connect to the "Let Your Life Speak" theme or explore values in action
Student-created works (individual or collaborative projects welcome)
Films completed within the past four academic years

Submission Criteria:

Maximum length: 15 minutes per film (to accommodate multiple submissions)
Must be created, produced, directed, or significantly contributed to by current Stetson students
All genres and styles welcome
Films should be suitable for a general university audience
High-quality digital format required for screening

Potential Themes:

Personal journeys of value discovery
Community service and social responsibility
Cultural perspectives on shared values
Environmental stewardship stories
Overcoming challenges through values-based decisions
Campus life and authentic living

Stetson Musical Showcase: "Songs That Speak" (90 minutes)

Share your musical talents while celebrating the values that inspire and guide us! This outdoor concert finale will feature live performances by Stetson students, faculty, staff, and community members, creating a harmonious close to our day of reflection and dialogue.

What We're Looking For:

Solo artists, bands, ensembles, and collaborative groups
Original compositions or meaningful covers that connect to our values theme
Diverse musical styles and genres (acoustic, folk, rock, jazz, blues, gospel, R&B, hip-hop, funk, classical, world music, Afrobeats, reggae, etc.)
Performances that inspire, uplift, or provoke thoughtful reflection

Performance Criteria:

Performance slots: 8-12 minutes per act (includes setup/transition time)
Must include at least one current Stetson community member (student, faculty, staff)
Family-friendly content appropriate for outdoor community event
Performers must provide their own instruments (basic sound system provided)
Weather backup plan required

Song Selection Guidance:

Original songs exploring themes of authenticity, values, and life purpose
Covers that resonate with the "Let Your Life Speak" message
Music that celebrates community, growth, and social responsibility
Instrumental pieces that inspire reflection or celebration
Songs that represent diverse cultural perspectives on values

Submission Process

Deadline: September 29, 2025

Submit Values Day Workshop proposals via this link.
Submit Student Film Festival proposals via this link.
Submit Stetson Musical Showcase proposals via this link.

Notifications will be sent on a rolling basis for all proposal submissions.

We look forward to seeing how you will help our community explore what it means to "Let Your Life Speak" through authentic, values-driven living. Thank you for contributing to this important tradition that makes Stetson University a place where values truly come alive!

For questions regarding submitting a Values Day Workshop Proposal contact Erin Doggette.