Proposals directly relating to these six threads will be the first reviewed. Space permitting, other proposals relevant to Appalachia will be considered. We encourage well-developed, interesting, and innovative session formats that explore engaging communities across the region, both historically and in the present. Formats may include
• scholarly research papers and sessions;
• poster sessions related to community work OR presenting scholarly research;
• panels and community presentations;
• premieres of new and relevant films, videos, poetry, music, plays, art, and writing; and
• roundtable conversations on relevant, contemporary issues, e.g. activism in the region, professional development, or a newcomer’s orientation to Appalachia.

Proposals must be submitted online at our website no later than September 25th, 2009, with no exceptions. Late, incomplete, mailed, or faxed submissions cannot be accepted. Submitting a proposal does not guarantee presentation at the conference. Applicants will be notified by November 1st, 2009.

Additional information regarding other ways to participate in the conference, scholarships, and the Association can be found on this ASA website at http://www.appalachianstudies.org/conference.
Opportunities for participation include
• Receptions to publicize new publications, to honor special individuals and organizations, or to commemorate work in Appalachia (organizations are invited to contact Mary Thomas, Executive Director of the ASA, at mthomas@marshall.edu for more information);
• Pre-Conference Mountain Dance Symposium (see appalachianstudies.org, after October 1 for schedule and details);
• Pre-conference sessions, on Friday morning, including special workshops and organization meetings (submit to the Program Committee by October 31st, 2009);
• Celebrations of the diversity of the region through music, art, stories and banquets are welcomed, with special places for continuous music, storytelling, poetry readings, films, videos, photographs, poster sessions, folk art exhibits with visiting artists and crafts persons community exhibits;
• Events Celebrating Dahlonega/North Georgia History; and
• First ASA Seed Swap (see appalachianstudies.org, after October 1 for schedule and details).

For more information, visit http://www.appalachianstudies.org/conference or contact the conference program chair, Cassie Robinson, at cassie.robinson@gmail.com (606-558-5059) or ASA Executive Director, Mary Thomas, atmthomas@marshall.edu (304-696-2904).

CONFERENCE BASICS

GUIDELINES FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSIONS We have been listening to your comments and suggestions. Because a weekend conference is but a short time, we may not be able to accommodate every proposal. Proposals that relate to the conference theme are encouraged although all well-described proposals will be considered for selection. Please limit proposal submissions to one per person (exceptions: conveners/leaders; exhibits/display tables; invited sessions). Every effort will be made to schedule diverse concurrent sessions and activities as our conference grows.

The following information is needed in order to complete your submission via the online participation form.
1. Type of Presentation: Paper, Poster, Panel, Film, Exhibit, Workshop, Dialogue Session, Interactive Session.
2. Title of your presentation, panel, session, or activity.
3. A keyword (to help the Program Committee create sessions) such as, but not limited to: African American Issues; Appalachian Studies (collectively); Art/Craft; Civil War; Coal; Community Organizing; Crime; Economic Development; Education; Environment; Ethnicity; Family; Folklore/Folkways; Gay and Lesbian Issues; Health; History; Hispanics; Land Use; Law; Literature; Migration; Minority Issues; Music; Native American Issues; Neighborhood and Community Issues; Politics and Government; Population and Ethnicity; Religion; Structures/ Architecture; Technology; Tourism; Urban Appalachians; Women’s Issues; Work and Labor.
4. Names and contact information for all participants (mail and e-mail addresses, telephone and fax numbers), their roles, titles, and a brief biographical sketch (1 - 2 descriptive sentences) of each participant.
5. An abstract of 150 - 250 words for your paper, session, panel, or activity. Begin abstract with a brief summary statement (which could be used in the conference program to describe the presentation).
6. Types of media equipment and whether an Internet connection is needed for your presentation. Individual presentations will be limited to 15 minutes. Sessions will be organized in 90-minute blocks.

All proposals must be submitted electronically by September 25, 2009. Presenters are asked not to read their papers.

NOTE: All presenters must register for the conference and pay the registration fee. A limited number of scholarships will be available. ASA is now offering online conference registration (see appalachianstudies.org after October 1).

SCHOLARSHIPS
The Appalachian Studies Association offers registration scholarships to ensure that people with marginal incomes have a voice in the annual ASA conferences through their participation. For more information on scholarships, contact Roger Guy at roger.guy@uncp.edu. The online application for scholarship assistance can be found at http://www.appalachianstudies.org/conference.

HOWARD DORGAN SILENT AUCTION (for scholarship support)
Help those with financial needs to participate in ASA conferences! The ASA has a strong tradition of awarding scholarships to approximately one in five participants. Please contribute to ASA’s annual silent auction: crafts, quilts, memorabilia, special foods, tickets to events, music, art, a weekend get-away, a rafting trip, a fine meal, your autographed book, and other items are needed. Bidders and Buyers at the Silent Auction are also needed! Proceeds go to the ASA Scholarship Fund. For information contact Silent Auction Co-Chairs Philis Alvic ( Philis@philisalvic. info) or Carol Baugh (Carol.Baugh@sinclair.edu).

CALL FOR CONVENERS/LEADERS
If you are willing to act as a convener for a concurrent session during the conference, please contact Cassie Robinson at cassie.robinson@gmail.com and let her know. Information and guidance will be given to conveners prior to the conference. Conveners/moderators are needed for each concurrent session. This is a wonderful way also to participate in ASA. If you are willing to lead a community conversation (for example, respond to questions regarding mentoring, teaching, community organizing, running a community organization, etc.), please contact Cassie Robinson at cassie.robinson@gmail.com. Guidance will be given to leaders of community conversation tables/areas prior to the conference.

CALL FOR 2010 AWARD NOMINATIONS

CARL A. ROSS STUDENT PAPER COMPETITION
The Carl A. Ross Appalachian Student Paper Competition is open to students in two categories: middle/high school and undergraduate/graduate students. The authors of the winning papers will receive $100 each. Costs of attending the conference are the winners’ responsibility. All papers must adhere to guidelines for scholarly research. To submit a paper for consideration for the 2010 competition, e-mail a Microsoft Word copy of the paper by December 8, 2009, to Joette Morris Gates at: kywoman102950@gmail.com. Middle/high school papers should be 12 - 15 pages in length; undergraduate/graduate papers should be 20 - 30 pages in length. Students submitting papers must be enrolled in courses at the time of the conference. To verify their student status, students can submit one of the following to the mailing address below by December 15, 2009: a copy of a schedule of classes or transcripts indicating enrollment for the spring 2010 term; a letter from a faculty advisor verifying the student’s status for spring 2010, which should include the faculty member’s email address, phone number, and mailing address. Students who wish to present their papers at the conference must also submit a Proposal for Participation following the submission guidelines. Questions should be addressed to Joette Morris Gates, kywoman102950@gmail.com.

CRATIS D. WILLIAMS/JAMES S. BROWN SERVICE AWARD
The Cratis D. Williams/James S. Brown Service Award is given to an individual who has made exemplary contributions to Appalachia and/or the ASA. There is a two-step nomination process: nominations should include a statement regarding the individual’s specific contributions to the region or the individual’s c.v./résumé. Following a review the committee will request additional information about one or more finalists before selecting the award recipient. Send nomination materials to Emily Satterwhite, Assistant Professor, 344 Lane Hall, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24601-0227 or by e-mail to satterwhite@vt.edu before January 16, 2010.

HELEN M. LEWIS COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
The Helen M. Lewis Community Service Award is given to an individual or an organization that has made exemplary contributions to Appalachia through involvement with and service to its people and communities. Nominations should include a statement regarding the individual or organization’s specific contributions to the region or its people, accompanied by at least two letters of support. Send nomination materials to Patricia Beaver, Director, Center for Appalachian Studies, Appalachian State University, University Hall, Boone, NC 28608 or to beaverpd@appstate.edu before February 1, 2010.

JACK SPADARO DOCUMENTARY AWARD
The award’s name honors the activist and whistleblower, Jack Spadaro, who has spent his entire professional career working within the coal mining industry for the betterment of the Appalachian community. One award is given annually to recognize the best film, video, radio, television, or other media presentation on Appalachia or its people. Nominations should be made before February 1, 2010 to Jack Wright at jwright@ohio.edu or to Jack Wright, Ohio University School of Film, 378 Lindley Hall, Athens, OH 45701. Technical and submission requirements are detailed at http://www.appalachianstudies.org/association/awards/.

THE e-APPALACHIA AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING WEBSITE
The e-Appalachia Award is given annually in recognition of an outstanding website that provides insight on Appalachia and its people, or provides a vital community service to Appalachians. Nominations should be made to Roger Guy, Website Committee Chair, roger.guy@uncp.edu, before February 1, 2010.

WEATHERFORD AWARDS
The ASA and Berea College annually present the Weatherford Awards to honor published works that “best illuminate the challenges, personalities, and unique qualities of the Appalachian South.” Two awards are given, one in nonfiction and a second in fiction & poetry. The award honors Willis D. Weatherford Jr. and Sr. for their contributions to the region. The late Alfred Perrin began the award in 1970. The only requirement is that the subject matter of the books be Appalachian or that they be set in Appalachia. All nominations for the Weatherford Awards must be made by December 31, 2009, and all entries must be originally published in 2009. For non-fiction send the nomination and seven copies of each book to Chad Berry, Director, Loyal Jones Appalachian Center, CPO 2166, 205 North Main Street, Berea College, Berea, KY 40404. For fiction send the nomination and seven copies of each book to George Brosi, Loyal Jones Appalachian Center, CPO 2166, 205 North Main Street, Berea College, Berea, KY 40404.

For further information about these awards, visit our website at www.appalachianstudies.org/association/awards/.
Appalachian Studies Association. www.appalachianstudies.org