Speaker Information

Information for Speakers for the OWRA Conference

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Session topics should fit into one or more of the following categories:

• Care for a specific species or group of animals (eg. rabbits, waterfowl)

• Animal Welfare/enrichment

• Specific medical skills or topic (eg. fluid therapy, microscopy)

• Education

• Human resources (eg. staff, volunteers, finders)

• Business resources (eg. media, fundraising)

 

Sessions can be of the following types with Q&A included in the times:

• 20 minute session

• 50 minute session

• 50 minute roundtable discussion

• 80 minute extended session

• 4-hr workshop (Friday only)

• 8-hr workshop (Friday only)

 

All sessions will have a room monitor to help with keeping time, introducing the speaker, and moderating the roundtable if needed.

 

Audience Level

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When designing a session, think about the target audience. Some sessions will be applicable to any level of rehabber while others may be more suited for beginners or advanced level rehabbers.

Rooms will have access to basic audio visual materials. Handouts can be uploaded before the conference or after the conference for attendees to print off on their own.

 

How to Submit a Session Application

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• Compose a title and abstract- The abstract is a short summary (675 characters or less) of the proposed presentation. The title must be 75 characters or less. Abstracts are listed in the conference program and help participants decide which class to attend. Please be sure your abstract is a concise, accurate representation of what you will teach.

• Think about the ideal length of your session, audience level, materials you may need OWRA to provide, ect.

• Fill out and submit a session proposal form

 

Requirements for Visual Media in Presentations 

 

All animal handling photos must show proper PPE being worn for the species being handled (e.g., gloves, eye protection, clothing covers). For example, proper PPE includes latex gloves when handling animals that do not require leather gloves for handling. Wildlife should not be pictured with a bare hand. 

Animal photos and/or videos featured in presentations must abide by local, state, provincial, and/or federal laws and indicate professionalism by respecting the animal’s wildness. (e.g., not to show inappropriate handling, habituation, or taming by rehabilitators or educators). If you are unsure if a photo is appropriate please email it with some context to conference@owra.org for feedback. 

Presentations must show humane care in all phases of wildlife rehabilitation. Protecting the welfare of the animal if they are in pain, stress, or duress. 

Presentations must follow the Wildlife Rehabilitator’s Code of Ethics. If you will be presenting on topics related to the use of wildlife ambassador animals please read the Educators Code of Ethics. Please read through them before submitting your presentation for review.