Present, Exhibit, Showcase, Volunteer, Sponsor
We invite you to share your stories, successes, and lessons learned at the Conference! Expand each section below to apply and check out our additional options to get involved at the Conference below!
The 2027 National Service-Learning Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is more than a gathering—it is where young people, educators, community leaders, and changemakers come together to learn, lead, and take action.
At the heart of the conference is a simple belief: young people are not just preparing to lead—they are leading now. Through service-learning, youth voice, and civic engagement, young people investigate the issues that matter to them, collaborate with their communities, take meaningful action, reflect on what they learn, and demonstrate their impact.
The conference brings together educators, nonprofits, community organizations, government, business, faith-based organizations, higher education, and national service partners who are committed to creating meaningful opportunities for young people to use their voices and lead change.
Conference workshops should put youth voice and youth leadership at the center—sharing practical strategies, innovative approaches, and real-world examples that help participants create experiences where young people have meaningful opportunities to investigate, lead, act, reflect, and make a difference.
We are looking for interactive, engaging sessions that explore how service-learning can:
Amplify youth voice and ensure young people’s ideas influence decisions and action.
Develop youth leadership through authentic responsibility, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Connect learning to real-world community needs and civic action.
Build meaningful youth-adult partnerships and share power in authentic ways.
Help young people navigate complex issues, work across differences, and create solutions.
Strengthen relationships between schools, communities, and young people.
Move beyond participation to meaningful youth-led action and impact.
Give educators and community partners practical tools they can put into practice immediately.
Submit a proposal to help make the 2027 National Service-Learning Conference a place where youth voice leads, young people shape the conversation, and everyone leaves ready to turn learning into action.
Bring us your ideas, your lessons learned, your challenges, and your successes. Most importantly, bring the young people whose voices and leadership are shaping the work.
Do you have a powerful idea, innovative project, or impactful lesson to share, but aren’t ready for a full workshop? Lightning Talks are your chance to connect, inspire, and engage in an energizing, small-group setting.
Think of it as the conference’s version of professional speed networking. During this dynamic 75-minute session, you’ll be stationed at a table with up to 8 participants. Here’s how it works:
Share your story: Present your idea, project, or insight in a focused 5–10 minute talk.
Connect deeply: Spend the next 10–15 minutes in open conversation—answering questions, exchanging ideas, and building connections.
Repeat and amplify: You’ll engage in up to three 20-minute rounds, as participants rotate between tables, while you remain in place.
Lightning Talks are a great opportunity for both youth and adults to showcase emerging work, elevate grassroots ideas, or test new concepts in a relaxed, conversational format. You can apply to present on one or both days of the conference.
There are two types of Lightning Talks: Skill/Idea Share and Program/Product Preview.
A Skill/Idea Share delves deep into a topic, offering substantial insights to the small group. Presenters are encouraged to highlight the innovation, direct impact on the organization or community, remarkable results, or significant learnings of their work.
A Program/Product Preview offers presenters the opportunity to showcase products such as curriculum, programs, or services.
Proposals will be assessed on content quality, target audiences (broader is better this year), and creativity of delivery. We strongly encourage proposals from young people. The Review Committee will be looking for a slate that balances the variety of audiences and topics given the space and time available. More guidelines on creating a successful talk will be provided if selected.
Are you a young changemaker with a project that’s making waves in your community? Want to showcase your work and inspire others at the conference? Look no further than the Student Showcase! The Student Showcase provides the perfect platform to share your powerful message. It’s your chance to shine a spotlight on your high-quality project and connect with like-minded peers from across the country and around the world.
Share the story behind your project—how you implemented it, how it aligns with curricular goals, and what makes it so effective. Whether you’re tackling environmental issues, advocating for social justice, or sparking innovation in your school, the Student Showcase is your opportunity to showcase the incredible impact you’re making and inspire others to join you in creating positive change.
Join us in empowering the next generation of changemakers. As a sponsor, you’ll help elevate youth voice, advance service-learning, and connect educators, community leaders, and organizations committed to creating positive, lasting impact. Your partnership demonstrates a shared commitment to building stronger communities through youth leadership and civic engagement while gaining visibility among thousands of passionate attendees who believe in the power of service to change the world.
By highlighting your organization as a conference exhibitor, you position yourself at the forefront of innovation, demonstrating your commitment to driving positive change and empowering communities. Whether it’s through groundbreaking programs, cutting-edge technologies, impactful services, or transformative events, your organization has the opportunity to inspire and inform attendees, forging meaningful connections and fostering collaboration that our conference participants are looking for.
We’re excited to extend an invitation to participate as a volunteer. More information coming soon!
Become a Conference affiliate! Affiliates distribute Conference information with their networks and staff; encourage participation; and, promote the Conference through social media, newsletters, and their website. Sample content will be provided.
In return, you will be listed as an Affiliate on the SLC Conference homepage– gaining exposure to an international audience of educators, state and federal officials, youth leaders, program coordinators, policy-makers, and community-based organizations involved in the service-learning movement. Affiliates are required to share conference-related communications a minimum of three times throughout the year.
"One insight I gained from attending is to continue to focus on the students, and use the students as the driving force for what should be taught in the classroom. Student voice and initiative is the most important."
-2025 Conference attendee