Get Involved

at the National Service-Learning Conference®

The National Service-Learning Conference is the largest gathering of youth, educators, policymakers and more who are dedicated to improving education, strengthening communities, and building youth leadership with service-learning.

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!

Check out our How to Get Involved video for more information!

Present a Workshop

Workshops are the heart of the conference, providing professional development opportunities for youth and adults alike. Workshops are designed towards teaching and learning in an interactive environment. A workshop presentation is 60 minutes long.

Proposals will be assessed on content quality, creativity of delivery, and audience participation. We strongly encourage proposals from young people. Workshops that involve audience interaction are also strongly encouraged.

Please be sure to review our registration fees if your proposal is accepted!

Conference Tracks

The National Service-Learning Conference welcomes proposals that align with one or more of the following tracks. Each track supports participants at all stages, whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen and scale your impact with a mix of hands-on workshops, real-world examples, and adaptable resources for K–12, higher education, nonprofits, and community organizations.

Service-Learning: Foundations to Systemic Change
- This track explores the full spectrum of service-learning from foundational practices to broad, systemic impact. Sessions may include introductory content on the core elements of high-quality service-learning, building authentic community partnerships, and aligning service-learning with academic or organizational goals. Proposals are also encouraged that offer advanced strategies for integrating service-learning across curricula, promoting equity through scaled implementation, new and expanding research, or using data to measure impact. The track also includes a focus on systems and policy change, including institutionalization strategies and public policy advocacy that embed service-learning into the fabric of educational and civic systems.
Youth Voice: From Inclusion to Influence
- This track focuses on elevating the voices of youth from presence to power. Sessions may explore how to create inclusive environments where young people feel welcomed, valued, and empowered to participate. We encourage proposals that provide tools for fostering equitable dialogue, establishing youth advisory councils, and co-designing programs with young people. Additional topics may include addressing sustainability, navigating adult-youth power dynamics, and preparing youth to influence policy and civic decision-making. Whether your work is just beginning or already rooted in youth engagement, this track offers space to reimagine what meaningful youth voice looks like in practice.
Youth Leadership: Skills to Systems
- This track is designed for those committed to cultivating youth as leaders and changemakers. Proposals may focus on foundational leadership development including communication, problem-solving, and ethical decision-making as well as advanced practices in peer leadership, team-building, and cross-generational collaboration. The track also welcomes sessions on sustaining youth-led work through strategies like alumni networks, mentorship models, long-term funding, and legacy planning. If you’re supporting youth leadership development in classrooms, communities, or organizations, this track offers a platform to share tools and models that help young leaders thrive.

Call for workshop proposals has closed.

Present a Lightning Talk

Think of Lightning Talks as the conference’s equivalent of professional speed dating! In this 75-minute session, presenters are set at a table set for 8 people. Presenters dive into their ideas, projects, and findings for 5-10 minutes, leaving time for participants to interact and ask questions for another 10-15 minutes, totaling 20 minutes per lightning round. After 20 minutes, presenters remain at their table while participants rotate for two more rounds, allowing presenters to engage with up to three different intimate small groups. Presenters can apply to share their Lightning Talk on one or both days of the conference.

Please be sure to review our registration fees if your proposal is accepted!

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.

Exhibitors can choose to add a Program/Product Preview Lightning Talk when registering to exhibit. Please do not complete this application.

Call for lightning talk proposals has closed.

Present a Student Showcase

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.
Please be sure to review our registration fees if your proposal is accepted!

Call for proposals has closed.

Sponsor

We invite you to join us on our journey to change the world with young people, their schools, and communities by sponsoring the National Service-Learning Conference. NYLC is pleased to partner with businesses and organizations, large or small, to create a sponsorship tailored to meet your needs. Show your support for youth leadership, student voice, service & learning in schools and communities across the country and around the world. Explore your sponsorship opportunities now and contact us below to get started!

Exhibit

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. Your exhibit includes: one full conference registration; a 6′ tabletop; access to the Exhibitor Passport to encourage conference attendees to engage with our exhibitors; access to hundreds of adults and young people; and the additional option to purchase an advertisement in The Leader, our monthly newsletter.

LIGHTNING TALK ADD ON IS NOW SOLD OUT
New this year: exhibitors can apply to present a lightning talk for a discounted rate on one or both days of the conference ($75 for one day, $150 for both days). Lightning talks are based on availability so apply below early if you are interested in accessing this option!

Exhibitor applications are due by March 14, 2025!

Volunteer

We’re excited to extend an invitation to participate as a volunteer. Join our dynamic team and be a crucial part of making the conference a success! Volunteers will be assigned to work registration on Wednesday, Thursday, and/or Friday. Volunteers will help check guests in, find their name badges and other conference gear, answer questions, and more. Volunteer shifts are 4 hours long. We will provide a tshirt and snacks, and a 50% off discount code to register to attend the remainder of the conference!*
*You must volunteer for a minimum of 4 hours to receive the discount code.

Apply to Volunteer

Become an Affiliate

Calling all Organizations to 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 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.

Affiliate applications are due by January 15, 2025!

"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

National Service-Learning Conference®

Youth Leadership Summit

Youth Council Connection

Professional Development, Events, & Workshops

Get Involved

The National Service-Learning Conference is the largest gathering of youth, educators, policymakers and more who are dedicated to improving education, strengthening communities, and building youth leadership with service-learning.

Sponsor

Exhibit

Volunteer

Become an Affiliate