|
|
VHPA Historic Presentations Forum (HPF)
Call for Abstracts
Jim E.
Fulbrook, PhD
(a.k.a., Snakebite Charlie, 71st AHC, 70-71), VHPA HPF Committee
Chair In many
previous reunions, we have offered occasional presentations from invited
speakers on topics relevant to VHPA interests. More members now are voicing an
interest in our formally organizing a schedule of historic presentations to be
given during our annual VHPA reunion. So, here
we are announcing the first ever Call for Abstracts from persons
interested in participating as speakers in the VHPA
Historic Presentations Forum (HPF). If you are a decent public speaker and
would like to be a presenter in our 2006 reunion, in The Historic
Presentations Forum is simple in design and execution. A committee will
select abstracts to schedule as presentations included in the reunion program of
events. We will provide a suitable room at the reunion and audio-video support
as required. Presentations will be scheduled for one hour in length (allow 10
minutes for Q&A and discussion). Anyone registered for the VHPA reunion may
attend the HPF presentations at no charge. We have
three categories of topics: 1) Aviation Operations during the Vietnam War, 2)
Non-Aviation Operations during the Vietnam War, and 3) 30-minute book author or
video producer presentations on Vietnam War topics. Aviation (Helicopter)
Operations is self explanatory. Non-aviation operations could include topics
such as Special Operations, bogus medal and service claims, USAF bombing
operations, ground operations, etc. (topic possibilities are endless). If you
have a published book or multimedia presentation (to include artwork) or a
complete manuscript, we will organize a forum where each presenter in this
category has 30 minutes to discuss his work. For instance, if we have three
presenters, a 1.5-hour session will be scheduled, followed by a book signing and
meet the authors session for the presenters. Speakers
will not receive payment of any type from the VHPA, but each will receive
a videotape of their presentation. Each presenter will be asked to provide a set
of PowerPoint slides or a 2-5 page summary of his presentation before
the reunion so we have them available. We plan to videotape the talks and
collate them into a VHPA Proceedings
to be completed after the reunion and made available to members (cost TBD). The
presentations will also become part of our historic archive. Presenters may
claim copyright restrictions on original text and imagery but they must allow
the VHPA to publish the presentation without restriction. To aid
speakers, feedback surveys will be provided for audience comments, if desired.
We will also provide a written reference to speakers who wish to market their
presentation to other organizations as a professional speaker. Professional
speakers’ bureaus, organizations (VFW, American Legion, etc.), and education
institutions require references and a track record if you have aspirations of
telling your story to more than the VHPA. So, this is a great opportunity to
polish your knowledge and experience in a Vietnam War topic that you could
market elsewhere. If you
wish to be considered as a speaker, follow the steps provided here (the VHPA
website may post these instructions, TBD). You need to complete two things: 1) A
cover page of basic information about you and the topic, and 2) an abstract
(summary). The cover
page must include the following: name(s) of presenter(s), VHPA affiliation,
address and contact information (include e-mail), title of presentation,
category talk fits into (aviation, non-aviation, published work), time required,
tell us what your media support needs are (a computer projection system is
automatic), provide a short biography of presenter(s) (100 words or less,
single-spaced), provide a statement (or check box) that you understand that, if
scheduled, you will attend reunion and present. On a
separate sheet, provide a one-page abstract or summary of the presentation. For
this page, use one inch margins all around, use Arial or Times Font, an 11- or
12-point size, and single or double space text. We’ll be flexible about the
abstract this time around, although these instructions are straightforward. The
topic and presentation should be informative, entertaining, factual,
and appropriate for a family audience. Please do
not exceed the cover page and one-page abstract length. Do not submit a
collection of photographs or video and slides, and we do not want the PowerPoint
presentation for now. Provide your submission by the deadline date of 28
February 2006.
Send your abstract and cover page as electronic documents attached to an e-mail,
to Jim Fulbrook at: For
planning purposes, we will need a copy of the intended presentation about one
month before the reunion (plan for 1 June). We will load each electronic
presentation on a computer the day before it is scheduled, so changes can be
made up until the day before presentation if you alter the 1 June submission. If
we select and schedule you to present at the reunion, you must make every effort
to attend and present, so there are no event cancellations (only death and
dismemberment will be acceptable excuses!). Since this
is our first year organizing the HPF, we have no idea how many abstracts we will
receive and what attendance to expect, but we will have a room large enough for
the audience and we will try to survey reunion registrants to get an idea of how
many plan to attend an HPF
presentation. We will be flexible as
this evolves, but we believe this will be an invaluable addition to the reunion
schedule that will be well attended and well received by members and their
families. That’s it – here’s your chance to contribute to our history.
Start working on your abstract now! Remember the deadline to submit is 28
February
2006. You can
either print, fill out and mail the information or do it online.
|
Send mail to webmaster@vhpa.org with
questions or comments about this web site.
|