Session Glossary


Plenary Sessions

Plenary Sessions are meetings of all Summit participants for the purpose of addressing and sharing the concerns, goals and visions that bring us together. Plenary Sessions are where the opening and closing ceremonies take place, the Women of Courage Awards are presented and attendees can hear the Summit’s featured speakers, performers and authors. Other business may include recognizing co-sponsors, special announcements and video presentations.
 

Roundtables

In Summit Roundtables, presenters and participants will share information, exchange ideas and discuss action plans. The Roundtable presenters' role, unlike that in a traditional workshop, is not only to inform and enlighten, but also to inspire dialogue and creative problem-solving. The goal of the Summit Roundtables is to send participants home with new inspiration and tools to advocate for lesbian rights, organize in their own communities and help shape the feminist and LGBT movements.
 

Strategy Working Groups

These sessions will give participants a structured opportunity to help develop strategies. Facilitators will pose specific questions concerning the direction and future of the lesbian rights movement to small and large discussion groups. Results from the Working Groups will be presented at the closing plenary on Sunday for consideration by the panel members. Check the Working Group diagram on pages 24-25 for a detailed description of the process. The plenary on Saturday morning at 9:00am will kick off the strategy sessions.
 

Open Caucuses

Caucuses provide a time for feminists with common interests to get together. This offers an excellent opportunity to meet others from around the country to discuss specific concerns.

A designated facilitator will ensure that discussion at each caucus runs smoothly. Unlike traditional NOW conferences, the Lesbian Rights Summit does not have any scheduled caucuses on predetermined topics. Summit attendees will determine all of the caucuses, whether they are focused on a common identity or issue of concern.  If you are interested in convening a caucus, please sign up in the Summit Office. A limited number of rooms are available and can be assigned as late as 9:30pm on Friday for the Saturday caucuses and 11:00am on Saturday for the Sunday caucuses.  The locations and topics of these caucuses will be announced and posted at plenary sessions.

Lunch on Saturday will be provided to participants on a first-come first-serve basis; please pick up a box lunch on your way to a caucus discussion. And there will be a continental breakfast available during the Sunday morning caucuses.

We also encourage small groups to caucus during other lunch and dinner breaks throughout the weekend.

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