LERN’s Request for Conference Proposals/Presentations!


Call out for Lived Experience & Recovery Network’s 2025 Conference Proposals!

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Lived Experience & Recovery Network (LERN) invites individuals to submit proposals for this year’s 2025 LERN Conference. This conference is taking place on July 10 & 11, 2025, in North Bay at the Hampton Inn. This year’s theme is Strength in Connection!

Deadline to submit proposals is April 1, 2025. Proposals can be submitted by clicking the link below and completing the Google form or by completing Word document form (please email us to receive a copy):
Erin Russell, Education & Support Coordinator– e.russell@livedexperience.org   
Kari Sterling, Regional Director – rd@livedexperience.org

Google Form Link:  https://forms.gle/PWRPKd6soBvpcnAg9

Presentation Topics:  Seeking presentations that are respectful within mental health and addictions peer support community (lived & living experience) in relation to our 2025 conference theme: Strength in Connection!
Peer support is deeply rooted in empathy, compassion, and connection.

Presentations may include but are not limited to:

  • Connection for all peer workers within teams and when collaborating,
  • Connection for peer colleagues in clinical or non-peer-run organizations,
  • Connection for peer workers when burn out occurs, and
  • Connection for self-care within work settings.

Please note, we also encourage submissions for future presentations and/or webinars.
Our conference is open to LERN member organizations however, proposal/presentation submissions are open to all (please read submission requirements below):

Proposal Submission Requirements, Please Include:

  • Presenter(s), name of organization/service (if applicable) & contact details
  • Presentation topic & title
  • Brief biography of presenter(s) max of 50 -70 words
  • Presentation information (title, purpose/goal, how it relates to our theme, target audience (or limitation), what will attendees learn or gain from this, any forms of triggers to respectfully inform attendees).
  • Presentation details (including length, format, can attendees interact or ask questions, requirements, etc.)
  • Presenter’s availability on July 10 (morning/afternoon or both) and July 11 (morning only)
  • Requirements for presentation: Do you require any audio and/or visual requirements (i.e., projector, speakers, etc.)?
  • Compensation: Please provide your presentation fee and/or other requirements. If you do not require a fee for your presentation, please indicate so.

Presentation Requirements:

  • Submissions must be received by April 1, 2025
  • Must be available to present in North Bay on July 10 or July 11
  • Provide all the proposal requirements listed above
  • Be comfortable presenting to a live audience with primarily Peer Support Workers
  • Be able to present for at least a minimum of one hour
  • Be respectful, kind, and friendly to all diverse attendees
  • If you have another format (music, art, poems, posters, etc.) to submit, please do so, as all submissions will be greatly appreciated and considered

LERN Will:

  • Provide the presenter with conference details and registration
  • Be of support to the presenter as required and/or needed.
  • Advocate for a respectful, diverse, equality and inclusive environment for everyone, everywhere. This means we require our presentations and presenters to have the same or similar approach.

For further information or inquiries please contact: