GSCA 2024 Conference

* * Account Login is required in order to register for conference * *

Included in this year's conference fee:

• Access to over 50 informative sessions and interactive Exhibit Hall
• Downloadable Professional Development Form (to be self-submitted by attendee)
• President's Reception
• Probe Party
• Awards Ceremony
• Conference T-shirt (size requested & availability guaranteed for those registered by 9/24).

Payment and Cancellation Policies

Please review the above information carefully.  Once registration is submitted, changes must be requested by emailing info@gaschoolcounselor.org

** Important Payment Information ** 

GSCA does not accept Purchase Orders as payment.

If you are paying by check, check must be received by the GSCA office no later than 10/16/24.

Payments by credit card should be completed no later than 11/1/24.  

Our conference app from 2023 will return this year!  It will include the Schedule of Sessions, Presenter information and much more.   All registrants will be given instructions on how to access the app prior to coming to the Conference.


The 2024 Conference Team looks forward to welcoming you to Savannah!

Please join us in celebrating all of the 2024 GSCA Award winners and RAMP recipients at a luncheon at the conclusion of the Annual Conference in Savannah, Georgia.  Registration is open to everyone; attendance at the Conference is not required to attend the Awards Ceremony and Lunch.

The Awards ceremony and lunch will take place Friday, November 8, 12-1:30.  Tickets to the event are $45.

Click here to register for the event.

All Pre-Conference Sessions Are On Wednesday, November 6. 
The Full Day Session is 8 - 2 PM (6 Hours) and includes a box lunch. 
The half-day sessions are 9-12.  

There is an additional charge to attend a pre-conference session.  Rates are listed on the 2024 Pricing page. 

Full Day Session Session - Get Up And Move: Engaging Activities For Kids (SEL)

Speaker: Carol Miller

Discover how to infuse joy and movement into the essential work of social-emotional learning.  Join us for a hands-on session that will equip you with a toolkit of innovative strategies to make SEL both fun and effective!  By the end of the session, participants will leave empowered with a repertoire of engaging activities ready to implement in their schools, enhancing their students' social-emotional competencies while fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment.  Let's make learning memorable, meaningful, and, most importantly, fun!

Carol Miller is a veteran school counselor with K-12 experience and is a Past President of the New York State School Counselor Association. Currently an elementary school counselor, she presents nationwide, is a keynote speaker, and has a podcast called "Counselor Chat."  Carol has also authored 2 small group curricula: StarBound and Building Champions.  She is a champion for students and school counselors around the globe.

Half-Day Session - Burnout's Not a Badge of Honor: Caring for the Caregiver (Burnout)

Speaker: Dianee Acuna Andree

Do you ever wake up and feel like you're ready to go back to bed? Or find yourself wishing it was Friday on Monday? If so, this interactive workshop is for you. This workshop allows participants to understand the causes and symptoms of burnout. Participants will learn their early warning signs of burnout and strategies to prevent the blaze. Participants will leave feeling refreshed,rejuvenated and ready to focus!

Dianne Andree, Ed.S., M.S., B.A., is a dynamic and energetic speaker and trainer who brings 25+ years of mental health experience to the stage. Dianne served as a school counselor at the elementary level in a rural and suburban setting, as well as a charter faculty member of a high school counseling team, before becoming the director of Counseling and Advisement in Gwinnett County Public Schools, where she served for 11 years. Dianne then moved to City Schools of Decatur, an urban charter system, where she supported school counselors and spearheaded the Decatur Student Center, a pre-K through 12th wraparound services program. Dianne is now on a mission to Banish Burnout and help people make the most of their one life NOW!

Half-Day Session - Building Resiliency with Stress Busters (Resiliency)

Speaker: Barbara Truluck

One characteristic that is a significant predictor of success is resilience and the ability to overcome difficulties. The impact of the stress and anxiety epidemic among our nation’s students is felt in all areas of the school experience. As school counselors, we have the opportunity to help students learn coping skills to manage stress, practice strategies to deescalate, and build resiliency. By working with students at all three tier levels, we can teach students how to acquire health coping skills to return to calm and return to class. Session participants will learn best practices for creating a Calm Room for students at their school and receive access to the Stress Busters Toolkit for School Counselors full of developmentally appropriate resources to use with classroom and small group lessons. 

Barbara Truluck, Ed.S., NCC, NCSC is the Middle School Counseling and Advisement Consultant for the Cobb County School District in Georgia. Truluck has worked in education for 21 years. She started her career as a middle school science teacher in Orlando, Florida where she was a three-time Orange County Science Teacher of the Year. Truluck then earned her School Counseling degree from the University of West Alabama and served as a middle school counselor for 10 years.  This past year she was promoted to CCSD School Counseling Consultant position supporting over 300 school counselors district wide. Truluck has earned her specialist certifications in Counseling Leadership, National Model, School Counseling Data, Anxiety and Stress Management, Mental Health, and Suicide Prevention. Truluck is a local, state, and national conference speaker and author. She is the 2019 Georgia School Counselor of the Year and 2021 ASCA National School Counselor of the Year Finalist. 

Schedule Subject to Change

FULL CONCURRENT SESSION LISTING

Elementary school focused sessions

Middle school focused sessions

high school focused sessions

Additional Filters are Available by selecting Full Concurrent Session Listing above

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

CONCURRENT SESSION 1: 1:00 - 2:00 PM

Thursday, November 7, 2024

concurrent session 2: 9:00 - 10:00 AM

concurrent session 3: 11:30 - 12:30 PM

concurrent session 4: 2:00 - 3:00 PM

concurrent session 5: 4:45 - 5:45 PM

Friday, November 8, 2024

concurrent session 6: 9:00 - 10:00 AM

**The Headquarters hotel is Sold Out**
please scroll down for other hotel options

Headquarters Hotel - SOLD OUT

Hyatt Regency
2 W Bay Street
Savannah, GA 31401
912-238-1234

• Rooms are subject to availability.  The last day to book at the group rate is October 11.
• Parking options:
  • Valet Parking

    Standard cars and oversize vehicles/vans. Full in/out privileges as much as needed.

    $48 /Overnight

    $20 /0-4 hours

    $35 /4-8 hours

    $48 /8 hours+
    
    Self Parking

    Self-parking is available at a nearby city of Savannah garage. Self-parking is based on availability and is located off-site in the Whitaker Street Parking Garage and Bryan Street Parking Garage. In/out privileges do not apply.

    $22 /Overnight
    
    

BOOK YOUR ROOM AT THE HYATT

Hotel Indigo - Rooms Still available - Cutoff Extended to 10/24

201 West Bay Street
Savannah, Georgia 31401

6 minute walk to the Headquarters Hotel

• Room rates start at $239 + state and local taxes/fees, for check in 11/5 and check out 11/8
• The last day to book at the group rate is 10/21; subject to availability

Parking
Valet parking is available for $45 a day

book your room at the Hotel Indigo

Andaz - SOLD OUT

14 Barnard Street
Savannah, Georgia 31401
(912)- 233 2116

7 minute walk to the Headquarters Hotel

• Room rates start at $269 + state and local taxes, for check in 11/5 and check out 11/8
• The last day to book at the group rate is 10/8; subject to availability

Parking
Parking is available in the City of Savannah Parking Garage directly underneath the hotel.
Valet parking is available to overnight hotel guests at $49 per car per night inclusive of taxes and is subject to change without notice.
Self-Parking is available for $24.00 per day through the City of Savannah and is subject to change

Homewood Suites - SOLD OUT

611 East River Street
Savannah, Georgia 31401
912-355-0025

15 minute walk to the Headquarters Hotel

• Room rates start at $190 + state and local taxes, for check in 11/5 and check out 11/8
• The last day to book at the group rate is 10/6; subject to availability

Parking
Valet parking is available for $45 a day

Information for GSCA Conference Attendees

All 2024 conference attendees can download a Professional Development Form from the conference app during the Conference.  The form can also be accessed on the web after the Conference. (your login from the app is required to access the form on the web).

• After the conference, attendees will be responsible for downloading and completing the form, indicating which sessions and events have been attended.
• At the conclusion of the conference, attendees will sign and date the form.  If you would like the office to retain a copy of your form, you may upload it using this link (Link will be available after conference ends).
• Credit Hours available at the 2024 Conference - up to 14.75: 
  • Up to 5 hours for pre-conference attendance (additional fee to attend one of these sessions)
  • 9.75 hours for general and concurrent sessions (subject to change based on final conference schedule).

The Professional Development form can also be access on the web after the Conference. (your login from the app is required to access the form on the web).

Attendees are responsible for self-submitting to the appropriate credentialing body.  GSCA does not provide certificates of conference attendance. 

If you would like GSCA to keep a back up copy of your completed form, you can upload it here.

National Certified School Counselors (NCSC):  NCSCs are board certified counselors who offer the highest standards of practice for schools and students because they have met stringent education, examination, supervision, experience, and ethical requirements in school counseling.  For details, please click the links below:
General Information
Continuing Education Information & to Download Submission Form

Licensed Professional Counselors in Georgia:  For details, please click the links below:
General Information
State of Georgia Application for Reinstatement (from State Board Website, form version March 2017)

Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC):  GaPSC was created by the Georgia General Assembly on July 1, 1991, to assume full responsibility for the preparation, certification, and professional conduct of certified personnel employed in the Georgia public schools.  Professional learning for the purpose of certificate renewal in Georgia is described in Certification Rule 505-2-.36, Renewal Requirements. This rule outlines the basic requirements that professional learning must be job-embedded, done on a continuous basis, and done while working with colleagues in a professional learning community.  For more information, please click below:
Professional Learning for Certificate Renewal

Questions? Please contact info@gaschoolcounselor.org

Request Employer Funding

Sample Letter to request funding

Grants

GSCA is able to offer grants for GSCA members to attend the annual conference.  A total of $2,500 will be granted, up to $500 per person.  Selected applicants will receive reimbursement for their conference registration and lodging. Mileage and food are not eligible for reimbursement.

Scholarships are non-transferable. If a recipient cannot attend, then the committee will make the decision to select another recipient.

• Must be a GSCA member by the date of application
• Must register and pay for the conference by the date of application

• Prior recipients must wait a minimum of five years before becoming eligible to apply again

Timeline

• Grant application opens with the launch of conference registration
• September 24 (early bird deadline): deadline to join/renew membership, register and pay for the conference and apply for the grant.
  
• On or About October 31:  notification of recipients
• November 15: deadline for submission of receipts for grant reimbursement
  

Apply for the Grant

Payment

Renewing members must pay membership dues within 30 days of the start of the dues year (by August 1). New or lapsed members must pay within 30 days of invoicing (Net 30). Non-payment on these timelines will result in cancellation of membership.

If you register for conference at the member rate, your membership monies must also be received per the above paragraph or by the advanced registration deadline, whichever comes first, or you will be re-invoiced for conference at the non-member rate.

Purchase orders cannot be provided as a promise to pay in order to gain entry to this conference. If you have not paid upon arriving at conference, regardless of whether a purchase order has been sent, you will be asked to provide a personal credit card.

Cancellations and Refunds

Cancellations made prior to the Early Bird registration deadline are allowed without penalty.

Cancellations between the Early Bird and the Advanced registration deadline will be subject to a 25% processing and administrative fee for general attendees. Presenters cancelling their registration after the Early Bird deadline will not be eligible for refund. Additionally, no cancellations of ancillary registration items are allowed after the Early Bird Deadline.

No cancellation and/or refund requests are granted after the Advanced registration deadline. Appeals for exception to this policy for extreme circumstances such as death in the family, car accident, jury duty, etc. must be received by the close of the event and will be reviewed by the Executive Board after the event with decision notification being sent within 30 days of the last day of the event.

All cancellations and refund requests must be made in writing via email to info@gaschoolcounselor.org or US mail to 2900 Delk Road, Suite 700 PMB 321, Marietta, GA  30067.

Individual refunds will not be given to individuals whose fees have been paid by their school systems; these refunds will be sent directly to the school system.

Presenter Policy

GSCA places a high value on the skill and expertise of its presenters, and views their participation as integral to the success of the conference. GSCA strongly encourages presenters to attend and participate for the entirety of the conference. As such, all presenters are required to register for the conference. The Content Chair may grant waivers in this policy if the request and rationale is received by the Early Bird registration deadline.

Individuals who have not registered and paid for the conference, or submitted an appeal to the Content Chair, by the Early Bird registration deadline are subject to removal from the conference schedule.

Additionally, Presenters who do not show up for their scheduled session and do not provide notification to the Content Chair or President may be subject to barring from future programs.

Presenters cancelling their registration after the Early Bird deadline will not be eligible for refund.

As a reminder to all presenters, GSCA prohibits the use of selling or marketing company and / or products during presentations. The presentations are dedicated to the sharing of innovative ideas and strategies, strengthening learning objectives, and providing opportunities for audience participation.

Please click here for presenter audio/visual requirements. (information for presenters will be linked in late July)

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding your registration, please contact the GSCA office. 

You can reach us at (770) 971-6002 or info@gaschoolcounselor.org.  A staff member will respond within one business day (24 hours). 

GSCA will be providing an LCD Projector, Screen, VGA/HDMI Cables for all meeting rooms. GSCA will provide connections for sound as well as microphones in the larger conference rooms. Microphones nor audio will not be provided in the breakout rooms. GSCA encourages all PowerPoint presentations to be created in the widescreen 16:9 format for the best quality presentation. You will be responsible for providing a laptop and the necessary dongle/adaptor to connect your laptop to the projector. If you are in a smaller breakout room and are concerned your audio will not be heard, we recommend you bring speakers for amplification. We cannot stress enough that you remember to pack these for your presentation. Should you forget, our Audiovisual provider may be able to provide a limited number of connectors on a case-by-case basis for a fee (presenter will be responsible for payment).  All rooms are set in theater-style.

Presenters are strongly encouraged to have a back up of your presentation on a USB  in PowerPoint mode.

WiFi will be available for attendees at the conference venue. However, GSCA encourages presenters to have an alternate plan for your presentation should there be access or connection issues.  All attendees and presenters will be on the same WiFi connection and there is a likelihood of slow service during peak times.

The Presenter Agreement must be completed by all speakers no later than the Early Bird registration deadline (9/24/24).

Announce your participation on your mails and social media:

PPT PRESENTATION TEMPLATE FOR THE 2024 CONFERENCE

GSCA Liability Waiver

I hereby waive, release, and discharge any and all claims for damages for personal injury, illness, death or property damage which I may have now or in the future as a result of attending this conference. This release is given in consideration of my attendance and is intended to discharge GSCA (including its officers, employees, and agents) from any and all liability arising out of or connected in any way with my attendance and participation in the conference, even though that liability may arise out of the negligence of the entities listed above. It is further agreed that this waiver, release, and discharge shall be binding on my estate, heirs, and assigns.

GSCA Photograhy Waiver

Registration and attendance at, or participation in, GSCA meetings and other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to GSCA's use and distribution (now and in the future) of the registrant or attendee’s image or voice in photographs, videotapes, electronic reproductions and audiotapes of such events and activities.

GSCA Images Waiver

I hereby grant the Georgia School Counselor Association, its directors, officers, agents, and designees (collectively “GSCA”) non-revocable permission to capture my image and likeness in photographs, videotapes, motion pictures, recordings, or any other media (collectively “Images”). I acknowledge that GSCA will own such Images and further grant the GSCA permission to copyright, display, publish, distribute, use, modify, print and reprint such Images in any manner whatsoever related to GSCA business, including without limitation, publications, advertisements, brochures, web site images, or other electronic displays and transmissions thereof. I further waive any right to inspect or approve the use of the Image by the GSCA prior to its use. I forever release and hold the GSCA harmless from any and all liability arising out of the use of the Images in any manner or media whatsoever, and waive any and all claims and causes of action relating to use of the Images, including without limitation, claims for invasion of privacy rights or publicity.

**Decisions on submitted proposals were e-mailed at 1:15 on 7/29/24 to all presenters listed on a proposal. Please check your spam folder if you do not see this e-mail from Proposal Space.  You can also login to your Proposal Space account to check the status of your proposal.**

Do you have innovative ideas and strategies to share with your fellow counselors throughout the state? Why not present a program at the 2024 Annual Conference in Savannah, November 6th-8th.  Submit a program proposal today!

This year’s theme is “Counseling that Matters!” Everything you do from teaching classroom & small group lessons, working with individuals, and coordinating programs…MATTERS!  Do you have a fun & engaging lesson that left your students excited, that you could share? What about some specific strategies you use to motivate your students or get them talking? Do you have a program that supports mental health awareness or college and career readiness? Or what about social emotional learning professional development for your staff. It ALL MATTERS! Time alloted for presentations and Q&A is 1 hour. 

In addition, we are also welcoming school administrators to attend our conference this year so they can learn more about the potential contributions and impact of school counselors in their buildings.  Please consider proposing workshops for this targeted audience.  

Deadline to submit your proposal: May 1, 2024. Extended to May 2
Acceptance decisions emailed to submitters: Late July

For questions regarding proposal content, please email proposal@gaschoolcounselor.org.

For general conference questions, please email info@gaschoolcounselor.org.

What Information Do You Need to Submit Your Proposal?

Proposals are submitted through ProposalSpace.com.   For new users, please create an account.  For returning users, please update your existing account rather than create a new one.   All users, be sure to add proposalspace.com to your email list of safe entities.  It is important that your ProposalSpace account be correct:  the email address Proposal Space uses to send you important messages about your proposal (acceptance, scheduling) is stored in your user profile, not what you list in the proposal submission.  To update your email address in your account profile:

• Please log in to your ProposalSpace.com account
• Click your name in the top right-hand corner
• Click "Edit My Account Details" on the right-hand side
• Update and click "Save Changes" at the bottom of the page
• For assistance with resetting your password or other edits to your account on on ProposalSpace contact support@proposalspace.com. 
• For questions regarding proposal content, please email proposal@gaschoolcounselor.org.
• For general conference questions, please email info@gaschoolcounselor.org

View the Proposal Worksheet

For information on how proposals are evaluated, please download the Evaluation Rubric

Presenter Registration Policy

GSCA places a high value on the skill and expertise of its presenters and views their participation as integral to the success of the conference. GSCA strongly encourages presenters to attend and participate in the entirety of the conference. As such, all presenters are required to register for the conference.

Individuals who have not registered and paid for the conference, or submitted an appeal to the Content Chair, by the Early Bird registration deadline are subject to removal from the conference schedule.

Additionally, Presenters who do not show up for their scheduled session and do not provide notification to the Content Chair or President may be subject to barring from future programs.

Submit your Proposal

The Call for Proposals Is Closed