Convince My Boss – RJ 2024
The benefits of the NAPD Racial Justice Conference are too many to list, here is how to outline them to your boss. Most managers will be concerned about the return on investment—every dollar has to be justified and so does the time away from the office. We can help you make the case. Customize this letter to help your manager understand why this conference is valuable to you and your organization.
Be sure to outline the sessions that would be most beneficial to your organization. Summarize the total costs including registration, travel and hotel, and any additional expenses.
Your registration includes tickets to the The Legacy Museum , The National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and the new Freedom Monument Sculpture Park
Room Block at Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center for $107 per night plus tax and fees. Deadline Sept 27, 2024 Click here to book your room
Meals not provided. There will be beverage and snacks at the breaks.
Click here to download this letter
[Date]
Dear [Boss’ Name]:
I am writing to request your approval to attend the National Association for Public Defense (NAPD)’s 5th Annual RACIAL JUSTICE CONFERENCE (RJC). From October 28 to 31, 2024, public defense professionals from all over the nation will convene in Montgomery, Alabama, the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, to enhance both our personal and professional commitment to racial justice and further strengthen our ability to advocate for our clients.
NAPD engages all public defense professionals in a clear and focused voice to address the systemic failure to provide the constitutional right to counsel, and to collaborate with diverse partners for solutions that bring meaningful access to justice for poor people. NAPD proudly presents the RJC as an immersive and transformative conference designed to enhance our understanding of the role of racial justice in public defense work. It features highly respected racial justice advocates from across the nation to educate and inspire us, while also facilitating crucial discussions around race, diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and so much more. Through collective work and collaboration, RJC ensures that we have the essential tools and expanded network of support to continue the fight for racial justice in our work as public defense professionals.
RJC is an unparalleled experience that explores three key areas that impact our pursuit of racial justice:
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Examining Personal Biases: We will gain insights into identifying and overcoming both conscious and unconscious biases within ourselves and within the legal system.
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Promoting Racial Equity in Workplaces: We will learn valuable strategies to create policies and practices that foster fairness within our own offices.
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Litigating Racial Issues: We will develop effective methods for challenging racial bias and discrimination in the courtroom to further strengthen our defense for clients.
These areas will be explored not only during the plenary sessions, but also during multiple breakout sessions and roundtable discussion opportunities. During these opportunities, I will gain valuable tools and insights to become a more effective advocate for our clients and make new connections with the greater public defense community. This, in turn, also gives me an opportunity to strengthen our office’s reputation as a national leader in ensuring fair and culturally responsiverepresentation for all.
The RJC experience also includes the opportunity to visit The Legacy Museum, The National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and the new Freedom Monument Sculpture Park to deepen our understanding of the fight for racial equality beyond public defense work. This further ensures that we operate as racial justice advocates beyond our office buildings and the courthouses we advocate in.
Please review the below information in considering this important request –
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Agenda (session and speaker information included)
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Early Bird Registration (before August 16th) – $650 (NAPD members) / $750 (non-members)
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$107 per night (plus taxes and fees)
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I’ve also attached a copy of air and/or ground transportation costs for your review. [be sure to attach]
I would be happy to discuss the Racial Justice Conference further with you and answer any questions you may have. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Testimonials from past NAPD Racial Justice Conferences
“Amazing experience. I will be processing the experience for a long time, but I have already taken several tangible steps to change the local culture and challenge the local status quo. I can report that I have been able to have thoughtful and engaging conversations about how reckoning is something in which we all need to participate. This conference, I believe, was pivotal for me personally and professionally.”
“I thought the conference was so well thought out and facilitated. The presenters were excellent (both in person and virtual). The small groups were so great! Having the opportunity to process with people (for my group) was really impactful. The museum tours, powerful and brought everything presented in sessions to life. The history was no longer stories in a history book but rather memories from another era. With more detail and substance.”
“Please come to this conference if you work in criminal defense. This is just so so important to the work we do, from supporting our colleagues, to representing our clients, to changing the law and policies that are so squarely rooted in anti-Black racism.”
This was my first time at the Racial Justice Conference. I was excited to go but had no idea it would be life changing. So much of the past has been kept from us and not taught. I was learning left and right. My heart was breaking but I was moved to return to my office and seek out opportunities to make changes. I’m thankful for my time in Montgomery