Convince My Boss – WTD 2024
The benefits of We the Defenders (WTD) 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 WTD 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.
Check out our Blog Post about the 2023 We The Defenders Conference
The registration covers all of the sessions plus break beverages and snacks.
Meals are not included
Limited Hotel Room block rates available at Hilton Garden Inn Detroit Downtown and DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Detroit Downtown both prices are at $145 plus taxes and fees
We will provide transportation from the Hotel to the Conference and back again each day via the Art Bus
You can download this letter here.
Dear [Boss’s Name],
I am writing to request your approval to attend the upcoming We the Defenders Conference, which will be held in person from August 12-15, 2024 at Wayne State University Law School in Detroit, MI.
The We the Defenders Conference is the premier event offered by the National Association of Public Defenders (NAPD) for investigators, mitigation specialists, social workers, paralegals, and other core staff – all roles except attorneys – who play a critical role in defense-based work. NAPD brings together leading experts, thought leaders, and innovators from around the United States. The conference combines plenary sessions with breakouts for different tracks providing attendees with the choice to decide where they can maximize learning.
I believe attending this conference would be highly beneficial to both my professional development and our office’s continued success for the following reasons:
- Enhance My Skill Set: The conference offers workshops and sessions on [Mention specific skills you want to develop]. Below is a list of the specific sessions that I plan to attend and I believe directly impact our work. [Mention the specific sessions that interest you]
- Stay Current: The conference agenda features sessions on [Mention specific topics relevant to your work]. This will allow me to gain valuable insights into the latest developments and best practices, which we can then implement to [Mention how this benefits your office – improve efficiency, etc.].
- Networking Opportunities: The event attracts a wide range of professionals. I would have the chance to network with experts from around the country, which could lead to potential collaborations and partnerships that benefit our office.
To ensure a maximized return on investment, I have already researched the conference and identified specific sessions that align with our current projects and goals. Here is the link to the agenda and information about the speakers. [Choose which of the following pricing applies to you -The cost of attending and the early bird registration cost (before June 17th) of the conference is $595 for members ($695 for non members) of NAPD. (The cost for attending for social workers varies from $595-$795 depending on NAPD members and CEU hours] The hotel rate is $145 per night. Travel costs are [insert flight/mileage].
After attending, I would be happy to share the knowledge I gained by presenting a summary of key takeaways and insights to our team. Additionally, I can develop an action plan outlining how we can implement what I learn to achieve our office goals.
I am confident that attending this conference will significantly enhance my abilities and contribute to our continued success. I would be happy to discuss this further at your convenience.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Testimonials from the 2023 We the Defenders Conference
“My first NAPD conference and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I returned to work inspired and rejuvenated – I didn’t even realize I needed rejuvenating. It was wonderful to be in a sea of professionals who do the same work I do. I felt seen and heard, especially when discussing some of the challenges we face as mitigation specialists. It was a wonderful conference, and I am happy I went.”
“I really enjoyed it over all, this was my first NAPD conference and I truly was not disappointed.”
“I enjoyed the opportunity to engage with other non-attorneys and get training that was directly applicable to my role.”
“The conference opened my eyes to so many parts of our jobs and reassured me that what we do matters every single day. How we show up and how we feel matters. I left the conference feeling re-energized and hopeful about my own role in defense work, but also aware of where my talents could be best used. I left thinking about my future in defense work and hopeful about continuing my own training and work. I am still trying to figure out how to translate that energy to the workplace, but am looking forward to more and more of these events. Thank you so much for hosting and organizing this amazing experience!”
“The break-out sessions are the most beneficial parts of the conference. They are more personal and collaborative.”
“The breakout sessions were great! I like that there were multiple classes to pick from.”
“I was very pleased with the overall engagement and wealth of information we had access to. The discussions were productive and empowering.”