This volunteer task force will review nominations for two ASSP Member awards that recognize outstanding dedication to mentorship and leadership development in the environmental, safety and health profession. These awards honor individuals who make a lasting impact by guiding and inspiring others. These awards celebrate mentorship at different career stages, ensuring the growth and development of EHS leaders. 

The ASSP Foundation/BCSP Distinguished Mentor Award recognizes an experienced safety professional who has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to mentorship. Their influence extends beyond technical knowledge, fostering leadership, engagement, and a culture of continuous improvement in occupational safety and health.

The ASSP Foundation/BCSP Wooten Next Generation Award is named in honor of Samantha Wooten, an emerging leader in occupational safety and health whose journey into the profession was shaped by mentorship and the power of community. After her father was killed in a workplace tragedy, Wooten was introduced to ASSP through its Family Scholarship program. The support and guidance she received from ASSP mentors inspired her to change careers, ultimately dedicating herself to improving workplace safety and paying that mentorship forward. She became a passionate advocate for new professionals, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for those entering the field. This award recognizes an early- to mid-career EHS professional who demonstrates leadership in fostering the next generation of safety leaders.

Members of this task force must be ASSP members in good standing and will be expected to review nomination forms for one or both awards via ASSP Foundation's Openwater platform. We anticipate that this will take no more than 10 hours of review over 2-4 weeks, running from February 22 - March 12, 2027. If selected for the Task Force, the ASSP Foundation will be in touch via email with next steps and instructions to access to the review platform in early February. You may serve on the Task Force even if you submit a nomination, but you can only review an award category in which you have not made a nomination.

This volunteer task force will review essay questions from our scholarship applications. There are six essay questions and we anticipate that members will review up to 50 applications. 

Members of this task force will be expected to review nomination forms via our scholarship portal, Openwater. All applications will be blind. Reviewers will not know the name of the student whose applications they are reviewing. We anticipate that this will take an average of 15-20 hours of review, running from March 1 - April 15, 2027. If selected for the Task Force, the ASSP Foundation will be in touch via email with next steps and instructions for accessing the portal in late February 2027. 

Members of this task force must be ASSP members in good standing without a background in full-time academia. Student and emeritus members are not eligible to participate. 

Call for Proposals

Our year-round Leadership Conference program is part of ASSP’s investment in the development of the current and rising volunteer leaders. Attendees enhance their leadership skills to strengthen their communities’ ability to deliver great value to ASSP members. Learn more. 

 We are soliciting proposals for our In-Person Leadership Conference, taking place on June 6, 2027, New Orleans, LA. Sessions should support our program objectives for this event:

• Build and practice core leadership skills - clear communication, influencing without authority, facilitation, coaching/delegation, and navigating conflict, through interactive workshops, real scenarios, and feedback that translate to any workplace or community setting.
• Apply leadership development strategies that strengthen team performance and engagement (strengths-based leadership, motivation, recognition, and succession planning) so participants can develop others and drive results within ASSP and across their broader careers.
• Strengthen decision-making and execution by using practical tools for prioritization, alignment, and accountability (e.g., clarifying outcomes, roles, and next steps) that improve follow-through in committees, projects, and professional teams.
• Expand and activate peer networks by building relationships that enable ongoing collaboration, knowledge sharing, mentorship, and accountability beyond your ASSP leadership role and across the EHS profession.
• Strengthen inclusive leadership practices by equipping leaders to create psychologically safe, welcoming, and equitable environments in meetings, decision-making, and talent/volunteer engagement—skills that transfer directly from volunteer to workplace leadership.  

Desirable Speaker Attributes

• Current members OR external speaker with expertise in one of the areas described above
• Reflect the growing diversity of ASSP and the safety profession
• Demonstrated ability to teach through facilitation, not lecture
• Uses evidence-based frameworks and provides take-home tools/templates

Please note: No more than two proposals from one speaker will be considered. Please complete a separate application for each proposal.

Speaker Expectations

• Address practical skills and strategies that support the conference's learning      objectives.
• Explore leadership concepts through evidence-based frameworks, real-world examples      and practical applications.
• Identify two to three specific outcomes attendees will achieve.
• Provide tools, templates or strategies attendees can apply in volunteer and      professional leadership roles.
• Use facilitation, discussion, scenarios and hands-on activities rather than      lecture-based instruction.
• Create opportunities for attendees to practice leadership skills and receive      feedback.
• Foster a welcoming environment that values diverse perspectives and experiences.
• Structure the 60-minute session to balance instruction, active participation and      reflection.  

Call for Proposals

Our year-round Leadership Conference program is part of ASSP’s investment in the development of the current and rising volunteer leaders. Attendees enhance their leadership skills to strengthen their communities’ ability to deliver great value to ASSP members. Learn more. 

We are soliciting proposals for our In-Person Leadership Conference, taking place on June 6, 2027, New Orleans, LA. Sessions should support our program objectives for this event:

Leadership Sparks

Short talks that spark fresh ideas, inspire action, and energize leaders.

We're introducing a new learning experience at the ASSP Leadership Conference!

Leadership Sparks are short, high-energy, content-rich talks centered on one practical idea, lesson learned, or leadership experience. They complement—not replace—the conference’s traditional hour-long education sessions. Speakers share focused insights that attendees can apply to their ASSP volunteer leadership roles and, where relevant, their professional safety careers.

Goals/Learning Outcomes

• Add energy and variety to the conference through a faster-paced learning format.
•  Expand the range of volunteer voices and perspectives, including first-time speakers.
• Share practical, replicable ideas and candid lessons that do not require a full hour.
•  Help attendees leave each talk with one specific action, tool, or fresh perspective.
•  Encourage peer learning across chapters, practice specialties, common interest groups, and other ASSP leadership communities.

 Presenter Expectations

•  Present one clear idea—not a condensed 60-minute education session.
•  Prepare approximately 15 minutes of substantive content.
•  Use a specific story, example, demonstration, or practical tool; explain what worked, what did not, and what others can adapt.
• Build in audience interaction when appropriate (quick poll, reflection, show of hands, or Q&A).
• End with one memorable takeaway or action attendees can try.
• Use slides only if they help; avoid dense decks, sales pitches, and lengthy introductions.
• Meet deadlines for bio, presentation title/description, accessibility and AV needs, and any requested slides or handouts. 
• Please note: No more than two proposals from one speaker will be considered. Please complete a separate application for each proposal.