International Visitors’ Program (IVP)

NCSS Annual Conference

International Visitors Program (IVP)

The International Visitors Program seeks to broaden the perspectives of NCSS members, to
welcome international educators to the conference and offer networking
opportunities that can result in lasting partnerships with educators around
the globe.

The International Visitors Task Force (IVTF), a group of NCSS leaders and
educators with an interest in international education, administers and
coordinates the International Visitors Program. IVTF co-chairs are Jesus
Garcia (jgarc2@cox.net) and Kim O’Neil (kimdoneil@gmail.com).

The International Visitors Program includes the following components:

1. A Welcome Reception, hosted by NCSS and IA Presidents, is offered on
   Thursday night honoring all foreign conference attendees. Sponsors sought annually.
2. A special program schedule indicating potential sessions/workshops to
   attend is designed for the world region focus group(s) attending the
   conference as part of a Presidential Initiative each year.
3. At the President’s Breakfast on Friday morning, a table is reserved for
   the focus region and special recognition is offered by the President of NCSS
   during his/her speech. Breakfast tickets are purchased by all international
   attendees upon registration in the usual manner.
4. A special “flag” indicating participation in the International Visitors
   Program is distributed to each international visitor at registration when
   picking up conference packets. They serve to honor and provide a
   higher profile for conference participants who travel from other world regions.
5. A one-hour session about Vital Issues in International Education is
   offered on Saturday. The session is coordinated by an IVTF member who also
   acts as session chair. Panelists are selected from the focus world region(s)
   to discuss relevant international social studies issues that are interesting
   to NCSS members.
6. An invitation to the First-Timers and International Visitors Ice Cream
   Social is offered. This session serves as a final opportunity to meet with
   leaders of NCSS and other international visitors to the conference. NCSS uses
   this as an opportunity to survey IVP participants about their conference experience.
7. An annual meeting of the International Visitors Task Force occurs on
   Sunday morning to review activities and discuss participant evaluations of the
   International Visitors Program. The meeting also serves to revise the program
   as needed, to staff subcommittees, and to plan for upcoming conferences.