CWR CONFERENCE 2024

SCHEDULE

NOTE: Schedule subject to change as additional details are finalized

Tuesday, October 8

Registration: 4-6 p.m.

Conference Kickstart: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
A structured networking event to help you kickstart your conference with information and new relationships.

Welcome Reception Presented by Sisters of Mercy of the Americas: 7-9 p.m.
This year’s reception will include a special celebration of our 30th anniversary. Meet friends old and new and celebrate the start of conference in style in the Garden Atrium of the Renaissance Chicago Glenview Suites.

Photo: Laurie Lindauer

Wednesday, October 9

7:00–7:30 a.m. Mass

7:15–8:15 a.m. Breakfast • Exhibitors

8:30–9 a.m. Welcome • Opening Prayer

9–10:15 a.m. Keynote: Heidi Schlumpf, “Telling Stories of Change in the Church”

10:15–10:35 a.m. Coffee Break Sponsored by School Sisters of Notre Dame • Exhibitors

10:35–11:35 a.m. Facilitated Table Discussion

11:35–Noon CWR Business

Noon–1:15 p.m. Lunch • Exhibitors

1:15–2:45 p.m. Plenary Session: Joseph Vukov, “Ethical AI”

2:45–3 p.m. Coffee Break Sponsored by the Congregation of St. Joseph • Exhibitors

3–3:50 p.m. Workshops

Elizabeth Powers, “Beyond the First Episode: Planning, Producing, and Promoting Your Podcast” (Advanced)
Adrienne Alexander, “Communicating in Polarized Times”
Marcia Wallander, “Mastering Effective Fundraising Campaigns Through Direct Mail”

7:00 p.m. Optional Evening Out: Bowl It Back to the 90s
Celebrate the decade of CWR’s birth with a night of cosmic bowling at Wilmette Bowl. Wear your best 90s attire–we’ve rented out the whole place, so don’t be shy. Neon encouraged! Two hours of bowling, shoe rental, pizza dinner, and transportation included. Cash bar and snack bar available. There will be prizes! (Select “Evening Out” when registering; fee: $55).

Thursday, October 10

7:00–7:30 a.m. Mass

7:15–8:30 a.m. Breakfast • Exhibitors

8:30–8:45 a.m. Morning Prayer

8:45–9:45 a.m. Plenary Session: Maureen Gainer Reilly, “Quieting the Inner Critic in Times of Change and Uncertainty”

9:45–10:05 a.m. CWR State of the Organization

10:05–10:30 a.m. Coffee Break Sponsored by Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston • Exhibitors

10:30–11:20 a.m. Workshops

Spalding Hurst, “CWR Film School” (Advanced)
Joanna Arellano-Gonzalez, Sister Leslie Dao, SP & Susan Hurley,
“Liberative Spokesperson Training: Telling Grassroots Stories Through an Empowering Lens“
Anne Marie Gardiner & Leslie Mollsen, “Coming to Completion: It’s the Beginning, Not the End!“

11:20–11:30 a.m. Mini Break

11:30–11:45 a.m. CWR Announcements

11:45 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Lunch • Exhibitors

1–2 p.m. Plenary Session: Sheila King, “Crisis Communications”

2–2:20 p.m. Break • Exhibitors

2:20–3:10 p.m. Workshops

Sheila King, “Crisis Communications: Plan ▪ Authenticate ▪ Respond ▪ Report” (Advanced)
Clarissa Aljentera, “Assessing Your Toolbelt“
Anne Marie Gardiner & Laura Lang, “Trends in Development Communication“

3:10–3:20 p.m. Mini Break

3:20–4:00 p.m. Facilitated Table Discussion

Friday, October 11

7:15–8:30 a.m. Breakfast

8:30–8:40 a.m. Morning Prayer

8:40–9:40 a.m. Panel: Future of CWR

9:40–10 a.m. Coffee Break Sponsored by Holy Union Sisters • Exhibitors

10–10:45 a.m. Plenary Session: Sister Beth Murphy, OP, “Spirituality of Communications: For the Life of the World“

10:45–11 a.m. Closing Prayer