2026 MARCO Community Recovery Summit Session Proposal

Session Proposal Submission

MARCO's Community Recovery Summit

Monday-Tuesday, May 4 & 5, 2026

Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Pkwy, Eagan, MN 55121
Share your knowledge and experience to help grow the grassroots recovery community movement!

MARCO is seeking proposals for sessions at the second annual Community Recovery Summit. This 2-day, in-person event will highlight the system-changing work happening throughout our diverse communities of recovery. We want to hear from Recovery Community Organizations, Peer Recovery Specialists, community members, and others who share a vision of a recovery-oriented future.

Priority will be given to session proposals that embody the core principles of Recovery Community Organizations:

Recovery Vision:
- Recovery is not just possible; it's the probable outcome when people have the support and resources they need.
- The focus is on solutions that mobilize the strengths within our communities and embrace all pathways.
- Recovery-oriented public policies benefit everyone across all sectors.
Authenticity of Voice:
- Our lived experience is an asset. We use our lived experiences to lift each other up and strengthen our communities.
- We embrace and honor the diversity within the recovery community. It is our greatest strength.
- We develop and grow recovery leadership at all levels.
Accountability to the Recovery Community:
- Nothing about us, without us. Policies and programs that affect or serve our diverse recovery communities must be created with us, not for us.
- We act independently and solely in service to the recovery community.
Session Categories
We are looking for sessions that explore topics in the following areas:

Community Engagement

Topics might include:
- Partnerships that strengthen the recovery community
- Examples of effective public education activities
- Volunteer programs
- Recovery leadership development
- Culturally-specific programs and partnerships
- Building local support for recovery initiatives
- Outreach and awareness
- And more!
Policy and Advocacy

Topics might include:
- Recovery initiatives at the local, state, or federal levels
- Evaluation and recovery outcomes
- Stigma reduction
- Using our stories to advocate for change
- Addressing inequity in systems of care
- Peer-to-peer advocacy
- Strategic approaches to building and strengthening recovery ecosystems
- And more!
Peer Recovery Support Services

Topics might include:
- Harm reduction
- Peer-led activities that support recovery
- Peer Recovery Specialist/Peer Specialist professional development
- Peer supervision
- Culturally-specific peer recovery support services
- Ethics and boundaries in peer support
- Peer career advancement
- And more!
RCO Leadership and Operations

Topics might include:
- Nonprofit operations and finances
- Human resources
- Fundraising
- Compliance and legal issues
- Medicaid billing
- Team building
- Working with state agencies or other government entities
- And more!
Other

Is there a session topic that doesn't fit into one of these categories but might be informative or inspirational? If so, go ahead and submit it. We want to hear all your ideas!

Session Proposal Submission
Your Name*

First NameLast Name
Email*
example@example.com
Please re-enter your email*
example@example.com
Name of organization, if applicable
Your Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Session Information

Sessions will be approximately one hour. Please make sure your content con be covered in one hour.
Session Title*
Please choose the focus area that best aligns with your session's primary topic:*
Session Brief Description (150 Word Maximum) *

Provide a brief description that quickly conveys what the session is about. This is the text that will be used in the conference promotional materials.0/150
Session Long Description
Please provide additional information about the session topic and content if desired.
What are at least three things you want the audience to walk away with after participating in this session? (What are the learning objectives?)*
How will you engage your audience during the session? Describe the format you plan to use.*
For example, slides and handouts, discussion activities, opportunities to practice skills (like motivational interviewing), etc.
Presenters

You may have up to four presenters. We encourage you to include diverse perspectives and collaborate with other organizations to create a dynamic session.
Chair/Lead Presenter (this is the main contact for the session and will be responsible for providing MARCO with detailed information).*

First NameLast Name
Chair/Lead Presenter Email*
example@example.com
Chair/Lead Presenter Title and Organization (if applicable)
For example, CPRS at Organization XYZ
Chair/Lead Presenter Short Bio (300 word limit)*

Tell us a bit about the presenter. What experience, skills, or knowledge will they bring to the session?0/300
Does this session include additional presenters?*

Additional Presenters
Presenter #2 Name

First NameLast Name
Presenter #2 Email
example@example.com
Presenter #2 Title and Organization (if applicable)
For example, CPRS at Organization XYZ
Presenter #2 Short Bio (300 word limit)

Tell us a bit about the presenter. What experience, skills, or knowledge will they bring to the session?0/300
Presenter #3 Name

First NameLast Name
Presenter #3 Email
example@example.com
Presenter #3 Title and Organization (if applicable)
For example, CPRS at Organization XYZ
Presenter #3 Short Bio (300 word limit)

Tell us a bit about the presenter. What experience, skills, or knowledge will they bring to the session?0/300
Presenter #4 Name

First NameLast Name
Presenter #4 Email
example@example.com
Presenter #4 Title and Organization (if applicable)
For example, CPRS at Organization XYZ
Presenter #4 Short Bio (300 word limit)

Tell us a bit about the presenter. What experience, skills, or knowledge will they bring to the session?0/300

Language Disclosure
MARCO requests that presenters refrain from using terminology that perpetuates the negative stigma surrounding those with substance use disorders or living in recovery. We ask that you use person-centered language. For example:

• Instead of "addict," please use "person with a substance use disorder"
• Instead of "addicted to X," please use "has an X use disorder," or "has a substance use disorder involving X" (if more than one substance is involved) 
• Instead of "alcoholic," please use "person with an alcohol use disorder" 
• Instead of "drug/substance abuse," please use "substance use disorder" 
• Instead of "former addict," please use "person in recovery" or "person in long-term recovery" or “person in sustained recovery”  
• Instead of “clean” use “not actively using substances” or “in recovery” 
We have limited slots available for sessions, and we are not able to accept every proposal. The Conference Planning Committee will attempt to select a variety of session topics representing multiple perspectives that engage attendees with diverse personal and professional interests.

Additionally, the Conference Planning Committee will use the following selection criteria:
- The content and message of the session align with core Recovery Community Organization principles
- All sections of the proposal are complete
- The session description is clear
- Learning objectives (what people will take away) are clearly defined
- Presenters have sufficient experience and knowledge of the subject matter
- The session is not used to market products or services and is free from commercial bias.
If your session proposal is accepted, we will request additional information, including technical needs and presenter headshots.
Should be Empty:

Session Categories

Session Proposal Submission

Session Information

Presenters

Additional Presenters

Language Disclosure