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AN INVITATION FOR GANG SPECIALIST PRESENTERS:

Dear Gang Specialist:

The NGCRC cordially invites you to consider making a presentation at the 2025 Twenty Eighth NGCRC International Gang Specialist Training Conference (August 4 - August 6, 2025 at the Westin Hotel). The 2025 event is going to be a major event in gang training. There will be some new and wonderful events at the 2025 NGCRC Conference, you will want to be a part of it. Perhaps doing so as both an attendee, plus being a presenter too. There is still time to get a session added to the 2025 conference.

This is your formal invitation to submit one or more “session proposals”. When you make a presentation at the NGCRC training conference you get national attention. You get a lot of positive exposure.

To help you get started, below, please find a "Session Proposal Form". It is simple, there are only a couple things we need on the form. The most important is going to be the topic and the abstract. We encourage you to think creatively. We can also help you if you want it: we can help you with picking a topic, or with finalizing a topic. To get help, just call (708) 258-9111 and ask to speak to someone from the 2025 Curriculum Committee. Or leave a number, and someone will call you.

The NGCRC supplies the following equipment to all training rooms and thus to all presenters: an LCD or data projector. We do not supply laptop computers. You must bring your own laptop to connect to the LCD projector. The NGCRC also supplies a screen, work or equipment table, a lecturn, and a power strip, and an external speaker if you need it (we like to use Bose Soundocks, but we have other models). Overhead projectors are not provided.

If you need audio equipment, we have an assortment of computer speakers that can be checked out of the Goodwill Ambassador's Equipment Room, you will need to check in with them when you first arrive at the conference. Some audio equipment like the large and powerful speakers (we have a few of the Bose Sound Dock speakers, has connector to iPod or iPhone) need to be reserved at the Equipment Room if you want it set up in advance in your room, so check in with them Sunday evening or Monday morning. If you need to buy your own connector cables or anything for your laptop there is a BestBuy right across the street from the conference hotel. You need to go to the equipment room as soon as you get to the conference to check in with them if you want any sound system or speakers. Feel free to bring your own speakers even your own LCD or data projector if you like.

You can also get help with “creative ideas” for a new session proposal. We already know what some of the “need areas are”, so you can get good feedback and counseling from the NGCRC on the type of session that will be “popular” and well attended in 2025. We can do this interactively with you on the phone, again, just call (708) 258-9111 and ask to speak to someone from the 2025 Curriculum Committee. Or leave a number, and someone will call you. You will find more information about the call for presenters below. Note: The call for presenters will likely end early this year, as we had over N = 100 different sessions in the 2024 program. So act now if you are interested. Our goal is to have a larger than normal number of sessions for the 2025 program, and maybe your session will be part of this history making event.

Cordially,

George W. Knox, Ph.D.

Executive Director

NGCRC

CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS FOR THE 2025 NGCRC 28th GANG SPECIALIST TRAINING CONFERENCE:

This is an official invitation for you to be a presenter at the 2025 NGCRC 28th Gang Specialist Training Conference to be held in Chicago, August 4 - August 6, 2025 at the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel, 909 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL.

You want to act quickly on this invitation to become a presenter at the 2025 NGCRC conference. We are planning on some new and exciting events this year. You want to become a part of this exciting 2025 Conference. Please note, though, that no financial incentives of any kind (including waiver of registration fees) can be offered. Presenters will be expected to be registered for the conference, unless special arrangements are made.

You are cordially invited to submit a session proposal for the 2025 NGCRC gang training conference. You are allowed to submit and present more than one proposal.

The presentations may vary in length from a minimum of one hour to a maximum of three hours. Most sessions are one or two hours in length. You will need to select a title that accurately reflects what people will learn in the session; you need to specify how long the session will last in duration; you need to decide which “tracks” your session will give credit for; you need to provide a short “abstract” or description of what the session will cover; and you need to provide a short "bio" about yourself.

The "Session Proposal Form" is provided below for your use. Please follow that as a template or guideline. Feel free to call if you have questions (call 708-258-9111, just ask to speak with someone from the 2025 Curriculum Committee).

If there was a topic you wanted to consider for a session, but you needed some information or clarification: then again, you are encouraged to call any time in this regard ---- for example, just to “run an idea” up the flag pole, would a certain topic be useful at the conference, etc. While the NGCRC is very good at nurturing new presenters, we are not able to offer you any type of financial assistance. Note: The call for presenters will end shortly.

Here is some good advice to anyone interested in being a presenter at the NGCRC Conference: make sure that the content of your session corresponds to the title of your session. There is an evaluation form that all attendees complete, and they are asked to evaluation and provide a rating of between zero "0" (not effective) to ten "10" (very effective) as a range of how effective the speaker was. So do not subject yourself or the NGCRC to any potential criticism for having a misleading session title. The best way to avoid such a potential criticism is once you start your power point presentation, right after the title page, your second page of the power point presentation should be an outline of what is actually covered in your session. You might also created a page for what is not covered in your session, in both cases at the start up of your session. This way, if someone is looking or shopping for a specific issue, they have time to get up and leave right away and go to a different session. There are always 8 or 9 or more sessions going on at once.

Your proposal(s) will be evaluated by the 2025 Curriculum Committee. We are usually able to get back to you with a decision in ten (10) days. You can use the form below or a facsimile of this form to submit your session proposal.

Call for Presenters:

2025 NGCRC Conference Session Proposal Form

(Worksheet and Outline)

Title of Your Session:_________________________________________________________

Duration of Your Session in Hours:_______________ hours

Any restrictions on who can attend? ___Yes ___No (if Yes, who do you want to restrict this to___________)

What Track(s) Will This Session Fit Into?_________________________________________

Abstract (describe what people will learn in your session, about 100-150 words)

__________________________________________________________________________

Bio (describe your credentials, achievements, 100-150 words)

___________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

Provide a cover letter that gives your full name, title, organizational affiliation, and complete mailing address and contact information (phone, fax, email, etc). You are encouraged to attach a curriculum vita or resume to indicate your education and occupational achievements. Your presentation is expected to be prepared in advance as a formal power point type of presentation, ideally with handouts you provide. It is imporant that you understand that a one hour course gives you only 55 minutes of talk time, because using the "Golden Rule" of NGCRC Presenters, you need to be leaving the room at minute 56 allowing minutes 56-60 for the transition and set-up of the next presenter entering the training room. So prepare a power point that times out at about 55 minutes in length. Do not assume you have internet access in the classroom.

Please submit your session proposal soon, call if you have any questions. Fax it to: (708) 258-9546 and then mail it to make sure we get it: NGCRC, 2025 Curriculum Committee, PO Box 990, Peotone, IL 60468. Warning: The call for presenters will close early this year.

Here is one sample of a session from a previous NGCRC conference, note the format has a “gang” issue in the title; gives a duration; specifies what tracks the session will be useful for (feel free to call about this if you need help: call 708-258-9111, just say you want to talk to someone from the Curriculum Committee).

"Gangs and Extremists in the American Military: A Current Assessment", by Dr. Michael J. Witkowski, CPP, Associate Professor, Department of Criminal Justice, University of Detroit Mercy, Detroit, MI.

Duration: Two (2) hours

Session Credits: Management and Supervision Skills for Gang Specialists; Domestic Counter-Terrorism Skills; Gang Crime Investigation Skills; Gangs in the Military.

Abstract

Gang member and extremist infiltration of American occupations now includes legitimate businesses/corporations as well as military careers. Gang life on many military installations is now common as gang members move with parents in the military from place to place helping disseminate gang culture. Some so-called super gangs (e.g., Gangster Disciples) encourage military ties for gaining access to weapons and training. This security concern with gangs in the American workplace and military is legitimate given present day terrorist linkages. Based on a recent survey of gang members and extremists from jail locations we will examine the main types of occupations/busineses/military specialties that they are seeking out in 2022. This segment will seek to enlighten security and law enforcement professionals on the emergent threats posed by street gangs and extremist groups who are increasingly entering mainstream occupations and the armed services.

Bio

Dr. Michael J. Witkowski, CPP is a nationally known security litigation expert with many years experience in handling civil litigation relating to street gangs. He has researched gang activity in a variety of venues including: public housing, casinos, fast-food restaurants, apartment complexes, concerts, shopping centers, and convenience stores. He is an author several published articles of research on gang/hategroups in sensitive employment sectors (e.g., security/military). He is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and administers the Graduate Program in Security Administration at the University of Detroit Mercy. He teaches courses in Juvenile Justice and Gangs and Deviant Social Groups and is a regular presenter to the Detroit Police 80 Hour Crime Prevention School. He is also a member of the Crime Prevention Association of Michigan (CPAM).

THE NGCRC IS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OF ANY KIND TO PRESENTERS:

This is a longstanding policy, but needs to be formally declared in writing when dealing with the issue of invitations for presentations. Please be advised that the NGCRC is not able to provide any financial assistance of any kind to presenters. The NGCRC does not ask for any government subsidy, and thus no funding is available to assist presenters along these lines. The NGCRC treasures the intellectual freedom it has in addressing the kinds of issues it addresses, and it may not be able to offer some of its curriculum features with government subsidies or there could be a disadvantageous expectation from government funding that relates to our current “independence”. The NGCRC by making this invitation for session proposals specifically declares that this it is not able to provide any kind of financial assistance, subsidy, allowance, fee, honorarium, per diem, travel, or reimbursement of expenses, etc for persons making presentations.

TOPICS WE REALLY NEED PRESENTERS FOR:

"Building Trust Between Actors in a Gang Violence Reduction Strategy"

"Resolving Issues About the Identification of Gang Members and the Maintenance of Investigatory Gang Digital/Database Files"

"The Dynamics of Hybrid Gangs: How They Evolve and Develop"

"Victim Services for Communities Under Attack From Armed Gangs"

"Victimology Outreach in Gang Homicide Cases"

"Gang and Organized Crime Activity on the Dark Web: Advanced Internet Investigation"

"Developing Ways to Treat PTSD For Staff Exposed to Gang Violence"

"Examples of Gang Crime Investigation/Prosecution of Hybrid Gangs"

"Open Source Gang Investigation"

"Review of the Money Laundering Apps Used by Gangs and OC: CashApp, Venmo, Paypal, Zelle, Wolrd Remit, OFX, TransferWise, Xe, CurrenciesDirect, HiFX, Remtly"

"How To 'Gang Proof' the School Zones in Your Jurisdiction".

"History of Explosive Device Incidents With Threat Groups: Extremist/Hate Groups, Street Gangs, Motorcycle Gangs, Cartels, and Organized Crime"

“How to Achieve Better Community Relations and Still Achieve Effective Gang Enforcement”.

"Starting a Gang Victim Support Group in Your Community"

"How to Achieve Pure Primary Gang Prevention in the School".

"Achieving Gang Prevention for Tomorrow by Targetting Gang Leadership Today".

"Zero to Low Cost Gang Prevention and Intervention Program Services You Can Offer in Your Jurisdiction".

“How to Start a Gang Court in Your County”.

"Innovative Techniques for Interviewing Gang Members and Gang Associates".

"What We Really Need for Gang Prevention Laws in the Next Decade"

"The Use of the Polygraph in Gang Interviews/Debriefings".

"What We Really Need for Gang Investigation Skills in the Next Decade"

"How to Start a New Gang Renunciation Program in Your Correctional Facility".

"How the Federal Procurement Process Works for Getting Federal Grants and Funding for Your Gang Prevention/Intervention Program: NIJ, OJJDP and Others"

"New Technology to Fight the War Against Gang Violence".

"Dealing With Gangs on the Reservation"

"Gang Involvement in Credit Card Fraud"

"Gang Involvement in Identity Theft"

"An Analysis of Native American Gangs" .

"Best Practices for Counseling Gang Crime Victims"

“The Anatomy of a Gang Prosecution: From Crime Scene to Final Appeals and Parole Hearings”

"Advanced Gang Identification About Crips"

"Advanced Gang Identification for Blood Gangs".

"Recent Developments in Hate Groups/White Racist Extremist Gangs".

"How to Investigate Social Media Usage by Gang Members"

"New Laws that We Really Need for Gang Prosecution in the Next Decade"

"How to Monitor the Internet Sites Related to Your Community That May Have Gang Shout Outs and Gang-Related Activity (Recruiting, Gang Message Boards, etc)"

"New Policies/Procedures We Need in Corrections to Deal More Effectively With Gangs/STG in the Next 10 years".

"Things that Work and Don't Work in Dealing With Gang Members in Juvenile Correctional Facilities"

"How to Effectively Use Anonymous Cash Rewards for Solving Cold Case Gang-Related Crimes".

"New Policies/Procedures We Need in K-12 Public Schools to Deal More Effectively With Gangs in the Next 10 Years".

"How to Start a New Faith-Based Gang Prevention/Intervention in Your City".

"How to Increase Respect for the Law Among At-Risk Youths and Gang Members"

"How to Implement a Gang Victim Assistance Program"

"Building Trust in Our Communities: Overcoming the Stop Snitching Gang Distrust Problem"

"How to Increase Ethnic, Racial and Cross-Cultural Tolerance Within a Gang or At-Risk Population"

"Gangs and Organized Crime Involvement in the Sale of Body Parts"

"Gang Involvement in Human Trafficking"

"The Use of Drone Technology in Gang Investigation"

"The Gangs in Haiti"