Between each term, NAVEL puts out an open call for ASSEMBLIES proposals, which is promoted through our website, email and social media, as well as relevant listservs. Scroll down below to browse through current and past open calls.

Applicants submit their ideas through an online form and present their proposal to the community during a Pitch Meeting.

All ASSEMBLIES organizers are expected to read and agree to our organizer expectations and responsibilities.

All are welcome to apply regardless of background, experience, ability or expertise. QTBIPOC and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. There are no disqualifying factors or topics. However, we do not support groups promoting violence, racism, xenophobia, anti-semitism, misogyny, misandry, patriarchy, ableism, racism, classism, ageism, sexism, homophobia or transphobia.

Pitch Meeting

During the Pitch Meeting, people who submitted ASSEMBLIES proposals present their group ideas to the community. This is an opportunity to get future participants excited about the groups, and also, to think more deeply about its purpose and format.

All presentations are recorded, uploaded online privately and shared with community members who are invited to vote for their favorites.

Presentation Guidelines for Proposing an ASSEMBLY

At the Pitch Meeting, applicants have 3 minutes to present their ASSEMBLIES proposal.

Please be sure to include the following in your presentation:

• Who are you? You Name, preferred pronouns, a very brief overview of your background, practice and skills which may or may not relate to your proposal.
• What topic, practice or project are you interested in pursuing as a group?
• Why is it important to you and in general? Does it have a goal or desirable outcome?
• What methodology or format are you suggesting? E.g. Is it a reading/discussion group? Will you be developing a specific project?
• How frequently do you want to gather? For how long? (ASSEMBLIES generally bi-weekly meet for 1.5-2 hours, totaling 6-7 meetings.)
• Your contact information (so people can get in touch with you if they have more questions)

Can you make your presentation into a song? Can you lead everyone in an activity? Can you read a group manifesto? Can you make a video? Yes, yes, yes and yes, as long as you feel like it is a clear, persuasive description of your proposal, and you do it under 3 minutes!

If you will be preparing slides (this is not required), we ask you to use google slides (with no more than 5 slides). There will be a way to add them to a shared deck before the presentations.

Get in touch with the ASSEMBLIES coordinator amanda@navel.la if you have any questions or concerns.

Community Vote

Each quarter, NAVEL determines the number of groups we have the capacity to support and promote. If more groups than NAVEL can accommodate are proposed, the final ASSEMBLIES for the quarter are selected through a vote. In this case, the information about the proposed ASSEMBLIES’ and their presentations are shared with the NAVEL community (NAVEL staff, board, residents, members, former ASSEMBLIES organizers and current applicants), who are invited to vote.