+ Python fundamentals

+ Useful libraries and tools

+ Testing in Python

+ Deploying, operating, or scaling Python

+ Organization and communication skills for software development

+ What Python can learn from other communities

+ Accessibility in Python (and other) software

+ Unexpected places Python gets used (Embedded systems! Health science!)

+ ... and anything else we might not have thought of!

## Resources<a name="resources"></a>

This [public speaking](https://github.com/vmbrasseur/Public_Speaking) repository, maintained by [VM Brasseur](https://twitter.com/vmbrasseur), has many useful resources to help you prepare a proposal and polish your talk.

### Office Hours and Mentorship<a name="mentorship"></a>

First time speakers are welcomed and we want to help! We offer mentorship, feedback, and host live drop-in workshops online. Above all we want you to be successful and have a good time telling other attendees about your ideas!

You can [contact the program committee](mailto:program@northbaypython.org) via email or drop by [#nbpy on the Freenode IRC network](https://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=%23nbpy) anytime to connect with a mentor and get help.

Our office hours will be held twice every week **Wednesday at 7pm** and **Friday at 3pm** Pacific Time starting July 11 and finishing August 10. We'll be holding them on IRC, a chat protocol, in the #nbpy channel on the Freenode network. New to IRC? You can use [this web client](https://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=%23nbpy) to connect.

We're happy to help with any of the following:

+ Exploring and brainstorming your interests to help you identify hidden things that would make great talks

+ Connecting you with experienced speakers to help build your proposal and talk

+ Reviewing your outline, slide deck, or presenter notes

+ Connecting you with rehearsal audiences or even just watching you present over a video conference as practice

+ Anything else that'd help you be at ease and excited about bringing your ideas to our audience!

## Submitting<a name="submitting"></a>

To help us evaluate proposals and build our program, we would like as much detail as you can provide on your talk. At a minimum this should include:

+ A brief description (~400 characters) suitable for inclusion in a schedule page

+ A brief prose abstract (intended as the content for a talk detail page on the program site)

+ Optionally, a rough outline of the structure including estimated timings for each section of your talk

If you've given the talk before, links to video or slides would be excellent. If you've blogged about this topic links to your posts would be useful, too.

Your speaker profile includes a space for you to describe your prior experience giving talks—this is your chance to talk yourself up and explain how you're qualified to share your ideas, so take advantage of it!

<div class="btn-group">

  <a class="btn btn-lg btn-primary" href="/dashboard">Submit a Proposal</a>

</div>

## How to Write Your Proposal<a name="how-to-write-your-proposal"></a>

If you want to speak, here's a very rough process of what you should do next:

+ Brainstorm or [mind map](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_map) to expand upon your ideas or knowledge in search of a general topic

+ Write a paragraph or two, or some bullet points, to outline the core concepts you want to communicate and what people might learn from your talk

+ Get someone you trust to read your notes and tell you what they think they'd learn

+ Attend our office hours to get help building up your submission

+ Submit your proposal

+ Practice!