Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions that relate to the WFA's Girls of Promise Conferences.
Q: How do I nominate a girl to attend a Girls of Promise conference?
A: You "nominate" a girl to the program by telling her about Girls of Promise and helping her get registered.
Q: How does a girl sign up to attend a Girls of Promise conference?
A: Each girl must be registered online by a responsible adult. Girls may NOT register themselves.
Q: How does the Girls of Promise registration process work?
A: Here is a step-by-step guide to registering girls for a conference:
- Chaperones print a Permission Form (PDF document) for each girl (up to 7). Print your name and cell phone number on each form. Give forms to girls & set a deadline for girls to return completed permission forms.
- Provide girls with a deadline to obtain a Letter of Recommendation and have it submitted to you.
- Complete the online registration form on the Register a Girl page.
- Receive a confirmation e-mail with handy information about the conference including what to wear, bring, & expect. (You can also find this information below.) Remind each girl about the conference, appropriate dress and any travel details the week of the conference.
- Arrive to the conference at 8:15 AM on the specified day. Turn in the Permission Form for each girl present and enjoy the day!
Q: Who can register a girl to attend a Girls of Promise Conference?
A: Any responsible adult who has permission from the girl's parents/guardians and agrees to serve as a chaperone may register girls.
Q: What is a "chaperone"?
A: A chaperone is a responsible adult who:
- has reliable e-mail access;
- serves as the intermediary between girls and Girls of Promise staff/volunteers;
- submits each girl's Letter of Recommendation;
- submits each girl's Permission Form;
- attends the conference;
- updates the WFA staff if a girl she/he registered is not able to attend.
Q: What is a Letter of Recommendation?
A: A Letter of Recommendation is solicited by each GIRL from a TEACHER, COUNSELOR OR PRINCIPAL. Letters of Recommendation should explain how each girl is - or has the potential to be - a Girl of Promise. Each letter should be at least one (1) paragraph long and focus on the unique character of the girl it is about.
Suggested questions to consider when writing a Letter of Recommendation include:
- Who are you recommending?
- What is your relationship to her? Are you her teacher, counselor or principal?
- What ESTEM fields is she interested in?
- What ESTEM fields does she shows promise in?
- How will she benefit from learning about ESTEM career fields?
- How will she benefit from meeting women role-models in ESTEM fields?
- How will she benefit from learning how ESTEM fields are used in almost every career?
- How could she benefit from a greater understanding of her own potential and power?
- Why is it important for her to be encouraged to pursue academic excellence in high school and college?
- How will it benefit her to meet other girls interested in/with potential in ESTEM fields?
- How will it benefit her to be told that it's okay to be a bright, motivated girl with big dreams?
- How will visiting a college/university campus while still in 8th grade benefit her?
- How will spending a day with a female college student who is studying an ESTEM field benefit her?
- How will it benefit her to be guided to research more on her own about the women, careers and topics that are presented at Girls of Promise?
- How will becoming an alumna of Girls of Promise, networking with young women who went through the same things she is going through now, receiving special opportunities to participate in essay contests, and invited to a half-day conference in 10th grade that focuses on best practices of apply to college benefit her?
Q: Who submits each Letter of Recommendation?
A: After girls have collected their Letters of Recommendation, chaperones submit the letters for each girl. Letters of Recommendation can be submitted through the registration sheet or via e-mail to the address that confirmed the registration.
Q: How many girls can one (1) chaperone bring?
A: One (1) chaperone may be responsible for up to seven (7) girls.
Q: Can schools bring more than seven (7) girls?
A: Yes! The maximum number of girls registered from each school is determined by the size of the conference. Contact us to learn what the maximum number is for the conference you are interested in attending.
Q: When is the best time to register the girls I will chaperone?
A: The best time to register the girls you are chaperoning is when you have received their permission forms. This ensures that each girl has already discussed the conference with her parents/guardians and has committed to attend.
Q: Can I register a girl the day of the conference?
A: No. Registration must be completed before the conference.
Q: What time should I arrive with the girls I am bringing?
A: Girls of Promise conference check-in opens at 8:15 and closes at 9:00 AM. During that time, girls complete survey information, meet their team leaders and other team members, learn about their team heroines, and participate in team building activities. Please be respectful of the volunteers organizing the conference and do not arrive before 8:15 AM.
Q: What time does the conference end?
A: Girls of Promise conferences dismiss at 3:30 PM.
Q: Since the conference lasts all day, is food provided?
A: Yes. Lunch and a light snack are provided.
Q: What happens if a girl does not arrive with a completed Permission Form?
A: Girls of Promise check-in volunteers have blank Permission Forms on hand for the rare occasions when a girl arrives without one. However, no girl will be admitted until her legal guardian completes one.
Q: Do the girls I bring go through the day's schedule together?
A: No, each girl and chaperone will receive a team assignment for the day built around women in history who have achieved greatness in the ESTEM fields. Girls are to stay with their teams throughout the day. We use this method to foster team building and leadership skills as well as expose girls to even more career possibilities.
Q: What does "ESTEM" stand for?
A: ESTEM stands for Economics, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Q: What does it cost for a girl to attend a Girls of Promise conference?
A: It's free! Girls of Promise conferences are paid for through sponsorships and donations. This allows the WFA to provide these conferences free to each participant.
Q: What is the dress code for Girls of Promise Conferences?
A: Girls of Promise speakers are asked to demonstrate a "business casual" dress code for their career. It is advisable for girls to wear a nice top, jeans and comfortable shoes. All participants will receive a Girls of Promise t-shirt upon check-in. Girls are not required to wear them, but most usually do. Dresses and high-heels are not advised.
Q: What do we need to bring to the Girls of Promise conference?
A: Bring yourselves, a timepiece, students' permission forms, and an umbrella/poncho (in case of rain). Those with asthma and/or severe allergies are advised to bring appropriate over the counter or prescribed medicines.
Q: What is the rule on cell phones at Girls of Promise conferences?
A: Girls are allowed to have cell phones on their person, but cell phones should not be in girls' hands except in case of emergency.
Q: What do girls get for attending a Girls of Promise conference?
A: Besides wisdom, personal growth, new mentors and new friends, each girl also receives a light breakfast, lunch, a T-shirt and a goodie bag. A certificate of completion will be mailed to each girl's school shortly after the conference.
Q: Are there any special opportunities for girls once they have attended a Girls of Promise conference?
A: After attending a conference, each girl joins the ranks of WFA's Girls of Promise Alumnae! Girls of Promise Alumnae receive special opportunities including admission to a Girls of Promise Alumnae Track when in 10th grade. These opportunities will be announced in WFA's e-Newsletter, on the Girls of Promise Alumnae page, and the Girls of Promise Facebook page.
Q: Where are Girls of Promise Alumnae Tracks hosted and who can attend them?
A: Girls of Promise Alumnae Tracks are hosted during the morning half of Girls of Promise conferences at Campus Partners that have hosted at least 2 conferences in the past. Girls of Promise Alumnae who are currently in 10th grade may attend.
Q: How does a Girls of Promise Alumna register for an Alumnae Track?
A: Alumnae can register by having their legal guardians complete the Alumnae Track Permission Form and mailing or faxing in to the WFA office.
Q: How do girls know what to expect at Girls of Promise conferences
A: One of the roles of a Chaperone is to provide necessary information to girls about the conference. However, girls can also keep themselves informed by "Liking" Girls of Promise on Facebook - where WFA shares information about upcoming conferences, highlights speakers, and shares information about other great opportunities.
Q: How do Girls of Promise Alumnae learn about alumnae opportunities?
A: Girls of Promise Alumnae opportunities are announced in WFA's e-Newsletter, on the Girls of Promise Alumnae page, and the Girls of Promise Facebook page. When in their 10th grade girl, alumnae will each receive a personal phone call inviting them to participate in a Girls of Promise Alumnae Track.
Q: Who runs Girls of Promise?
A: The Women's Foundation of Arkansas organizes Girls of Promise conferences with Campus Partners and Local Committees. Each conference is staffed by a WFA representative, members of the Local Committee, and volunteers.
Q: How do I get someone to talk about Girls of Promise to my group of girls?
A: Send an e-mail to the WFA with a subject line "Talk to my girls about Girls of Promise!" and a staff member will contact you. Please make sure you include the following information:
- Your name
- Your school or group
- Your city
- Number of girls at presentation/assembly
- Preferred day and time of presentation/assembly
- Your e-mail address
- Your phone number
- How you heard about Girls of Promise
If you have a question that wasn't answered here? Send an e-mail to the WFA with a subject line "GoP Question - Not found in FAQ". A staff member will reply to your question and add it to the FAQs to help out others!
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