If you’re moderating an Affinity Group at Slate Summit, use this guide to learn about deadlines, responsibilities, and best practices for a smooth and successful session.
Getting in touch
You will be assigned a Technolutions facilitator to help you manage deadlines, answer questions, and serve as your on-site contact. If you have any questions leading up to Summit, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your facilitator.
You will also be added to a Summit Affinity Group Moderators space in the Slate Community where you can ask questions and interact with your fellow moderators.
The Summit app will become available in the weeks leading up to Summit. This will be publicized via email/social media/Slatest News once it is live.
Content submission deadlines
You are responsible for sticking to the following deadlines in the lead-up to Summit:
Friday, March 27
The following items are due:
Moderator job titles: Submit your official job title to your Technolutions facilitator.
This information will be displayed on the Schedule of Events and within the Summit app.
Friday, May 29
The following items are due:
Introductory call: You must participate in an introductory call with your session facilitator.
Table tent topics: If you plan to use table tents to help guide discussion topics, submit your templates via the Table Tent Collection Form. The form and standard template will be made available in the Summit Affinity Group Moderators space in the Slate Community.
Before Summit
Connect with your co-moderator(s) (if applicable) and prepare 5-10 talking points, topics or questions to guide the discussion. Discussions do not need to incorporate Slate and can focus on broader Higher Ed topics.
Consider different discussion formats, such as:
Full-group conversation
Small-group discussions by table, with summaries shared
Themed table discussions with pre-assigned topics
Rotating discussions where attendees switch seats between topics
If you would like to use table tents to help guide discussion topics, please submit your templates using the Table Tent Collection Form by May 29. The form and standard template will be made available in the Summit Affinity Group Moderators space in the Slate Community. If you request table tents, there will be a designated pickup time on the Tuesday before Summit. If you are not arriving until after that time, you may pick your table tents up from the Spirit Shop during Summit. Additional details will be shared via email.
As part of the Affinity Group moderator application process, applicants had the opportunity to submit discussion topics or questions for sessions of interest. If any were submitted for your session, they will be shared with you by your facilitator as additional topics to consider.
What to expect during your session
Affinity Group sessions are designed to create space for meaningful conversations among attendees who share similar roles, interests, or institutional characteristics. These sessions are interactive and centered on shared learning rather than formal presentations.
As a moderator, your role is to guide the discussion and help create an engaging and productive experience for all participants. Encourage participation, but allow the conversation to develop naturally. If needed, use your prepared questions to help keep the discussion flowing.
Affinity Groups run concurrently with regular Summit sessions and are 50 minutes in length. Each session will have at least one moderator, with larger sessions supported by two or more.
As these sessions are discussion-based and attendee-driven, no AV technology will be available.
Arrive at the session room at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start time to check in with your facilitator. Your Technolutions facilitator will introduce you at the start of the session.
Be mindful of timing throughout the discussion to ensure a balanced conversation and a smooth wrap-up.
⭐ Don’t forget to redeem your thank-you gift from the Spirit Shop before Summit ends!
Thank you!
Your contribution is essential to the success of Slate Summit. We appreciate the time and effort you put into creating a space for connection, learning, and collaboration.