29th Annual Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute
for Child Advocacy Ministry
for Child Advocacy Ministry
“Freedom Faith at 50”
July 17–20, 2023
Join Children’s Defense Fund for our 29th Annual Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry. Hosted annually on the sacred grounds of CDF Haley Farm in Clinton, TN, Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute is where faith leaders and activists sing and pray, strategize and struggle, organize and advocate. Proctor is where we share our stories—our hurts and hopes, our pain and passion for justice—in beloved community. This powerful annual event refreshes and renews faith leaders so we can continue the hard, hopeful, sacred work of pursuing justice for children and ending child poverty.
About Our Theme: “Freedom Faith at 50”
This year’s theme, “Freedom Faith at 50,” was chosen to honor CDF’s 50th anniversary, as well as to uplift the memory and ministry of one of the establishing leaders of CDF’s Black Church Initiative: the late Rev. Dr. Prathia Hall.
Early in her life, Rev. Dr. Hall was an organizer with the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). In her last public campaign, Hall was co-chair of the Black Church Initiative of CDF’s Black Community Crusade for Children® and a consultant for CDF charged with facilitating relationships with Black denominations and caucuses.
By celebrating and centering Rev. Dr. Hall’s witness, we hope to edify the critical influence of womanist thought in projects of child well-being and child advocacy, especially in the Black community. “Freedom Faith at 50” also reinforces the necessary theological and spiritual work we must do to sustain our fight for justice, equity, and liberation. Hall proclaimed this in many settings, including Haley Farm, as she implored young people and faith leaders to “fan the fire of freedom’s faith.”
Prophetic Leadership
PROCTOR LEADERS AND SPEAKERS
See DetailsEvent Schedule
PLENARY AND WORKSHOP DETAILS
Registration Details and Pricing
Event registration includes lunch and dinner each day plus all event materials. Event lodging is not included in the cost of registration and must be booked separately. Area hotels offer breakfast on site.
See here for more details on event logistics and lodging options.
Register for 2023 Proctor Institute
“If you want the opportunity and the chance to meet, hear, and see history in the making, come to this Institute. It opens your mind, heart, and soul to issues you didn’t think were important or relevant and drives you to do more and better.”
“Haley is a place to rest and renew your spirit, challenge your faith, establish friendships with kindred spirits, hear great preaching, and then be ready and willing to go home and speak out and stand up for children!”
“Proctor is a loud voice in the wilderness that reminds me that grace abounds. It will inspire you and renew your hope and reassure your spirit of the fact that the world is in the capable hands of our young people.”
“If you care about the plight of children and the future of this country, you must come and learn to be an advocate for the rights of all God’s children!”
2023 Proctor Institute
Schedule of Events
Proctor Institute offers 16 workshop options on Tuesday, July 18 and Wednesday, July 19, 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. Participants can choose two (2) each day to build their organizing skills, deepen their understanding of policy concerns, discover programs and strategies to try back home, and share their perspectives on justice, community, children, and the work to which we are called.
Note: check back for updates! Workshop information will be posted soon.
| Registration Online | |
| 8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m. | Breakfast for Guest Lodging on Farm, CDF Staff and Volunteers |
| 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Pre-Session for Dale P. Andrews Freedom Seminary |
| 12:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. | Participant Check-In |
| 12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m. | Lunch for Early Arrivals |
| 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. | Orientation for CDF Freedom Schools Children and Parents/Caregivers |
| 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. | Guided Walking Tour of CDF Haley Farm |
| 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. | Rehearsal for the Resurrection Choir |
| 5:30 p.m.–6:45 p.m. | Dinner |
| 7:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m. | Welcome and Opening Session |
| 7:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. | Great Preacher Series |
| 6:00 a.m.–8:00 a.m. | Breakfast in Area Hotels |
| 7:00 a.m.–8:00 a.m. | Breakfast for Guest Lodging on Farm, CDF Staff and Volunteers |
| 7:15 a.m.–8:30 a.m. | Meditations for the Journey (optional) |
| 8:45 a.m.–9:25 a.m. | Morning Devotions |
| 9:25 a.m.–10:55 a.m. | Faith and Theology Study Session |
| 10:55 a.m.–11:00 a.m. | Break |
| 11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | Children’s Policy & Power Plenary |
| 12:15 p.m.–12:30 p.m. | Social Action |
| 12:30 p.m.–1:45 p.m. | Lunch |
| 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. | 4 Afternoon Workshops – 90-min workshop, 30 min break/transition |
| 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. | 4 Late Afternoon Workshops – 90-min workshop, 30 min break/transition |
| 6:00 p.m.–7:15 p.m. | Dinner |
| 7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m. | Great Preacher Series |
| 9:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m. | Post-Worship Gathering (optional) |
| 6:00 a.m.–8:00 a.m. | Breakfast in Area Hotels |
| 7:00 a.m.–8:00 a.m. | Breakfast for Guest Lodging on Farm, CDF Staff and Volunteers |
| 7:15 a.m.–8:30 a.m. | Meditations for the Journey (optional) |
| 8:45 a.m. – 9:25 a.m. | Morning Devotions |
| 9:25 a.m.–10:55 a.m. | Faith and Theology Study Session |
| 10:55 a.m.–11:00 a.m. | Break |
| 11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | Children’s Policy & Power Plenary |
| 12:15 p.m.–12:30 p.m. | Social Action |
| 12:30 p.m.–1:45 p.m. | Lunch |
| 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. | 4 Afternoon Workshops – 90-min workshop, 30 min break/transition |
| 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. | 4 Late Afternoon Workshops – 90-min workshop, 30 min break/transition |
| 6:00 p.m.–7:15 p.m. | Dinner |
| 7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m. | Great Preacher Series |
| 9:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m. | Post-Worship Gathering (optional) |
| 6:00 a.m.–8:00 a.m. | Breakfast in Area Hotels |
| 7:00 a.m.–8:00 a.m. | Breakfast for Guest Lodging on Farm, CDF Staff and Volunteers |
| 8:45 a.m.–10:00 a.m. | Children’s Policy & Power Plenary |
| 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Closing Charge and Celebration and CDF Freedom Schools Children’s Presentation |
| 12:00 p.m. | Box Lunch |
| 12:30 p.m.–2:00 p.m. | Dale P. Andrews Freedom Seminary Post-Event Session |
The CDF Freedom Schools® Program at Proctor
Proctor Institute provides children ages five through 15 a formative and enriching experience through an abbreviated CDF Freedom Schools® program right on site! Pre-register your child for Proctor’s CDF Freedom Schools program at the link below. Click here to download the Proctor CDF Freedom Schools Program Guide.
Note: Children must pre-register by June 9, 2023, in order to participate in Proctor’s CDF Freedom Schools program. No exceptions. There will be no on-site registration. Proctor Institute does not offer childcare for children under the age of 5.
Dale P. Andrews Freedom Seminary
Proctor Institute invites graduate students who attend DAFS-affiliated seminaries and divinity schools the opportunity to participate for course credit in our Dale P. Andrews Freedom Seminary (DAFS). Those who are interested in registering for the credit-bearing graduate course must sign up through their seminary or university (to pay for and receive credit hours) as well as register for CDF’s Proctor Institute, which includes the DAFS sessions.
DAFS sessions will take place Monday, July 17, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. DAFS seminarians will then join in CDF’s Proctor Institute main sessions for the remainder of the week.
Event Logistics
Proctor Institute begins on Monday, July 17, 2023. The following information will help you plan your arrival time accordingly:
- The Pre-Session for Seminarians who have enrolled for graduate credit in the Dale P. Andrews Freedom Seminary is on Monday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Pre-Sessions for CDF cohort convenings will begin at on Monday at 9:00 a.m.
- Check-in and packet pick-up opens at 12:00 p.m. on Monday and continues until 7 p.m.
- Monday’s lunch will be available from 12:30 p.m.–2:00 p.m. for those who registered online.
- Family Orientation for CDF Freedom Schools scholars and accompanying adults begins at 2:00 p.m. Please see the Proctor CDF Freedom Schools program guide for more detailed information.
- Choir rehearsal for any interested singers begins on Monday at 4:00 p.m.
- Dinner is at 5:30 p.m.
- The formal start of the Proctor Institute is at 7:00 p.m. with a welcome address followed by the opening of the Great Preachers Series.
The last day of Proctor Institute is Thursday, July 20, 2023. Proctor Institute will end by 12:00 p.m.
We recommend you allow at least two hours between your CDF Haley Farm departure and your flight’s departure time. This will provide ample time for your shuttle ride to arrive at the airport and for you to check-in for your flight. We encourage you to schedule a flight that departs after 2:00 p.m. which will allow you to remain through the conclusion of the Proctor Institute at 12:00 p.m. You don’t want to miss this special culmination of the week!
CDF Haley Farm is located in Clinton, TN, approximately 30 miles north of Knoxville, TN.
If you will be flying, you should book your flight to McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, TN. CDF provides round-trip airport shuttle service for the 40-minute ride from McGhee Tyson Airport to CDF Haley Farm and nearby hotels for a fee of $90. Shuttle service can be purchased during registration.
If you will be driving, please enter 1000 Alex Haley Ln, Clinton, TN 37716 into your GPS app. There is ample free parking at CDF Haley Farm. The parking lot is a short walk from the rest of CDF Haley Farm.
Proctor attendees are responsible for booking their own hotel accommodations for the event. Lodging is not included in the event registration cost. The available hotels in Clinton, TN, are listed below. Please call the hotel directly and indicate that you are a Proctor Institute participant. Special rates are available for reservations confirmed by June 20, 2023.
A free shuttle will transport participants between these hotels and CDF Haley Farm. Each is within a mile of the Farm:
- Fairfield Inn and Suites: (865) 269-3254
- Hampton Inn: (865) 691-8070
- Holiday Inn Express: (865) 457-2233
- Super 8: (865) 264-9995
- Baymont Inn & Suites: (865) 269-8144
- Quality Inn: (865) 457-2255
If the hotels are all full by the time you call to make your reservation, please contact us at cdfhaley@childrensdefense.org or (865) 457-6466 to discuss other lodging options.
Weather in Tennessee in July is typically hot. The various buildings and other locations on the grounds of CDF Haley Farm are reached by walking gravel paths. Golf cart assistance is available for those with mobility needs. You are encouraged to pack casual, comfortable clothing for the weather, as well as a reusable water bottle, sunglasses, hat, and any other items to maximize your comfort in the heat, and comfortable shoes for walking the grounds.
For attendees in need of assistance while on site: to arrange golf cart assistance while on the Farm, parking for those with disabilities, or other accommodations for those who need extra assistance, please email cdfhaley@childrensdefense.org or call (865) 457-6466 in advance. Please also describe any mobility accommodations we can offer when you complete your event registration form.
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required to attend the 2023 Proctor Institute. Children’s Defense Fund reserves the right to cancel—without a refund—the registration of any attendee who cannot or refuses to provide proof of vaccination when they arrive at CDF Alex Haley Farm.
Proctor Institute Scholarship Opportunities
The Proctor Seminarian Scholarship supports future leadership in the children’s movement. Seminarians are encouraged to join us at Proctor Institute as we engage with and enjoy fellowship around a theology of child well-being. This year, Children’s Defense Fund will financially support seminarians (enrolled in an accredited graduate degree program) to attend the 2023 Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute by covering the cost of registration and hotel. Applications are due by May 1, 2023. Awardees will be contacted by May 15, 2023. If you have questions about this scholarship opportunity or experience technical difficulties while applying, please contact us at faith-based@childrensdefense.org.