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Objective
A guest speaker who is knowledgeable about the field of Zero Waste
can lend legitimacy to the subject that is hard to convey in print
ads and other media. A guest speaker who can speak of his/her experience
with Zero Waste within a business or in another community shows the
public and local legislators that Zero Waste is possible-maybe even
the necessary next step for any responsible community. |
IMPORTANT
NOTE: The Public Forum/Panel Discussion was organized by EcoCycle
as part of an evening that included a pre-event warm-up reception,
a showing of the Zero Waste Video, a Guest
Speaker, a Public Forum/Panel Discussion,
a Zero Waste Idea Contest (pdf)
and a post-event dessert reception . The
Guest Speaker's place in the larger event is in bold in the following
schedule of EcoCycle's event. Remember, offering food and drink-before
AND after your event if possible- is key to a well-attended event!
Schedule
for Eco-Cycle event
(This event was held on a Friday night-the evening before Earth Day 2000-at
the Boulder Public Library auditorium.)
|
6:30
pm
|
Doors
open (warm-up reception with food and drink); opportunity for guests
to enter Zero Waste contest-this was available in lobby throughout
event |
|
6:55
pm
|
Guests
are reminded that Zero Waste video will start in five minutes |
|
7:00
pm
|
Welcome
and introduction of event and video; overview of evening |
|
7:05
pm
|
Showing
of Zero Waste Video |
|
7:35
pm
|
Introduction
of Guest Speaker Gary Liss |
|
7:40
pm
|
Presentation
by Gary Liss |
|
8:10
pm
|
Introduction
of Panel members and the Public Forum/Panel Discussion (Panelists
were introduced and then each one was given 5 minutes to speak; this
was followed by about 20 minutes of Q and A from the audience); reminder
to guests to stick around for dessert following the Q and A |
|
8:40
pm
|
Dessert
Reception; opportunity for guests to enter Zero Waste contest |
How To Do It
Step 1 (As far in advance as possible!): Brainstorm list of candidates
for guest speaker-consider knowledge, presentation ability, enthusiasm
for subject, capacity to interpret the subject to a diverse audience.
Narrow your prospects down to a short list. Check out the "Additional
Resources" section on the Kit home page for prospects.
Step 2 (As far in advance as possible!): Call your prospects and
ask if they are available to speak on the intended date of your event.
Consider how flexible you are with regard to the date-if a great speaker
is available only on a particular date, it may be advisable to set the
date around that speaker's schedule. Once your speaker is confirmed, ask
if they have any special needs with regard to lodging or food. Make sure
to accommodate these in your arrangements.
Step 3 (2-3 months in advance): Make the lodging, food, travel
(both to your community and while in your community) and other arrangements
needed for your speaker. Confirm your guest's willingness to be interviewed
during the course of the event. Is a packed schedule okay? If the travel
involves a plane or bus ticket, make sure the guest knows where to pick
that up, whether it will be mailed, etc. If a stipend will be offered,
negotiate that. One of the advantages of starting early on the planning
is that you may be able to find reduced airfares.
Step 4 (4 weeks in advance): Contact all radio and TV stations
and newspapers that you want to have interview your guest. Send a tentative
schedule of these interviews to your guest for his/her approval.
Step 5 (2 weeks in advance): Check in again with your guest. Explain
the arrangements again and ask if the guest has any questions or concerns.
Confirm travel/reception plans with your guest.
Step 6 (2 days in advance): Contact guest again to confirm travel
schedule and pick-up arrangements.
Step 7 (Day of guest's arrival): Be on (ahead of!) time to pick
up your guest. When he/she departs provide him/her with an appropriate
thank-you and (if relevant) the stipend.
Step 8 (Within one week post-event): Be sure to send a follow-up
thank-you card and invite your guest to offer feedback on the event.
Tips
- Allow lots of time to "sell"
reporters on the idea of interviewing your guest speaker
- As a guest speaker you
may want to consider business leaders in your community who have done
a great deal to reduce waste.
- Consider speakers with
whom you have a personal relationship first-they may be more likely
to support your event
- Allow your guest some "free"
time when in town. No one wants to be totally booked the whole time
- Double-check basic matters
like plane tickets, lodging, transportation.
- Have a contingency plan
in place in the event that at the last minute your guest cannot come
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| Co-producers
of the Zero Waste Activity Kit |
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