Quality speaker programs inspire, challenge, equip, and sometimes entertain Rotarians. Great programs go a long way towards engaging members.

 

 

I recently spoke to a club of about 30 members. Following my talk, a Rotarian came to me with a look of panic in his eyes! There was a quiver in his voice.

 

He revealed he had just been asked to Chair his club's speaker committee but had no experience. He had undertaken the task as a courageous act of service.

 

I began by making some speaker recommendations and later sent their contact information. I also connected him with program chairs at other clubs. We began a conversation that helped bring structure, variety, and predictability to his clubs’ program over time.

 

 

The possibilities of speaker topics are endless. The bottom-line questions are: what value will the speaker’s content bring to members? What will they take away from the presentation? In other words, what’s in it for them?

 

 

 

Where do you find great speakers? The answer is, pretty much anywhere. I booked a speaker that I met during a reception following a funeral.

 

First, fill your committee with people connected in a variety of sectors. The important thing is to collect prospective speaker info consistently.

 

Create a prospect folder. You may meet someone today that you may ask to speak at your club a year from now.

 

Government officials and politicians can be frustrating. The day before he was to speak, I received a call from a minister’s office asking to reschedule. He had been unexpectedly called to Ottawa.

 

I reached into my prospect file and called a Communications Officer in the Canadian Coastguard. He came with a day’s notice and provided an excellent program.

 

Speaker Sources

 

 

 

Rotary-based programs should be given top priority. Topics might include;

 

 

You know the amount of work involved if you've served on a speaker committee. As a note to committee chairs, please don’t expect to be given preferential treatment in scheduling because you procrastinated booking a meeting about your program. Due to a lack of planning, the committee should not be asked to cancel speakers booked long in advance.

 

 

Identify dates that are special occasions in your club, community, or country. My club is in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, so I’m using examples from our club.

 

·     Independence Day (Canada Day)

·     Thanksgiving

·     Halloween

·     Canadian Football League Grey Cup

·     Christmas

·     New Years

·     Local Celebrations and Events

·     Valentine's Day

 

Calgary is in the centre of Canada’s ranching industry. It is the home of the world-famous Calgary Stampede.

 

We schedule an annual Stampede meeting that is complete with a country band and a visit from the reigning Stampede Queen and Princesses. We may do line, two-step or sometimes square dancing. We enjoy a Western meal, and we wear our best cowboy and cowgirl outfits. It’s a great time to invite guests.

  

For Halloween, we often book a magician. Members wear appropriate costumes that add to the atmosphere and fun.

 

A former professional football player or coach is booked for the week before the Canadian Football League's Grey Cup game. At Christmas, we often schedule a choir from a school we support that provides a mini-Christmas concert.

 

You must be sensitive to booking a Valentine's Day speaker. You don't want a finger-waving lecture on what real love is.

 

One year, we had a marriage enrichment speaker and, to hedge our bets, a divorce lawyer a few months later. Both programs were excellent. In case you’re asking, the lawyer outdrew the councillor in attendance.  

 

 

So, where do you find great speakers? The answer is, pretty much anywhere. I booked a speaker that I met during a reception at a funeral.

 

Committee members connected within different business or community sectors will pay off in spades. They will soon begin to think about speaker potential.

 

 

 

When you meet a prospect and get an expression of interest in speaking, make sure you exchange contact info. Sometimes it takes a year or more for all the stars to line up.

 

Don't be shy! I have booked high-profile politicians, broadcasters, and business leaders that I communicated with through LinkedIn.

 

I’ve booked professional speakers who charge 5-figure amounts. They are often the easiest to book because they have a high respect for Rotary. The only problem is scheduling.   

 

 

Rotary is about service, so learning about needs in our community or the world is a no-brainer. The problem is that every NFP in the world wants to speak at service clubs for apparent reasons: to increase their profile, advocacy or to raise funds.

 

The question is, “When are too many NFPs too many?” At some point, they begin to sound the same. They follow a similar formula by presenting their cause and appealing for support. Each program becomes predictable.

 

 

Most NFP Executive Directors are excellent presenters who are well-prepared. They have engaging PowerPoints or videos. They all share moving testimonies from their clients whose lives have been dramatically changed. You get the picture.

 

 

In my talk, Building the Rotary Brand, I include a section about the importance of speaker programs. The key is to be balanced in your overall planning.

 

I have often told non-Rotarians that, after 1 to 2 years, we have a pretty good idea of what’s happening in our community, businesses, schools, health care, history, and other topics.

 

But there are some things you can’t plan for. My club hosted Alvin Law, the world-renowned inspirational speaker. When he finished speaking the overflow audience leapt to their feet with a standing ovation.

 

The following week, a single Mom came to thank our club for funding a scholarship that allowed her to finish high school. She wasn’t a polished speaker. But, as she told her story, you could hear sniffling throughout the audience.

 

Both meetings were exceptional. Both meetings touched hearts. Both provided equal value.