What is a Speakers Bureau?

A Speakers Bureau refers to a pool of “top drawer”, accomplished, enthusiastic presenters who speak on various subjects outside the Toastmaster circle. The benefits are three fold:

• The members benefit since they are exposed to a variety of speaking experiences
• The community benefits from the good supply of speakers delivering speeches on worthwhile causes
• The Club, the Area, the Division and the District benefit by promoting the name “Toastmasters”, which will automatically be identified with effective communication.

How does the District plan to promote the Speakers Bureau?

The District plans to promote the Speakers Bureau through Advanced clubs.  Advanced clubs would hone the skills of the members who want to be “top drawer” speakers and prime them to gain entry into the Speakers Bureau to offer their services to the Community.

Do Advanced Clubs have guidelines towards grooming members of the Bureau?

Yes.  Many Advanced clubs are advanced in name only.  Towards making the program effective, District 79 recommends that advanced clubs follow certain guidelines.  Members have to be at least a CC/CL, be dual members for transference of learning, clubs to follow a unique educational program which has challenging speeches and evaluations, special emphasis  to improving specific skills, groom and mentor members and member clubs and develop a unique crop of sought after speakers.

Does this mean that the Speakers Bureau and the Advanced club operate as one unit?

No.  Advanced clubs will be separate from the Speakers Bureau, maintain separate accounts, have different committees.  Advanced clubs will have their own set of Club officers while each Division will have a Speaker’s Bureau Chairman.

What are the responsibilities of a Speaker’s Bureau Chairman?

It is important to entrust one individual with the overall responsibility of the whole Bureau.   The Bureau Chairman along with his team will coordinate the activities of the Bureau, publicize the activities of the bureau, establish standards of participation which includes selecting the core panel to pick speakers, arrange speaking engagements and maintain member progress records.

What are the criteria fixed by District 79 for entry into the Speakers Bureau?

When we speak outside the Toastmasters forum we reflect the success and strength of the Toastmasters program.  So, to ensure perfection and finesse in our activities we have to follow certain criteria.   Towards this:

• A member has to be at least a CC/CL and an active member of the Advanced club where he/she can hone their presentation skills.
• A member has to present a test speech to the core panel for entry into the bureau.
• A member has to do speeches outside, free of cost.

Once you become a member, are there any specific rules to follow during/at a speaking engagement?

A member of the Speakers Bureau has to follow certain rules and etiquette with regard to speaking engagements.

• The Member cannot accept any monetary compensation. However, acknowledgements like gifts, dinner, travel allowances and small honorariums are permitted.
• Any money must be sent to the Chairman of the Speakers Bureau in the respective Divisions, to be placed in the Club Treasury.
• Speakers have to introduce the Toastmasters movement and the benefits of the program at the speaking engagement.
• Speakers must provide updated Contact details and respond in a timely manner when contacted by organizations
• They must report back to the bureau after each speaking engagement
• They must provide the organization with an evaluation form to be sent back to the bureau  

What other benefits does it offer the member?

The members gets exposure not only to present keynote speeches but also to excel as session leaders or facilitators, try their hand at life coaching, present humorous speeches , serve as Parade announcers, Contest Judges and Master of Ceremonies.  A member can also get manual credit and further their Communication track if an Evaluator is present. 

To top it, the Speakers Bureau grooms Accredited Speakers. (Please refer to the LGET’s bulletin on the Accredited Speaker Program) 

Forms/Material required to get you started

• Application form for potential members
• Score sheet to vote in members
• Flyers to publicize the Bureau
• Feedback forms for Corporates / Institutions etc
• Contacts of Corporates / Institutions whom the Bureau could approach
• A web-site

Step 1: Announce the Speakers Bureau in your Division

After the formation of the Bureau in your Division, send out applications to the Division inviting potential members, giving the criteria for membership.

A member has to be at least a CC/CL and an active member of the Advanced club where he/she can hone their presentation skills.

A member has to present a test speech to the core panel for entry into the bureau.

A member should be willing to give speeches, free of cost.

If the Division does not have an Advanced club, please enlist help from your Division Governor to charter one.

Step 2: Selection of the Core Panel to vote Members into the Bureau

The Speakers Bureau Chair for each Division will select 6-7 toastmasters who have had exposure in speaking outside the Toastmaster’s forum. These toastmasters will listen to the test speech presented by the potential member and judge the speech based on the score sheet provided. Once the applicant is voted in, he/she becomes a Member of the bureau.

The above procedure is also applicable to the Core panel and the Speakers Bureau Chair, if they want to become a Member.

Step 3: Selection of Support Team

It is important that you enlist help from your Division to form a support team.

Suggestions: An Assistant chair or a Coordinator, A web-master, A Treasurer (all accounts related to the Bureau shall be separate). The Chair can align and allocate roles and responsibilities as he/she sees fit.

Step 4: Getting ready to launch

Once you have voted in the Members (need at least 6 for effectiveness), it is time to create a web-site and advertise your services. List speakers on the web-site along with their chosen topics.

Distribute pamphlets in the clubs under your Division listing the speakers and a brief summary of their speeches. Send pamphlets to local groups that use outside speakers; corporates, civic organizations, Chamber of Commerce etc . Follow up with a call and help with the booking.

Publicize in the media.

Step 5: Assign Speaking Slots and log Speaker progress

See attachment titled “TMI—Speaker’s Bureau Brochure” for more details. Please note that in our District the criterion for entry is set at CC/CTM with a membership in the Advanced club.

Provide Feedback forms to the requesting organization for rating the member progress.

Members of the Speakers Bureau can further their Toastmaster’s career by registering for the Accredited Speakers (AS) Program. The Speakers Bureau complements the AS program.

Alternately, the Division Governor can refer members interested in the AS program to the Speakers Bureau Chairman, who will be able to assist them in securing speaking assignments. Though it is not mandatory for a potential AS to be part of the Speakers Bureau, membership in the Bureau will ensure support from the entire Division to reach his/her goal.

Division A (Saudi Arabia)

Ron Jacobe Ron J, ATMG, CL