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"it is the province of knowledge to speak and it is the privilege of wisdom to listen."

-- Oliver Wendell Holmes

developing a speakers bureau

The spoken word remains as powerful as ever. A passionate and compelling speaker provides an unmatched experience and remains the fundamental source of fresh ideas, inspiration and example.

Your organization's people know best what its work, mission, accomplishments and valued attributes are. Develop a speakers bureau to share this expertise. Members of your agency's speakers bureau can engage community organizations and schools with knowledge about public sector employment. According to Zach Patton, writing about the emerging generation in the September, 2007 issue of Governing magazine, students view government as a bureaucracy and do not often think of government as a place to launch a career. Speakers from your agency can change this perception.

Why Develop a Speakers Bureau?

Recruiting the emerging generation tomorrow depends on how you influence them today. The Council for Excellence in Government reported that in 2004, 27% of people aged 17-24 years old said that someone had asked them to consider government service. In 2002, 38% of this same group indicated that someone had talked to them about working in government — an 11-point decline in two years. A speakers bureau enables your agency to make a personal connection with the community it serves. High schools have career centers and career days. Middle school teachers trying to promote passion about science or writing (pick a subject), welcome speakers who can address the importance of a particular body of knowledge or skill set in the work they do. Whether speaking to a business or civic group or a school, information your agency's speakers provide can encourage NC State government service as a career choice.

Speakers can:

  • give listeners the opportunity to hear first-hand information about a day in the work life of the speaker — or about the agency's jobs, careers and accomplishments.
  • encourage questions. Interactive communication enables listeners to find out about actual experiences.
  • communicate the agency's Employee Value Proposition.

Listeners will learn:

  • how skills and education apply to careers.
  • about good things going on at your agency — development opportunities, work life balance, public service or green initiatives.

How Can My Agency or University Start a Speakers Bureau?

Become a coordinator for a speakers bureau at your agency. Ask for volunteers or nominations of high-performing, articulate employees who are willing to speak in the community. Compile a list of community organizations and schools in your area. Send out an announcement or letter. Add a promotional item to your webpage. Have speaker debriefings to capture insights and impressions. Facilitate regular meetings to give speakers a chance to share their experiences.

To ensure consistency and integrity, provide your speakers with clear, concise guidelines. These can include the following:

  • Do not accept payment for speaking.
  • Adhere to rules and regulations of the host school or organization.
  • Agree to review the speaking or distribution materials with their supervisors, the school administrators and/or organizations.

Provide guidelines to your host organization. Set limits for time, handouts, audience size and topics. Clearly describe what media (laptop, projectors, etc.) your organization will provide, and what you expect the host organization to provide.