CWRT SPEAKER CARE SURVEY ANALYSIS

Every CWRT is different from one another. However, most utilize speakers to bring the American Civil War forward to their members in a formal setting. Speaker care is a crucial aspect of CWRT life. If there is a disconnect between speakers and CWRT leadership, problems can arise. This survey was intended to discover some of the finer aspects of the care and feeding of CWRT speakers.

• Provide your speakers with a primary and alternative contacts. Many things can occur between the last conversation with the speaker and the CWRT meeting. Make sure your bases are covered.

• Provide your speakers and your CWRT members with the most up-to-date AV equipment your CWRT can afford. This includes speakers and a competent microphone for those with less than perfect hearing.

• Identify and/or cultivate AV equipment support members of your CWRT. It will be through them that your speaker’s success may be measured.

• Be sure to take the time to introduce your speakers to your members and visitors prior to the formal introduction and presentation. It shows a concern for both the speaker and his audience, can result in better book sales and makes everyone excited to hear their new-found friend make his/her points about the subject they all love.

• Develop a program committee or employ the Board of Directors to steer the development of seasonal programs. Do not place this burden on one individual no matter how much he/she protests that it is unnecessary. (It’s imperative that the whole board understands the speaker acquisition process.)

• Provide all the relevant information about each speaker engagement to the Program Committee or Board. This will include, but not be limited to where they are staying, expected time of arrival, special needs, etc. This is a CWRT operation, not one about an individual.