Speaker Certification Guidelines

Although anyone may become a member of the Billy DeFrank Speakers, only those who have been certified by the training committee are eligible to participate as speaking members. They must attend an initial training and demonstrate the ability to create a “safe learning environment” in a classroom. Billy DeFrank Speakers will only certify a new speaker when he or she has demonstrated the ability to ...

1.    Be supportive and non-confrontational

2.    Validate the students questions and avoid game-playing

3.    Remain calm under fire and not return anger for anger

4.    Answer questions clearly, directly, and concisely.

5.    Convey a positive attitude about his or her own life.

6.    Respond to questions openly and honestly.

Billy DeFrank Speakers will notify potential speakers who do not meet these criteria – through a phone call from a member of the training committee. Specific comments and suggestions will be given about areas needing improvement, and the potential speaker will be invited to work with members of the training committee and then attend another training if he or she is still interested in being certified as a speaker.

Once certified, speakers must attend a refresher ... the “role-plays” portion of the training ... at least once a year to remain active.

Billy DeFrank Speakers evaluates its speakers on an ongoing  basis. These evaluations are based on comments and observations received from teachers, students, observers, and other speakers. If either an observer or the person in charge of scheduling has a concern about a speaker’s ability to maintain a safe learning environment, the concern will be brought to the attention of the training committee. If the training committee and the scheduler decide there is a problem, a member of the training committee will call the speaker and discuss the committee’s concerns. At this time, the speaker is advised of the specific areas that need work, placed on probation for two speaking engagements, and offered whatever support is necessary to help him or her meet Billy DeFrank Speakers’ requirements and remain an active speaker. If there is no improvement in the speaker’s ability to maintain a safe learning environment over the probationary period, the speaker will no longer be certified and, thus, no longer  be eligible to speak as a representative of Billy DeFrank Speakers.

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