Notes for Speakers
Here is some basic information you should know about your participation
in Billy DeFrank Speakers.
• You are a certified speaker once you have succesfully completed the
Billy DeFrank Speakers Certification Training.
• You will be contacted by one of the organizers of the speaking
engagements when an engagement becomes available. The organizers work
very hard to provide at least one speaking opportunity per semester for
each certified speaker. There are times, however, when this is not
possible because there are not enough speaking engagements scheduled.
If you have any questions or would like to know the current schedule,
feel free to call the group and leave a message.
• Once you have been scheduled to speak, you should make contact with
the person who will be speaking with you. If you are not given that
person’s name and phone number, you should ask for it. Generally the
more experienced the speaker in a pair of speakers is given the
responsibility of contacting the less experienced speaker.
• Make sure you have all the facts: time, place (including directions),
the other speaker’s name, type of class, etc. Don’t hesitate to ask if
you have any questions.
• Practice your biography until you are comfortable with it.
• Arrive at the school at least 15 minutes before the
presentation will begin. Allow yourself plenty of time to find parking,
particularly if you are going to an unfamiliar location.
• If two or more men are on a panel, discuss how to handle questions
regarding HIV status
• In general, one of the organizers of the speaking engagements will
observe the presentation and will meet with you and the other speaker
before you begin. The organization will let you know what the ground
rules are for this particular class and will bring copies of the
printed materials that are to be given to the teacher/host for
distribution after we leave.
If the organizer cannot observe the event, he or she will have made
arrangements for the materials to be delivered to the teacher. You are
not responsible for the materials (unless,of course, the organizer
asks you to take them), and should not worry about it if they are
not there. Your attention should be on the presentation itself. If you
don’t know the ground rules ... ASK!
• When you get to the classroom, introduce yourself to the teacher/host
and ask where you will be seated. If possible, put your first name on
the blackboard behind you so that students can ask you questions
by name. Sit down and get comfortable.
• The host will generally give a very brief introduction and turn
things over to the speakers. The more experienced of the two speakers
should explain who our group is and what we do, and tell the class that
they will hear brief introductions from each speaker and then will be
asking questions of the speakers for the remainder of the presentation.
Each of you then gives your bio.
• Once the bios are completed, the more experienced speaker will give
the disclaimer. If there is any question as to which speaker should be
doing this, it should be decided between you beforehand.
• Open the floor to questions. Encourage them to ask anything. Ask each
other questions that might get them started if things are slow. Have
fun!
• Thank the host and see if he or she has any immediate feedback for
you. If you have time, chat with the other speaker and the organizer
for a few minutes to get their feedback as well. Feel free to call the
organizer later if you have any questions or comments that don’t get
handled on the spot. All feedback is very helpful in keeping the
quality of our presentations high.
• Feel good about whatever information you provided. Awareness comes in
many forms and is brought about by many different types of input. You
most assuredly provided some input that was new and different for
everyone in the class.
• Respect the confidentiality of the people with whom you speak. We
often share very personal and painful information with the students. It
should not be repeated outside the classroom.
• You may not contact any student outside the class. Refer them to our
resource list if they need help or information.
next subject:
Scheduling Criteria
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