What you can expect through your participation
The first step to getting involved is to complete the Speakers Bureau Application. Your participation is as customizable as your C3 project. You can participate as much (once a month) or as little (annually) as you like. You can also specify how you would like to participate. If you are only comfortable with hosting a C3 table or if you would like to speak regularly to groups of 50 or more, the goal is that the Speakers Bureau is a fun and easy way to continue your participation in C3.
Please keep in mind that the Speakers Bureau is different from a C3 Leader Project in the following ways:
1. Requests will come from community organizations (and similar organizations) for speakers or tabling events.
2. Speaking and/or tabling is the crux of your participation, therefore at this time, only print materials will be available for distribution. You would not have access to a project budget.
3. You will not be required to submit a project proposal or final report. There is some reporting that we ask of you that is described later in this message.
How the process works
Event Requests
Organizations will submit a Speaker Request through the C3 website. Requests will be made for a C3 representative for a one-time community presentation or tabling event.
C3 staff will review the request to ensure it is within the boundaries of our program.
C3 staff will reach out to C3 speakers from the same community as the requesting organizations (or a nearby community).
Implementation
Once a speaker is confirmed, the request will be confirmed with the organization. C3 will facilitate an introduction between the C3 speaker and requesting organization.
The C3 speaker is expected to remain in contact with the organization. C3 staff are available throughout the process for support and planning.
The C3 speaker will request print materials needed two weeks prior to the event. Print material and PowerPoint presentations will be made available through a Speakers Bureau toolkit available on the C3 blog.
C3 speakers will receive a C3 clipboard, canvas bag and Speakers Bureau nametag.
C3 speakers should make sure to have a sign-in sheet and event tracking form for each event.
Reporting and Follow-Up
You will be asked to complete an Event Tracking Form to report on your experience, including prep hours, hours at the event, number of people talked to and contact information for those requesting more information.
Requesting organizations will be asked to complete an evaluation of their experience with the C3 Speakers Bureau as well.
Additional Incentives
All Speakers Bureau participants will be recognized at graduation for their extra effort. In addition, the hope is that your participation is an opportunity to be recognized for your leadership in your community and by the larger environmental community of Chicago.
As C3 continues to grow and solidify its place on the “conservation map” of Chicago, we will especially need the skills of our dedicated volunteers to spread the word and build our network. We hope that you will join us in doing so through this new initiative.
We look forward to seeing your applications soon. Please do not hesitate to contact Britt with questions, britt.willey@cityofchicago.org.