Speakers Bureau 
Procedure Guide

Preparing for the Speaker

  • Complete and submit Speakers Bureau Request Form at least 2 to 3 weeks prior to the date for which you are requesting a speaker.  (Please double check the date you are requesting the speaker for possible conflicts.)

  • The Holocaust Center will contact you to begin the process of arranging for a speaker.  If you have submitted a form and have not heard from the Center within 3 days, please phone the Center at 206-441-5747.

  • Discuss with the Holocaust Center information that might help to prepare your speaker - i.e. goals and outcomes, specific driving directions, background/prior knowledge of audience, security/safety considerations.

  • Send driving directions and meeting arrangements for your speaker to the Center. Please arrange for someone to meet the speaker at the office. Directions can be sent via email to info@wsherc.org or via fax at (206) 956-0881.

  • If possible, invite the parents/guardians of students in the class and administrators to attend the presentation.

  • Make sure that a microphone, glass of water and any other props the speaker needs are ready. The Center will inform you of any special needs (for example, a chair, podium, vcr, etc.).

Preparing the Students/Audience

  • Make sure your audience has a contextual background of material covered by the speaker. The speaker is not a historian, but an expert in what happened to him/her during the Holocaust.  Holocaust Center staff is happy to help.

  • Please discuss proper audience behavior when hosting a guest speaker.

  • Ask your speaker how he/she would like to be introduced.

  • Please stay with your class (or group) the entire time the speaker is speaking. If possible, stay by the speaker, facing the audience so you can detect any problems. Our speakers are not trained in classroom management and can be very offended if a student is acting out or not paying attention.

  • Allow ample time at the end for a question-and-answer period.  It has been suggested by speakers that teachers come up with a few questions, just to get the ball rolling.

  • Please make sure that your students are comfortable and sitting in chairs, if possible.

After the Visit

  • One of the nicest ways to show your appreciation for the speaker's time and effort is to have the audience write letters of thanks to the speaker. You can send letters in care of the speaker’s name to:
    Holocaust Center
    Attn: (name of speaker)
    2031 Third Ave.
    Seattle, WA  98121

  • Honorariums to the Center in the speaker’s name are also welcome. We will send a tribute card to the speaker at his/her home for each honorarium and include the information in our newsletter.

Recording
If you are interested in recording a speaker, please let the Center know in advance. With approval of the speaker, we will e-mail you a one page release form to be filled out on the day of the presentation. The Center also requests a copy for the Center's archives.