How to Schedule a Speaker

1. At least two months before the date of your program, contact your preferred speaker directly, explaining that you are requesting a lecture through Humanities Iowa (HI) Speakers Bureau. Confirm that he/she is available on the date of your program. If the speaker you have chosen is not available, contact another speaker. Our staff will be happy to offer suggestions.

Some speakers prefer to give talks only in the general region in which they live. If a speaker agrees to travel to your region, HI will compensate a speaker for mileage at a rate of $0.40 per mile up to 385 miles roundtrip. No other travel costs will be covered by HI.

It is important to remind the speakers you contact that the arrangement is tentative and depends on approval of an award from HI.

Remember: Do not apply for a Humanities Iowa Speakers Bureau presentation until you have contacted the speaker. Your application will not be processed by HI if you have not contacted your speaker first to determine his/her availability and eligibility.

2. Complete the HI Speakers Bureau Application form and send it to HI at least ONE MONTH before the date of your program. It is important to plan ahead! Allow enough time for publicity - we want you to have a successful event with an audience of at least 20 people.

3. Await notification from HI stating that HI has approved your application.

For questions, please contact our Program Officer.

Restrictions

•For-profit organizations are not eligible to apply for a presentation funded through our Speakers Bureau.

•Colleges, community colleges, universities and public schools can apply for the purpose of hosting a speaker for a public program that is geared toward the general public. The Speakers Bureau is not intended to supplement the teaching mission of educational institutions.

•Programs may not be held for fundraising purposes.

•They must be free and open to the public. (Programs held in conjunction with a dinner or luncheon may ask attendees to pay the cost for the meal only, and must advertise the presentation as free and open to the public).

•Each organization may host up to three (3) presentations per year.

•A minimum of twenty (20) participants per program is required.