Intro to Speakers Bureau

Purpose and scope:

The purpose of the following outline for the OPERATION SEABEES KNOWLEDGE Speaker’s Kit (and Speakers Bureau) is two-fold:

First, to provide an easily followed road map which can be obtained online and then used locally by individuals and organizations who volunteer to carry the “Name and Fame” of the United States Navy SEABEES far and wide at every opportunity to the general public.

Second, to aid reasonably consistent delivery of the intended message, regardless of the particular messenger at any particular time or place.

Resources and Coaching:

The utilization of the Speaker’s Kit can be variable as long as the most important basic message is delivered first and always: That the SEABEES are as busy as ever, serving courageously and honorably in both combat and humanitarian-aid roles worldwide. Then the presenter should tailor the delivery of the entire presentation to the audience, time and place of delivery, and total time allotted. When delivering the basic message of OPERATION SEABEES KNOWLEDGE, the presenter will have the opportunity to establish personal connections to the audience through some of the means listed below:

1) Sample text available on line will contain the elements of the basic minimums needed to convey the essentials of the “SEABEE Name and Fame” to an audience of any size or type. The speaker is encouraged to draw on his/her own personal background and experience in the SEABEES, to help make their presentation more engaging and lively – both for themselves and for their audience.

2) Coaching on presenting style can be obtained partly from sources available through the volunteer network associated with the “Speaker’s Bureau” maintained via the OPERATION SEABEES KNOWLEDGE website over time.

3) If the volunteer is a member of any SEABEE or other military association, that organization may be able to provide some assistance on an individual or group basis. Ideally, SEABEE organizations will create a “Speaker’s Bureau” within their own membership, which can follow the example of the “Speaker’s Bureau” launched and facilitated here. This will help to connect to a local audience when presented by local SEABEE presenters. As a volunteer effort, expensive travel and accommodations costs for presenters must be avoided. Having a presenter who resides locally also sends the message that SEABEES are everywhere, still contributing to their communities above and beyond service as SEABEES.

4) Use of visual aids and/or mementoes is recommended, and at least a starter set of relevant documents, graphics, and photos are available for download and printing off this OPERATION SEABEES KNOWLEDGE website. Such material can be supplemented locally as available resources permit.

Summary:

The above introduction is a starting point for the OPERATION SEABEES KNOWLEDGE “Speaker’s Bureau.” The entire process will evolve, based on experience and feedback, and will thus take on greater effectiveness in accomplishing the goal of this grassroots campaign: to have “the real story” of the SEABEES told far and wide!

OPERATION SEABEES KNOWLEDGE seabeesinfohq.org E-Mail seabees@seabeesinfohq.org