Speaker's Network Introduction

Being a speaker is something most people fit around their other commitments; the role is flexible and you have the autonomy to manage your speaker diary. Our speakers will also:

• Have a desire to share your MND story to a range of audiences to help generate awareness of the disease and support for the cause.
• Act as a positive and inspiring ambassador for MND Association. You’ll be the face of the Association and deliver your story to community groups such as Rotary Clubs, church groups, schools etc.
• Have access to your own transport, telephone and internet.
• Be proactive in seeking out new places and audiences to speak with.
• Help encourage fundraising, volunteering & campaigning activities among the groups you speak with.
• Understand and be committed to the vision and mission of MND Association.
• Be prepared to commit some time to this role to spread the word effectively.
• Share best practice with other speakers

If the Speaker role seems daunting at first, don’t worry. It’s actually quite straightforward and can be really rewarding too. The main activities you’ll undertake include:

• Telling your story to community groups.
• Organising your own talks in your area and keeping your Regional Fundraiser up-to-date of any new engagements.
• Securely and promptly forwarding any donations given to you on to the MND Association.
• Letting your Regional Fundraiser know if there are any opportunities to involve the individuals or groups you speak to in further fundraising activities.
• Attending cheque presentations.
• Supporting Regional Fundraisers with larger speaking engagements

Your Regional Fundraiser will be your first port of call for questions and queries. But we’ll make sure that you have everything you need to confidently speak to a range of audiences. This support includes:

• Offering you ongoing training and support.
• Giving you support and advice through our dedicated Speakers Facebook Group where you can ask questions and share your experiences.
• Supplying you with a Speakers pack with hints and tips on public speaking, information on MND and the Association.
• Now you know a bit more about this opportunity and what it involves, there are several steps you can take to ensure that you spread the word about MND, and the MND Association as effectively as possible.

Getting to know who your audience will be is vital before any talk. It can mean the difference between giving an interesting talk and giving one that will really make them sit up and think.

These days it's possible to present to all sorts of audiences virtually via Zoom, Microsoft Teams and many other platforms. If presenting remotely, make sure you've agreed which one you'll be using with your contact at the group. It is also helpful to practice sharing your screen and get to know the platform well to make sure your camera and microphone are on or off when they need to be.

Take a few moments to look at your audience before you start. Remember, they're here to see you – you've already got them on your side.

Tell your story, that's what you're here to do. Your story is a powerful one and you have the courage to tell it. A picture tells a thousand words. So if you include photos of people or moments you mention in your presentation, it can really bring things life for your audience.

There's nothing worse than being about to start your presentation, raring to go, only to discover you’re missing something important. Make sure you have everything you need for your talk prepared in plenty of time.

If your audience has questions, it means you've successfully captured their attention and imagination. So don't be scared, this is a really good thing.

When it comes to presentations, the more you do, the better you become. So after your presentation, reflect on how it went, what you could have done differently, perhaps consider some improvements, then make a few notes for next time.

Are you ready to book your first talk? See our helpful hints and tips below for booking talks in your community.

Many community groups regularly invite speakers and very often have a member whose role is to coordinate speakers.

Such groups include:

• U3A
• Soroptimists
• Church Groups
• Freemasons
• Lions
• WI
• Rotary
• Round Table
• Universities

The best place to start is by checking group websites for contact information and either call or email them using the draft email on page two of our Booking Talks document.

If a friend or relative is a member of any of these groups they may be able to connect you directly with the appropriate person.

Publications like these are an excellent way into local groups.

You can access and use our template to place ads or notices in these publications. View our Booking Talks document in full.

Please do not include your phone number, only your name and email address.

View and download our Cheat Sheet