Civil War Roundtables Host And Presenter Expectations

[19thOhio]

Many forum members probably serve as program presenters or hosts/program planners for Civil War roundtables or other organizations in which we may be involved. I'm asking presenters what do you expect from the groups at which you do presentations? Do you have a set fee, transportation fee,? book sales permission, etc? What else do you, presenter, appreciate from an excellent host group? Do you get/ask/offer a signed contract?

Host groups what do you offer those who come to share their knowledge with your group?

I ask this because an associate and I gave a presentation recently at the Wayne County (Ohio) CWRT. On the way home we discussed about how impressed with how well treated we were. For discussion sake I'll list some:
1. Timely and accurate communications about the event
2. We were provided with an honorarium $100. (Travel time was one hour)
3. Local library with a comfortable meeting room with large screen, projector and an attentive IT person on site
4. A large and attentive audience (35-40?)
5. Opportunity to sell books and advertise other events in which we we involved
6. An optional tour of the community conducted by and viewing the personal collection of a well-known local Lincoln reenactor.
7. Dinner at a local restaurant with the reenactor and group host (great conversation).

Personally I have no set fee and appreciate selling a couple books and a bit of gas money if not local. Cookies and punch afterwards?

Discussion?

 

[lelliott19]

All the groups I have spoken for have been amazing! They've also been generous in providing appropriate honorarium to cover travel costs for the relative distance. I've done local as well as mid and long-distance; Historical Societies, museums, CWRT's, UDC, and SCV. I've generally found the SCV to be the most attentive and appreciative audience.

The groups hosting the long-distance engagements have been extremely kind and generous - hospitality, meet/greet, including me in other events happening at or near the same time, private local tours, meals, travel, lodging, etc. One group arranged a private behind the scenes tour of Stonewall Jackson house!!!! Way more than I could have ever expected.... I was just honored to be asked to speak and happy to have the opportunity to share the subject. I would have gladly done it at my own expense. But I've found that those SCV gentlemen usually insist on taking good care of their guests and I appreciate that so much!

I've never set a fee or even asked for one. Certainly never signed a contract. I promise to be there and they promise to have a room and some people.

One thing I do always ask about is whether they will have a projector and screen or if I should bring my own. Even if they say they will have one, I usually bring my own -- just in case. I also like to use my own computer because I prefer to use equipment I am familiar with. I also download the slide deck to a thumb/flash drive -- just in case. And I like to use a remote slide advancer so I always bring that along.

Extension cords and an outlet strip..... don't leave home without them!

One time I was speaking for the Jackson County (GA) Historical Society at the old Courthouse. It was January or February I think and it was cold outside. The lady who was President arrived early (as I had requested so I could set up the projector.) It was cold in the building, so she decided to set up some portable electric heaters. The heaters blew the old breakers and there was no electricity to any outlets in the entire building!!!! Luckily, I had my trusty rubbermaid tub with an outlet strip and several long extension cords and we were able to run the extension cords across the street to a drug store --- yes across Main street in downtown Jefferson GA.

Ever since then, I have never gone to any speaking engagement without my rubbermaid tub of extension cords. And I rarely travel without my own projector.

 

[redbob]

I have had the pleasure of speaking to a number of groups in locations from restaurants to church basements to converted chicken houses and a few points have become evident to me:
Take your own projector, screen, computer, extension cords and anything else that you feel like you may need as it is better to be prepared than found wanting at the last minute.
While I enjoy the occasional free meal from a group, I don't charge for my talks and if they offer money; I ask them to donate it to battlefield preservation or to the local food bank. That said, a momento of my visit is always appreciated.
Be prepared for any sized group and don't be surprised or disappointed if the group is small, after all; they did make the effort to show up to hear you.
Be flexible with your timing, some groups may have a business meeting beforehand and you may have to adjust your presentation accordingly.
And most importantly to me at least is be approachable, be prepared, have fun and treat your audience as friends.

 

[Belfoured]

I have had the pleasure of speaking to a number of groups in locations from restaurants to church basements to converted chicken houses and a few points have become evident to me:
Take your own projector, screen, computer, extension cords and anything else that you feel like you may need as it is better to be prepared than found wanting at the last minute.
While I enjoy the occasional free meal from a group, I don't charge for my talks and if they offer money; I ask them to donate it to battlefield preservation or to the local food bank. That said, a momento of my visit is always appreciated.
Be prepared for any sized group and don't be surprised or disappointed if the group is small, after all; they did make the effort to show up to hear you.
Be flexible with your timing, some groups may have a business meeting beforehand and you may have to adjust your presentation accordingly.
And most importantly to me at least is be approachable, be prepared, have fun and treat your audience as friends.

Those are all good points. When I've been offered an honorarium I've had the group promise instead to donate it to the ABT. That's where I'd put it anyway and might as well "cut out the middle man" - plus it gets the members familiar with the ABT and its work.

 

[19thOhio]

I can just picture Laura's extension cord story. Although my example above doesn't actually depend on video, I generally take a table-size flat screen screen TV set; projectors are expensive.

Haas anyone given a presentation in a particularly unique venue?

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

I spend a lot of time speaking to CWRT's, including Seattle, WA last week. Invariably, they're all good hosts.

I'm scheduled to speak to the Fort Wayne, IN CWRT in a couple of weeks. They meet at a public library, and the library had the unmitigated gall to ask me to donate 10% of my book sales to them for the privilege of speaking there. I have never been asked that before, and I came within a whisker to telling them to stick it where the sun don't shine and backing out. I ultimately agreed to it, but I am also going to leave most of my book inventory in the car just to make a point.

 

[DaveBrt]

I've spoken to a dozen groups, from Houston to Harper's Ferry. All have provided dinner for wife and myself with some of the membership. All have provided mileage if away from my home town. About half have offered honorarium and all encourage book sales. Those more than about 150 miles from home have provided hotel rooms, without my asking.

All but two have been in restaurant group rooms and those two were in public presentation areas, with IT on site. I always ask for a projector and this has only been a problem once -- the President had the projector in his car trunk and got called out of town; the Vice President knew nothing about the projector, and he also was out of town. Needless to say, the third man up to bat did not have a projector. The group was not large, so I walked to several spots in the room where most could seen the screen on my laptop for the three pictures I thought were essential.

 

[redbob]

I can just picture Laura's extension cord story. Although my example above doesn't actually depend on video, I generally take a table-size flat screen screen TV set; projectors are expensive.

Haas anyone given a presentation in a particularly unique venue?

Does a Bassmasters or a converted chicken coop count?

 

[Gary Morgan]

My book came out two days after covid lockdown started, so most of my presentations have been on Zoom, and I wouldn't feel right taking an honorarium if all I did was talk into a computer for an hour. Plus, I LIKE talking about this stuff!

One side benefit - most of the CWRTs that I talk to add me to their mailing lists afterwards, which, if you take them all together and read the articles that members have written, it's kind of like getting a free CW magazine!

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

I've been to one CWRT, twice, both times as the guest speaker. They met in a Masonic lodge that was difficult for me to get to due to rush hour traffic and the place looked like it had seen better days, but the A/V equipment worked smoothly. I just brought my PPT on USB; they had the laptop, projector, and screen. There were some snacks before the meeting for everyone, but nothing special for the speaker. I can't recall the honorarium. (The group has a $40 annual membership fee, but it seemed like they rarely, if ever, get accredited speakers so I never felt inclined to join. They've at least moved to a better location since the last time I spoke there.)

I have spoken frequently at non-CWRT venues on non-ACW history topics, including ten times between January and April of this year. About half my presentations are at local public libraries which provide fairly reliable A/V equipment. Whether they will pay an honorarium varies widely depending on the library system because their budgets vary so much.

I've also spoken at other historical societies or history organizations, the local state park, various service organizations, and early on some HOAs. The history organizations are the most reliable about A/V equipment. The biggest thing I've found is to always communicate clearly to them what you need; some are used to having PPT presenters and are well-prepared; some aren't. Once I had to improvise and do my talk sans-PPT because, due to a miscommunication, they had a screen but no projector. Again, honorariums have varied, depending on the organization and type of talk. Some are offered up front; others had to be requested.

As I've gotten more experienced and professionally established (and since I do the talks as part of my day job at a historical society) I've gotten a better sense of what is still worth doing pro-bono and who I decline unless they make it worth my while.

I've offered books for sale at various speaking events and have never been asked for a cut of the sales.

 

[PennyGasbarre]

I am from a small CWRT and we do the best we can with honorariums. Our location is with a library and they do not charge for the room, but their policy does not allow "dues". Folks do donate some. The library does not request any cut on book sales. We try to announce the meeting before when our presenter will be selling books. (not everybody carries money) We finally have a person willing to fund raise for us. We will see how that goes. We have changed our months to March - November to hopefully dodge the bad weather and the darkness. Many of our folks do not drive at night. Our membership appreciates the knowledge that the presenters bring to our group. I for one am impressed with the research that goes in to being a presenter. Please keep up the great work!

 

[DaveBrt]

I am from a small CWRT and we do the best we can with honorariums. Our location is with a library and they do not charge for the room, but their policy does not allow "dues". Folks do donate some. The library does not request any cut on book sales. We try to announce the meeting before when our presenter will be selling books. (not everybody carries money) We finally have a person willing to fund raise for us. We will see how that goes. We have changed our months to March - November to hopefully dodge the bad weather and the darkness. Many of our folks do not drive at night. Our membership appreciates the knowledge that the presenters bring to our group. I for one am impressed with the research that goes in to being a presenter. Please keep up the great work!

Where is your group located? Might have presenters in your area.

 

[19thOhio]

I am from a small CWRT and we do the best we can with honorariums. Our location is with a library and they do not charge for the room, but their policy does not allow "dues". Folks do donate some. The library does not request any cut on book sales. We try to announce the meeting before when our presenter will be selling books. (not everybody carries money) We finally have a person willing to fund raise for us. We will see how that goes. We have changed our months to March - November to hopefully dodge the bad weather and the darkness. Many of our folks do not drive at night. Our membership appreciates the knowledge that the presenters bring to our group. I for one am impressed with the research that goes in to being a presenter. Please keep up the great work!

The CWRT referred to above is Wayne County CWRT, Wooster, Ohio. It was my presentation there last week that prompted me to start the thread. My co-presenter and my wife were so pleased with the day and evening.

 

[Mrs. V]

I am still building my "street cred" in terms of presentations. I do have a hard time figuring out how much to ask for in terms of payment. I'm a vocalist so when I do a presentation it's music and the history of the piece I'm singing. And what I do is unique.

I did a roundtable in January, and they paid me $150, if I am recalling things correctly. That's what I made when I sang at Zoar, I did the school day as well as 2 presentations for the public.

It's hard, because I love singing and educating..but I do feel that I need to be paid for my efforts.

What would your Round table feel would be an acceptable price for my sort of presentation?? I did 45mins.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

I spend a lot of time speaking to CWRT's, including Seattle, WA last week. Invariably, they're all good hosts.

I'm scheduled to speak to the Fort Wayne, IN CWRT in a couple of weeks. They meet at a public library, and the library had the unmitigated gall to ask me to donate 10% of my book sales to them for the privilege of speaking there. I have never been asked that before, and I came within a whisker to telling them to stick it where the sun don't shine and backing out. I ultimately agreed to it, but I am also going to leave most of my book inventory in the car just to make a point.

UPDATE, APRIL 30: I'm still going to appear at the CWRT in Fort Wayne next Monday, but I have decided that I will not be bringing a single book into the library for purposes of selling them. I categorically refuse to pay their extortion, as 10% of nothing is nothing. I intend to teach them a lesson--I am not a member of the organization that is using the facility, nor did I make any of the arrangements to use the facility. If they want to charge someone for the privilege of using their precious auditorium, they should ask the CWRT to pay, not me. I intend to use the word "extort" when I explain why I didn't bring books and will offer a discount for those who wish to order from my website.

To address another topic in this thread: I never ask to be paid to speak, although some groups offer to do so. I ask for travel expenses and the opportunity to sell books, and that's typically enough. The groups typically offer a night of hotel, and usually, they buy me dinner before the meeting. That's sufficient for me.

 

[DaveBrt]

I am still building my "street cred" in terms of presentations. I do have a hard time figuring out how much to ask for in terms of payment. I'm a vocalist so when I do a presentation it's music and the history of the piece I'm singing. And what I do is unique.

I did a roundtable in January, and they paid me $150, if I am recalling things correctly. That's what I made when I sang at Zoar, I did the school day as well as 2 presentations for the public.

It's hard, because I love singing and educating..but I do feel that I need to be paid for my efforts.

What would your Round table feel would be an acceptable price for my sort of presentation?? I did 45mins.

Most of us do not ask for an amount. I have received honorarium of $75 to $200, but $0 more than half of the time. Every place paid some form of mileage, dinner before the meeting and an opportunity to sell my book. Your not having a book to sell makes it harder for both you and the organization.

 

[PennyGasbarre]

Where is your group located? Might have presenters in your area.

Wooster, Ohio

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

Wooster, Ohio

I live in Columbus. Feel free to reach out to me.

 

[Chalmers' Division]

UPDATE, APRIL 30: I'm still going to appear at the CWRT in Fort Wayne next Monday, but I have decided that I will not be bringing a single book into the library for purposes of selling them. I categorically refuse to pay their extortion, as 10% of nothing is nothing. I intend to teach them a lesson--I am not a member of the organization that is using the facility, nor did I make any of the arrangements to use the facility. If they want to charge someone for the privilege of using their precious auditorium, they should ask the CWRT to pay, not me. I intend to use the word "extort" when I explain why I didn't bring books and will offer a discount for those who wish to order from my website.

To address another topic in this thread: I never ask to be paid to speak, although some groups offer to do so. I ask for travel expenses and the opportunity to sell books, and that's typically enough. The groups typically offer a night of hotel, and usually, they buy me dinner before the meeting. That's sufficient for me.

So how did it go?

 

[Chalmers' Division]

Many forum members probably serve as program presenters or hosts/program planners for Civil War roundtables or other organizations in which we may be involved. I'm asking presenters what do you expect from the groups at which you do presentations? Do you have a set fee, transportation fee,? book sales permission, etc? What else do you, presenter, appreciate from an excellent host group? Do you get/ask/offer a signed contract?

Host groups what do you offer those who come to share their knowledge with your group?

I ask this because an associate and I gave a presentation recently at the Wayne County (Ohio) CWRT. On the way home we discussed about how impressed with how well treated we were. For discussion sake I'll list some:
1. Timely and accurate communications about the event
2. We were provided with an honorarium $100. (Travel time was one hour)
3. Local library with a comfortable meeting room with large screen, projector and an attentive IT person on site
4. A large and attentive audience (35-40?)
5. Opportunity to sell books and advertise other events in which we we involved
6. An optional tour of the community conducted by and viewing the personal collection of a well-known local Lincoln reenactor.
7. Dinner at a local restaurant with the reenactor and group host (great conversation).

Personally I have no set fee and appreciate selling a couple books and a bit of gas money if not local. Cookies and punch afterwards?

Discussion?

This is a good framework.

I have taken bottles of Scotch over physical $$$. It all equals out.

Been to Masonic halls, libraries, rented rooms in civic centers----

CD