Awkward Society Meeting?
Surely any professional genealogy speaker worth their salt can speak for 15 minutes on any topic extemporaneously! đŽ
Following a post mentioning a 45-minute presentation and 15-minute Q&A speakerâs contract, I received the following private message, quoted in part with permission:
ââŚafter the 45-minute presentation there were no questions or comments, so our presenter said âOK, thank youâ then packed up her computer and left. We all sat there in stunned silence.
I felt like we paid $175 for an hour of the presenterâs time and should have received it. Is it ethical to withhold 25% of the speakerâs fee?â
MYRTâS THOUGHTS
Two thoughts actually. Unfortunately both the program chair and the speaker failed the society in this situation. Withholding funds would only compound the issue.
THE PROGRAM CHAIR is the facilitator and should have spoken up to thank the presenter. Program chairs are a bridge between the guest speaker and the attendees. Facilitators can comment on one or two points to âprime the conversation pump.â Society program chairs know most of the attendees, and can draw them out by saying things like âJoe, Iâll bet the addition to that Irish database will help with your great-grandparent research. What is the time period again?â Once you get a person talking about their research, itâs hard to stop âem.
THE PRESENTER can also work their magic by asking topic-related questions of the audience. How about spotlighting the local FHC Director where a related genealogical database may be readily accessed. It doesnât take much to mention an additional resource not discussed in the presentation. Ask by raise of hand who is also doing research on the topic discussed, then point out these are the folks who can help society members learn more, even suggesting a SIG (Special Interest Group) is formed.)
A genealogy society meeting should be not only informative but just plain FUN.
OK, JUST ONE MORE THOUGHT
Isnât it our job as presenters to take that hour and inspire attendees? Letâs be personable and approachable. Just saying!
Happy family tree climbing!
Myrt
DearMYRTLE,
Your (not so) retired friend in genealogy.
Thanks for this. I will be a program chair for the next two years at my local society. This is a good reminder to always have a few questions prepared. When I've held similar positions in professional organizations, I generally tried to have a few "ringers" in the audience who would ask the questions I wanted the speaker to answer.
As a program chair, I always have 3-5 questions ready to go to prime the âaudience.â If folks start asking questions right away, I will wait until everyone has had a chance to ask a question before asking mine. We never close the meeting early but I also try not to have it go too late.