The Kansas Humanities Council's Speakers Bureau is grassroots humanities programming. In libraries, museums, community and senior centers, Speakers Bureau programs provide Kansans an opportunity to participate in informal conversations about topics central to society.

Guidelines for 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial
Speakers Bureau

Topics must appeal to a general, out-of-school audience. A balanced, thoughtful approach is expected. A past survey of Speakers Bureau users told KHC:

1.The Speakers Bureau is a valued resource to many Kansas communities.
2.Programs should be both educational and entertaining.

Special topics could include:

• Lincoln in Kansas
• Race, Slavery, and Lincoln
• Lincoln and the Constitution
• The Legacy of Lincoln

Speakers should:

• Create presentations no longer than 30 minutes in length.
• Plan for at least 15 minutes of discussion with the audience.
• Provide visual aids. PowerPoint presentations are possible, but dependent on the sponsor. Not every organization will have the needed equipment. KHC does not have the equipment to loan.
• Be available to travel statewide (not required, but preferred).

How to Apply

Speakers Bureau members are professionals whose main activity is teaching, studying, researching, and/or writing in one or more of the humanities disciplines. An MA or other advanced degree in one of the humanities fields is required. Affiliation with a college or university is preferred but not required.

Application deadline: October 3, 2008

Speakers Bureau applications include:

• A cover sheet stating your name, mailing address, work and home phone, email, travel restrictions (if any), and the name of the talk(s) you are proposing.
• Copy of your current resume.
• Names, phone numbers, and email for 3 references, along with notes on their knowledge of your skills as a presenter.
• The title(s) and a 500-word summary of proposed talks, including the humanities perspective that you will offer on the topic. Mention plans to use slides or other visuals that will help encourage audience discussion.
• A brief discussion of potential audiences for your talk(s), and ways you plan to stimulate audience dialogue.

Send all information to:
Kansas Humanities Council, 112 SW 6th Avenue, Suite 210, Topeka, KS 66603-3895; fax to 785/357-1723; OR email Dan Carey-Whalen, Director of Programs at dan@kansashumanities.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

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