Speakers: You Need 'em; We Got 'em

If you belong to a group or organization that needs an interesting speaker or two for an important meeting, think about the Sisters in Crime Speakers Bureau, coordinated by Camille Minichino. Sisters speak to all kinds of groups--AAUW chapters, legal secretaries' associations and women's clubs are just a few of the venues where Sisters in Crime members have given lively, entertaining programs.

Send Camille an e-mail at camille@minichino.com to find out about making a name for yourself as someone who can line up good speakers. And authors, if you're interested in being contacted, drop Camille a line.

Speakers Bureau Q&A

What does the Norcal Chapter Speakers Bureau do?

The Bureau provides speakers for various groups and organizations drawing from the wide array of authors in our local chapter.

What types of organizations contact the Bureau?

Requests have been received from several chapters of the American Association of University Women, libraries, church groups, writing clubs and alumni associations.

Is there a charge to the organizations?

No, there is no charge.

What are some of the reasons the organizations utilize the Speakers Bureau?

First, because of SinC's well-spoken and highly entertaining authors! (The Bureau does receive requests for specific authors because a group's event coordinator has seen those speakers at another function and was impressed.) Another reason is one-stop shopping. The Bureau can provide the speakers, how-to information for those who have not previously coordinated an event, and book sales.

How does the process work?

Some groups contact the Bureau after learning of the service on the SinC website. Others contact board members or an author, who refer the group to the Bureau. Still others, particularly in the case of libraries, have been referred by a sister library that has used the Speakers Bureau.

Virtually all of the contact with event coordinators/group chairpersons and the authors is via email. We have a list of authors who are interested in attending speaking engagements and an effort is made to provide speakers who live in the general locale of an event to keep travel times to a minimum and provide "local color."

When the Bureau is initially contacted, the request is usually for a speaker. We suggest the group consider two or more speakers because it is more appealing to the authors and also more entertaining for the audience when the authors play off one another. When the option of book sales is offered, most groups are very happy to take advantage of the opportunity.