Points to Ponder #05-17

POINTS TO PONDER

Issue 05-17

From CSFC President Helen Zajac

CATEGORY:  Chapter Suggestions    November 9, 2005

Subject:  Finding Chapter Meeting Speakers

 At a recent CSFC Board Meeting, a question was raised about “Finding Chapter Meeting Speakers”.  This information was provided to the Executive Board at the September Board Meeting; however, it may also be of interest to chapters within the Federation.

When contacting the potential speaker, you want to give them an idea of the number of people who may be in attendance.  You may also want to follow up with a written letter to the speaker giving them directions to your meeting location, as well as identifying the time at which they are to speak and the amount of time you have allotted on your program for their presentation.

The NARFE Web Site, www.narfe.org contains a section under “Chapter/Federation Development”; “Meeting and Speaker’s Exchange”.  One such entry is included with this Points to Ponder, as it gives quite a few interesting ideas for speakers.

 Some Ideas follow:

 -           Chamber of Commerce usually maintains a Speaker’s Bureau – check with them for a list

-       p;    Colleges – or Technical Schools, would also have a Speaker’s Bureau – check with them

-       p;    Ask your Congressman or his aid to speak on NARFE issues, as well as issues involving seniors

-       p;    Area Agency on Aging Representative to talk about updates regarding seniors

-       p;    Local nursery or home improvement store to speak on container gardening, etc.

-       p;    AAA – Many have travel bureaus and would give a talk about a particular area or region – some even have a slide presentation of trips in foreign countries – not to do a sales pitch

-       p;    City Hall - Mayor, Councilmen, City Manager, Business Director, Emergency Services Director

-           Candidates for Election – be sure to have each party – no partisan politics

-           Local Issues – Proponents and Opponents

-           Hold a debate about a local issue

-           Senior Center – What services they provide for seniors

-       p;    Police Department – Personal Safety, Police Activities League

-           Fire Department – Safety around the house

-           Guide Dogs, Canine Companions

-           Newspaper Editor – How can NARFE get publicity in local paper

-           Local Radio/TV Director

-       p;    National Weather Service - How they forecast weather (Make sure to have a membership packet for them – they are federal employees)

-       p;    Winery – Talk about the process from planting to bottling – check for wine tasting as well

-       p;    Telephone Company – What special equipment is available for seniors, or for special needs

-           PG& E – Energy saving tips

-           District Attorney – Talk about scams

-       p;    Local Museums – Have the curator talk about the museum – or hold a meeting at the museum

-           Alzheimer’s – Update on research, local respite center directors

-       p;    Service Organizations – Rotary, Lions, Elks, Masons – what do they do – how they support the community – youth involvement efforts

-       p;    Government Agencies – Check the local phone directory for government agencies and have them speak (Make sure to have a membership packet for them, they are federal employees)  and see if you can make a deal with them to notify you about health fairs or provide membership materials to their employees

-       p;    Check the newspaper to see who is speaking in the area to other organizations

-       p;    Request Your Members provide contacts of speakers they have heard at other meetings they attend

-       p;    Hold  “Mini” Training Sessions about chapter positions and duties, NARFE’s Accomplishments, National Legislation Program/status, State Legislation, PAC, FEEA, Membership, How to Recruit a new member

-           Medical or Health Practitioner to speak about senior diet and/or exercise

-       p;    A representative of the insurance industry – how to determine if you have adequate insurance in case of disaster – not a sales pitch

-           Entertainment from a local theater group or school

-       p;    A representative of the financial industry to talk about how the stock market, mutual funds, bonds impact the economy – not a sales pitch

-       p;    If there is enough interest, have a computer demonstration or e-mail demonstration to inform and educate members who would like to have a computer, or learn more about computers

-           Veterans to share unusual events/experiences during service time

-       p;    Hold a “Write to Your Legislators” meeting, have paper, envelopes and stamps available for each member

-           Have an auto dealer speak on Cars and their history

-           A representative from the Grand Jury to tell what they do

-       p;    Have 9ll Operator from local Police Department explain how the system works

-       p;    Hold special themed meetings – Veteran’s Day History, History of Old Glory, History of the Services

-       p;    Have a Trivia Quiz about NARFE and award prizes for correct answers – use “Looking Back on 84 years at NARFE” for reference

  MEETINGS & SPEAKERS TOPICS June, 2003 – from the NARFE WebSite (www.narfe.org)

Education
AAA resources and guides
archeology
auctions and how to identify "finds"
auto theft
books about local history --- librarians
car mechanics 101
college instructors talking about specific issue areas
computer "how to"; computer purchasing guidance
continuing education opportunities
elder law specialists
former POW
funeral home/director
Grand Jury member
grocery store manager
historic homes or buildings and their histories
home and community security
home repairs: questions to ask & documents to request
identity theft
important legal documents
in-home assistance resources
military chaplain (current or former) who served troops
NARFE officers from area chapters
new school programs
opportunities for volunteer assistance
personal and home safety
protect yourself against fraud
retired CIA agent
scams, and how to spot them
senior assertiveness
solar and wind energy
telephone directory's classified info for speaker suggestions/topics
travel; travel agents; low-cost vacations; elder hostels
university resources open to the community
zoo or local habitat representative

Financial
banking options and new products
financial security/estate planning
estate attorney
income tax changes
investments
mortgage banking (including reverse mortgages)

Fun or Special Meetings
garden tour
ice cream social
new members breakfast: an opportunity for new members to meet chapter officers
person with old radio tapes (Jack Benny, the Shadow, Burns & Allen)
pot luck social (perhaps an opportunity to recognize the chapter's volunteers?)
popular sports coach
radio talk host
St. Patrick's Day lunch
slide presentations
special month designations: for example, Decorative Painting Month 2003
"Spring Out for NARFE" theme to entice returning "snowbirds" to attend
Veteran's Day special speakers
winter luau
yard sales (possibly as fundraisers?)

Health
cooking for fitness
exercises and wellness issues
health fair
health insurance options/info
hearing aid guidance
hypnosis and acupuncture
long-term care considerations
mind/body medicine
nutrition
ophthalmologist and eye care
pharmacist talking about vitamins and drug/chemical interactions
physical therapy applications
psychologist
specific illnesses (Alzheimer's, diabetes, cancer, etc.)
Therapy dogs

Hobbies & Leisure
antiques: treasure or trash?
bee keeping and honey making
floral arrangements
gardening experts
gemology
genealogy
geography or history buff
gold mining
hotel chef sharing recipes
international cooking
local artists or craftsmen
local authors or historians
local sites "off of the beaten path"
museum director
musical groups
Native American artifacts
photography "tricks of the trade"
shopping: when and where the bargains are
unusual leisure activities
vineyard owner and wine tasting techniques

Local interest/concern
candidates forum
city planning/expansion
city transportation system
community affairs
community projects in the pipeline
conservation
county clerks
county sheriff
Department of Forestry spokesperson
District Attorney's office representative
environmental issues
fire prevention
highway safety
legislative representatives
local consumer or community issues
local hospital community offerings
local news anchor or weather person
local theater manager/actors
mayor
new companies opening in the area
newspaper representatives
park rangers
police department/police dog
public affairs officer from area airport
Red Cross activities
Salvation Army projects
State Attorney General representative
Urban League
utility reps