Selecting and Briefing Speakers

Who are we looking for?

Consider speakers who:

• Have a strong track record. (Get feedback from someone who has heard them speak and who can vouch that they are effective and respectful communicators.)
• Have experience talking to workers
• Reflect the membership (in gender, race, age, etc.)
• Are open to learning about clear language principles or at least to understanding why they are important.

How do we brief them on clear language?

• Explain to the speaker that your union has a policy to encourage the use of clear, accessible language in all of its events. Explain that your role is to help provide background information and support.
• Prepare and provide the speaker with a short hand-out on clear language presentations well in advance of the conference. Review the key points with the speaker. (See sample handout at the end of this section.)
• Provide speakers with a composite portrait of who the participants will be and what they might know or not know about the topic.
• Discuss with the speaker the familiarity with vocabulary, concepts, knowledge etc. that you expect participants to have about the topic.
• Review key points that you want the speaker to make in the presentation which will connect with the experience of participants and the goals of the conference.
• Review the time available for the presentation, and how you will indicate when their time is up. Leave time for feedback and questions after each presentation.