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Benefits of Joining District 15 Speakers Bureau
• Speakers can give longer presentations.
• Joining allows Toastmasters members to polish their speaking skills and develop as speakers by “expanding their horizons” to major Toastmasters events and non-Toastmasters audiences.
• The bureau offers a forum where speakers can express their passion on a subject, promote their expertise in certain subjects, and make a difference in people’s lives by sharing their information with the public.
• Speakers have the opportunity to promote their expertise and professional services.
• For those wanting to become a professional speaker, the bureau provides opportunities to prove yourself as a speaker, to establish a history of speaking engagements, and to make yourself known to potential clients. No fee speaking engagements can lead to paid speaking engagements and to sales of products or services.
• For professional speakers, the bureau allows you to be “out there” where potential clients can find you and get to know you. If potential clients don’t know about you, they can’t hire or recommend you. If they don’t know about your products or services, they can’t buy them.
• For Toastmasters pursuing the credentials of Accredited Speaker available through Toastmasters International, the bureau provides the opportunity to accumulate speaking engagements to become eligible to apply and gives you a forum where you can prepare. Read more about the Accredited Speaker Program at www.toastmasters.org/asapp.aspx.
• The bureau provides a forum where Toastmasters can spread word about the organization and attract new members to their club, other clubs or create interest in forming new clubs.
• For district and club members, the bureau provides access to a pool of presenters for training, Speechcraft, club meetings or your other organizations.

By Joining District 15 Speakers’ Bureau, You Agree to the Following:
• You are currently a paid member of a District 15 club and have attained Competent Communication status.
• You will keep your contact information current by notifying the Bureau Chair of any changes.
• Organizations will contact you directly.
• Speakers are responsible for promoting themselves and the bureau.
• District 15 Speakers Bureau cannot guarantee you a speaking opportunity.
• You will mention Toastmasters somewhere in your presentation and direct audiences to the District 15 Website for more information whenever possible. We also recommend you leave behind Toastmasters promotional information.
• Accepting a speaking engagement means you make that opportunity your top priority for the scheduled date. You alone are responsible for making contact with the hiring organization for any engagement, postponement or cancellation of any speaking engagement. In the case of an emergency, it is your responsibility, not the bureau’s, to provide a substitute speaker immediately.
• Our speakers demonstrate professionalism and courtesy in all aspects of the planning and presentation for their speaking engagements. You will refrain from profane or offensive language and comments.
• Neither the Speakers Bureau nor District 15 is responsible in any manner for any conflicts or problems resulting from your speaking engagement.
• To protect its non-profit status, Toastmasters does not allow speakers to charge for engagements gained through the bureau. However, you may accept a meal, paid or reimbursed travel expenses, a small (non-cash) gift, and/or a donation in the form of a check on behalf of your club and District 15. Please share this donation with the district.
• According to Toastmasters International bureau bi-laws, all club funds gained through the bureau are to be used for educational purposes (i.e. purchasing educational materials for the club).
• NOTE: The District 15 Speakers Bureau Executive Committee has the authority to terminate your membership if you are in violation of any of these terms.

Annual Application Process
Please submit the following to d15bureau@gmail.com:
• Your name and member ID.
• Your (200-250 pixel) portrait.
• Your contact phone, email and (optional) Website.
• Your biography (limit 150 words).
• Your preferred speaking area (including state) and travel willingness/availability. (Are you willing to travel outside your preferred speaking area? How far are you willing to travel? Will travel require advance notice and/or paid or reimbursed travel expenses?)
• At least one 20-30 minute presentation for your bureau repertoire. You are encouraged to update your profile later to add up to 3 total speeches.
• A list of other roles you may be interested in performing: emcee, meeting facilitator, coach, consultant, trainer, keynote speaker, target speaker (for Toastmasters contests)…
• A Web link to your 20-minute qualifying speech. This must be videotaped before a live audience of your choice. This can be a speech from your bureau repertoire.
Note: To make yourself more enticing to organizations, make your biography and speech titles/descriptions “snappy” and build up your repertoire to three speeches.