Tips for Hosting a Speaker
Back to: Event Planning & Logistics
Invite a Speaker
- You can invite a BYU Professor to speak at your event
- Coordinate with the speaker on travel times/ airport pick up (the flight will be paid for by BYU Alumni)
- Coordinate housing (hotel/home) and meals for the speaker (paid by the chapter)
Day of Event Assignments
- Chair set up/takedown for overflow if anticipated
- Sound/AV equipment as needed. (Check with speaker)
- Lobby set up: BYU DVD playing, pamphlets, donation envelopes, signage, etc.
- Refreshment area: plan for paper goods, water/drinks, desserts, set up and clean up
- Translators: if you have a Spanish speaking population, plan for headphones and a translator and make sure the Spanish ward is aware it will be in Spanish too
- Get keys to the chapel and plan to be there 1 hour at least before start time
- Ushers - your board can be there to greet and seat
- Fliers - use the opportunity to pass out a printed program with a flyer/newsletter of any upcoming events and a volunteer sheet for contact info. Include chapter website/contact info, etc.
Plan Program (Customize as appropriate for topic and setting):
- Presiding and conducting - you may invite members of the Stake Presidency to preside while the chapter chair conducts. Allow a few minutes for brief announcements and thanking those who helped.
- Opening and closing prayers
- Opening and closing hymns/pianist/chorister
- Musical number - may need a separate pianist
- Bio for Speaker - have a short biography of the speaker to read
- Bring a small thank you gift and water bottle for the speaker. Thank you cards or small gift for those who helped with music is always nice.