HOW TO FIND A SPEAKER. Here are the most common ways to find a speaker:

• Attend an event where they speak
• Recommendation from another leader, friend, etc...
• Speaker service/directory such as WomensMinistry.Net Directory, CLASSeverices, etc...

My personal recommendation is to always hear a speaker before you invite her to speak. Request an information packet from potential speakers and ask them to include a tape/cd/dvd of one of their presentations.

CONTACTING THE SPEAKER. You can either call or write your potential speaker. Your initial contact will involve finding out when they are available and letting them know what dates you would like to book them for. This is usually when you need to know if they have a speaking fee or if they will come on a love offering basis. Whichever the case, it is pretty standard for the host church/event to cover the cost of travel and any hotel room or event registration fees. Getting this sorted out right off the bat will help you and the speaker communicate more clearly.

SENDING A CONFIRMATION LETTER/FORM. After making the initial contact, it is a good idea to send out a confirmation letter that states the dates, type of event, amount of women expected to attend, the theme, our purpose or goals for the event, and any specific subjects you would like the speaker to cover.

Send with it a form with a self addressed, stamped envelope that addresses whether the speaker would like a private room or to room with some of the ladies; the type of bed she will have - if she needs to bring a sleeping bag or not; if she has any special dietary needs; if she will need any special equipment like an overhead, wipe off board, etc...; if she will need copies of handouts and how many (Ask her to provide them about a week before the event, if possible. Usually the best method is for her to e- mail them.); any songs she would recommend for the worship time; and any books she would recommend for a book table.

This is a good time to confirm the speakers fee/ love offering and the cost of travel, what time she will arrive, who will pick her up and where. If she has not already provided them, request a black and white picture and brief bio to include in your advertising.

MONEY MATTERS. Find out up front. As the host of the event you are expected to pay for the speakers travel, accomodations, handouts, and their speaker fee. Many speakers will come on a love offering basis, but a host is still responsible for the other costs.

If your speaker is flying in... the best thing to do is to arrange to pay for her ticket in advance. You can have her book the flight she would like and forward you the information to pay for it. Or you can find out what time she would like to fly out of her airport and arrange the ticket for her.

If your speaker is driving in.... I think it is nice to send her a check in advance to help cover the cost of gas. Most businesses use a simple formula of the mileage times 35-45 cents to reimburse travel expenses.

Other options... if your speaker lives in your town and you can make arrangements to pick her up.

It is a good idea to have a check in advance for the speaking fee. This way you can give it to the speaker with a thank you card at the close of the event. If the speaker has agreed to come on a love offering basis, make arrangements with your church to have a check prepared as quickly as possible after the event. Talk with your church leaders and treasurer to determine how they would like to handle it and then let your speaker know!

The bottom line is communication. If you are not sure about something, just ask. Your speaker and you have the same goal... making the event God - centered and successful!

If you have a specific question about retreats, email robyne@womensministry.net and we will try to cover it in this series.

In Him... Robyne Beaubien, Editor

Last week we asked you to submit unique ideas for celebrating Mother's Day in your church and the response was amazing! Here are some of our favorites:

Outreach to homeless and single moms. In the metro city area of Detroit there are many mother's who are homeless in shelters or single moms living on their own. The Salvation Army for the last three or four years has invited mother's to come with their children to our churches for a special worship service and mother's day meal. After our worship services we all move into the fellowship hall for a lovely catered meal. Many of these women have never before been served let alone eat a hot meal for awhile. A short devotional is also shared and a small gift given.
~ Kathleen

Special PowerPoint Presentation. For Mother's Day this year we wanted to show what keeps moms going, what gives them their power and strength and purpose. So we are putting together a slide show with pictures of moms from our church in their favorite quiet time places doing their devotions. We are going to play Fernando Ortega's Just Give Me Jesus during the presentation. We requested that moms send us pictures via email, and we put each one on a slide! It is a moving show--to see these women in devotion to their Lord and Savior. We are using it at the end of our Mother's Day services.
~Lee Anne

A Banquet with a Twist. At our church, we don't have a Mother's event. Since all women are daughters, but some are not mothers, we have changed it to a Daughter's Banquet. It is for all "daughters" in our church.
~ Betty

Memories of Mom Book. We asked people to submit a short article (250 words or less) in honor of or in memory of their mother. We compiled the entries into a booklet in alphabetical order. We put "In Honor Of" at the front of the booklet and "In Memory Of in the back. The binding was card stock with two holes punched. We put a piece of silver cord through the holes and wrapped it around a lovely silver pencil with hearts and the word "love" imprinted on it. ~ Karen

As you can see, there are a lot of creative women in ministry... Thanks for sharing your ideas!

Theme: Puzzle Pieces... Where Do I Fit In?

Based On: 1 COR. 12:12-17

Description: This is an annual event we have in the spring. We have special music, a testimony, and a speaker.

Decorations: We had puzzle pieces everywhere. On each table whe had puzzle pieces and bud vases wtih long tapered candles. (We gave away the bud vases as door prizes.)

Favors: We gave each attendee small boxes of chocolate candies with a puzzle piece glued to the top.

For our grand prize give-a-way, we had a puzzle that was all put together except for one piece. As each woman came in the door, they were given a puzzle piece. The one that had the correct piece to complete the puzzle won the grand prize basket.

Submitted by: Donna Fox of Piedmont, MO
Email: bowman3333@yahoo.com

Bridget Taylor's I CHOOSE JOY Weekend Women's Conferences teach women that having a joy-filled life starts today! The conference begins with a Friday night concert by Bridget. Saturday is filled with fun, fellowship and finding Truth in God's Word.

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