Knowledge is being taken on the road, thanks to Iowa State faculty and staff participating in the new program called the Speaker’s Bureau.

The Speaker’s Bureau was created to promote ISU faculty and staff as speakers for civic and professional organizations, schools, conferences and other events in the central Iowa area.

“We want to promote the visibility of ISU faculty and staff and give them an opportunity to share their expertise and interests with the community,” Glenda McIntire, ISU university relations administrative specialist, said.

McIntire said the Speakers Bureau has a database of ISU faculty and staff who are willing to share their news, knowledge and interests.

They have expertise on such topics as violence in the media, career planning, American politics, bridge testing, free expression, retirement satisfaction, how organizations cope with change, 19th century French art, glass blowing and ethics in agricultural research.

“We’ve already begun receiving requests from conference organizers, those planning programs for civic and professional organizations, and central Iowa teachers who are planning career days or would like guest speakers to visit their classrooms,” she said.

When the Speaker’s Bureau was formed in August, departmental leaders were asked to recommend people they thought would be good representatives and speakers of ISU.

“The information gives us a profile of their academic interests and area of expertise,” she said.

The Speaker’s Bureau facilitates the arrangements between the organizations and the speaker. They will contact the speaker to determine his or her availability and then confirm details with both parties.

McIntire said the speakers are participating with the understanding that this is a free service. “It is rare that a speaker asks for an honorarium. If this request takes place, the bureau will help make the appropriate arrangements,” she said.

When requesting a speaker, McIntire said it is best to book arrangements three to four weeks in advance due to scheduling conflicts that might occur when requests are made too close to the specified date.

To request a speaker, call the Speaker’s Bureau at 294-6136 or 294-5992; mail a letter addressed to 217 Communications Building, ISU, Ames, Iowa 50011; or send and e-mail [email protected].