Alumnae Speakers Bureau

The Alumnae Association of Smith College offers a vital new educational resource. By using the AASC’s new searchable online database, Smith professors, student groups and conference organizers can connect with talented alumnae who embody a world of experience and expertise! Whether an international economist, a television producer, a research chemist or corporate executive, each alumna in our database has told us that they are willing to share their knowledge and experience with the Smith community. The Alumnae Speakers Bureau is a perfect way to showcase alumnae talent and enhance the connection between students and alumnae.
Help us expand our list: If you’ve had an alumna speak in the past, or have one scheduled to visit this year, please let us know so we can invite that alumna to join the Speakers Bureau. Inclusion on our list is by invitation only, so your recommendations mean a lot to us.

GUIDELINES

1. Search the database: Contact the AASC at alumclub@smith.edu to request a username and password for access to the database.  You must be logged in to perform your search. You can search the database by name, professional field and job title, among other things. You may login at the bottom of this page.
2. Submit your request: Do not contact the alumna directly. Submit the online request form http://alumnae.smith.edu/speakers_bureau/request.php to the AASC at least 3 months prior to the event. You can also request an alumna who is not on the list.
3. Funding: The AASC may be able to offer limited funding to help you bring an alumna speaker to campus. These funds can be used to help offset the cost of the event: publicity, food & beverages. We ask, in turn, that any printed materials or advertisement contain the line: “funded in part by the AASC”. If funding is approved, the amount will be transferred via a journal entry to your organization.
4. Travel Expenses: The AASC does not reimburse travel expenses, meals, lodging or pay honorarium. There is no lodging available on campus for alumna speaker.
5. Student organization/Academic department responsibilities:  The AASC’s role is to invite alumnae, on behalf of a student organization when a speaker opportunity arises. All arrangements after initial contact are made between the organizer and the speaker.

1. Decide on possible dates, topic and location for event.
2. Search the Alumnae Speakers Bureau database, and narrow down your choices.
3. Submit your request to the Alumnae Association.
4. The AASC will get back to you promptly and let you know if the alumna accepted your invitation, and give you her contact information.
5. Contact the alumna and introduce yourself as the contact person, and firm up details with alumna:
1. verify date, time and location
2. help her find lodging and make travel arrangements, if necessary
3. discuss presentation format and length, topic
4. confirm expected attendance, type of audience
5. ask for audio-visual needs (projector, microphone, etc)
6. offer to pick up alumna at the airport, or meet her as soon as she arrives on campus.
7. share your group’s expectations
6. Advertise the event on campus.

Post event

• Send a thank you note: Be mindful that alumnae speakers are volunteers, and devote time and energy to come to campus for a speaking engagement. Make sure to send them a thank you note after the event.
• Your feedback is valuable to us. Please fill out the alumnae speakers bureau feedback form and submit it to the AASC.

Database Login Page

Please contact alumclub@email.smith.edu for the username and password for access to the Speakers Bureau