How to Arrange a Presentation for a Service Club

Speaking to area service clubs is a very effective way to market your organization and its mission. Members of these clubs and associations are usually community and business leaders involved in community organizations, programs and projects. They form a good target audience and are a source for potential donors, board members, and volunteers. Most service clubs meet at least once a month and are usually eager for new speakers to feature.

Examples of service clubs that may be in your area:

  • Rotary International
  • Kiwanis
  • Lions Club
  • Exchange Club

Enlist the Help of Your Board Members. Identify which board members belong to a service club. Your board members can arrange an invitation to be a presenter and can give you information about time, place and contact person.

Understand the setup. Make sure you know how much time you have for your presentation and for questions. Generally, the time frame of the entire meeting will be brief (usually no more than one hour, including a meal) with 15 minutes for a presentation and five to ten minutes for questions/discussion. These meetings often run behind schedule, so plan a presentation that is shorter than the time slot would allow (you can always add comments or take more questions if time permits). If you plan to use PowerPoint, make sure you have all the necessary audio visual materials you need.

Assign a speaker. Each service club has one or more specific charitable interests, so it is helpful to understand these interests for your speaker (or yourself). Design a brief outline of a presentation, allowing the speaker to add personal details.

Provide printed material. Take sufficient copies of your brochure, annual report and/or newsletter to leave with attendees, but have someone pass it out after your presentation. If you pass out your material before you speak, the audience will be leafing through it rather than listening to what you’re saying.

Follow-up. Design a brief form so that you have a record of each presentation, the date it was made, who made it, and the notes or outline of the presentation itself. Include the need for any follow-up response to questions or requests for information.