your event, make sure you manage expecta- tions. Let your guest know how long he will have to talk, and what audio-visual equip- ment will be available to him. Be honest with your expected attendance. Remember, presenters are not just “free entertainment” for your group. Everyone’s time is valuable, and your guest will be putting a lot of effort into their presentation. If you are inviting someone from out of the area, consider offer- ing a small honorarium to help defray the cost of gas. For events that stretch over a few days, some organizations will often offer a complimentary hotel room as thanks. I once spoke to a small group that invited me to join them for dinner prior to their meeting, which I thought was very considerate. Re- member, it’s the thought that counts. I know the first thing I do when I get an invitation is to check the organization’s web site to see what kind of event promotion they do. If I visit your web site, and it says UNDER CONSTRUCTION or it was updated sometime in the previous decade, I’ll be thinking twice about making the commitment. However you keep in touch with your members and the in- terested public, make sure you give your in- vited speaker the courtesy of properly pro- moting his or her appearance. Advertising the event far in advance can help boost at- tendance as well. Sending a confirmation note to the presenter is another courtesy to en- sure that the date and time are agreed upon. If you are managing an event that fea- tures a schedule of several speakers, time- keeping is very important. Most likely you have already let your presenters know how much time they have to speak, so everyone’s expectations are set. Where you have multi-
ple presentations taking place at the same time in more than one location, it is very im- portant to keep track of the clock so that at- tendees and presenters alike can follow the schedule and enjoy as much of the event as possible. Some delays are unavoidable, of course. Sometimes the presenter does not re- alize he is running out of time, or a “Q&A” session is going a bit long. Stepping in to make sure everyone stays on schedule is a must. Of course, the presenters have some rules to follow as well. Make sure you arrive early to check-in with your host and begin setting up your show. Test the equipment and make sure everything runs the way you would ex- pect it to. Presentations should not run longer than their allotted time. Practicing beforehand helps, and having a friend look over your edits is always a good idea. Keep a set of notes to give you talking points for your show, but please don’t be that guy who reads verbatim from his own slides... At the same time, make sure what you are saying is relevant to what you are showing. For most slide shows, a good rule of thumb is if you can’t see it in the slide, then it’s not worth mentioning in your narration. (Toastmas- ters International has some great free re- sources on public speaking on their web site
toastmasters.org.)
The next time someone asks you to be a presenter, don’t be afraid to say yes! Connect with your host to work out the details and put on the best show you can. Whether you’re sharing 20 of your favorite railfan photos or the result of your research of some obscure narrow gauge line, you’re doing your part to build up this great hobby of ours. — O.M.V.
Start
training here.
Go to
www.greatesthobby.com and get links to hobby resources and reference materials, lists of train shows and events, and information about planning and building your first model railroad layout. We’ll even help you find a shop or club in your area willing to coach you one-on-one. It’s everything you need to know to start enjoying your new hobby. Getting started in the World’s Greatest Hobby has never been easier!
www.greatesthobby.com 877-426-5082
Railfan & Railroad Advertising Index for June 2013 K
A
A&R Productions .....................................................8 C
Carstens Publications............................................49 Carstens Book Store..............................................19 Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum .................21 Conway Scenic Railroad........................................20 Daylight Prints........................................................54 Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad .....................20
E
Elkhorn Inn.............................................................20 Erie Lackawanna Historical Society.............16,48,50
F
Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.21 Friends of the Tehachapi Depot ............................21
G
Golden Spike Enterprises......................................14 Golden Spike Tower ................................................7
H
Herron Rail Services..............................................15 Highball Productions................................................5 Holiday Vacations..................................................20
I
Illinois Railway Museum ........................................20 Izaak Walton Inn....................................................12
J Christopher Jenkins...............................................14
Kentucky Railway Museum....................................21 Kingsley Inn ...........................................................20
L
Leadville Railroad ..................................................21 Lumberjack Steam Train........................................21 Lynchburg Railday.................................................55
M
Medina Railroad Museum......................................21 Melvin Photos ..........................................................8 Merrill Publishing Associates...................................6 Michigan State University Press..............................6 Monticello Railway Museum ..................................21 Morning Sun Books ...............................................17
Morning Sun Books
Museum, Tourist Line and Dinner Train Directory........................................................20,21
N
Napa Valley Wine Train.........................................20 National Railway Historical Society .......................10 National Narrow Gauge Convention 2013.............18 Nevada Northern Railroad &
Museum.........Cover IV New York Central System Historical Society.........10 New York, Susquehanna & Western Historical Society..................................................6 North Shore Scenic Railroad ...................................6
P
Plets Express.........................................................14 R
Railcom..................................................................12 Railroad Explorer
..........................................Cover II
Railroadbooks.biz ..................................................10 Revelation Video....................................................13 Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum ...20 Rockhill Ragtime....................................................21 Rocky Hill Inn Bed & Breakfast..............................20 Ron’s
Books.................................................Cover III RonRail Pictures....................................................18
S
Seashore Trolley Museum.....................................51 Signature Press .......................................................5 Sonrisa Publications ..............................................16 Southern Pacific Historical Society..........................7 Sunshine Networks................................................56
T
TRP..........................................................................9 TRRA Historical Society ........................................10 TTX Company........................................................12 Three Rivers Rambler............................................21 Trackside Prints.....................................................14
Trainorders.com.....................................................54 Trains & Travel ......................................................10 TrainsShipsPlanes.................................................14 TrainWeb ...............................................................52 Transit Gloria Mundi ..............................................51
U
University of Minnesota Press .................................8 W
Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway...............................10 Whitewater Valley Railroad......................................2
Y Yard Goat Images..................................................17 57
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