Speakers

An online copy of the MPF List of Speakers is available here (November 2023).  If you spot any errors then please let the MPF General Secretary know as soon as possible so that the list can be updated.  Note that no postal addresses are given. This was agreed with Speakers and all have requested use of email (where possible) as their preferred means of communication. If for any reason you need a postal address then contact the MPF General Secretary.  Please respect the request for maximum travel distance which can easily be worked out from the city/town given for their location.

If you want to go on the MPF Speaker's List, please click on this pdf form to download it to your computer, open it using Adobe Acrobat Reader and complete the form, save it back to your computer, and then attach it in an email to the MPF General Secretary.  Alternatively please print off the form, complete it, and post it to the MPF General Secretary.

See Society Frames for a draft list showing the number and size of frames available to visiting speakers/societies at each MPF society.

Societies are always looking for new speakers.  Most society meetings have two halves of between 70 and 100 sheets each half, with an interval to view the display (and often to take refreshments) between the halves.  Please contact the MPF General Secretary if you would like to go on the list.

Guidelines to Speakers (*)

• • Start small and expand your display as you gain confidence, for example by showing one or two frames initially at a members' evening at your local society, then perhaps going as part of a team from your society to visit a nearby club.

  • Introduce yourself on arrival and find out from the convenor the time you are allotted for your presentation, how long the interval is, and the time to finish.

  • Introduce yourself when starting your display and give a brief overview of the structure of the display (but see next point).

  • If your display is written up, you do not need to repeat the information shown.  Explain the items that are special and say why you consider them so.  Leave enough time to enable the audience to look at the material.  People are expecting to see your material not to listen to too much talking.

  • Adjust your display and talk to suit the audience, whether they are general collectors (less detail may be appropriate) or a specialist society (detail is possibly necessary).

  • Make some notes on what you want to say.  You do not need to say something about each page, and it gives the wrong impression if you peer at each page to decide what you want to say.

  • Instill a little humour into your talk as this serves to relax both the audience and you, the presenter.

  • Use page protectors on the pages being displayed to ensure your material is not damaged.  Do consider the insurance of your collection when taken outside your house.  Never leave the collection in an unattended vehicle.

  • Some presenters prefer to talk about their pages as they put them up, while others prefer to put them all up and then talk.  The latter may make it easier to adjust the talk to fit the time available, and also make it easier to face the audience when talking.

  • When putting together the display consider how you are going to end each part.  When you have finished, stop !

Guidelines to Societies (*)

• • Invite a visiting speaker with plenty of notice and confirm the details in writing.

  • Explain the likely makeup of the audience, for example being mainly of general collectors, or alternatively of specialist collectors, so that the speaker can tailor their display and talk as appropriate.

  • Provide a map of the meeting venue, with directions and details of car parking.

  • Tell the speaker the number of pages and frame format (for example two halves of 10 or 6 frames each half, with 9 sheets/frame or 16 sheets/frame).

  • Tell the speaker the time allotted, the length of the interval, and the time to finish.

  • Agree any special requirements, for example transport to/from the local station, a meal locally, or a table to hold other display items.

  • Give a reminder about a fortnight before the date.

  • Give a warm welcome when the speaker arrives, remind them of the details of the meeting and handle any queries they may have.

  • Show your appreciation at the end of the display.

  • Always offer expenses.

(*)The above guidelines have been taken from "The Visiting Speaker !" leaflet produced by the A.B.P.S..