The language of this policy is intentionally broad because each speaking engagement opportunity is unique and will likely require some discretion. So this policy is more a set of guidelines than hard rules.

We should make sure that each speaking engagement invitation we accept is one or more of the following:

1) an opportunity to outreach to a community that we have identified as a community we'd like to be more connected to;

2) an opportunity to speak to a key audience to promote a specific campaign or program that we have identified a need to promote; or

3) a profit earning opportunity for SELC;

For requests coming from for-profit businesses, large conferences, law schools/colleges/universities and organizations that have larger budgets than SELC:

The default should be to request a fee for any speaker from SELC.

Exceptions can be made where it seems unfeasible/unlikely that SELC could receive a fee but where the speaking engagement would be a good opportunity for SELC to solicit donations, outreach to a community that we have identified as a community we'd like to be more connected to, or promote a specific campaign or program that we have identified a need to promote more widely.

For requests that come from small, 100% volunteer-run community groups and nonprofit organizations whose budgets are similar to or smaller than SELC's budget:

Generally we should accept these invitations to speak without a fee if one or more SELC staff have availability, ability and enthusiasm to accept. If the community group is composed of a fairly affluent demographic, we should ask for a fee on a case-by-case basis. If the speaking engagement would require significant travel, we should at least ask for a fee just to cover travel costs, unless the staff member going to the event feels that it is especially important to reach out to that group and funds to cover travel costs are not available.

For requests that entail extensive time from multiple SELC staff (eg more than 3 hours each including travel time) but do not offer a fee: we may suggest that the organization collaborate with SELC to write a grant proposal for the event.

For requests that do not fit into any category above: use our best judgment, ask if a fee is available for the speaker but don't imply that we will only consider the request if a fee is available.