Suggested Guidelines for Arranging Programme

 

1. Dates of terms need to be decided at least a year in advance in order to establish deadlines.

2. A person needs to be identified to make the programme print ready using appropriate desktop publishing software. Currently Ned Newitt is undertaking this.

3. Work back from the date of the beginning of the season,

• Aim to have the programmes with members at least two weeks before the beginning of the programme. 14 days

• Printing the programme takes about ten days. 10 days

• The programme needs to be checked with speakers for spelling, titles etc. 4 days. (Once draft programme print ready, mail it to all speakers requesting them to advise of any amendments by 12.00 noon three days hence otherwise it will be assumed that they are content. Normally there are some minor details or spelling errors to correct.)

• Setting the information onto the template. 7 days

• Programme needs to be complete 35 days before the beginning of the following season.

• Timescales may need to take into account delays caused by Public Holidays such as Christmas.

Example programme timetable -

• First event: 6th September

• Distribute programme on: 23rd August

• Allow 10 days for printing: 13th August

• 3 days for final checks: 10th August

• 7 days to compile draft programme: 3rd August

Guidelines for the events co-ordinator agreed in 2013

AIM TO KEEP A BALANCE OF GENDERS, ETHNIC ORIGINS AND POLITICS OF SPEAKERS.

The ambition of the Outreach Workshop of January 2013 was to have a seasonal programme of around 16 events along the following lines.

A balanced programme of the 16 might broadly contain:

• One topic each month of an explicit secular/atheist/humanist character.

• One event each month of a more social nature – Burns Night, Darwin Day, comedy night, musical performance, quiz, celebration, sing-song. Have a café arrangement of tables, refreshments and snacks available all through. Buy the stuff from Bharti in the sweetshop to improve its viability.

• One event each month of an implicit secular character: a current scientific development; a historic event; a topical political issue (not always from a left or anarchist perspective, we need to broaden our appeal to grow); a book launch, etc.

• One event involving going out on a trip or a walk, a restaurant meal, a theatre trip, etc.

• One event of general interest possibly from a member – bees, tourist report, high seas adventure, volcanoes, etc.

• One Headstrong event for members giving opportunities for feedback from the Board; discussion of any topics raised.

• One major event with a well-known national or local speaker who will draw a good audience – planned well ahead and publicised more actively.