Speaker Administration

Reimbursement:

To receive reimbursement for your speaking engagement:

1. Complete the online evaluation form.
2. Submit the reimbursement form including receipts, by mail, email or fax.

Payment will not be issued until the online evaluation is received.
Both the evaluation and reimbursement form must be submitted within two (2)weeks of the event date.

Lecture Renewal:

If your lecture is nearing the end of its tenure with the Speakers program and you would like to renew tenure with the Council, please submit the Current Lecture Renewal Application. Speakers will be notified at least two months in advance of the end of tenure. Please be aware that not all lectures are guaranteed to be renewed.

Training Manual:

A comprehensive guide to the Council, the Speakers programs, your role as a Speaker, and basic administrative guidelines: Speakers Manual

Speakers FAQ:

Is there a limit on how many times I can lecture in a given year?

Yes, Speakers are eligible to present up to ten (10) lectures in a calendar year. Once the maximum has been reached, your lecture(s) will no longer be available for bookings by organizations until the following calendar year but will remain listed on the website.

I sent in my Reimbursement Request Form weeks ago - where is my check?

The Council's disbursement schedule is the 15th and last day of each month.  Please allow a minimum of six to eight (6-8) weeks for reimbursement for any speaking engagement. If you have not received your payment more than eight (8) weeks after submitting your Reimbursement Request Form, please e-mail the Council at speakers@nyhumanities.org.

How do I add an image with my program listings in the on-line catalogue?

An image or photo is now required for all current lecture offerings. E-mail the graphic in digital format to: speakers@nyhumanities.org. Please include all information granting the Council permission to reproduce the image online, as well as image credit and caption information in your e-mail.

I've been contacted by an organization and requested to speak, but I haven't heard anything from the Council - what is happening with this application?

Occasionally, an organization will contact a Speaker and request a time and date for a lecture engagement, and later fail to send in an application form. The Council requires all application forms to arrive eight (8) weeks in advance of the proposed lecture date, and will respond to all applicants within three (3) weeks of Council receipt of application. If you have not received notification from the Council of the status of your lecture by five (5) weeks before your lecture date, please contact the program administrator at speakers@nyhumanities.org. You should never deliver a lecture for which you have not received a letter of approval of funding from the Council. The Council cannot pay a Speaker for delivering a lecture that has not been pre-approved.

I was notified that an organization's application to host my lecture has been rejected - what is this?

If the Council denies funding to an applying organization, the Speaker requested by that organization will be notified of "denial of funds". In this manner, the Speakers are kept apprised of the status of all applications concerning any lecture that they present, whether those applications are approved or denied.

I received a copy of a letter to an organization stating that their application has been rejected, but I've never heard of the organization, and they didn't ask me to speak for them - what should I do?

Occasionally, an organization applies to the Council without following the guidelines outlined by the online program catalogue. If you receive a letter of denial for a lecture engagement about which you were not aware, this is because the organization has failed to contact the Speaker before applying to the Council for funds. You are never obligated to deliver a lecture that you have not agreed to give. If you receive a letter indicating that funds have been awarded for a lecture engagement about which you were not aware, it is your option to accept or reject the engagement.

I would like to accept a request to speak at an organization that is located far away from me, and the travel and lodging fees will add up to more than $300 - what can I do?

If a speaking engagement will reach underserved or geographically isolated audiences, the Council will occasionally be able to raise the travel reimbursement limit to $350. If you believe that you will require this extension of funds, please call the Council to request an extension BEFORE the date of your lecture. The Council cannot reimburse unauthorized expenses. If the travel expenses for a lecture will exceed $350, the Speaker and the sponsoring organization may work together to arrange ways to cover the remainder of the travel expense. Speakers should look into the feasibility of staying within their allotted travel budget before accepting any engagement that will require extensive travel.