Enable and support at least one tenant/staff member/colleague to speak at an event

The Idea

How many times have you been invited to speak at an event or run a workshop? How many times have you looked at the agenda and thought you are seeing the same faces all over again? You may be responsible for organising events yourself and may be looking for ideas on who to invite to speak.

 

This pledge could mean taking somebody along with you, to help you deliver a workshop or a presentation. You could also suggest to the organisers that somebody from an underrepresented group is invited to speak at an external event. You may be organising an event yourself and consider inviting and supporting somebody who isn’t usually represented, to speak. This might be somebody who is:

 

• A colleague/tenant/customer/service user
•  Younger or Older
• Female or Male
• Disabled
• Black or from Minority Ethnic Background
• Gay or Lesbian
•  Trans*
• From a particular religious background
• Ex-offender
• Underprivileged socio-economic background
• Any other group which you think deserves to be represented or supported but isn’t

 

More Information

Many job specifications will want applicants to be able to demonstrate an ability to speak in public. If somebody is trying to make a ‘step up’ into their first leadership role, being able to demonstrate experience in public speaking and presenting is essential.

Enabling diverse people to speak in public can also promote positive role models, change stereotypical ideas of what a leader looks like and increase people’s confidence and aspirations.