Re: Speaker Fees

**"* M* <h*@bostongardens.com>**

Ellen's comment brings a smile to my face ....

A million years ago (or so it seems) a Garden Club Federation colleague 
asked me to give a presentation to her home-town club. When the subject of 
an honorarium came up, she begged me to do it pro bono. "We have so very 
little money," she told me, "and we want to keep our donation commitments to 
our town."

I felt bad for them and agreed.

Since my Mom lived in the town, I figured that it would give me a good 
opportunity to see her and spend some time together. I asked if I could 
bring her with me. "No problem," I was told. It was a guest day and there 
would be a luncheon.

Everyone had to sit through a very thorough business meeting before my 
presentation. When it was the treasurer's turn, among her reports she 
mentioned that the day's meeting expenses were low since they were not 
paying me. Everyone clapped.

She then announced the following month's speaker and that his fee would be 
$500 (for a flower arranging presentation). She looked at me sheepishly... 
stuttered... and blurted out, "But, he's a professional."

Sitting next to me, my mother quietly grabbed my knee and almost broke it.

At 92 years old, she still occasionally reminds me of that meeting.

Thanks for the memories, Ellen! I learned a good lesson that day.

Cheers ~  Hilda

Hilda M. Morrill
www.BostonGardens.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ellen Zachos" <ez@acmeplant.com>
To: "Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum" 
<gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2011 10:27 PM
Subject: Re: [GWL] Speaker Fees

When I booked the speakers for the NYBG's winter lecture series we had a 
budget of between 3 and 5K for the season, which included 6 speakers.

<...>   You get what you pay for.  If you want a professional, expect to pay 
for one.  And if you are a professional, demand to be paid like one.

LN

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