Re: Speech topics

**"* C* <d*@sympatico.ca>**

do you
> accept engagements where no topic is specified by the group?

Yes

I like to think they are asking me because they like me. So I'm flattered.

Then, I'll  work towards a theme- find out what the group is doing at the 
moment, i.e. do they have a project and, if so, is there anything that I can 
contribute to it speaking from my knowledge.

If it's a show put on by a charity I try to hook into their cause. For 
example, The Lung Association asked me to speak at their annual garden 
festival. I based the presentation on Tom Ogren's "Sex in the Garden" (with 
his permission) and trucked in a mess of male and female plants.

Just like Carlos said, the topic will be nailed down long before I get 
there-with confirmation. Once, when I arrived at the venue, the sign board 
had my name spelled correctly but with a totally different topic. Shifting 
gears from underused trees in the urban garden to a discussion on cosmetic 
use of pesticides was pretty tough. (I'm the plant health guy at work so the 
shift didn't quite burn out the clutch)

Not only do I not want to duplicate others, etc., I don't want them 
duplicating me.
Each of us are unique and the last thing I want to see is an atmosphere 
where folks slot us into their programmes with horticultural cookie cutters.

The one message that is coming through the thread on fees is that this is a 
business venture and we need to work the business.

Dan
(not yet a returning member of GWA but I sent the cheque.)
Dan Clost's Greenscapes
The Good Earth Columnist
dan.clost@sympatico.ca 

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