Re: Lecturing on a Holiday

**"C.L. Fornari" c*@mail.com**

 Melanie,
My guess is the lecture would be scheduled in the afternoon, allowing plenty of time for breakfast in bed.  An open air shopping center might have some appeal for Mom and the grandkids to wander while you lecture...then you could all go out for a late lunch or early dinner.  

AND you should quote a higher fee.  Your fees are, in the world of garden speakers, a bargin now.  (I present at a speakers day every year, and the speakers there are, for the most part, local speakers who present to regional garden clubs. Of the 40 speakers there, the average speaking fee is $250. plus milage.)  

There is nothing unethical about charging more for a special situation, holiday, or just for the "pain-in-the-ass" factor.  Just as there is nothing unethical about charging more because you'd rather speak less frequently and get paid more for the dates you book. 

There is also nothing wrong with saying that you want to stay home and enjoy this day with your family. 

 I say go with your gut.
C.L.
C.L. Fornari
www.gardenlady.com

> 
> This morning I received an e-mail from a new open-air shopping 
> center opening in New York City (Queens). They have asked me if I'd 
> be available to do a lecture for them on Children's Gardening at 
> their Grand Opening event. They referred me to their website at 
> www.theshopsatatlaspark.com to see what they are all about.
> 
> It all looks very nice to me but the date of the event is May 14th.
> 
> Although not a holiday for everybody, May 14th is Mother's Day and 
> I'm sure it's not a coincidence that this is their opening day.
> 
> With children still at home who do the "breakfast in bed" thing and 
> my Mom in from Florida for the week, it's not a date I would choose 
> to go out and lecture. Yet, price is everything and I wonder if it 
> would be ethical for me to quote a rate much higher than my usual 
> lecture fee ($150 to $175 for local lectures).
> 
> Any suggestions? My gut reaction is I want to stay home that day 
> but my pocketbook says sell, sell, sell.
> 
> Melanie Vassallo
> melaniev@optonline.net
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