Speaker Event Strategies

Optimize your AHS campus events with useful resources, timeline suggestions, and campus suggestions. Please remember to fill out the Speaker Request Form and the Advance Event Notification before your event, and a Post-Event Form after your event.

Speaker Event Format

Recommended Debate Format

If you are hosting a debate between an AHS speaker and a local professor, consider using the following format:

The chapter president introduces the event (3-5 minutes).
The debaters present their opening remarks (5-10 minutes each).
Each speaker responds (3-5 minutes each).
Moderator asks questions (20-25 minutes).
The conversation opens up for Q&A with the audience (30-35 minutes).
Kindly remind the moderator to encourage the speakers respect the time limits.

Recommended Moderated Discussion Format

If you are hosting a moderated discussion with an AHS speaker or with a panel of speakers, consider using the following format:

The chapter president introduces the event (3-5 minutes).
The speaker gives an opening statement (5-10 minutes).
The moderator asks questions (15-20 minutes).
The conversation opens up for Q&A with the audience (30-35 minutes).

Co-sponsored events

If you are invited to co-sponsor another organization’s event or you want to invite an organization to co-sponsor your events, consult the AHS office before accepting, even if the other organization has not requested any funding.

Co-Sponsoring with National Organizations

You may co-sponsor events with student groups affiliated with other national organizations, but only one event per national organization each year.

Co-sponsoring with other university organizations

There is no limit to the number of events you may co-sponsor with organizations unique to your university, especially academic departments or other permanent programs.

If you invite a partisan group to co-sponsor one of your events (e.g., College Republicans), extend an invitation to a group from the other end of the political spectrum.
While not required, we encourage you to split the costs with your co-sponsor.

Additional Information

MEALS WITH AHS SPEAKERS

Consider organizing a dinner, lunch, or coffee meeting with the visiting AHS speaker and a select group of chapter officers. This is a wonderful opportunity to ask for advice on career paths in the D.C. community, or in their fields of expertise.

Make sure to select a reasonably-priced restaurant. AHS operates on a reimbursement system, so you will be paying for your meal up-front.

USEFUL WEBSITES

Canva.com: Excellent and user friendly website with hundreds of templates for making flyers.

Eventbrite.com: You can create and promote your event on this platform. It will store email accounts and send automatic reminders.

Please be sure to fill out the speaker post-event form below after your campus event!