Talks Secretary

Sherborne Museum is located at the heart of the community in one of the most beautiful towns in Dorset. We aim to tell the story of its rich heritage through our fascinating collections.

We're looking for someone to take the lead on organising an imaginative and commercially viable talks programme as part of the museum’s wider outreach offering. The aim is to provide an entertaining and varied series that encompasses topics relevant to local history and, where possible, the museum’s collections. 

The annual talks programme has increased in popularity in recent years, with monthly talks from September to April attracting both our members and the general public. They are a useful way of promoting the museum and its important work within the community.

Key tasks of the Talks Secretary include:

•Ensure the venue is booked in a timely manner and notify the hall manager of any equipment requirements (usually lapel and radio microphones). 
•Research and contact potential speakers to discuss the title and content of the talk, agree fees and travel expenses (where applicable) and check if they require any specialist equipment. Send them information about timings, venue, available parking, etc.
•Liaise with other volunteers (e.g. Membership Secretary and Publicity Officer) to arrange for advance publicity of the programme, providing them with relevant information.
•Maintain a list of reliable/popular speakers for future reference.
•Contact the speaker at least three weeks before the talk to confirm arrangements (date, timings, arrival time, etc).
•Liaise with others, as necessary, to confirm availability of equipment (e.g. digital projector and laptop), refreshments and volunteer support.
•Liaise with the Treasurer to ensure prompt payment of the speaker and hall hire. 
•Take note of any feedback from audience members