FIRST STEP’S STAFF SPEAKERS BUREAU
ABOUT THE BUREAU
First Step’s Speakers Bureau offers an array of educational opportunities centered around prevention, outreach, and survivor-centered advocacy which are available to a wide variety of audiences within the community. This is vital to our agency’s mission of ending intimate partner violence and sexual assault, and an important step in connecting survivors to our life saving services.
As professionals in intimate partner and teen dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and similar trauma related topics, we are committed to educating and engaging with our community about our organization and the issues we respond to 24-hours a day.
The Bureau consists of staff experts who have a passion and interest in educating. They complete rigorous training and are actively participating in ongoing personal and professional development. By being on the Bureau, our members get more opportunities to engage with the community, work alongside other staff outside of their program, and opt into requests that peak their interests and honor their skills.
First Step’s trained educators are available to present to all types of groups and settings, including both virtual and in-person opportunities. Audiences range from children and teens to groups like educational institutions, health-care professionals, law enforcement officials, members of the clergy or other faith-based leaders/groups, civic and community organizations, corporations, and other professional associations.
TYPES OF REQUESTS
- Speaker at your event
- Info Session on First Step services, ways to get involved, and how to refer
- Host a First Step resource table or booth at event
- Presentations or professional training (fees may be associated)
- Presentation/s to youth groups, classrooms, or at assemblies
- Professional on a panel
- Interview with media or journalist
- Representative to accept donation
- Advocate/Counselor to provide emotional support during event
- Intimate partner violence and/or sexual assault survivor speaker
- Consultation on practice, policy, and procedures (fees may be associated)
- Community Support Group
First Step is qualified to support a variety of organizations with many different types of needs or requests! If you don’t see what you were looking for above, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
FEES + PAYMENT
Most of First Step’s community education, outreach, and presentations are free of charge. This often includes engagements to youth, tabling events, and info sessions. However, as a non-profit agency, First Step relies on our community’s support. Reimbursement for time, travel, materials, equipment, and other expenses is encouraged and sometimes requested, particularly for trainings and/or presentations that are lengthy, tailored, or include customized content.
Donations are always appreciated and another great way to support our mission and allow us to continue providing our services. Nonetheless, First Step is dedicated to serving and informing our community and will do so regardless of a partner’s resources or limitations.
LEARN MORE
Visit our other pages to learn about the different types of presentations and training topics we have available for request. For information on the programs available to youth, visit this this page.
REQUESTING A FIRST STEP SPEAKER OR REPRESENTATIVE
If you are interested in scheduling with First Step’s Speakers Bureau, or otherwise requesting First Step representation, please include any relevant information and contact us at communityservices@firststep-mi.org. We encourage at least a month’s notice due to the popularity of requests.