Nomination Procedures
Each year, SPE selects a group of 25-30 individuals who are recognized experts in their field and capable speakers to share their expertise with SPE members through Distinguished Lecture visits to local sections. The individuals are nominated by their peers, and selection as a Distinguished Lecturer is a recognition of their expertise.
Who Would Make a Good Lecturer
Each lecturer chosen by the Distinguished Lecture Committee is an authority in his or her field and an experienced public speaker. Speaking ability is important, particularly since they will be addressing many audiences where English is a second language. In addition, they are willing to volunteer their personal time to instruct and share their knowledge with others. This combination of professionalism and topical expertise in selected lecturers has made the program well respected throughout the world.
The average number of presentations per lecturer is typically 15. Individual lecture tours can be three to four days or as long as two weeks. The tours can be very rigorous due to flight schedules, routing, and transportation between sections. It is important that the individuals selected as lecturers be able and willing to make this time commitment and be an experienced or adventurous traveler.
If you know someone who fits these criteria, consider nominating them as a Distinguished Lecturer. Self-nominations are not accepted.
Making a Nomination
Nominations are solicited from each disciplines/topic from each region of the world. Nominations must be submitted by 1 February and must include ALL of the following. Failure to submit required information will result in the nominee being omitted from consideration.
- Completed nomination form
(Must be completed by nominator, not
person being nominated.) - Nominee’s biography (1/4 page) and abstract (1/2 page) using a 12-point
font on the abstract/bio form. The abstract/bio must also answer the
question “What is the one idea you would like members to take away from this
lecture?”
- Name, phone, and e-mail address of two references. At least one reference must be from someone outside the nominee’s company.
- No more than seven core slides of the nominee’s proposed lecture presentation. Optionally, a DVD showing the lecturer presenting the seven core slides would be helpful to the committee, but is not required.
- Nominee's management must agree to the submission this of information.
Submit the above materials to disting_lect@spe.org by 1
February.
Timeline
- Nominations solicited – October - January
- Deadline for nominations – 1 February
- Distinguished Lecture committee selects potential lecturers and notifies those selected – May
- Slides for 30 minute presentation due from potential lecturer – 1 July
- Distinguished Lecture Committee reviews potential lecturer's presentations – July-August
- Verbal presentations are given by the potential lecturer to the DL Committee at Presentation Review meeting – September
- Distinguished Lecture Committee makes final lecturer selections after the Presentation Review meeting
- Lecturer receives a letter of invitation – October
- Lecture program year - September through May
