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Call for Presentations for our Popular “Find Your Ancestors” Series
Since 2014, our Find Your Ancestors series has provided genealogy education to over 10,000 attendees, reaching on average over 150 national and international people each month. Returning to a renovated library in 2025, we’re excited to offer a hybrid program environment for both in-person and virtual presenters. Presentations are free and open to the public.
We encourage proposals on a wide range of genealogy topics geared toward an audience of genealogists of all skill levels. Ideally, presentations should include content for all levels. We’re committed to offering a diverse and inclusive learning environment. We welcome proposals from in-person and virtual speakers of all skill levels to submit a proposal.
Questions? Please contact Katie Stilp, Local History Librarian, via our general contact form or call 920-832-6173.
Thanks for your interest in providing a presentation to our community.
Submission Deadline
Please submit your proposal here no later than Sunday, September 1, 2024.
Details
Programs are held virtually or in-person at the library (200 N. Appleton Street, Appleton, WI). The sessions are simultaneously streamed via Zoom.
Programs are scheduled for up to two hours, with a brief introduction by library staff, 45-75 minutes for lecture, and a Q&A session facilitated by library staff. Presentations longer than 45-75 minutes will be considered on an individual basis, and estimated length should be noted in presentation proposal.
Presentations should be illustrated using a slide presentation program such as PowerPoint, Google Slides, Prezi, or Keynote. Virtual presenters should be prepared to use their own computer, webcam, and microphone, and make sure equipment is working properly. In-person presenters will be provided with equipment or may choose to bring their own.
Selected presenters should be prepared to provide a handout for attendees. Handouts could be a simple outline, a listing of resources referred to, and/or a copy of the slide deck.
If the speaker allows, presentations are recorded and archived on our YouTube channel. Recording preferences are negotiable and can be discussed with selected presenters.
Selection & Compensation
Presentations will be selected in accordance with our budget and our programming policy.
We’ll review proposals in September and contact selected speakers via email. Presenters will be required to electronically sign a performance contract and provide a completed W9 form. Letters of regret will not be sent out until all invited speakers have responded.
We offer an honorarium to presenters (or their affiliate organization) to be paid after successful completion of the program. Honorariums are provided by Friends of Appleton Public Library.
Submit Your Presentation Proposals
Thank you for your interest in being a presenter for our Find Your Ancestors series. Check back here at the start of summer when we re-open calls for presentations. The submission form will appear in this spot.