If you invite someone to speak at your homeschool group

[Storm Bay]

Are you supposed to pay them? Pay for their gas? Just wondering, because I'm supposed to organize a couple of speakers for a local group this year and would prefer to do these for free, but can't afford to pay anyone out of my pocket.

[Dayle in Guatemala]

A nice thank you gift should be enough. If they're coming some distance, maybe talk to the others about pitching in a little for their gas. Whenever I've spoken at groups like this, they gave me a small gift and that was really nice.

[cjzimmer1]

Our homeschool group collects dues and so we pay outside speakers a small sum to come and speak. If your group collects dues, I think it's reasonable to use some of that for speakers. If you don't collect dues than //I would probably ask all the members to chip in a couple of dollars.

[1bassoon]

Our group has this policy, and yes, we collect about $50/family for the year:

 

• if it's someone who has a ministry, or are speaking on what they do for a living, we give them a small honorarium (like $50? I'm thinking?)

 

• if it's someone from outside our group - like an experienced homeschooler - we give them a nice gift (think stationery or such like) and a nicely written thank you

 

• if it's someone from within membership, they get a nicely written thank you (ask me how I know! ;))

 

HTH

[Storm Bay]

Thanks. We don't collect dues, so I think the thank you gift idea is a good one--I won't ask someone who makes their living by or has a ministry in speaking.