At a strategic planning conference in late November, the Los Angeles District leadership team developed a business plan that calls for the District to “Develop and strengthen internal and external relationships in order to become the organization of choice as an employer and as a service provider.”  One of the action items for this goal is to “Seek and develop new opportunities and engagements.”

The team determined the district needs to spread the word about the good things the district is doing for the Army and the Nation.  A Speakers Bureau can help accomplish this goal, increasing visibility and enhancing awareness of district projects.  It can even help counterbalance rumors and misinterpretations of news articles. District leadership is behind the goal of creating a viable Speakers Bureau for the benefit of the district and the government and non-governmental agencies within its area of responsibility.

“Our vision is to become an integral part of the communities in which we serve,” said Col. Thomas H. Magness IV, district commander.  “The bureau is an important component of the District’s efforts in building better relationships and greater public awareness.”

The Speakers Bureau is a free service to the community and creates a two-way dialogue between the district and the public.  The program is coordinated through the Public Affairs Office and matches various community groups with presenters from the district workforce.  Typically, requests for speakers come from a variety of sources, including civic, professional and educational groups, service organizations and neighborhood associations.  Requested topics cover a wide range, including navigation dredging, environmental restoration and careers with the Corps.

The Corps has a diverse workforce with many employees willing to share their knowledge and experiences through public speaking opportunities, whether a lecture, workshop or presentation.

Magness said district team members are ideal ambassadors for telling the Corps story in a personal way, because they enjoy and believe in what they do for the Corps.

Employees who have participated in the program say the experience is rewarding in many ways. Some enjoy the opportunity to provide a greater understanding of the Corps and its mission to audience members who my not be aware of what the Corps does.

“I get a kick out of helping them learn what we do and how we operate,” said Anthony Henson. “They just don’t know the Corps.”

Other volunteer speakers say they enjoy taking the Corps message to a younger audience.

“I find it absolutely rewarding to see their faces light up,” said Susan Tianen. “Even though some of the kids play by our flood control facilities, they don’t know what they do because the facilities don’t look like Hoover Dam.  They look at where they’re living differently (after seeing how a dam works).”

“Increases your knowledge by searching for answers to the questions we get,” Henson said. “The best way to learn about something is to teach it.”

Volunteers in the program added that speaking engagements offer an opportunity to share what’s going on in the District with its most valuable customer, the public.

The Speakers Bureau is currently seeking volunteers.  If you would like to talk about what you do, as well as develop your public speaking skills, give the Speakers Bureau a try.  Be a part of telling the Los Angeles District story.

Any district employee who would like more information on the Speakers Bureau can contact Jay Field in the Public Affairs office.