Speakers for Northeast Nonprofits Meetings

Speakers for Northeast Nonprofits Meetings

Compiled by Amy Martin. This list will be updated periodically. To be considered for inclusion, send an email. Speakers based in or with connections to East Dallas preferred. 

Last edit: August 16, 2018

 

 


FYI: Please be aware:

  • Some groups and individuals have minimum attendance requirements.
  • Most of the talks are free, but some speakers seek permission to sell books/etc.
  • Providing projection capability for Powerpoint presentations is greatly appreciated.
 

City of Dallas: Services

311

How to make 311 work for your neighborhood regarding on-emergency services such as graffiti removal, recycling, code violations, animal control and bulk trash. 311 via website, app and phone. Most frequent and most unusual 311 reports. Powerpoint available. Handouts.

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Dallas City Hall on the Go

City Hall on the Go van can provide any of the services that 311 offers over the telephone, such report a pot hole, a loose dog, a code concern or illegal dumping, plus help people with other municipal matters such as birth certificates, garage sale permits, or register their animals.

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Code Compliance

Captain Codey, code compliance mascot character. Handouts.

Other contacts:

Michelle Lowe – East Dallas neighborhood compliance officer: Michelle.lowe@dallascityhall.com

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Neighborhood Vitality

Planning & Urban Design Department supports vibrant and sustainable neighborhoods..
Workshops and talks for groups that wish to become organized as NAs or HOAs:

  • Creating a Neighborhood Brand
  • Forming a Neighborhood Association
  • How to Navigate City Services
  • Member Recruitment & Sustainability
  • Operation Beautification
  • Partnership Development

 

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Recycling (on site)

FCC Environmental, which operates processes the recycling for Dallas Sanitation Services, offers tours of their facility.

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Trash, Recycling & Waste Reduction

Sanitation Services presentations on:

  • Composting
  • Recycling and Waste Reduction
  • Brush/Bulk Garbage Collections
  • Household Hazardous Waste Disposal

Powerpoint, handouts, and giveaways.

Other contacts:

Shawndrea Smith – Dallas Zero Waste: shawndrea.smith@dallascityhall.com

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Water

Dallas Water Utilities, Water Conservation presentations on:

  • General water conservation
  • Outdoor water conservation
  • Indoor water conservation


Powerpoint available. Handouts.

 

City of Dallas: Crime & Safety

Dallas Fire-Rescue

In addition to firefighter recruiting, they offer these popular presentations:

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Dallas Fire-Rescue Stations

Schedule a Fire Station Tour

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Community Police Officer presentations

The Community Engagement Unit (CEU) at your nearby patrol substation can assist you and your neighborhood with developing a crime watch group, VIP program (Volunteer In Patrol), crime prevention presentations, discuss with you other ways that you can assist your community such as CHIPS (Citizens Helping in Parking Solutions) and COPS (Citizens Offering Police Support).

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Crime Watch Executive Board

A liaison between members of the community and the Dallas Police that maximizes crime prevention efforts by providing support and education.

 

City of Dallas: Culture

Friends of the Bath House Cultural Center

Talks by support group of art deco swimming facility transformed into cultural center, sharing their passion for the center’s mission. Overview of offerings in art, theater, music, and more, and annual community celebrations.

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Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs

Representatives speak on the City of Dallas’ efforts to encourage appreciation of the visual and performing arts through its Dallas Cultural Plan, Public Art Program, and 23 city-owned cultural facilities, including the Bath House Cultural Center and those in the downtown Dallas Arts District.

 

City of Dallas: Environment

Office of Environmental Quality

Green Team presentation can be combined to cover the amount of time available. Powerpoint available. Handouts.

  • Air Quality
  • Alternative Commutes
  • Alternative Fuels and Vehicles
  • Climate Change
  • Community or Urban Gardens
  • Composting
  • Defend Your Drains/Cease the Grease
  • Energy Conservation
  • Greening Your Business
  • Health and Environment
  • Illegal Dumping
  • Impacts of Litter
  • Pollution Prevention
  • Protecting Rivers/Aquatic Life
  • Sustainability
  • Trees/Forestry
  • Trinity River
  • Water Conservation

 

City of Dallas: Parks & Recreation Dept.

Presentations on Aquatics, Community Engagement, Park Services, Recreation, and Senior Programs.

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City of Dallas: Urban Biologist

Live presentations with Powerpoint by Brett Johnson, City of Dallas urban biologist. How Dallas Parks & Recreation is enhancing the habitat for urban wildlife while providing benefits for residents. Adopt-a-prairie programs and other ways of citizen involvement.

  • White Rock Lake Prairies
  • White Rock Creek Corridor
  • Pollinator Management in Dallas Parks

Also:

  • Dallas Park and Recreation Conservation Efforts
  • Feral Hog Ecology
  • Pollinator Conservation and Management
  • Prairie Ecology and Management
  • Unique Natural Features in Dallas Parks
  • Urban Wildlife and Ecology
  • Wildlife in Dallas Parks

 

Civic Engagement

Citizen Government

Dale Long, now retired from being a Community Outreach Coordinator/Public Information Officer for the City of Dallas, speaks on how to have an opportunity to create and shape the policies and regulations and laws that we all much abide by serving on city committees, commissions and boards, attending public hearings, and participating in outreach.

 

Dallas County

Dallas County Commissioner District 1

Dallas County Commissioner Teresa Daniel is available to speak at neighborhood associations. They can also arrange for Dallas County staff to address specific issues such as trails, road projects or health and human services concerns.

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Dallas County Commissioner of District 2

Dallas County Commissioner Mike Cantrell of District 2 is available to speak at neighborhood associations.

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Dallas County Elections

Speakers from the county entity that organizes and supervises elections can speak on voter registration, the voting process, ballots are counted, and where to find election results. Dallas County Elections cannot participate in candidate forums or discussions, or be around rallies or candidate demonstrations.

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Dallas County Health & Human Services

TBA: no reply as of 4.18.18

 

East Dallas: History & Current

Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce

The chamber presents talks on how it promotes business and the many vibrant events and activities that the area’s businesses foster either by hosting or supporting.

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Preservation Dallas

Executive director executive director, David Preziosi presents talks about historic preservation in Dallas and the mission of Preservation Dallas.

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Sally Rodriguez

The author of White Rock Lake Revisited offers talks on East Dallas history.

  • History of White Rock Lake
  • History of Fair Park
  • Little Known Histories and Scandals of the Dallas Park System
  • New Deal Projects in Dallas Parks

She also leads tours:

 

East Dallas: White Rock Lake

For the Love of the Lake

TBA: no reply as of 5.13.18

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Sam Leake

A founder of White Rock Rowing, and namesake of the Sam S. Leake Boathouse, speaks on White Rock Lake, focusing on the redevelopment and adaptation of the Municipal Boathouse, circa 1930, the 1911 Pumphouse and the 1922 Filter Building into rowing and paddling facilities.

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White Rock Lake Conservancy

The mission of the Conservancy, founded in 2008, is to enhance the identity, beauty and safety of White Rock Lake, and support the improvement of the hike and bike trails, buildings and park areas. Speakers address plans and projects at the lake.

 

Education

Andrea Amor

A professional with Brewerton Financial Services, she assists parents in finding ways to teach their children smart financial habits and avoid the pitfalls of managing money.

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DISD

TBA: no reply as of 5.13.18

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State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR): Pamela Benjamin

Advice for parents and students on how to prepare for getting children prepared for STAAR testing mandated by the Texas Education Agency.

 

Food

Farmers’ Markets

Good Local Markets is a non-profit that operate the White Rock Farmers Market near Casa Linda and the Paul Quinn Farmers Market on the campus of Paul Quinn College in South Dallas. Our talk covers how farmers markets build community and increase education about eating locally and seasonally, plus support and strengthen local businesses, small farms, and artists by creating economic opportunity.

 

Gardening

Carol Leonardi Clark: Native Plants

Carol Clark is a Master Naturalist, Monarch Watch Conservation Specialist, Native Plant Society member, and wildlife enthusiast–whether that wildlife is large or small. She presents the following talks: “Monarch Waystations for North Texas,” Wildflowers of the Blackland Prairie,” and “Why Go Native?” She also co-administrates the Texas Native Bee Co-op Facebook page. Clark and her husband own and operate Clark Haven Farm, a wildlife preserve and custom wildflower seed business in Cooke County.

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Kato Crow: Gardening Tips from the Plant Whisperer:

A funny presentation by Kato Crow on becoming in tune with your garden, plus practical tips on plants and pets.

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Dallas Arboretum

Offers the following Powerpoint talks with handouts:

  • All That’s New at The Diamond in Dallas —The Dallas Arboretum just keeps growing and expanding. This program highlights the many extraordinary new and planned additions and enhancements to our many gardens.
  • The Diamond in Dallas — Displays the Arboretum’s beautiful gardens and lush lawns on the shores of White Rock Lake, its rich history, and current events that make the Arboretum a very special and ever-changing place to visit.
  • The Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden — A treasure for parents and grandparents, too, this award-winning, 8-acre museum without walls is all about creatively learning about nature and the world around us through its 17 learning galleries and more than 150 extraordinary hands-on interactive exhibits.
  • A Woman’s Garden — An in-depth descriptive presentation of this unique and symbolic garden and its artwork, conceived by the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum.
  • Sculpture at the Dallas Arboretum — A tour of the Arboretum’s many outdoor sculptures found throughout the grounds and information about each piece.
  • Master Gardener on Wheels — The moving story of a Dallas Arboretum volunteer and gardener who overcame mobility limitations.
  • Behind the Scenes at the Dallas Arboretum Trial Gardens — An engaging talk about the Arboretum’s extensive Trial Garden program, including a demonstration of live plants and a Q & A session.
  • Trees at the Dallas Arboretum – This informative power point provides a beautiful photographic tour of the many and varied trees at the Dallas Arboretum.
  • Contact:  Margaret Duncan, Program Coordinator 972.270.1191, speakers@dallasarboretum.org.
  • Web: http://www.dallasarboretum.org/visit/our-story/speakersbureau

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Dallas County Master Gardener

Master Gardeners undergo 30 hours of training and must keep up to date with advanced training. Talks offered include:

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Randy Johnson: Native Plants & Edibles

Randy’s presentations include informative talks on such subjects as Native Plants Landscaping, Milkweed and Other Pollinator Plants, Composting and Soil Biology for Healthier Plants, and Edible and Organic Horticulture. He was formerly the Horticulture Manager at the Dallas Zoo and the Director of Horticulture at Texas Discovery Gardens, and is the Garden Consultant for the Lake Highland Community Garden.

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Native Plant Society of Texas: Dallas chapter

Experts in native plants are available to talk about pollinator gardens, pocket prairies, natives for shade, plant identification, landscaping with natives, water-conscious gardening, invasive species, attracting birds, bees and butterflies to your yard, and more.

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Janet D. Smith: Landscaping for the 21st Century

The times they are a changing!  The typical home landscape of a couple of shade trees, foundation plantings and lawns filling the rest of the property are so 1900’s. Learn how to update your landscape a bit at a time to incorporate plants that need less water and fewer chemicals and that provide habitat for pollinators, birds and other wildlife, all while enhancing the beauty of your property.  Janet D. Smith is a long-time Dallas County Master Gardener, North Texas Master Naturalist, and Native Plant Society of Texas member.

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Texas A&M AgriLife

Extension Service Program for Dallas County offers Educational Presentations and Public Speaking on these topics and more:

  • Agriculture and Natural Resources
  • Pollination (Sex in the Garden)
  • Integrated Pest Management
  • Horticulture

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Chuck Walton: Gardening in East Dallas Shade & Blackland Soil

Chuck Walton, horticulturalist and owner of Walton’s Garden Center since 1986, speaks on coping with our clay soils and shade. Handouts and coupons.

 

Health

Baylor Scott & White Health and Wellness Center

A team of community health educators can speak to a number of topics.

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YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas

TBA: no reply as of 5.13.18

 

Legal

Health Care Fraud: Ann. L. Williams

Ann L. Williams, investigator at the US attorney’s office in Plano, offers the following 30 minute PowerPoint presentations:

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Legal Aid of Northwest Texas

Talk and discussion on estate-planning, probate, powers of attorney, end of life matters.

Please see Practice Areas for further experts in their fields: https://internet.lanwt.org/about/practiceareas

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Paul Zoltan

Silence is Golden know-your-rights talk and discussion on immigration law, Fifth and Fourth Amendment rights.

 

LGBT

Patti Fink

Patti Fink has engaged in LGBT activism in Dallas community for about 20 years and is a founding and current member of the City of Dallas’ LGBT Task Force, serving as its policy chair. She speaks on the state of LGBT rights in Dallas or anything related and can organize discussion panel around specific topics.

 

Media

KDFW-TV FOX (ch. 4)

Reach out to your favorite on-air talent to inquire about their availability as a speaker.

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KERA-TV PBS (ch. 13) / KERA-FM NPR (ch. 13)

Reach out to your favorite on-air talent to inquire about their availability as a speaker.

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KTVT-TV CBS (ch. 11)

Reach out to your favorite on-air talent to inquire about their availability as a speaker.

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KXAS-TV NBC (ch. 5)

Hear from your favorite on-air talent about sports, weather, and more.

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WFAA-TV ABC (ch. 8)


Hear from your favorite on-air talent about sports, weather, and more.

 

Nature & Environment

911 Wildlife

Professional humane animal control company offers talks on how residents can live peacefully with urban wildlife.

  • Critters in the Garden: armadillos, cottontail rabbits, opossums and raccoons
  • Feathered Friends & Foes: chimney swifts, barn swallows, egrets and other urban birds
  • Wild Neighbors: Situations & Solutions: coyotes, foxes, bobcats, raccoons and opossums
  • Contact: 214.368.5911
  • Web: http://www.911wildlife.com/events/

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Audubon Society

Presentations on birds and avian habitat vary by season and volunteer availability. Also talks on Cedar Ridge Preserve, Dogwood Canyon Nature Center, and Trinity River Audubon Center.

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North Texas Master Naturalists

Citizen scientists speaking on nature. Presentations on birds and avian habitat vary by season and volunteer availability.

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Poison Ivy: Amy Martin

Long-time area journalist Amy Martin offers a humorous hour-long talk — 13 Things You Need to Know About Poison Oak & Ivy — from her book Itchy Business: How to Treat the Poison Ivy and Poison Oak Rash, Prevent Exposure and Eradicate the Plant. Extensive Q&A,

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Sierra Club of Dallas

Presentations on area environmental issues and natural opportunities vary by season and volunteer availability.

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Texas Parks

Wendel Withrow, author of The Best in Tent Camping: Texas: A Guide for Car Campers Who Hate RVs, Concrete Slabs, and Loud Portable Stereos, presents Exploring the Great Parks of Texas.

 

NonProfits

Big Brothers / Big Sisters

Devoted for decades to the youth-mentoring group, Dale Long does a 15-minute presentation on the youth mentoring program. Volunteers call or email weekly, and meet in person twice a year, to keep a youth in school and guide them into higher education, inquire on their well being and achievements at school, and provide informational resources provided by the group.

 

Personal Growth

Michael McElhenie, PhD

Speaks on helping leaders develop skills to transform themselves and their organizations using conscious change techniques.

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Veronica Valles

Presentations on meditation and conscious living with a focus on teaching coping skills to children.

 

Pets

Dallas Animal Services

TBA: no reply as of 5.13.18

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Dallas Pets Alive

Dallas Pets Alive helps the healthy and treatable pets who are at risk of euthanasia at Dallas Animal Services by rescuing the pets at greatest risk. They help owners who are having problems so great that they need to surrender their pet(s) to a shelter. Talks include:

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SPCA of Texas

Speakers address pet homelessness, city regulations, and solving behavioral issues that prompt folks to surrender their pets.

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Humane Society of Dallas County

TBA: no reply as of 5.13.18

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Spay Neuter Network

Talks cover most current city laws regarding pet ownership, pet resources available, and benefits of spay/neuter. Powerpoint available.

 

Weather

Texas Storm Chasers

NOAA Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador now offering interactive severe weather preparedness and educational talks/presentations to the DFW area and Central Texas, These presentations can be 20 minutes to 2 hours in length. Each presentation is customized for the venue and age group and can center around the following topics:

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