Cosponsored Speaker Program

The Cosponsored Speakers Program is conducted by NCTE as a service to affiliates and Two-Year College English Association (TYCA) regionals. Under the provisions of the program, NCTE and the affiliates and TYCA regionals jointly share the expenses of bringing to local meetings members of the NCTE Executive Committee; directors of commissions; chairs of standing committees, the Advisory Committee on Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Issues, the Advisory Committee of People of Color, and the Committee on Racism and Bias in the Teaching of English; editors of journals; authors and editors of recent NCTE publications; members of the Rainbow Strand Planning Group; and selected headquarters staff.

The purpose of the program is to promote closer relationships between NCTE and its affiliates and TYCA regionals, to give Council leaders an opportunity to get to know the membership, and to provide speakers of expertise on certain topics for local programs.

Cosponsored Speakers receive no honorarium for official affiliate and TYCA regional meetings when arrangements are confirmed through the Division Director of Communications and Affiliate Services at the NCTE headquarters office. They do receive reimbursement for their travel and lodging expenses. The sponsoring group pays onsite expenses and contributes toward travel expenses. The Council pays the balance.

Generally, a Cosponsored Speaker is available to each group only once each year. However, to promote networking and outreach to new audiences, groups are eligible for a Cosponsored Speaker at a second conference if that program is a collaboration with one or more non-NCTE groups (e.g., universities, other professional associations, area education agencies, parent groups, civic groups).

The Cosponsored Speaker should be scheduled for one major slot, such as a meal function, a general session, or a major workshop. The Cosponsored Speaker will either make a speech or conduct a workshop, not both. It is important that the speaker be visible and available to as many members as possible.

Sponsoring groups are responsible for highlighting the Cosponsored Speaker in the preconference publicity and in the printed conference program. Please make clear the Council’s cosponsorship when introducing the speaker. You may request a photograph and biographical information for publicity releases and use in the printed program. You must obtain written permission from the speaker before taping the speaker’s presentation.

When you have a Cosponsored Speaker on your program, we ask that you urge those persons who are not NCTE members to join the Council. One affiliate or TYCA regional officer—the liaison officer or the membership chair—should have a table or counter near the registration area (or near the NCTE exhibit) to distribute membership forms and to collect dues. Information fliers and membership applications are included in all Exhibit Kits, or they can be requested separately if no Exhibit Kit is ordered for the meeting.

The Affiliate/TYCA Regional Is Responsible For

• Sending the completed request form to NCTE several months in advance of the conference.
• Providing onsite expenses for the speaker: meals, accommodations.Contributing toward travel expenses. This amount is usually between $200 and $400, depending on the size of the affiliate/TYCA regional and how far the speaker must travel. NCTE must receive this contribution before another Cosponsored Speaker is provided.
• Highlighting the Cosponsored Speaker in preconference publicity and in the printed conference program.
• Obtaining written permission from the speaker before taping the speaker's session.
• Mentioning NCTE's cosponsorship of the speaker when introducing him or her.
• Urging nonmembers of NCTE to join the Council. Membership applications are available from NCTE.
• Sending the travel contribution to NCTE after the conference is over (invoices are sent out by the NCTE Finance Department). 
• Because of the busy schedules of NCTE national leaders, please give us adequate time to make arrangements for Cosponsored Speakers--several months, if possible. Complete and mail the attached form to the Division Director of Communications and Affiliate Services.  All requests will be acknowledged and arrangements made as quickly as possible.