Meals on Wheels Speaker’s Bureau

Purpose: The Meals on Wheels Speaker’s Bureau seeks to build brand awareness about our services, scope of operations and importance to the community. By engaging community members we have the opportunity to increase our client base (fulfilling our mission by serving those in need), increase donors, increase volunteers and create additional brand advocates. In addition, we can help dispel many of the myths and mis-conceptions that have arisen over what MOW is, and what it is not.
Participation: The Speaker’s Bureau is made up of key Meals on Wheels staff members, board members, committee members and other passionate community volunteers. Bureau members may speak about a broad array of topics or may specialize in one area (e.g., volunteer recruitment) based on their comfort level. Speaking engagements may come about in one of two ways.

  • Proactively: Members are encouraged to look for opportunities to share the Meals on Wheels story. Consider organizations you are a part of (e.g., Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, block clubs, churches, etc.) and ask if you can speak about the great work we are doing.
  • By request: We may receive a request to speak about MOW overall or a specific topic at a specific date and time. When this happens, we’ll reach out to the Speaker’s Bureau to see who can cover the event.

Process: You can speak about Meals on Wheels at any time without any approval with two exceptions. We ask that no individuals speak with the media as a MOW representative. We also ask that any opportunities that you have to formally speak with a government representative (vs., e.g., informally running into someone at an event) you discuss with us first so that we can ensure we have a unified message and cover all necessary topics, and that you have the latest information.
As you speak about MOW, please let Rachel Leidenfrost (, 822-2002, ext. 33) know so that she can track our progress. Please provide the group you spoke to, date, topic and any other details that are available. This will also help us follow-up with those organizations as appropriate to support your efforts.
Resources:To help you share the Meals on Wheels story we will provide you with:

  • An easy-to-read fact sheet with all of the basic facts about Meals on Wheels that you can use as the basis of an informal presentation or to refresh your memory prior to less formal events (e.g., networking events).
  • A one-page speech that introduces people to Meals on Wheels. This is ideal for when you have a very short period of time to speak or are trying to squeeze Meals on Wheels into a speech about another topic.
  • A 5 - 7 minute speech encompassing many of the important points about Meals on Wheels without the aid of a power point presentation. This is a combination of the rational and emotional appeal behind MOW.
  • A basic overview deck of Meals on Wheels, the work we do, the operations and the types of clients we serve (including key statistics and basic client stories / portrayals).
  • An in-depth overview deck covering Meals on Wheels, the work we do, the operations, types of programs / clients, how we are funded, the challenges we face and a call to action.
  • A basic overview deck with a strong slant toward volunteering, including information on Adopt-A-Route.
  • A 7 minute video on DVD that provides an in-depth picture of the work that MOW does, complete with commissary shots and client/volunteer interaction.

Rachel is always available to answer any questions or assist you with presentation customization if one of the standard resources doesn’t work for your needs.

Thank you again for helping us spread the word about the Meals on Wheels mission!