CHECKLIST FOR ORGANIZING A SUCCESSFUL MWA/NY SPONSORED LIBRARY PANEL EVENT:

Developed by Jane K. Cleland

To ensure maximum promotional value, may we suggest that you use the following checklist as a guide. Not every element will apply, but many will. Once you have a date, the person charged with ensuring the event goes well needs to:

1. Determine who's moderating the panel, and confirm they understand how to moderate well

2. Vet who's on the panels to ensure they're Active Members

3. Confirm their a/v needs, if any

4. Ensure that all bios and photos are submitted (and vetted by you to ensure parallel construction; i.e., similar length and style)

5. Submit the program title, program description, photos, and bios to the library for their marketing purposes

6. Submit the program date, program title, program description, photos, and bios to ensure that Ken Kenneth.Isaacson[AT]Verizon[DOT]net, for posting on the website. Be sure to include everyone's URLs so we can link to participants.

7. Ask if the library prepares a flyer or ad, and if so get an electronic copy for us to post on the website. You should also ensure that the flyers are branded to MWA/NY

8. Ensure that Ken Kenneth.Isaacson[AT]Verizon[DOT]net, gets a copy so he can post the flyer or ad on the website

9. Confirm that the website is up-to-date with flyers, links to author websites, descriptions, etc., and if not, to follow-up with Ken Kenneth.Isaacson[AT]Verizon[DOT]net

10. Confirm that the moderator is doing his or her job contacting panelists, preparing questions, etc., and if not, to follow-up with him or her.

11. Confirm that your library contact knows the set-up requirements

12. Confirm that speakers know whether or not bringing promotional materials and/or selling books is allowed, and if so, confirm the logistics involved

13. Remind everyone where to go and when a week before the panel

14. Ask Marie, mhannanmandel[AT]yahoo[DOT]com, our newsletter editor, to assign a reporter to attend and write up a story for her

15. Welcome everyone on behalf of the MWA/NY Chapter and introduce the moderator.

16. Consider other circumstances; for instance, at the July panel I moderated, it was a gazillion degrees outside, so I brought each of the panelists a bottle of water.

17. Thank your panelists for their participation

18. Thank your library contact.

19. Send Ken any photos or comments for posting on the website. Kenneth.Isaacson[AT]Verizon[DOT]net