Public Speaking: Turquoise Touring
Traveling is hard on the planet, hard on my body, and takes me away from my writing, so I strictly limit my in-person engagements, and prioritize invitations that:
When I do travel, I am trying to do most of it by train. If I am able to line up a sequence of events along Amtrak routes, the cost of a rail pass plus a disabled sleeper room can be shared by multiple sponsors.
TURQUOISE (VIRTUAL) TOURING : Ecological and Accessible
I am interested in dramatically increasing my remote lecturing/reading by making smart use of video-conferencing tools, and here's why:
What I look for in a speaking engagement:
- make the best use of my particular abilities
- focus on core areas of interest for me
- allow me to deepen relationships in a community where I am building long-term work
- give me an opportunity to expand my reach
- can be grouped with other events in one longer trip
- Sponsors are prepared to meet all of my access needs, especially for chemically safe housing, provide ample local support
- pay me well
- and sign a contract well in advance, committing to prompt payment.
When I do travel, I am trying to do most of it by train. If I am able to line up a sequence of events along Amtrak routes, the cost of a rail pass plus a disabled sleeper room can be shared by multiple sponsors.
TURQUOISE (VIRTUAL) TOURING : Ecological and Accessible
I am interested in dramatically increasing my remote lecturing/reading by making smart use of video-conferencing tools, and here's why:
- Jet travel is very bad for the planet.
- Travel in general is very hard on my body and requires a long period of recovery.
- Sponsors want to make the most of my presence, and cram multiple events into one or two days, but besides wearing me out, this results in lower attendance and less time to absorb and discuss content. A virtual visit can include the same number of events, spread out over weeks or even a whole semester, and leads to greater engagement.
- A virtual event or series allows participation by people for whom lecture sites are not accessible, or the energy and logistical support needed to get to sites is unaffordable.
- Virtual touring is flexible. If either I or the sponsor needs to reschedule, it can be done easily, without changing any reservations.
- Virtual Touring saves money for sponsors who don't need to cover travel, lodging and meals.
What I look for in a speaking engagement:
- An event that brings together people from multiple communities or disciplines, or an opportunity to go deep, over several days, with one community.
- Opportunities to teach non-artist activists and scholars how to build collaborations with artists in order to deepen and broaden the reach of their work.
- Opportunities to work with Puerto Rican communities, Jews of Color and Indigenous Jews, disabled people--especially disabled people of color, ecologists and environmental justice activists, feminists-especially feminists of color, and progressive Jews.