FAQ About Being an LLCC Instructor/Speaker

1. What does it mean to “teach” for LLCC or be an LLCC “speaker”? 

LLCC speakers do not need formal teacher training. LLCC “teaching” is more like sharing a special interest with others. What’s needed is credible knowledge and enthusiasm. LLCC instructors will tell you that the experience is a lot of fun.

 

2. What input does an instructor have into the design of the course?

Instructors work with LLCC staff to determine every aspect of a course: content, number of sessions, class size, mode and style of instruction, venue availability permitting, the date and time. Sessions are generally 2 hours long on weekdays. Courses may have special requirements. Let us know what you have in mind!

 

3. What should I teach?

LLCC audience members are enthusiastic learners with diverse interests, broad life experiences, and active curiosities. Nearly any topic will attract interest.

​

4. I've never taught or presented anything before. Is help available?

Yes. We can help with content and presentation, including the use of AV, IT,    PowerPoint, the internet and more. Contact LLCC’s IT Coordinator Ed Cabrera maestro6225@hotmail.com for a referral to one of our volunteers.

​

5. How far in advance do I need to submit my Course Proposal?

Course Proposals should be submitted a minimum of 2 months before your class to allow time for review by the Curriculum Committee, possible revisions, scheduling a venue, promoting the course, and to allow audience members to enroll.

 

6.  What venue and schedule does LLCC use? 

LLCC’s regular presentations/classes are held at Odd Fellows Hall, 520 Dana Street, SLO. Regular class schedules are weekdays 1 to 3 pm with a brief break.  If you need something different an LLCC volunteer will work with you to address your needs.

​

7. Who will contact me from LLCC after I submit my course proposal?

 A volunteer from the LLCC Curriculum Committee will contact you to let you know if your course proposal was accepted. Then, you will be contacted by the LLCC Venue Coordinator to confirm the date, time and location of your course. A member of our IT team will contact you a few weeks before your course to discuss and confirm your IT requirements (see 8. below). About a week prior to your class your course host will contact you to confirm details.

 

 8. What audio-visual equipment does LLCC provide? 

You may provide your own laptop, or LLCC may make one available if you intend to use one. Depending on your needs, LLCC can provide a: digital video projector with USB, VGA and HDMI video inputs and RCA audio output. This projector has a remote control. Also, Blu-Ray player for DVD playback, a small speaker for projecting sound in a medium sized room, lightweight, portable PA system with a wireless lapel mic or handheld mic. Odd Fellows Hall has a large ceiling mounted screen, a portable screen for venues that don’t have a built-in screen is also available. 

 

9. Do I pay for my own handouts?

Speakers are responsible for creating and reproducing their handouts. LLCC reimburses up to $25.00 per course session to help defray the cost of handouts. Contact your LLCC host to request reimbursement. If your course requires an unusually large number of handouts, a reproduction surcharge will be included in the course fee. If reimbursement is required, please note it on the Course Proposal form.

​

 10. May I require that attendees buy and read a book for the course?

 No, except for book discussion courses. For all other courses, you may provide a   suggested reading list. Include the title, author, publisher and ISBN# if possible.

 

11. May I request "special" arrangements (chair arrangements, tables, etc.) for the venue I am assigned?

Yes. Please identify such special needs in detail on the Course Proposal form and discuss them with the Venue Coordinator and Host.

​

 12. May I bring an assistant along to help me teach the course?

Yes. Make sure to include biographical information on your Course Proposal form about any assistant so they can be included in advertising.

 

 13. What should I do if I become ill or have an emergency that prevents me  from teaching my course as scheduled?

 In case of illness or emergency, contact your Course Host as soon as possible, and   he/she will notify those enrolled in your course.

 

14. Will I receive any type of fee or payment for teaching for LLCC?

LLCC does not provide honoraria to instructors, because everyone associated with LLCC is a volunteer, including all of our instructors. However, LLCC does offer instructors a free annual LLCC membership to be used the year after your course. 

 

15. May non-LLCC members (family, friends, others) attend my course? If so, must they pay the regular LLCC fees?

Speakers may invite  one person to be their guest at their class. Additional people are required to register and pay the regular attendance fee to attend you class.

 

16. If I own a business or have items to sell, may I promote them or hand out my business cards?

LLCC's goal is to provide learning opportunities for attendees, not marketing opportunities for instructors. Instructors may not promote their for-profit services or products during the class. Instructors must disclose the nature of their business in the course description portion of the Course Proposal form if the class topic relates to their business. Printed materials, business cards and website URLs related to the instructor's business may be displayed but not featured. Authors may make their books, DVDs, recordings and other original works available for sale at the end of the course, but the primary purpose of the course is not the sale of those items. The Curriculum Committee will work with instructors to avoid conflicts of interest.

​

 17. How does LLCC use audience course fees?

 LLCC is a chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. All fees support courses, luncheons, and other operating expenses. LLCC’s major expenses are facility rentals,  equipment, insurance, marketing and advertising, printing, mailing and internet.

​

18. The course I have in mind is controversial. May I offer it anyway?

Maybe. LLCC cannot endorse, or appear to endorse, any particular religious, political, philosophical or ideological belief, or discriminate against any person on any basis, so we welcome proposals about controversial topics. The Curriculum Committee decides whether a course is suitable, so please clearly describe what you have in mind in the Course Proposal. The advertising/marketing description of the course will alert attendees to its content and point of view so that they can make an informed decision about whether they wish to attend.