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Notes on Talks / Meetings. |
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The format of my presentations is usually such that I give a talk of 45 to 60 minutes, without interruption. I can always hope! (:-). This is then followed up by questions and general discussion. I answer the ‘technical’ questions and Marie, my wife, provides support and is ‘the culinary expert. She answers the hard ones like "What do you eat?" We like a friendly rather than a formal atmosphere as we are, more or less, discussing everyday life and living. I would consider that 45 minutes would be a minimum as an inaugural talk as food intolerance is a large subject to introduce. I did give a twenty minute talk once but this would not be suitable where people will need enough information to get them going. It is helpful to have someone keep track of the questions for me but it is not essential. The meeting may go on as long as the people wish. It is normal for people to form groups after the meeting and discuss things while the equipment packing up is done. For the presentations / seminars I give, it is up to the person or persons organising the meeting, as to how they arrange it. The meeting may be daytime, evening, or both. I’m not fussy, as long as Marie and I can arrange food for ourselves. We wish to be careful what we eat. Our only restriction would be further presentations elsewhere, or possibly lack of accommodation. We normally stay in an on-site cabin in a caravan park. In reasonable weather we like to camp in a back yard or on a property. We have also enjoyed family hospitality on a number of occasions. As you can see we are pretty flexible. I use my own overhead projector and screen. My screen is a presentation screen 2 metres square and 3 metres to the top extended. The projector is more effective at night particularly if a large screen size is used, unless there is reasonable shading for the screen. A small theatre screen on a stage was used once and can provide a bigger screen for larger audiences. Curtains across windows are sufficient to keep the sun off the screen. I will have my own public address system. This consists of a lapel radio microphone to a pair of speakers on 1 metre stands. The system allows me to address a hall with 100 to 200 seated people such as in a typical school or country dance hall. I have two small tables for the projector etc; however if a table about 2 metres long could be provided, to display books and pamphlets on, would help. Incidentally, we do not desire to be paid for providing presentations. The response of the listeners and their appreciation is always very satisfying.
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My wife, Marie, and I undertake this activity purely to help make people aware of the possibilities and problems that can be caused by natural food chemicals and the additives that are put in the foods. Any arrangements a community or club may make to use the occasion to support a charitable cause, or something similar that is not for profit or commercial use, is quite OK by us. While we intend to remain as a couple who tell of their experiences and who have nothing to sell: as pensioners, we do appreciate any help we get. When we have our regular meetings we ask for a gold coin to help pay for pamphlets, photocopies etc. which helps us to spread the knowledge that food intolerance exists. Taking payment would put us into a category of supplying something for profit, or becoming mercenary on the suffering of others, and this we will not do. We provide information to enable people to help themselves. We give no advice or recommendations; people must seek the supervision and advice of their health professional. We tell how to do that. We usually have a supply of Friendly Food ($12) , Different Kids ($20) and Fed Up ($22) books with us, for the convenience of those who may want them, and may not be able to purchase them easily from a bookshop. A rough prediction of the possible size of the attendance would help us to ensure we have sufficient books on hand. Book ordering information is in the pamphlets. Sue Dengate, Susan Bridgman of Yenda and I believe, as do others, that unless we raise awareness to the large amount of suffering food intolerance can cause, our children, especially in this country have a very bleak future. All my notes handouts etc are copyright and must not be used for commercial purposes. This sheet has been compiled to try to answer anything you may wish to know. Bernard
J Trudgett, Convener of the Food Intolerance Group (Illawarra), PO Box 211, Keiraville, NSW 2500, Australia |