The Elks Drug Awareness Program (DAP) Speaker Tour is an integral component of our educational outreach, bringing real-world expertise and engaging presentations directly to our communities. This initiative is designed to empower and inform individuals about the dangers of drug use, the importance of making healthy choices, and the support systems available for those in need.
Ray Lozano
A nationally recognized speaker who specializes in substance abuse prevention. With a blend of humor and fact-based information, Ray presents complex issues in a manner that is accessible and relatable. His workshops and seminars are tailored to resonate with youth, providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions about drugs and alcohol.
Contact: [email protected]
Dr. Heather Talks
A healthcare professional and educator who brings expertise in bridging the gap between scientific research and public understanding. Her presentations focus on the latest findings in drug prevention and the physiological impacts of substance abuse. She delivers complex information in an understandable and compelling way.
Contact: [email protected]
As a DAP Chairperson, you are the key liaison for the Speaker Tour in your area. When community members, schools, or organizations want to book a speaker, they are directed to contact you.
ℹ️ Info
The public Book a Speaker page instructs requesters to contact their State Chairperson. This means you will receive incoming requests from schools, community organizations, and lodges looking to host a speaker event.
When you receive a speaker request, follow these steps:
Acknowledge the request within 48 hours
Confirm receipt and express appreciation for their interest in the program.
Gather essential details from the requester
Match the request with a speaker
Based on the event’s needs, determine whether Ray Lozano or Dr. Heather Talks is the best fit. Consider their areas of expertise and audience compatibility.
Contact the speaker directly to confirm dates
As the State Chairperson, email the speaker directly to check their availability and confirm the proposed dates. Work with the speaker to finalize a date that works for everyone.
Complete and submit the Speaker Request Form
Once the dates are confirmed with the speaker, fill out the official Speaker Request Form with all event details and submit it to the National Directors for review.
Await approval from National Directors
The National Directors will review your request and approve it based on the current budget. Once approved, both you (the State Chairperson) and the speaker will be notified by the National Director who approved it.
Confirm the booking with the requester
After receiving approval, communicate the confirmed date, speaker, and logistics back to the original requester.
⚠️ Important: Cost Responsibilities
Webinar events: The National Elks DAP budget covers 100% of the costs.
In-person events: The state must cover all transportation and lodging. The National DAP budget will cover the speaking costs for each session.
Be sure to factor this into your planning when deciding between webinar and in-person formats.
Don’t wait for requests to come to you—actively promote the Speaker Tour in your area!
Schools
Contact local school administrators, counselors, and PTAs to inform them about free speaker availability.
Community Partners
Connect with youth groups, athletic leagues, churches, and civic organizations.
Lodge Network
Encourage lodges to host speaker events or co-sponsor school presentations.
Existing Events
Promote during Red Ribbon Week, back-to-school events, and community health fairs.
Use DAP promotional materials!
Share flyers, social media posts, and newsletter content about the Speaker Tour to spread the word.
Once a speaker event is confirmed, work with the host organization to ensure success:
Confirm venue requirements
Ensure the space can accommodate the expected audience with appropriate seating, lighting, and acoustics.
Arrange audio/visual setup
Confirm microphone, projector, and screen availability. Test equipment before the event.
Assist with promotion
Help the host organization promote the event to maximize attendance.
Plan day-of coordination
Be available (in person or by phone) on the event day to address any last-minute issues.
Prepare speaker hospitality
Arrange for water, appropriate breaks, and any travel/accommodation needs for in-person events.
Your role continues after the presentation ends:
Collect feedback
Gather evaluations from attendees and the host organization. Share this feedback with the National DAP Office.
Document the event
Take photos (with permission) and record attendance numbers for reporting.
Follow up with the host
Thank them for hosting and ask about future opportunities.
Report to leadership
Include speaker events in your regular DAP activity reports.
Share success stories
Highlight impactful events in newsletters, at conventions, and in communications to other chairpersons.
Build relationships, not just bookings.
Schools and organizations that have a positive experience are likely to become repeat hosts. Maintain contact with past hosts and check in annually about scheduling future events.
If you’re a Lodge Chair interested in hosting a speaker event at your lodge or sponsoring an event at a local school:
Contact your State Chair
They will help coordinate the booking and logistics.
Identify a venue
Your lodge hall, a local school auditorium, or community center.
Promote within your lodge
Encourage member attendance and invite families.
Partner with local schools
Offer to sponsor a presentation during school hours or at a PTA meeting.
Consider co-hosting
Partner with other lodges in your district to maximize attendance and share logistics.
As a State Chair, you oversee Speaker Tour coordination across your entire state:
Train Your Network
Ensure District and Lodge Chairs understand their role in the Speaker Tour process.
Track Events
Maintain a record of all speaker events in your state for reporting purposes.
Find Opportunities
Look for state-level events, conferences, or partnerships where speakers could have maximum impact.
Communicate Availability
Regularly remind your network about speaker availability, especially ahead of key awareness periods.
ℹ️ Info
Need help? If you encounter issues, contact the National DAP Directors for assistance.
Both Ray Lozano and Dr. Heather Talks play pivotal roles in the success of the Elks DAP Speaker Tour. Their commitment to education and prevention is evident in their dynamic presentations and their ability to mobilize communities towards a drug-free lifestyle. As ambassadors of the Elks’ mission, they embody the spirit of the organization and its dedication to making a difference in the lives of individuals across the nation.
As you promote and organize events for the Speaker Tour in your area, remember that the impact of these speakers extends beyond the immediate audience. The ripple effect of their messages fosters community-wide awareness and contributes to the larger goal of a healthier society. Your efforts in facilitating these events are not just a service to your community, but a step forward in the Elks’ long-standing tradition of benevolence and patriotism.
Together, we can continue to spread the vital message of drug awareness and prevention through the power of education and community engagement.
