What should I ask?
 

I've been bouncing the idea around in my head lately of putting together an informational speech/program type thing on Eating Disorder awareness, and offering to go to various schools, youth organizations, sorority chapters, etc. to speak to them about the warning signs and opportunities for help if they or someone they know has an eating disorder.

A few things: First of all, if I sent a letter out to your chapter... what kind of things would you want to discuss? Would you rather hear more of a personal account "this happened to me, someone a lot like all of you, don't be embarassed to get help if you think you may have this problem"? Or more of a straight up these are the facts type thing?

Secondly: While this is a cause that is important to me, and I would love to simply be able to donate my time and energy at no cost... time is money, and I would have to charge at least a minimal fee for my time/transportation costs, etc. What would you/ your chapter deem a reasonable amount for a risk-management type program such as this?

I think personal accounts help to really make people realize things more then just facts do...And what you might want to consider would be contacting campus panhell's...instead of chapters individually. I know on our campus we have done speakers to all the chapters at once, which has worked really well, and then the money isnt just having to come from one chapter for the speaker to be there.

Re: What should I ask?
 

i really admire you for getting this sort of program together. i think eating disorders are such a huge ordeal that many many people face. when reading your post it definitly hit home as last summer my life was consumed by it, because i found out that my best friend of 6 years had bullimia. so we spent the whole summer dealing with it...it didn't end good in regards to our friendship....we drifted apart because it was something that came between us...(long story ;))...but luckily she was able to get help at her school and as far as i know now, is doing well.

to answer your question, i think talking about a mix of experience vs. facts would be a good way to go about things. i don't know, it might just be me, but i was always the person in HS who listened to the health related speakers and health class issues. i know some of those stories scared me to death!! but of course - some people don't listen, but at least getting the word out, getting it out in the open i think is a good step to take.

i think nauadpi had a great suggestion - which was to get a couple groups together, that way you could probably get a decent price to cover your transportation/time costs, and since there would be more than one group, they could split the costs and it wouldn't be as much had you just seen one group.

good luck on your endeavor!

You could consider working with ANAD. I'm sure that they could use people to go out and educate about eating disorders.

ANAD is one of DPhiE's philanthropy's and we do their candlelight vigil every year. Some chapters invite speakers on Eating Disorders, etc. for the event.

Good luck, I think it's a great cause to assist with, especially among teen/college age women!