Great moments in UVic's history: Speakers Bureau

Canada’s only university-wide speakers bureau celebrates 32 years of community service

The UVic Speakers Bureau program opened its doors on September 8, 1980 as an early outgrowth of the university’s deep commitment to community engagement

Providing expert speakers

A free community service, the bureau today is Canada’s only university-wide initiative of its kind, drawing on volunteer speakers from among the faculty, staff, graduate students and retirees who teach, conduct research, study and work at UVic.

Under the auspices of the bureau, experts and knowledgeable individuals from UVic make themselves available to speak to community groups, schools, clubs and seniors, business, parents, service and other organizations throughout Greater Victoria and southern Vancouver Island.

Growth through the years

In its first year, the bureau reached a cumulative audience of 4,500 people through 118 talks on an extraordinarily wide range of subjects.

Today, more than 30 years later, the bureau reaches an annual audience of 12,500 people and books up to 450 presentations in the community each year.

True to the spirit of dedication to community service that motivates its members, the bureau on its 30-year anniversary in 2010 honoured eight speakers who had volunteered with the program from the very beginning of the program.

Looking ahead

In 2012-13, bureau members are offering to speak to Victoria groups on a wide spectrum of nearly 400 topics. These talks include Arctic field research, parenting preschool children, end-of-life issues, young adult literature and politics, and beekeeping, among many others.

Learn more about the UVic Speakers Bureau.

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