Partners in Parenting (PIP) Guest Speaker Guide and Agreement 


Partners in Parenting (PIP) welcomes local professionals who are interested in volunteering as guest speakers at our parent support groups.

Information about PIP Meetings

PIP currently offers facilitated peer-to-peer parent support groups for parents with babies 0–12 months old. Groups meet for 8 weeks, with options during the day and in the evenings. As of 2025, all programming is free for families. Parents attend all meetings with their babies. PIP aims to serve 500 families this year!

Role of the Guest Speaker

Your role as a guest speaker is to serve as an expert resource on a topic of interest to PIP parents. PIP’s typical format is an informal discussion based on mutual support and shared information. We encourage speakers to present their content in an interactive, discussion-based format whenever possible, rather than as a formal lecture.

You are welcome to distribute handouts related to the topic discussed, though this is not required. We ask that all speakers commit to participating in at least one group per quarter, if invited and available.

Partners in Parenting Philosophy

PIP is committed to providing a safe, non-judgmental environment. We believe there is no single “right” way to parent, and that all parents are doing their best based on their own priorities and values. The role of the speaker is to offer a range of information and options, which parents can evaluate and integrate into their parenting as they see fit.

Limitations on the Guest Speaker

PIP maintains a strict no-sales policy. You may share a bit about your background and expertise and are welcome to leave business cards. However, you may not distribute brochures, promote or recommend your services to the group as a whole, or solicit participants’ contact information.

Of course, if a participant expresses interest in your service or product, they are welcome to contact you on their own.

Logistics of Guest Speaking

  1. Interested individuals should read the agreement below and complete the guest speaker application.

  2. Once approved, they are added to the guest speaker list, which is shared with group facilitators during training.

  3. facilitators may reach out to invite you to their group, ideally with several weeks’ advance notice and offering multiple date options. We encourage you to respond within 3–4 days so the group can plan accordingly.

  4. Typically, guest speakers arrive about halfway through the meeting, after the group has completed “highs and lows,” the developmental moment activity, and break time. The speaker then leads the remainder of the session.

  5. After your visit, facilitators provide feedback to PIP staff so we can stay informed about the speaker experience and group response.

Agreement and Policy

If accepted as a PIP guest speaker, I agree to the following and understand that any violation of this agreement may result in my removal from the speaker list. I also understand that submitting this agreement does not guarantee placement as a speaker with PIP.

  1. I agree that I will not receive any remuneration or direct benefits for speaking at PIP groups.

  2. I agree not to promote or sell products, or charge for services, during PIP meetings. I may leave topic-related information, biographical materials, or business cards. I may collect contact information for my mailing list, as long as participation feels completely optional for attendees.

  3. I understand that if parents ask directly about purchasing supplies used in my discussion, I may make them available, but must also suggest at least one alternative resource where the items can be obtained.

  4. I understand that group facilitators are asked to give at least two weeks’ notice when requesting a speaker. I acknowledge that PIP cannot guarantee how often I will be invited to speak. If I frequently turn down invitations, I will contact PIP to update my availability.

  5. I agree to respond to speaker requests within 4 business days. I understand that repeated failures to respond or excessive cancellations may result in my removal from the speaker list.

  6. I understand that group facilitators evaluate speakers after each visit, and that consistently poor feedback may lead to removal from the speaker list.

  7. I agree to conduct myself professionally and represent PIP positively in the community.