The Pagan EdNet Speakers Bureau sends trained volunteers to explain contemporary Paganism to audiences who want to understand it. Presentations are factual, friendly, and free of charge.
- 64 trained volunteer speakers
- 29 states with a speaker available in person
- 1,000+ presentations since 2008
- 94 presentations given in 2025
Who Invites Us
- Middle school, high school, and college classes in world religions, social studies, and nursing
- School counselors, teachers, and administrators at staff development days
- Human resources departments and employee resource groups
- Hospital, hospice, and long-term care staff, and chaplaincy training programs
- Newsrooms and journalism classes
- Congregations, clergy associations, and interfaith councils
- Public libraries, civic clubs, and community groups
- Staff and volunteers of correctional facilities
Standard Presentations
Each presentation runs 45 to 60 minutes including questions and can be shortened or extended. Speakers are glad to adapt a talk to your audience.
| Title | Best suited to | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Paganism: A Plain Introduction | General audiences, classes, libraries | Who Pagans are, what they believe and do, and the most common misunderstandings. |
| Pagan Students and Families | Teachers, counselors, administrators | Holidays, dress and symbols, classroom questions, and bullying. |
| The Pagan Employee | Managers and human resources staff | Accommodation requests, leave for holy days, and a respectful workplace. |
| Caring for Pagan Patients | Nurses, chaplains, hospice teams | Spiritual needs at the bedside, religious objects, and end-of-life care. |
| Reporting on Pagan Communities | Newsrooms and journalism students | Terminology, sourcing, privacy, and seasonal coverage. |
| Pagans and Their Neighbors | Congregations and interfaith groups | A conversation about shared concerns, real differences, and working together. |
| The Wheel of the Year | Libraries, civic clubs, classes | The eight seasonal festivals and how they are observed today. |
| Pagans in Custody | Correctional staff and volunteers | Religious practice, permitted items, and working with outside volunteers. |
What You Can Expect
- Education, never recruitment. Speakers describe Pagan religions. They do not invite anyone to adopt them and they do not disparage any other faith.
- No ritual. Speakers do not perform ceremonies, read cards, or lead any religious activity during a presentation.
- Honest answers. Audiences may ask anything. When a speaker does not know, the speaker says so and follows up.
- Respect for your rules. Speakers follow the policies of the host, including sign-in, identification, and security procedures.
- Prepared volunteers. Every speaker completes twenty hours of training, is observed before presenting alone, and agrees to our Code of Conduct. Speakers who present in schools complete a background check.
- Accessible presentations. Slides and handouts are available in large print and in accessible digital form. Tell us what your audience needs.
Cost
There is no fee. Speakers are volunteers. If your organization customarily offers an honorarium, it may be directed to Pagan EdNet to support speaker training, but none is expected. Online presentations are available everywhere. In-person presentations depend on a speaker living within reasonable travel distance.
How to Request a Speaker
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Write to us at least four weeks ahead
Send your request to speakers@paganednet.org.
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Tell us about your event
Please include the name of your organization, the kind and size of audience, two or three possible dates and times with your time zone, whether you prefer an in-person or online presentation, the topic you have in mind, and any accessibility needs.
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We match you with a speaker
Within five business days the Education Program Manager will confirm that we can help and introduce you to your speaker, who will contact you to plan the session.
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Afterward, tell us how it went
We ask every host for a few lines of feedback. It is how we keep improving.
Become a Speaker
We welcome experienced, even-tempered Pagans of every tradition who enjoy explaining things to people who are new to the subject. New speaker training is offered each spring and autumn, and an online orientation is required before applying. The next orientation is listed on the Events Calendar. For details, see Volunteer.
I expected to spend the hour correcting old stories. Instead the students asked what Pagan families do when someone dies, and how a nurse can help. It was the most practical religion lecture of the term.
Nursing instructor, community college, spring 2026