Speaker Spotlight
Hounada Sinno
The ISB has more than 20 trained, certified volunteer speakers who represent
various professional, ethnic and linguistic backgrounds. This
month, we are speaking with Ms. Hounada Sinno, the ISB's Scheduler. Hounada
was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, where she attended a
French-language school and went on to study at the prestigious American
University of Beirut. After graduating with a degree in architecture,
Hounada married Mr. Bassem Fakhoury and moved to Atlanta. Both Hounada
and Bassem are valued members of the ISB. Hounada keeps busy working
in intervention and remedial at an area charter school, and is the
proud mother of a son and daughter.Speaker Spotlight: Hounada,
I'm thrilled to finally have a chance to interview you! I know you've
been busy so I appreciate this opportunity. As the ISB's Scheduler,
your work is more behind the scenes, but, nevertheless, critical to the
success of the organization. Tell me a little bit more about how you
got started.Hounada: My
initial involvement with the ISB began when my husband, Bassem, joined
the organization and became part of the planning commitee for the
Building Bridges Awards Dinner. I've been handling the scheduling
process for about 3-4 years now.Speaker Spotlight: Why don't you describe the scheduling process for our readers?Hounada: Requests
for presentations arrive either via phone or email. I review our
correspondence on a regular basis and make it a policy to get back with
the requesting organization within 24 hours. After communicating with
the host organization and identifying any special needs they have, I
contact the speakers with the request. Once the speaker completes the
assignment, he or she will give me feedback about the presentation.Speaker Spotlight: I know this type of feedback is a valuable tool for you when you field requests. What's the most important aspect of handling requests?Hounada: By
all means, it's making sure that I'm in tune with the needs of the host
organization. All of our presentations are done by invitation only.
Therefore, it's important for me to have a sense of the type of work
the host organization does and what they're looking for in a speaker. Speaker Spotlight: One of the best things about having you as Scheduler is that you are a certified speaker as well. Is this an asset to your work?Hounada: Definitely!
The fact that I am familiar with all of our presentations, our
speakers, and their presentation experience has really helped me
communicate with people when they contact the ISB. Having an intimate
knowledge of these issues helps me to ensure that our supporters have
the best presentation experience possible when they contact the ISB.Speaker Spotlight: So, in a sense, you're the ISB's first ambassador.Hounada:
I think I'm like the gatekeeper. I'm the first person people talk to
when they contact the ISB; therefore, I do my utmost to ensure that
this exchange is always professional, helpful, and cordial.Speaker Spotlight: I've always wondered...what is the most unusual request you've ever received?Hounada: Most
of our requests are pretty standard. We get a lot of requests for Islam
101, but we also receive quite a few requests for our special
presentations: Women in Islam, Roots of Islam in America, and Muslim
Contributions to Civilization. Once, however, someone from New Jersey
called and wanted to know if we could come do a presentation. I told
them this was a little off the beaten track for us and referred them to
our national affiliate, the Islamic Networks Group (ING). And there was
that one other request for a fashion show [smile]...Speaker Spotlight: An ISB fashion show? Now that would be interesting!Hounada, thank you so much for your time!Hounada: My pleasure, thank you!
|
| The Islamic Speakers Bureau (ISB) is a non-profit, apolitical educational organization that provides
certified Muslim speakers to promote awareness about Islam and Muslims.
The ISB is a local affiliate of the Islamic Networks Group (ING).
:: |
|
Dear ISB Friends and Supporters,
February marks the one-year anniversary of the ISB newsletter. February is also black history month, a tradition originated by Dr. Carter G. Woodson some eighty years ago. The ISB would like to acknowledge the achievements of the African-American community during this month and those that follow as we undertake the important work of building bridges of understanding between diverse Atlantans.
In this month's issue, we are once again delighted to provide a snapshot of
the work our volunteer speakers have done and continue to do.
We
thank you for your ongoing support, encouragement and contributions.
As always, please let us know if you have any suggestions on how we can
further our efforts.
Thank you,
Soumaya Khalifa
Executive Director
Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta
|
|
New & Veteran Speakers Training
On February 2, the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta hosted a training event for over twenty enthusiastic applicants. The five-hour session introduced potential speakers to the ISB's vision and trained them in the delivery of our most requested presentation, Islam 101. The Islam 101 presentation provides an overview of the beliefs, practices, and demographics of Islam. The day's training also included a discussion of First Amendment guidelines, which define the parameters of the ISB's work. Upon completion of an online examination, new speakers will collaborate closely with assigned mentors in preparation for their first speaking engagements.
On February 12 and 21, the ISB held advanced training sessions for veteran speakers. Mr. Fouzi Husaini, a member of the ISB's national affiliate, the Islamic Networks Group (ING), led the training. As part of the ISB's commitment to continuing education, all ISB speakers are required to update their skill sets through attending mandatory training events.
|
ISB Executive Director Featured in AIB Promotional Spot
The ISB is proud of its partnership with Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters (AIB), a local broadcasting station. According to AIB's mission statement, the organization "seeks to enhance the spiritual, intellectual and social well being of its viewers by delivering exceptional faith-based, educational and public service programming to the greater metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia community."
The AIB is a recipient of the ISB's Building Bridges Award. For a sneak preview of the AIB's latest promotional spot, please go to http://www.aibtv. com/video/ spots/branding% 20spot.wmv. |
|
Women in Islam at the Rotary Club
On February 8, members of the Rotary Club of Dunwoody requested the special Women in Islam presentation from the ISB. Soumaya Khalifa and Iqbal Kalla led the presentation, which attracted nearly 150 audience members. Time was set aside for a special discussion session at the end of the presentation. The Dunwoody Rotary Club is one of the largest and most active Rotary chapters in the metro area. The ISB extends its gratitude to the organization for making this event possible.
|
ISB Visits Oxford College of Emory University
Executive Director of the ISB, Soumaya Khalifa, participated in an interfaith council at Emory's Oxford campus on February 13. Approximately forty participants represented diverse faith traditions. The meeting was part of an ongoing series for students, faculty, and staff. Ms. Khalifa delivered the popular Islam 101 presentation and facilitated a lively Q & A session. The event was designed to build a strong campus community through sharing and understanding.
|
Gift Bags for Patients at Children's Healthcare
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta recently contacted the ISB with a request to assemble gift bags for Muslim patients. Veteran ISB speaker, Ms. Slma Shelbayah, took the lead in preparing over twenty fun and colorful gift bags that included activity books, puzzles,
construction paper, coloring pencils, scissors, stickers, and get-well cards with a special prayer for the sick. Ms. Brenda Green, head of the Chaplaincy at Children's Healthcare,
was delighted to receive the bags and emphasized the importance of providing a warm and welcoming stay for young Muslim patients.
|
Special Presentation on Muslim Life and the Qur'an
Dr. S. Rashid Naim, one of the ISB's veteran speakers, delivered a special presentation on Muslim Life and the Qur'an at Emory University's main campus. At the invitation of Dr. John Weaver, who has worked with the ISB in the past, Dr. Naim discussed the centrality of the Qur'an to Muslim life and presented students with an overview of the compilation, preservation, and interpretation of the sacred text. Much to the audience members' appreciation, the presentation was accompanied by a selection from world-famous Qur'an reciters.
|
ISB Calendar
February 28: Women in Islam at Kennesaw State University
February 28: Islamophobia Workshop at Georgia Tech
March 6 & 27: Special presentations at Emory University
March 8: American Academy of Religion Meeting
March 11: Agnes Scott College
March 13 & 27: Lutheran Church of the Redeemer
March 14: Muslim Contributions to Civilization
March 15: Young and Empowered Muslimah
March 16: Chavurah (Jewish Study Group)
March 24: Veterans of Foreign Wars
March 25: National Council of Jewish Women Luncheon
March 28: Cultural Competency Training, Macy's California
|
|
|
|
|
