• What is the goal of this training? What do you hope will have changed after the training is completed?
• Has the group had HIV/AIDS (STD, bloodborne pathogens) training before? What related health trainings has the group had before?
• How many people are expected to be in attendance? How well does the group know each other? What is the age range? (If workplace training) What types of work do they do?
• Was there an event that precipitated this request for a speaker (e.g., a needle stick or a close call, a co-worker with HIV, etc)? If so, please describe the incident.
• Will this talk take place during a regularly scheduled meeting or is it  a specifically scheduled training? Is attendance voluntary or required?
• What are the most important things for me to cover in addressing this audience? What are the types of questions they are most likely to ask?
• Please describe the facility where the talk/workshop will be held. 

Is there anything else I need to know as I prepare to speak to the group?

Questions to ask yourself

1. What are the three main messages I intend to impart in this talk? (Make sure you have repeated these messages at the beginning and end of the talk, and elaborated on them in between).

   Examples:

   • The basic modes of transmission and prevention of HIV have not changed in 20 years.
   • Each year, 12 million people in the United States contract an STD, including about 3 million teens.
   • STDs can cause infertility and premature birth, and increase the chance of contracting or transmitting HIV.
   • HIV transmission is preventable.
   • Women are at increased risk of acquiring STDs, including HIV. Women commonly do not show symptoms for many STDs.
   • The vast majority of all HIV infections are occurring in the developing world, where there is little access to treatments.
   • The outlook on HIV/AIDS is improving more rapidly than ever before in the epidemic.
   • The AIDS epidemic is not over, but there is more hope than ever for those that are infected.
   • You are very unlikely to be infected with HIV in the workplace, even if you do suffer a substantial exposure. Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are greater concerns for occupational exposure.
   • The face of HIV in this country is changing to include more poor people, people of color, and women.
   • Locally, the large majority of people with HIV continue to be gay and bisexual men. Gay and bisexual men of color are disproportionately represented among local new infections.
2. Have I reserved the equipment (e.g., laptop, overhead) that I need? Do they have the facilities for the equipment?
3. Have I collected the brochures/condoms that I will need?
4. Do I have the directions, car reservations and adequate time scheduled?  Where will I park?