Public Speaking

[Gryffindorian]

I'm one of the co-chairs for my employer's LGBT Pride Month Committee, and we have an opening program on Thursday, June 4. My colleague has asked me to make a speech, but I don't know where to start.

I'm not the kind of person who gets panicky in front of a crowd. In fact, I've hosted an employee event before, but that was much more informal. This time, my co-chair wants me to say a few words about our Pride celebration, and our theme this year is "Equality is more than a dream." We usually shun religious, political, and sexual content, and even if I were to bring up same-sex marriage, I'm not well versed in American politics and current issues.

I've been working on a draft, but all I've got so far is a brief acknowledgment of committee members thanking them for their hard work.

I would appreciate any suggestions. What say you?

 

[Amaris]

I have a few suggestions (you can ignore them if you like).

* After thanking everyone, start out with why you are there. Words like "hope", "strength," "unity", "humanity" often evoke a sense of community. You want people to not only feel welcome, but also included.

* Perhaps you can go on to acknowledge all of the hard work you've done as an organization, outlining a few events in the recent past that were successful. Point out key people if you know them. Be ecstatic, make these people feel like they accomplished something historic.

* Give a vision of the future; what are your ultimate goals? What are your dreams? Connect the organization's goals with personal dreams; make people feel those dreams are within reach as long as they are willing to continue working toward an equality that binds us all together in humanity (again, with the words).

* Finish with a short summary of what they can do to help make it happen. Motivate them to want to get involved if they aren't already. Then thank them for their time.

Just a few ideas.

 

[HIjol]

I have a few suggestions (you can ignore them if you like).

* After thanking everyone, start out with why you are there. Words like "hope", "strength," "unity", "humanity" often evoke a sense of community. You want people to not only feel welcome, but also included.

* Perhaps you can go on to acknowledge all of the hard work you've done as an organization, outlining a few events in the recent past that were successful. Point out key people if you know them. Be ecstatic, make these people feel like they accomplished something historic.

* Give a vision of the future; what are your ultimate goals? What are your dreams? Connect the organization's goals with personal dreams; make people feel those dreams are within reach as long as they are willing to continue working toward an equality that binds us all together in humanity (again, with the words).

* Finish with a short summary of what they can do to help make it happen. Motivate them to want to get involved if they aren't already. Then thank them for their time.

Just a few ideas.

Great suggestions, J!!!

Here is my two cents:

As you go to the podium (?) there will likely be applause. Let your face and body language reflect the applause, and wait for it to die down. Begin by addressing the crowd with a sincere, "thank you and good morn/Eve whatever. Then, bring the feeling of pride and pleasure you are feeling at being there. Bring it to your face. Look directly at random people from right to left to right. Take your time. Acknowledge each person with the pride in your eyes.

Then, tell the crowd how very Proud you are to be able to,stand before them. Touch on the effort and journey it has been for LGBT to be able to come together and celebrate. Don't give chapter and verse, just the high points of what it took to get where LGBT has gotten to. Tell them of the "labor of love" effort and time that has been put in (like J suggested). Speak to the Unity and Pride all should feel. How the job is not done, but well-started. If there are initiatives/plans/events to speak of, speak of them here. Keep the pride and excitement on your face. Move in front of your audience, not from stage left to stage right, but a few steps each way, back and forth. Show energy and positiveness. Ask the assembly some yes/.no questions that would be appropriate. Not like a revival or convention, but involve them. Let them feel like all of them are a part of what J said above, about the hopes and dreams and hard work for equality. Say that there is only one definition of Humanity, and it had NOTHING to do with sexual orientation. Finish by telling them that you are so lucky/happy/honored to be a part, and the solidarity they are engendering in you energize you, and should energize each and every one of them.

Close with this quote:

"Heterosexuality isn't normal...it's just common"

Dorothy Parker

...or a favorite/appropriate quote of your own.

Good Luck, and please keep us posted!

 

[auntiehill]

If you were one of the people in the crowd, and not the one making the speech, what would YOU like to hear the speaker say?

 

[HIjol]

If you were one of the people in the crowd, and not the one making the speech, what would YOU like to hear the speaker say?

THAT'S the stuff!!!

 

[Gryffindorian]

Hmm. Lots to digest. Thanks, everyone, for your advice.

I detest long speeches myself. This is why I don't often attend employee functions, like retirements or anniversaries, unless I happen to like the person being honored.

I want to say something in the lines of "diversity and celebrating people's differences." I'm fortunate to be working for an employer that values diversity by celebrating various heritage months throughout the year. These events serve to promote unity and solidarity among our employees. For all our differences - in gender, ethnicity, orientation, faith, or national background - we're all part of humanity.

Our theme of equality aims to recognize and celebrate the social progress and landmark achievements that have been made on a domestic as well as international level, but there's much work to be done in our society and in our world to ensure social fairness and to secure equal rights and equal opportunities for all.

I hope you'll come to support and join us in our month-long celebration.

 

[rhubarbodendron]

A friend was recently in a similar situation when he had to speak about his University. He solved the problem like this:
First he described how at other Universities people would regard him with a "huh? That's a student??" expression because he's in his 50s.
Then he told us how at his own University he had never experienced any reaction like this.
That he used to lead over to the amazing variety of his fellow students: a ballet dancer, a bus driver, an actor, a sports trainer for the special olympics etc.
And that he used to point out how very non-prejudiced his university was and how they give everyone a chance, by seeing the person, not the body.

Maybe you can use a similar structure:
point out how versatile the empoyees are, how different their heritage, background, genetics, job experience etc are. Then stress the point that your company does not only not care about differences but appreciates them and profits from them. And from there you can get to how this great variety and lack of prejudice benefits both your company and the economy, this making life slightly better for everyone and setting an example that elevates your company over others and should be followed globally.

 

[Gryffindorian]

Very good! I'll keep that in mind as well. Thanks.

 

[Gryffindorian]

Edit:

Photo Album

 

[Kirby]

If you were one of the people in the crowd, and not the one making the speech, what would YOU like to hear the speaker say?

THIS! I have heard way too many speakers get all blow-hardy about their own stuff, and don't address the audience.

 

[Gryffindorian]

I just wanted to give an update. The speech went well. It wasn't the kind of rousing Obama-like standing-ovation delivery, but I kept it short and simple. I still had to read from a piece of paper but managed to maintain eye contact with the audience. The fact that we started early before lunch might have resulted in a lower turnout than I had anticipated, which in a way, made me less anxious about the whole experience.