Have you ever spoken in front of a group of people?

Bretrick

Bretrick

Well-known Member
Location
Perth Western Australia
Be they friends or strangers?
In 1989 I addressed a Rotary Dinner Meeting of 50 Rotarians, putting the case for needed funding to start a community garden in Esperance.
Rotary is made up of Business leaders, lawyers, Judges etc. I had never before done such a thing and was a nervous wreak awaiting the time when I would be called up to speak.
Dinner was served and consumed. The chairman gave a short speech to introduce me and my purpose for being there and then it was time for me to stand and deliver.
Getting to my feet I began thus,

There is a misperception that unemployed people are all lazy and will do anything to get out of working. We see all around us plenty of people whom seem to do nothing but wander the street looking for mischief to get up to or people to terrorise.....

I spoke for 25 minutes, unscripted, because I believed in what I was talking about. I was passionate about helping the downtrodden, those that Society looks down on. The Rotarians were almost mesmerised by my speech and I received a round of applause at the completion. Questions were asked of me by various members to which I supplied honest answers.
They granted not only funds, $10,000, for the project but also said they would approach Council and recommend 5 acres of Council land be granted along with Plant Machinery to prepare the plot of land.
 

Bretrick said:
Be they friends or strangers?
In 1989 I addressed a Rotary Dinner Meeting of 50 Rotarians, putting the case for needed funding to start a community garden in Esperance.
Rotary is made up of Business leaders, lawyers, Judges etc. I had never before done such a thing and was a nervous wreak awaiting the time when I would be called up to speak.
Dinner was served and consumed. The chairman gave a short speech to introduce me and my purpose for being there and then it was time for me to stand and deliver.
Getting to my feet I began thus,

There is a misperception that unemployed people are all lazy and will do anything to get out of working. We see all around us plenty of people whom seem to do nothing but wander the street looking for mischief to get up to or people to terrorise.....

I spoke for 25 minutes, unscripted, because I believed in what I was talking about. I was passionate about helping the downtrodden, those that Society looks down on. The Rotarians were almost mesmerised by my speech and I received a round of applause at the completion. Questions were asked of me by various members to which I supplied honest answers.
They granted not only funds, $10,000, for the project but also said they would approach Council and recommend 5 acres of Council land be granted along with Plant Machinery to prepare the plot of land.
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That's wonderful! Congratulations for getting the funds to help this worthwhile project! You have the knack for speaking! I know people who attend Toastmasters and practice speaking in front of an audience.

I have spoken many times, but I can't do what you did, talk without a script. I have to have a piece of paper in front of me to speak because I have a mind that rambles and brings in new ideas while I'm talking, and it's easy for me to get off the topic. So I need it to be written down beforehand so I can stay focused. :)
 
palides2021 said:
That's wonderful! Congratulations for getting the funds to help this worthwhile project! You have the knack for speaking! I know people who attend Toastmasters and practice speaking in front of an audience.

I have spoken many times, but I can't do what you did, talk without a script. I have to have a piece of paper in front of me to speak because I have a mind that rambles and brings in new ideas while I'm talking, and it's easy for me to get off the topic. So I need it to be written down beforehand so I can stay focused. :)
Click to expand...
I find that if I talk about those things I am passionate about there is no need to have cue cards.
All the information is stored in my mind and by beginning the discussion, that information flows.
 
Yes, I created and distributed a petition regarding a cell tower proposal close to where I live. I presented the petition and spoke at a county commissioners hearing on the tower to not built it. Did a lot of research and used some arguments that questioned the county's own guidelines. Long story.

I was really nervous to speak and answer questions. My neighbor, who has some experience speaking, gave me the best advice when I told him that this speaking before a crowd just "wasn't me". He said, "just say what's in your heart".

The tower still got built but they compromised in its size, so it wasn't a total waste of energy.
 
I did a play in grade school, was in German, I was nervous. I took a communications class in college, basically public speaking. I found scripted presemtations most intimidating, as (in my mind) there was the 'pressure' of following said script. One time I began a presentation in class, then made a spur-of-the-moment decision to drop the script and just ad-lib the speach. The class was engaged, asked questions, seemed to enjoy it. The prof marked me my grade down because of it, I didn't cars as I felt good about my presentation.

In my working career(Sheriff's Dept.) I'd address the group during briefing with pertinent information, I held my own just fine.
 
Sure, you bet! I used to teach high school so I spoke in front of students for many years. Oh, one time I joined "Toast Masters" and learned to speak "at the drop of a hat" you might say. Now that I'm retired I don't even like to talk on the phone all that much. Did my talking for a career. Time to rest and let the younger "Know It All" tell us what it's all about!
 
All part of the job when your driving interstate coaches, always had to run a commentary when your leaving the depot at the start of each journey.

Used to have a bit of fun with the passengers, specially when the coach was leaving Brisbane heading for Sydney, so you would start your commentary of by saying, --- "welcome aboard coach number - whatever - and we should be arriving in Cairns by tomorrow morning' .

Wow, did that get some reaction from those that were only just listening, sometimes screams could be heard of 'STOP THE BUS'.

When all the hub -hub had quietened down, then it was much easier to tell them where you were headed and what you required the passengers to take note of. Like don't piss on the floor of the dunny and NO SMOKING in the dunny and things of that nature.

All good fun and done in jest, but, those that had pacemakers DID NOT approve of it AT ALL. :)
 
shot answer yes. I have been in twenty plus community plays over the last thirty years. The thing was when I was in 11th grade we had try outs for the junior class play. I went to the tryouts and sat there with the scrip and watched for a while, got up walked out and said I am not ever going to do that. When I was thirty or so I went to a reading and the rest is history.
 
I took a credited class in public speaking in college where we could choose our own topics. I can remember giving a speech on thermodynamics, it being college and all, and got a lukewarm reception. A lady at the same session gave a speech on baking bread with dough as a visual aid which the class ate up, no pun intended. From that experience I learned to know your audience and dumb it down, and that presentation matters more than content…
 
Yes, many times, mainly in a work environment.

My daughter is a senior lecturer and has spoken at conferences in places as widespread as San Francisco, Chicago, Seoul (Korea) and Helsinki. Back in the UK, she told me that she actually got her name in lights after a presentation. It seems that in conjunction with a senior school where she is a governor, she gave a speech to local government. Afterwards, they went to the local Championship league football ground where she was given a club badge and her name was displayed in lights on a large screen. She said it was short lived as it was then followed by an ad. for frozen peas :)

The principal of the school said that amongst the pupils, a club badge had the same value as a shot of heroin. A sad reflection on the area.
DD isn't interested in football so she gave the badge to her professor, who was delighted with it.
 
Yes, I was in a homesteading group and as one of the administrators of their forum, when we had our physical meetings I had to get up to speak to the group or explain how I was living and how they could get started.

I also spoke quite often at my church as well as at a few funerals.
 

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