Acckkk! The Spelling Bee is coming up on Wednesday...

Although always nervous about it I'm pretty good at speaking....

so here's some of my advise. I believe in an opening sentence that will get the audience attention (make them your friend) and in this case put you at ease. Perhaps you can start by saying something to the affect 'Here I am today in front of all of you having to speak and I'm nervous, my cheeks are red not from blush but from nerves. How many of you would like to trade places with me and be the speaker? I bet not many so it looks like I'm the one who will speak today....keep your speech short and to the point...if your hands start to shake tell them "thank goodness you're not serving them hot coffee!" talk to them like your in your kitchen having a conversation. I will be glad to help you further if you want to PM me for some speech help.

 
I was just reminded of the scene on Sex and the City when Samantha

addressed the group of women with cancer -- her success came when she gave up her prepared speech and spoke from her heart, snatched off her wig and received a standing ovation. Miss Lola is right, practice is essential, and comforting as well, but remember that if things fall apart you have your heart, and your love for the kids to strengthen you. I love the idea of beginning with spelling!!

 
Dawn, I used to become physically ill at the thought of speaking in front of a group

Then I started volunteering for the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society and they put ME in charge of giving briefs to HUGE groups of people. Scary as it was, I knew it was information that needed to be given out. And that was my trick. Focus on the message, not the audience. I got pretty good at looking over their heads. Trust me, a room full of rowdy marines and sailors or, worse, their wives, are the toughest of audiences.

 
Dawn. will be thinking of you tomorrow. You will do great! Just smile!! Remember, you will be

your worst critic. Use a podium, or a table if you can to keep your hands from shaking and look down on your notes, you will do great...And agree with above, practice... You are doing such a great thing to help the students, and I completely understand the intimidation of speaking for a large group. You will do great!!!

Let us know how it went!

Best,

Barb

 
Use it in a sentence, please: "I'm sure you were E.F.F.U.L.G.E.N.T. today."

Main Entry: effulgent
Part of Speech: adjective
Definition: glowing, luminous

 
Yikes, I already posted this and the message and it was lost..

Everything went fine. I had to replace a couple judges due to a judge's family emergency, so things didn't go quite as smoothly as it could have been, but I was just thankful for the last minute fill ins.
I was able to talk my pronouncer into doing my speech. I am sorry to have to tell you that.
Call me a wimp, a wuss, a chicken, but it worked out great, because I was calm and was able to talk to the kids and put them at ease, and also myself. I still had to speak into the microphone, but it had a purpose, so I was comfortable with it.
I have become a lot more comfortable speaking in front of the PTO, so babysteps. It will become easier the more I do it.
I sort of feel like I have let you all down, but I have to do what is comfortable for me.
I actually thought about telling you all that it went great and I muddled through it, but there is no way I could do that. I respect you all too much. But it sure would have been easier. Thank you all for you advice and good thoughts, and I have bookmarked this thread for next year. Next year...maybe.

 
Dawn, you are my hero! You couldn't let me down, and I'm sure other's feel the same.

You have to do what works for you, and you are still willing to move forward with your goal of becoming more comfortable in front of an audience!

I had a huge fear of public speaking (#1 fear of most people, last time I checked) but overcame it (by taking every opportunity to speak in front of groups) to a point where I'm contacted by neighborhood associations around where I live and asked to speak for them at City Council meetings! They tell me, "Michael, when you speak on behalf of an issue, the Council FEELS YOUR PAIN!".

My point is this: overcoming the fear of public speaking can be done! And YOU can do it.

Michael

 
Let us all down? No way.! You pulled off a great event, despite a judge emergency

Baby steps are great, and the pronouncer was probably dying to take the microphone anyway.

Congratulations.

 
We're here for ya gal... don't let anyone push you into something you're not ready for smileys/smile.gif

 
Whoeve said we have to be all things to all people? A fear of public speaking is a big deal

and when you are ready, step by step, you will conquer it. You managed a very successful event, and most importantly made the children feel relaxed. Your ability to relate to children is a real gift, trust me, not everyone is born with that! Your school is lucky to have someone like you that puts herself out there and volunteers to run an event like a spelling bee. Congratulations on a job well done!

 
You were braver than I would've been to even do what you did. Great you were there for the kids, and

how did DS do?

 
I used to do a lot of speaking, a few tips:

Write your remarks. Make an outline of what you need to say.

Start with a little gentle humor.

Practice saying your speech out loud in front of the mirror, keeping eye contact.

Time yourself, if it's over 2 or 3 minutes, shorten it. Just hit the important points, Hello my name is Dawn, welcome to the xxxx spelling bee, the thank you and kudos, etc. etc.

Practice Practice Practice! The more you practice it the less nerves you will have.

After you are sick of practicing to yourself, video yourself if you can or practice with another person.

Pick one friendly face and speak just to that person. If you can't look at their eyes, look at their forehead or chin.

Don't forget to make some hand gestures.

Don't forget to smile!

And don't forget to breathe, while smiling, especially important as you take the stage.

Bring your speech in bullet point format printed in a large font so you don't have to peer hard to read or get lost in a sentence.

Good Luck Dawn, you're going to be great!

 
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