Toasting ???

impressive

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I need to prepare a toast (no, not the crispy bread) in honor of someone who is retiring from a board of directors after 6 years of selfless volunteer service through some very rough times.

She has a terrific sense of humor, and I want the "speech" to be memorable. I absolutely abhor public speaking, though.

Anyone have any suggestions?
 
You want suggestions for the speech or suggestions for speaking?

I did my first public speaking for many years on a recent trip. The first one was terrible, the second went fine. The fact my words were being translated after each para didn't help since I wasn't getting any feedback, this cowed my presentation first time round. Second time I was much more animated, this seemed to work.

Try Og - he's the man with experience, what with all those daughters to marry off and his work as a Kent revolutionary fighting the Town Hall.
 
Toasts are hard because you need to fit a lot in a little space. So free yourself of the need to say it all. Focus on one little aspect, get as specific as possible. That sense of humor maybe? Then tell a story...You just need to come up with one you can tell in two minutes, that's all... :rolleyes:
 
Humor is good.

GOOD humor is good.

Is there a brief story you can share that demonstrates the character and quality in the person being toasted?

Some unique way in which they dealt with an impossible situation with grace, good will, charity and style?

If not - make one up.

:catgrin:
 
I have to agree with everything that's been said so far--which is bizarre since I am a contrarian both by nature and profession.

Since you're uncomfortable speaking in public, you might try focusing directly on the honoree and trying to tune out everyone else. That wouldn't be rude since she is, in fact, the center of the event. From your perspective, a one-on-one conversation with someone you know and like will probably be less stressful than speaking to a roomful of people.
 
Go to the library. There are entire books of toasts, speeches, sermons, jokes and stories for speakers, tips, etc. I think they're in the reference section.
 
Scrofulus Scriv said:
Since you're uncomfortable speaking in public, you might try focusing directly on the honoree and trying to tune out everyone else. That wouldn't be rude since she is, in fact, the center of the event. From your perspective, a one-on-one conversation with someone you know and like will probably be less stressful than speaking to a roomful of people.

Oh, I'd cry for SURE.

*sigh* I had to give a speech last summer for an award I won. I was sick to my stomach for a WEEK in advance. My voice only really cracked once ... and that was when I thanked the very same woman that I'll be toasting in September.

I'm gonna have to go the humor route (and make that trip to the library) and hope I can carry it off.
 
impressive said:
Oh, I'd cry for SURE.

*sigh* I had to give a speech last summer for an award I won. I was sick to my stomach for a WEEK in advance. My voice only really cracked once ... and that was when I thanked the very same woman that I'll be toasting in September.

I'm gonna have to go the humor route (and make that trip to the library) and hope I can carry it off.

Nothing wrong with crying or voice breaking, its an indication of sincerity. Still not sure how I got through my bit of L&V's wedding ceremony. My voice did go once, just took a deep breath, and carried on. Focus is essential.

Strange, but I just don't see you as worried about public speaking.

I'm sure you'll be quite impressive. As always.

:kiss:
 
matriarch said:
Strange, but I just don't see you as worried about public speaking.

I really am an introvert. The importance of my advocacy work is often the only thing that drives me out of the house.

I've too strong a personality to appear timid ... but being "on stage" is really intimidating, and making small talk with acquaintances ... *shudder* I need to come back to my nest and recharge afterward.
 
:) Dunno if it'd work for you, but I'm nearly blind without my glasses on and I, too, am an introvert. Yet I've done theater and speech making for years with one simple expedient, taking my glasses off. The audience vanishes into a blur of colors. It's nice.
 
Kassiana said:
:) Dunno if it'd work for you, but I'm nearly blind without my glasses on and I, too, am an introvert. Yet I've done theater and speech making for years with one simple expedient, taking my glasses off. The audience vanishes into a blur of colors. It's nice.

Might help. I'm not THAT near sighted, though -- and we'll probably just be around a large banquet table.

Worth a try, though. Thanks!
 
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As someone who has a fear of public speaking, i would recommend a few things:

- visualization: you try to visualize yourself in the setting of your event what the surroundings would like, etc... And then you see yourself saying what you want to say and imagine that things are going exactly as you want them to.

- preparation: you could try rehearsing your toast, preferrably in a setting that's a bit similar. If there's anything that numbs nervousness, it's repetition.

- breathing: there are many breathing techniques that you can find online. they should help you relax and get that thumping heart under control

- getting your mind off of it: try to do that. I found it to be helpful as I only tense up just before the speech. Still you might get nervous during the speech itself, but you won't be sick to your stomach for a week before hand.

There's a tons of other things you could try. You just have to find what works for you.

Now I'm not worried about you writing the toast/speech. I'm sure that you'll manage to do great.

Good luck.

My inflation adjusted $0.02
 
impressive said:
Might help. I'm not THAT near sighted, though -- and we'll probably just be around a large banquet table.

Worth a try, though. Thanks!
:) If nothing else, the fact that it's different might help take your mind off your nervousness. Good luck.
 
impressive said:
I need to prepare a toast (no, not the crispy bread) in honor of someone who is retiring from a board of directors after 6 years of selfless volunteer service through some very rough times.

She has a terrific sense of humor, and I want the "speech" to be memorable. I absolutely abhor public speaking, though.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Write down some of the events that she has been involved in and what she contributed to their successful outcome. If possible work in one successfully negotiated disaster that is now long gone.

I had it easy. I used to give speeches at retirement events and I had the person's staff record right back to recruitment as an apprentice. I could say 'We never really had a proper explanation for you arriving at work with a hangover on 15th July 1967. Would you care to elaborate now?'

When my father finally retired he was reminded that he had been reprimanded when a telegram boy in the 1920s for riding his official motorcycle up the steps of St Pauls in London to deliver a telegram to the Dean.

It is better to make notes of what you want to say and use the notes as the skeleton instead of writing the whole speech in full and reading it.

Try to keep it short and to the point. Long-winded speeches will bore the audience and embarrass her.

Og
 
impressive said:
Oh, I'd cry for SURE.

*sigh* I had to give a speech last summer for an award I won. I was sick to my stomach for a WEEK in advance. My voice only really cracked once ... and that was when I thanked the very same woman that I'll be toasting in September.

I'm gonna have to go the humor route (and make that trip to the library) and hope I can carry it off.


Remember that the audience will be on your side, so even if you slip up a bit, it won't matter -- they're like family.
 
Edward Teach said:
Remember that the audience will be on your side, so even if you slip up a bit, it won't matter -- they're like family.

True.

I just want to make it through without embarrassing myself.
 
impressive said:
True.

I just want to make it through without embarrassing myself.

Embarrassing yourself won't be an option. It will simply endear you to everyone. True emotions are nothing to ever be embarrassed about.

:kiss:
 
impressive said:
True.

I just want to make it through without embarrassing myself.

Go to the little girl's room before you take the podium.

:catgrin:

(Actually, I'm serious about that - you would be amazed at how many performers forget that minor detail.)
 
sweetsubsarahh said:
Go to the little girl's room before you take the podium.

:catgrin:

(Actually, I'm serious about that - you would be amazed at how many performers forget that minor detail.)

Can I take a big girl in with me? :catroar:
 
impressive said:
Can I take a big girl in with me? :catroar:


In case you get the frights?

(Or are you referring to the size of my butt - let's not go there!)

:cathappy:
 
sweetsubsarahh said:
In case you get the frights?

(Or are you referring to the size of my butt - let's not go there!)

:cathappy:

To calm my nerves, of course. :D

I bet I'd be MUCH less anxious giving this toast post-orgasmically.

Dar~ ... The more, the merrier! :cool:
 
Visiting the toilet is good advice.

'Dutch courage' (= alcohol) can be disastrous. It might calm your inhibitions while letting you forget to be diplomatic or even making you forget the whole speech. Stick to non-alcoholic in small doses (don't want to overload the bladder) until after the speech.

Don't get too perfectionist about the speech or the presentation. Saying now you appreciate a person is more effective if it is heartfelt and not phrased in over-precise English.

A speech is meant to be SPOKEN. Do not write it as you would write a letter or a report. Short sentences or even partial sentences (ignore MSWord) sound better than long convoluted sentences. e.g.:

'She's great. We all know she is. We're sorry to lose her. She has done so much for us. Remember... (insert incident) when she saved our asses? etc."

Og
 
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