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| Re: Speech for Gala
Posted by Tony Poderis   on 8/29/2009, 11:58 am, in reply to "Speech for Gala"
VIP Poster
Irene: For the times I was asked to do something along the lines of what you are invited to do, my best results always came from going directly to the source for what I needed to produce my public remarks.
That is, getting in touch with the honoree's secretary, or other staff person, to at least obtain a current bio of the individual. Having the facts, and having them correct right from the source, will give you the accuracy you must have. Things can be ever changing for such a prominent person as you are to honor.
Further, I had asked for, and received, a copy or copies of other speeches and testimonials given in honor of the persons I was asked to similarly recognize. Such information was always useful.
When your speech is ready, If possible, run your final draft past the person closest to the individual to be sure that what you are going to say is accurate.
Just be sure to be given the exact amount of time you have to make your speech, and stick to it. The man’s full bio should be reproduced in the program of the evening. That way, you can avoid what most of us cannot sit though as we are impatient and uncomfortable with a never-ending listing of accomplishments, boards served, etc.
Just provide the high points. Use at least one touching human interest story of how the honoree positively affected lives.
Remember, it is a Gala, and patrons do not come to hear speeches. If you find there to be a number of other such speeches to be made on the same man, and about other topics lined up for that evening, you should be even more careful to keep yours from being a part of the evening which may cool off the festivities. We have all been part of such speech excesses, and usually we just sit, and we cannot wait for the countdown to the last speaker to be over.
When the patrons must sit there and listen, make certain that your speech is short, accurate, and memorable. And be yourself. Though you must use information about the honoree as provided by others, make it sound as if you knew it all along.
P. S. Do a Google search for many good tips regarding how to make a great speech.
Best of all good luck,
Tony
Tony Poderis
http://www.raise-funds.com
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