VolunteerToday.com~~ The Electronic Gazette for Volunteerism
TRAINING The Training Page of Volunteer Today has practical trainer techniques and activities to make orientation sessions more productive and valuable. There are also ideas to help enhance the professional volunteer manager's training level.

Presentation Jitters

In the surveys of what people fear the most, snakes tops the list. But right behind it is speaking in public. How can you calm those presentation jitters? Here are some tips.

1. Know your "stuff." Be prepared. Never wing it, it only makes those jitters worse. Practice the presentation out loud. Time it. Do it for a small audience so you can "feel" the words and be well prepared. Make a clear outline on paper with large type so you can easily find you way. Outline your presentation rather than writing out every word. It is too easy to get lost. The outline brings you back to a point and the delivery will be more natural.
2. Dress the part. Wear comfortable and lose clothing. Not too tight, not too lose and old shoes. You should not be worrying about clothing or sore feet when you are speaking. Look professional in an outfit that gives you a sense of confidence.
3. Focus before you begin. Walk to the podium or speaker stand and take a breath. Look out at the audience and focus on a few faces, make eye contact. Count to five and then begin. Focus before you start. Running to the microphone and ripping into the presentation is only likely to make you more nervous.
4. Move around, use your hands and arms. If the microphone system allows it walk around, but be careful NOT to pace it distracts the listeners. Moving gives more expression to your voice and energizes your body, all positive things for eliminating those jitters.
   

• Ask the question. Wait 15 seconds. Restate the question. Wait 15 more seconds. Someone will respond.
• Provide questions everyone can answer. "Why might a volunteer be reluctant to assume more responsibility?"
• For complex questions, allow time for a written response. Provide 3 x 5 cards with lines. Write question on easel paper or overhead. Ask everyone to write an answer. Collect cards and redistribute. Ask people to share the response they have, which is not their own.
• Ask questions that require estimates or guesses. "Which part of this task will consume the most of your time while you are here?"
• Provide handout which has questions printed on it. Leave a space for answers. Tell the group to use, as you will be asking them for responses during the session on those questions.