Guidelines for introducing a Speaker

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              GUIDELINES FOR INTRODUCING A SPEAKER

> The role of introducer

Invited guest speakers have been an important component of the NERL
program.  As an exercise in public speaking, most NERL participants
take a turn introducing a guest.  The guidelines that follow are
provided to NERL introducers to help them prepare for that
assignment.

Your assignment is to introduce each speaker in the session.

> The audience needs to know:

     1.   The name of the speaker and his/her position/title.

     2.   The topic to be addressed.

     3.   The speaker's qualifications for this topic (not the
          entire pedigree.

     4.   The "ground rules" for the presentation, for example:

          þ    length of presentation
          þ    are questions encouraged during/after/not at all?
          þ    if questions, how will they be generated...large
               group, small group, written and turned in for
               answering after a break?
          þ    any expectations for the audience to do something
               with the presentation?


> Things to keep in mind

     1.   Review the biographical sketch, which you will be receive
          before the session.  Arrange a time to talk with the
          speaker.  Don't ask the speaker what you should use in
          the introduction, rather ask for specific qualifications
          for this topic.

     2.   You are there to facilitate the presentation.

     3.   You do not need to "tell a story" about the speaker
          unless  it's appropriate.  Don't try to be funny for
          "funny sake"; it embarrasses the audience and the
          speaker.

     4.   Don't use "weasel words", like "I think you will be ...,"
          or "I hope you will like..."  Be positive!  Say, "I know
          you will benefit...," or "You will enjoy...."

     5.   Don't introduce a speaker as being humorous; if he/she
          is, the humor will become apparent soon enough.  Often
          when introduced to a humorous speaker, the audience folds
          their arms, clench their teeth, and dare the speaker to
          make them laugh.

     6.   Don't dig a hole for the speaker to climb out of before
          reaching an equal with the audience.  You are supposed to
          set up the speaker.  Don't use such things as: "The
          speaker is from Maine, but we will do the best we can
          anyway"; "The speaker is a rural sociologist and we all
          know what that means";  "The speaker we really wanted
          couldn't make it today, but Mr. Smith will try...."

     7.   Always keep the order of importance in mind: first the
          audience, then the speaker.  Remember, the speaker is
          there for the audience and not the other way around.    
                     

• Lois M. Frey, UVM Extension, RR #4, Box 2298, Montpelier, VT 05602, (802) 223-2389, email: lfrey@sover.net
• "Group Development: Creating Group Effectiveness" by Duane Dale, DFD Associates, 99 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138-3402 (moving to 764 South East Street, Amherst, MA 01022 after 8/1/98);
• Bob Biagi, 142 Cherry Lane, Amherst, MA 01002 (413) 549-1412;

Comments to: crs@uvm.edu
Reviewed as of 4/20/98