Public speakingis the process of speaking to a group of people in a structured, deliberate manner intended to inform, influence, or entertain the listeners. In public speaking, as in any form of communication, there are five basic elements, often expressed as "who is saying what to whom using what medium with what effects?"

The purpose of public speaking can range from simply transmitting information, to motivating people to act, to simply telling a story. Good orators should be able to change the emotions of their listeners, not just inform them.

Public speaking is almost as ancient as speech itself. The first known textbook on the subject was written over 2500 years ago, and the principles elaborated within it were drawn from the practices and experience of orators in ancient Greece. These basic principles have undergone modification as societies and cultures have changed, yet remained surprisingly uniform.

Key Public Speaking Skills:

• Oratory
• The use of gestures
• Control of the voice
• Choice of vocabulary
• Speaking notes
• Using humour
• Developing a relationship with the audience

International Federation of Professional Speakers affiliates (often called National Speakers Association) offer a similar service for those whose occupation is a professional speaker.

Public speaking has turned into a paid profession. Commercial training services such as Speaking Circles International are also available.

Effective leadership almost always requires the skill of good public speaking, and this can often make up for a lack of other skills. The ends to which this skill can be used vary greatly - Martin Luther King, Jr. was able to use oratory to have a significant impact on society, in his own choice of way.

"…the average person would rather be in the casket than doing the eulogy." -Jerry Seinfeld

The fear of public speaking is called glossophobia (or, informally, "stage fright"). It is believed to be the single most common phobia - affecting as much as 75% of the population. Fear of oration is ranked even above that of death.

(The Information above was taken from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) -Wikipedia

DATE

TIME

LOCATION

AUGUST 11, 2007

TBA

GLR August Executive Meeting - TBA

Dress Code:

Business Casual

Member Attendance:

Maximum Encouraged