Speaking at Union Meetings

Abstract

The type of meetings we have in mind are general members’ meetings with more than ten people in attendance. These notes are relevant where you have an opportunity to think beforehand about what you are going to say and to spend some time on preparation. Sometimes you may have to speak 'on the spur of the moment' in response to information, a statement or an event. In these circumstances, you should try to get your thoughts together before you speak, rather than simply 'thinking out loud’. The most important point about the 'spur of the moment' type of situation is to say what’s on your mind. Don’t leave it to someone else. These ‘spontaneous’ contributions to meetings can be very effective. People usually can recognise when someone is speaking ‘from the heart’! Sincerity, honesty and conviction are much more important for effective speaking than ‘polish’ and presentation. Hundreds of books have been written and millions of pounds ’earned’ telling people how to get their message across. While good presentation can help, for the trade union movement what people say is more important than how they say it. A speech is effective if the audience remembers most of the points made by the speaker