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5 <br /> Public Meetings <br /> Get oriented: what does a public meeting do? what happens? how does it feel? <br /> - It's a work session in institutional democracy on the public record <br /> - It's oral, face-to-face interaction between elected officials, staff, and community <br /> - It's a deliberation, not a trial <br /> - It's long and tiring <br /> Think why you are there -You speak for your role in government, not yourself <br /> Build confidence - Picture yourself relaxed at the microphone, speaking with ease and authority <br /> Determine your message <br /> Look at the big picture <br /> - What policy applies? <br /> - What impacts does policy have on issues you will talk about? <br /> - What are the weaknesses as well as strengths of your proposals or recommendations? <br /> Analyze the situation <br /> Assume a mixed, uninformed audience <br /> Plan to reach people by what you say and show rather than by what is written <br /> Plan for presentation and Q+A <br /> Get feedback on your plans, outlines <br /> Preparation Tips <br /> ✓ Organize content for easy understanding <br /> ✓ Organize top-down (main message, summary, details postponed to Q+A) <br /> ✓ Use opposing viewpoints or pro/con to clarify options <br /> ✓ Use short, active sentences <br /> ✓ Use simplified professional language <br /> ✓ Use few abbreviations (and explain the ones you use) <br /> ✓ Plan to be brief (5 minutes, generally) <br /> ✓ Expect to be asked to summarize (ex: 1 minute or less) <br /> ✓ Q+A matters most to elected officials <br /> ✓ Expect to explain and to handle disagreement as well as agreement <br /> ✓ Consider using visual aids: <br /> if they simplify, if they work in the setting, if they fit into time limits, <br /> and if you are comfortable using them <br /> Aids must be in uniform presentation format (e.g., PowerPoint slides) <br /> In advance, you must ensure all equipment is set up and working <br />