Public speaking

I have been honing up on my public speaking skills in the past week. On Wednesday evening, Moose Hill had an information meeting for parents of incoming Kindergartners. I had to stand up there and give them some great reasons to join the PTA. I drafted up a 4-minute speech and unless they were just being nice, I was told by my friends that I did great. (I'm not going to bore you with my speech.) I was a little concerned about feeling small standing in front of a whole gym full of people, so don't think I didn't wear a pair of my new shoes.

Then on Friday evening, our PTA sponsored an event for the Kindergartners. In the past, the PTA has sponsored a spring concert where a children's entertainer would sing with puppets or use other sorts of kid-friendly props to entertain them. And the turn out was always, well, pathetic. Last year we were lucky to have a whopping 30 people attend, and that included the adults! So I decided pursuing this type of entertainment again just wouldn't fly and suggested a magician. We had to increase our budget to have him perform, but I had seen his work and knew it would be worth it. Nobody disputed my suggestion, so I booked him. And I was sure to advertise well. Flyers were sent out with students, information on it was included in the April newsletter, and I made 2 posters that I hung in the lobby of the school. I ended my speech to the parents on Wednesday night with an invitation for them to come to the show.

When I woke to snow falling Friday morning, again, I figured I'd have a good reason for the low turnout of spectators when I would have to explain to the magician why the gym was empty. Besides, there was a dance taking place that very evening, and surely that was where the kids were. It was supposed to take place in this very gym, but they graciously agreed to move it to another school so we could hold our event. And would you believe there was even another event taking place at the high school? But the snow stopped and it rained off and on for the rest of the day and there was no reason why people shouldn't come out to our event too, especially since baseball season didn't even officially start yet because there is still snow left to melt. And those other events, well they catered more towards the older kids. When my high school niece asked to come along with her friend, I welcomed them both because it would be two more bodies in the audience. I hoped and prayed my efforts in getting the word out about the show had paid off. I even arranged for the school to videotape the show, which will air on their cable channel. I requested that the custodian put out 100 chairs.

I needn't have worried. We had to put out more chairs. Even with most of the kids sitting on the floor, many parents wound up standing along the sides. It was a hit. I asked the director if she wanted to make the introduction speech, because she likes to shine the spotlight on herself, but she passed the task on to me. Having no microphone, I had to stand up there in front of an even larger crowd than two nights prior, and shout to get their attention. I was brief and gladly gave the stage to the performer. I wore the same shoes I wore Wednesday night.

Do you think it could it be the shoes?

You can check out the highlights here.