Making the Introduction
• Be able to pronounce his or her name correctly.
• If he or she has a title, use the right one.
• Donʼt make the speech for the speaker— omit the history of his or her life and ancestry. Give some relevant accomplishments that make it evident he or she knows the subject. Two minutes are ample for your entire introcution.
• Find some other words to use besides“ Without further ado,” or“ I give you,” or“ Our speaker needs no introduction.”
Other Events on the Program:
• If you expect to conduct a lot of business, let the speaker speak first and be on his or her way before you take up your agenda.
• If you have a long program of entertainment planned to precede your speaker, the best advice is“ donʼt.” It isnʼt fair to the speaker to tire the audience ahead of time.
After the Speaker Has Delivered His or Her Talk:
• A few words of appreciation should be given by the program chair. You, as President, should also thank the speaker.
• If there are questions from the floor, stand as a buffer between the questions and the speaker so that you can tactfully handle the speechmakers in the audience.
Next Day:
• A note of thanks and appreciation should be written to the speaker by the member who invited the speaker.
Head Table Seating
PROTOCOL FOR VISITING BPW OFFICIALS
• Center— Chair of the evening or the president
• Immediate right— Guest speaker
• Immediate left— If the president is not presiding, she should be seated at the chairʼs left
• Guests— State officials should be seated according to their rank in the organization. Order of precedence: State Officers State Chairs Past State Presidents * Regional Directors District Directors Local Organization Officers Local Organization Chairs Past Local Organization Presidents * Seat in order of rank, starting to the right of the guest speaker and working toward the end of the table to the right and left. If there are local civic officials, seat them between visitors.
* If there are too many“ pasts,” give recognition in other ways, such as a special table for them. Introductions Local organizations should always introduce BPW officers and chairs, whether district, regional, or state.
Remember that new members and prospects are interested in knowing more about our organization and all members should have the opportunity to meet the officials.
Even though you might personally take Jane Jones rather casually because she is a member of your own local organization, if she has the honor of holding an office at the district, regional, or state level, donʼt leave her out of the introductions.
62 July 2009