Marilyn's Musings

This came from my notes taken at the PSWA conference. This was an excellent presentation. Ron's stated goal was to improve our presentation skills and grab the attention of the audience. Start and stop on time.  Difficult times for presentations: Right before lunch. Last time slot of the day. Last day of the conference. Emotions/Connected to Topic Environment Your Dress Your Attitude Audience Needs to be Able to Understand you (Don't say ah) Audience Participation Set guidelines for audience questions. Walk toward the person and make eye-contact. Walk backward, respond to the audience. Control Stage Fright Know your target audience Prepare Practice  Make eye contact. Use Humor Use Training Aids Whteboard Flip charts Handouts Overhead projector Video Equipment Powerpoint Actual Objects Be prepared for problems Summarize what you said. Questions and answers

Army helicopter pilot, Vietnam vet, police officer and helicopter pilot/instructor, school teacher and principal, counter-terrorism trainer for nuclear facilities, security consultant and lecturer, security director, guard service manager, crime prevention specialist, editor of a police training magazine, police academy training manager…these are the “hats” I have worn for the past five decades. On “face value,” it would appear that I can’t hold a job…right? Interspersed with all these professions, I started college after completing my military career in 1969 as a 23-year-old. Being on a college campus as a Vietnam War “baby-killer” in the early 70s was not a good place to be. I worked my way through college without any student loans for the next eighteen years. In other words, I went to college for a long time, not a good time … no frat parties and such … my wife saw to that. As varied as my job professions have been, so are my degrees. I have an AA in Physical Ed...