how to write a speech for mayor

How to Address the Mayor of a U.S. City

—- Also on This Page: —- —- How to Address a Former Mayor —- —- How to Address an Acting Mayor —- —- How to Address a Mayor and Spouse

How to Address a Mayor of a U.S. City

—- Envelope or address block on letter or email: ——– The Honorable —- —- (Full name) —- —- Mayor of (municipality) —- —- (Address)

————- Or – it’s a bit less formal all on one line: —————– The Honorable   (Full name) ————- —- Mayor of (municipality) ————- —- (Address)

—- Letter salutation: —- —- Dear Mayor (surname):

—- Conversation: —- —- Mayor (surname): —- —- Mayor —- —- Your Honor

Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”

Is a Former Mayor Addressed as Mayor (Name) ?

I am addressing an invitation to a former mayor. How do I correctly do that?? —– – Karen Szczpanski   How to Address the Mayor of a US City

Hi Karen: Address a former mayor on the envelope or address block of a letter with this form: —– —– The Honorable (Full name) —– —– Address

On the salutation, in conversation, or if your invitation has an inside envelope use this: —– —– Mr./Mrs./Dr./etc. (Surname)

Sometimes you will see or hear former mayors addressed as Mayor (name) but it is not correct,  Address a former mayor as M r./Ms./Dr./etc.  – whatever honorific they had before becoming (Mayor) (Name).

The reason? In a city there is only one mayor at a time. It’s not respectful to the current office holder, and is potentially confusing to be addressing more than one person as Mayor (Name).

Being addressed as Mayor (Name) is a courtesy of the office and is reserved for the current office holder. I know, I know, I know, you hear former mayors addressed in the media or referred to as Mayor (Name), but addressing a former mayor as Mayor (Name) is simply a reporter flattering the former official’s ego, or the former official seeking to continue to enjoy the courtesies due his or her former lofty post.

[This contrasts with officials of which there is more than one office holder at a time — e.g, there are many judges, ambassadors, generals, admirals, professors, senators etc. at a time — and these former office holders DO use their (Special Honorific)+(Name) in every situation for the rest of their lives.]

— Robert Hickey How to Address the Mayor of a US City

How to Address an Acting Mayor?

Would it be appropriate to address an acting mayor of a U.S. city as The Honorable ? Do you call him Mayor (Name)? ——————- – Cheryl

Dear Cheryl: Acting officials are not addressed as if they were the elected and inaugurated official. An ‘acting’ mayor of a city, governor of a state, or president of a college isn’t really the office holder — he or she is ‘acting’. So in a salutation or conversation use Mr./Ms./Dr./etc. (Name) and identify as the acting mayor.

The Honorable is reserved for officials elected in a general election … or those very high officials appointed by the President of the United States and approved by the U.S. Senate.

So if he/she is serving as acting mayor through an appointment … he/she would not be the Honorable … I say that with one exception: he or she might have been The Honorable due to prior elected service.

— Robert Hickey

How to Address the Vice Mayor of a US City

Is a Mayor-Elect Your Honor?

Our mayor-elect is coming to our building today. If I have the occasion to address him personally, should I call him Your Honor even though he will not take office for two months? Or is he simply Mr. (Surname) still? ——————- – Laurie in Chicago

Dear Laurie: Address him/her as Mr./Ms. (Surname) … or with whatever honorific to which he or she used prior to the election.

He will be addressed with the forms of address due a Mayor when he takes the oath and is sworn in.

He/she is already The Honorable (Full Name) on a letter because he has been elected office, but won’t be addressed as Your Honor until he takes office.

How to Address a Mayor and Spouse?

How does one address an invitation to the mayor and his wife? —- – Susan Hensley How to Address the Mayor of a US City

Dear Susan Here are the formulas.

—- #1) If “the Honorable” is a man – and if his spouse uses (Mrs.) + (same family name) –  then traditionally her given name does not appear: —- —- The Honorable William Stanton —- —- and Mrs. Stanton —- —- (Address)

—- #2) If “the Honorable” is a man – and she uses a different family last name or has a special honorific – her full name appears: —- —- The Honorable William Smith —- —- and Ms. Linda Blake —- —- (Address)

—- —- The Honorable William Smith —- —- and Dr. Linda Smith —- —- (Address)

—- #3) If “the Honorable” is a woman – his full name always appears: —- —- The Honorable Linda Stanton —- —- and Mr. William Stanton ——– (Address)

—- —- The Honorable Linda Blake —- —- and Mr. William Smith —- —- (Address)

—- #4) When person is the Honorable — they get their name as unit — not combined with anyone else’s name. So what you might want to avoid is: —- —- The Honorable and Mrs. William Stanton —- —- (Address)

Probably more answer than you wanted … but I hope it is useful.

Related Posts: — — – — Couples: Private Citizens — — – — Couples: Christian Clergy — — – — Couples: Rabbis — — – — Couples: Military — — – — Couples: U.S. Officials — — – — Couples: Same Sex

When Should You Use the Forms on this Page?

You can use these forms of address for any mode of communication: addressing a letter, invitation, card or Email. (If there are differences between the official and social forms of address, I will have mentioned the different forms.)  The form noted in the salutation is the same form you say when you say their name in conversation or when you greet them. ___ What I don’t cover on this site are  many things I do cover in my book: all the rules of forms of address, about names, international titles, precedence, complimentary closes, details on invitations, place cards, all sorts of introductions , etc. I hope you’ll get a copy of the book if you’d like the further detail.

Not Finding Your Answer?

—- #1)    At right  on desktops , at the bottom of every page on tablets and phones , is a list of all the offices, officials & topics covered on the site.

—- #2)   If you don’t see the official you seek included or your question answered send me an e-mail . I am pretty fast at sending a reply: usually the next day or so  (unless I am traveling.)   Note: I don’t have mailing or Email addresses for any of the officials and I don’t keep track of offices that exist only in history books.

—- #3)   If I think your question is of interest to others, Sometimes I post the question  – but always change all the specifics.

— Robert Hickey 

Recommended Resources:    The Protocol School of Washington (PSOW)  and  Protocol and Diplomacy International – Protocol Officers Association (PDI-POA)     For more information see the Protocol Resources page.

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8 Keys to Running an Effective Local Political Campaign

Running for local office is an incredible way to stand up and represent the needs of your community. While presidential and congressional elections often receive more media attention, local elections are crucial in determining who will lead your city, county, or district to a successful future. Local elected officials play an important role in encouraging economic development, resolving social issues, supporting education, and more.

The positions elected at the local level vary between states and communities. Whether you’re running for mayor, sheriff, comptroller , city council , school board, or another local office, this guide will walk you through eight keys to running an effective political campaign.

#1: Understand Your Local Political Landscape

Before you start contacting voters, a critical first step is to slow down and research. Take time to understand the political landscape of your community. Otherwise, you won’t know how best to strategize, interact with voters, and set out to meet the needs of the people you hope to represent.

Here are some questions to ask during this research stage:

What is the demographic makeup of your community?  

What races or ethnicities do most residents belong to? What age ranges do most members fall into? What languages are spoken in your community? Asking questions like these can help you get a better idea of the average voter in your municipality, county, or district. 

What issues are most important to your community?

Think about the recent history of your community, and about the issues past politicians have tried and perhaps failed to solve. Maybe your city cares strongly about improving schools, fixing roads, or increasing government transparency. Look for the overlap of the issues that both you and many voters are passionate about.

What do you know about local voting patterns?

How many residents usually turn out to vote? How many people are registered to vote? How many people are newly eligible to vote? You can find this information by looking at data from previous elections, your local census office, or your district’s electoral office. Understanding these patterns will help you know how best to engage potential voters.

How many votes do you need to win?

This is one of the most important questions to ask as you prepare to launch your campaign. You can calculate how many votes you need to win by multiplying your community’s typical voter turnout by the percentage of votes needed to win. For instance, if 3,000 people in your city usually turn out to vote for municipal elections and you need 50 percent of the vote to win, you should aim for a minimum of 1,500 votes. You can use this number as a guide for your campaign strategy.

How does your community lean politically?

What parties have typically won elections in your community in the past? How will your party affiliation impact your chances of winning the election? For some local offices, the first thing voters might learn about you is your party affiliation. For other, non-partisan offices and for independent candidates, you may have more freedom to make your own first impression.

What does your competition look like?

Understanding your competition is key to running an effective local political campaign. Find out if the incumbent officeholder is running for reelection, or if other competitors are also vying for office. How do your competitors’ platforms compare to yours? What areas of your campaign might competitors see as a weakness to take advantage of? Doing this research can help you make a plan ahead of time for how you will deal with negative attention or even attacks from competitors.

As you research the answers to all of these questions, remember that the more informed and connected you are, the better you will be able to serve and represent your community. All the information you gather will help you to make realistic and meaningful goals in the next step of your campaign process.

#2: Set Clear Campaign Goals

Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to set clear goals for your local political campaign. As with any endeavor, setting goals can help you to stay on track. And as with many other endeavors, setting SMART goals is a great place to begin.

SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. Here’s what each of those words means for your political campaign strategy:

Setting specific and measurable goals allows you to track your progress toward them. For instance, if you have the vague goal of “recruiting a lot of volunteers” or “reaching many voters,” how will you know when you have reached your goal? If you set a more specific goal like “contacting 1,000 city residents by phone,” you will be better able to monitor your progress toward that goal.

The next word in SMART is “ attainable .” Setting attainable goals means being realistic about what you can accomplish. It’s probably not an attainable goal to win over every voter in your district, for example. As you think about what goals are attainable for you, consider your available resources. Making use of tools like campaign management software can increase your bandwidth and make bigger goals possible. Read our blog here for more information on how political campaign management software can accelerate your campaign and help you reach more voters.

Next, make sure your goals are relevant . For your campaign strategy, this means that your goals have a significant chance of making a difference in the election. If you’re developing goals around voter outreach, for instance, you’ll want to think about where the people in your community most often engage with political messages and content. 

If hardly anyone in your community uses a certain social media platform, then a goal focused on that platform would probably not be relevant to your campaign. Or if almost no young people in your city pay for cable, then targeting an expensive television ad at young people might not make sense. Setting relevant goals will help you to allocate your limited campaign funds wisely.

Finally, SMART goals are time-bound ; they have a specific end date. You might make goals for the first two weeks of your campaign, or for the final week before the election. You will probably also have goals that span the entire duration of your campaign.

Using this system can help you develop a more focused and intentional campaign strategy.

#3: Build a Strong Local Campaign Team

No effective political campaign happens alone. One person may end up getting elected, but many people are involved in getting you there.

It’s essential to assemble a dedicated and skilled campaign team. Recruit people with areas of expertise you may lack, such as marketing, design, or law. Campaign managers and fundraising specialists can also bring valuable skills to the table. Together, this team will be your paid staff — the main group of people who will support you on your campaign journey.

It’s also important to recruit volunteers to assist your campaign. Volunteers can help with fundraising, canvassing , contacting potential voters, and other time-intensive tasks. Volunteers can also support you as you put on campaign events. 

As you recruit both paid members of your campaign team and volunteers, remember to keep your whole team on the same page. Establish a reliable system of communication between team members and volunteers, and then keep the channels of communication open. Also be sure to be respectful of your team’s time and energy. Finally, look for team members and volunteers who truly support your campaign and the values you stand for. Remember that passion is contagious!

Additionally, reach out to local influencers, party leaders, and officials. Building relationships with people your community already trusts can increase your credibility, provide valuable endorsements , and bolster your campaign resources.

Ever thought about running for office?

#4: Craft an Effective Campaign Message

Your campaign message is a central element of your overall campaign strategy. From a catchy slogan to the “About” section on your campaign website, make sure your campaign message checks these boxes:

Your campaign message should reflect your values and goals — not just what you think people would “want you to say” in order for them to vote for you. Few things are more frustrating than a politician who makes campaign promises that they never intended to keep.

Your campaign message should reflect your unique personality. You want to sound like a real, relatable person.

Your campaign message should be compelling. Give the people something fresh and new, something they can be proud to stand behind.

Your campaign message should be consistent across platforms. Don’t confuse potential voters by changing your tune in different contexts.

Your campaign message should resonate with the needs and priorities of your community. This point goes back to the importance of starting your campaign with effective research. If your messaging does not address residents’ concerns, they may look to other candidates who are more attentive to their needs.

Your campaign message should be specific enough to give voters a good idea of what your time in office will look like. It might be tempting to make your messaging overly broad in order to attract the most voters, but you want to avoid misleading voters.

If you want a jump start in building your campaign message, consider trying Good Party’s new AI Campaign Manager. Answer a series of questions, and our AI Campaign Manager will draft customized slogans, policy platforms, and more that you can edit and make your own.

#5: Develop Fundraising and Organizing Strategies

Fundraising and organizing are essential parts of running a successful local campaign. In both cases, building a grassroots campaign is crucial.

From our perspective at Good Party, the best way to fundraise is to collect donations from numerous grassroots donors. Many political candidates accept large donations from corporations, unions, or interest groups. Some candidates also take out large personal loans to fund their campaigns. These methods are far from ideal, however. 

Accepting large donations from corporations and other organizations can lead to a form of legal corruption as politicians act in favor of those organizations’ interests once in office — rather than focusing on the best interests of the people. Taking out large personal loans is also dangerous, as it gives wealthier candidates an unfair advantage and makes those candidates more disconnected from the people they hope to represent.

You can go about grassroots fundraising by building a broad network of donors, organizing fundraising events, starting a crowdfunding campaign, and more. You may also be able to apply for grant money or sell merchandise. Remember that in many cases, a chance to fundraise is also a chance to connect with voters. For more detailed campaign fundraising ideas, read our blog by Good Party’s head of marketing, Jack Nagel.

As with fundraising, political organizing works best when candidates take a grassroots approach. Common methods of voter outreach include:

Door-to-door canvassing

Phone banking

SMS text marketing

Sending out mailers

Distributing yard signs

Hosting events or fundraisers, like a dinner or walkathon

Engaging in community events

Using social media to connect with voters

Many of these voter outreach methods can double as fundraising efforts. 

As you connect with and organize potential supporters, it will be helpful to track your progress in a dedicated voter list or file. In this file, you can keep track of who you have contacted and when, how likely they are to support or donate to your campaign, and so on. You may want to look at state voter files and public records as you construct your file.

#6: Build an Online Presence and Engage with Media

We live in a digital age. It is more important than ever to establish a strong online presence as part of your political campaign strategy. Especially for younger voters, online interactions have the potential to be just as important as in-person ones.

An ideal strategy should involve both newer modes of digital outreach, such as via social media, and more traditional tactics such as press conferences and media interviews. A great first step toward building an online presence is to craft a campaign website. If technology isn’t your forte, this may be one area where you’ll want to enlist help. Make sure your website is user-friendly and easy to navigate, while clearly displaying your campaign message and policy platform.

Social media is another important way to get your message across. Tell your story, be transparent about your goals, and reach specific audiences more effectively. Read our blog from Good Party’s creator community lead Colton Hess to learn more tips and tricks for getting the most out of social media for your local campaign.

There are still more ways to be tech savvy as you conduct voter outreach. Here are some more ways to connect with voters:

Paid digital advertising

Writing press releases

Organizing press conferences

Engaging in media interviews

Contacting local media outlets

Remember to keep in mind where members of your community most often consume news and political content. Also keep in mind that a voter may have to have several positive interactions with information about your campaign before they seriously consider voting for you.

#7: Understand Legal Considerations

Both the federal and state governments have extensive laws and regulations designed to make the election process fairer. Part of running an effective campaign is making sure you adhere to these laws and regulations. These laws vary from state to state. You may want to consult a legal expert to make sure your campaign is compliant with all federal and state regulations.

Campaign finance regulations are one important area of election law. These regulations are designed to prevent candidates from sourcing funds in unethical ways. To comply, your team will need to prepare all necessary local, state, and federal campaign finance reports.

Other legal areas to watch out for include filing deadlines, reporting obligations, and other compliance requirements. Again, these deadlines and requirements vary from one state to another, so do your research as part of your campaign strategy.

#8: Maximize Get-Out-the-Vote Efforts

Local elections often have much lower voter turnout than federal and presidential elections. In fact, according to the Carnegie Corporation of New York , voter turnout in municipal elections is usually under 15 percent. Voter turnout for school board elections is even lower at 5-10 percent.

Low voter turnout rates can be both a challenge and an opportunity. One way to maximize your get-out-the-vote efforts is to focus on increasing voter turnout on election day. Your team can organize voter registration drives. You can promote early voting initiatives to make sure more voters make it to the polls, or you can draw on your volunteer base to make it easier for more people to vote, such as by distributing absentee ballots.

Maximizing voter turnout can have a powerful impact on local election results.

Running for local office is a great way to make your voice heard and stand up for the needs of your community. At Good Party, we believe that good representation begins at the local level. And we are here for candidates who are ready to run good, independent campaigns. If you are interested in running for local office as an independent or third-party candidate, schedule an info session to learn how Good Party can provide free, expert-led support.

Voice of San Diego

Investigative journalism for a better San Diego

The Mayor’s State of the City Speech, Annotated

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Below is the text of Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s 2019 State of the City address. We’ve annotated the speech with context, background and analysis to give a clearer picture of the proposals and priorities the mayor has laid out. Click on the highlighted passages for more details.

Thank you and good evening.

I want to start by thanking Jamie, Paialani, Linda, Tootie, and Officer Leiber for sharing your stories with us.

You represent the best of San Diego. Thank you.

I’d like to welcome our neighbors from throughout San Diego as well as our region’s elected officials, military leaders and our friends from Baja California.

Juntos trabajamos para mejorar nuestra región y somos un ejemplo para el resto del mundo. Gracias.

I want to thank my wife, Katherine, and our children, Jack and Lauren, for their continued support – and for being here tonight.

I’d also like to take a moment to recognize our City employees, many of whom are here tonight.

From collecting trash to protecting our neighborhoods to filling potholes, you work every day to serve all of us.

You don’t always get the credit you deserve. You keep our city running.

2019 is an important year for San Diego.

We are about to reach a tremendous milestone in our city’s history:

This year we mark San Diego’s 250th anniversary.

We grew into the vibrant city we are today with ideas that were big, bold and groundbreaking.

It’s that same spirit we need to tap into at this moment – to take advantage of new opportunities and meet 21st century challenges.

A housing crisis we must tackle.

Communities we must lift up.

An environment we must protect.

Tonight, I will focus on these key issues. They will define this year, and help shape our next 250.

Now more than ever, it’s important that we work together as one city. Just look at Washington, D.C., to see the alternative.

Federal leaders are abandoning their responsibilities – and have literally shut down the U.S. government – because they can’t find common ground.

These political games are affecting real people.

Look no further than the migrant families that federal immigration agents are dropping off on San Diego’s street corners with nothing more than the clothes on their backs.

For months, my administration has been working with nonprofits and our partners at the County and State to provide shelter and prevent this humanitarian crisis from becoming a San Diego crisis.

San Diegans have big hearts, and is reflected in how we are addressing this situation.

But it’s time for the federal government to do its job.

Our national landscape has become one that seeks to divide us – by political party, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation – and define us by who we vote for, where we were born, or what language we speak.

I reject this notion.

Striving for equality, celebrating our diversity, and being proud of what makes us unique is what San Diego is all about.

But let us never allow our differences to blind us to the common humanity we all share.

We cannot achieve the goal of inclusion using the tools of division.

As your mayor, I’m working to create a city that works for all of us.

One that improves the lives of all residents in all neighborhoods. One where it doesn’t matter if you’re a Republican, Democrat or independent – because we’re all San Diegans.

San Diego, we are stronger than the national political division.

We are smarter than the partisan rhetoric.

And we are better together than we are apart.

The state of our city is strong and united, we will make it even stronger!

We need a united front to tackle the housing crisis – the No. 1 challenge facing us today.

You can see the urgency in the faces of people struggling on our streets.

Homelessness is not merely an issue in California. It is the issue.

If we want different results in San Diego, we must continue to break away from the old ways of doing things.

Some say they support more homeless services. They just want them somewhere else.

Some claim they want to support new solutions then throw up roadblocks to stop progress.

Some say we need to study the problem further, which just kicks the can down the road.

I am not going to tell a veteran sleeping in a park, or a family living out of their car, that they should wait for the government to do another study while they spend another night in the cold!

Moving people into a home is the ultimate goal, yet for too long City Hall made a mistake by acting like it is the only solution and waited for more housing to be built before taking action to help people off the street.

Last year I said I was done looking for universal consensus – and that we would not be waiting any longer.

Now we are taking on homelessness with a new resolve.

Our approach is housing first – but not housing only.

We implemented the “Connect, Support, House” strategy. And lives have been changed as a result.

Hundreds of homeless San Diegans looking for a job, attending school, going to treatment clinics or living in their car have been helped thanks to our new storage center and safe parking programs.

More than 2,000 have been connected to an apartment through our landlord engagement and assistance program.

And hundreds more men, women, children and veterans have been helped off the streets and placed in a safe and sanitary environment thanks to our bridge shelters.

In fact, the bridge shelters have helped more than 500 people transition into long-term housing.

516 people to be exact.

It may sound like just a number. We often talk about homelessness in terms of statistics.

But to me, that’s 516 unique stories.

516 real people, real lives – that we have all made better because of our actions.

Some may say, “That’s not enough.” The individuals who now have a home would disagree.

That’s what drives me to keep pushing for new solutions to not let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

Our city cannot, and as long as I’m mayor will not, stand by while our citizens are suffering on our streets.

We’re not waiting to help people. And others are taking notice.

Official delegations from Los Angeles, Sacramento, Vancouver, and many other cities are visiting San Diego to see what we’re accomplishing.

Many now use San Diego as a model because they realize what we’ve already learned: Safe parking programs, storage centers and bridge shelters are lifelines that homeless individuals need to reconnect to a better tomorrow.

Our message has made it all the way to the State Capitol.

The governor’s new budget, released last week, smartly includes major statewide funding for programs San Diego has spearheaded over the last year – like temporary shelters and housing navigation centers.

I also joined with mayors across California to call for more help from the state.

We worked together with legislators to budget $500 million for cities struggling with homelessness.

The state of California is quickly becoming one of our strongest partners on homelessness – and I’d like to thank the governor and state legislature for their strong support.

This year we will open San Diego’s new housing navigation center, centralizing homeless services under one roof to connect folks to a permanent home.

We will deploy more outreach workers into neighborhoods outside of downtown to help people come in off the streets and accept supportive services.

And we will move even more people into permanent living conditions by hiring new housing experts at the bridge shelters.

I understand some San Diegans may fear homeless programs and affordable housing coming to their community.

But we can’t let fear control our actions.

Saying “not in my backyard” is saying “yes” to homelessness in our canyons, our parks and on our streets.

The choice is simple: We either help folks find a place to sleep inside or we condemn them to sleeping outside.

Ladies and gentlemen, we must say “yes!” to doing what’s right.

“Yes!” to new services to reduce homelessness throughout our city.

“Yes!” to keeping the bridge shelters open so people have a safe and clean place to sleep at night.

And “yes!” to affordable housing in every single City Council district.

San Diego, we need to say, “Yes!”

If our region wants lasting change on homelessness we must tackle the problem at its core: the mental health crisis and our acute housing shortage.

Unfortunately, many in our homeless community suffer from severe mental illness.

In fact, one out of three people staying in the bridge shelters self-identify as having challenges with mental health.

And the problem could get much worse: Last year, we lost dozens of hospital beds dedicated to serving those individuals in San Diego County.

And we’re at risk of losing even more, further straining our emergency response system.

First responders do everything they can to help.

But police officers and firefighters are not doctors. They’re not psychiatric experts. And they’re not trained mental health professionals. Relying on them to be the safety net for people suffering from mental illness is the wrong approach.

Our county government is tasked with maintaining the region’s health and welfare. We need its help to get things back on track

The city is taking a new approach. The state is stepping up. Now it is time for the county to do the same.

We need more hospital beds with psychiatric services.

We need more specialists in the field helping people who are suffering.

We need more long-term housing that includes mental health services.

It’s time for the County of San Diego to step up and lead the way in addressing our mental health crisis!

San Diego lost its biggest funding source for affordable housing when Sacramento took away California’s redevelopment program seven years ago.

It’s one reason I’m so passionate about the citizens’ initiative to create San Diego’s first dedicated revenue stream for housing, homeless solutions and other city priorities.

I am excited that the initiative to provide billions to reduce homelessness as well as repair our roads and modernize and expand the San Diego Convention Center is finally, without question, headed to a public vote!

The coalition of supporters continues to expand.

Homeless advocates, public safety, Democrats, Republicans, business groups, labor groups – they’re all on board because they agree how important this is for San Diego.

The homeless crisis makes the need for a vote more urgent than ever.

Without this funding, we’ll have to keep using millions from our day-to-day budget for homelessness, making less money available for libraries, public safety and other important neighborhood services.

That’s why I will work with the City Council and the citizens proposing it to show San Diegans that there is no doubt that the best way to address these civic problems is by entering the voting booth and voting yes.

Until then, there are steps we can take right now to build the housing we need.

We need to think about homes how we think about water and streets: These aren’t “nice-to-haves.” They are essentials.

Federal funding helped open more than 4,000 affordable housing units in our city in the last five years.

And it’s barely made a dent. We still need 35,000 more units to house low-income San Diegans.

It shows government can’t build its way out of this crisis.

We need to get government out of the way, so constructing homes becomes easier, less expensive and faster.

We’ve said “no” to new housing for far too long.

I’ve made it a priority to reverse this trend through my “Housing SD” plan.

We sped up the permitting process.

We incentivized developers to construct more affordable homes.

We made it easier to build new types of housing like micro units and granny flats.

And we added capacity almost 40,000 new homes in communities throughout the city – giving property owners the right to build without going through an onerous approval process.

These changes have made an impact. Take the Grantville community, where nearly 1,000 new units are under construction or have opened since 2015.

Since I took office, the number of housing permits issued annually has nearly tripled.

The bottom line is that we have significantly streamlined San Diego’s development system.

Now, I want to radically overhaul the system itself.

The bureaucracy has been set up to empower anti-housing forces that delay or deny projects at every turn.

Delays come in many forms – frivolous lawsuits, NIMBY opposition, lack of political will.

We need to build more housing near employment centers and transit.

So I’m pleased to announce the next phase of “Housing SD” to remove the anti-housing bias that kills development before it even starts.

For example, height limits outside the coastal zone put a cap on housing – this year I’ll propose the Council remove them.

Outdated parking requirements make homes more expensive – this year I’ll call on the Council to eliminate them.

Projects intended to house the homeless are subject to countless hearings and appeals – this year I will introduce legislation to allow developers to build without any unnecessary review.

And I will deliver a plan to the Council to authorize unlimited density for developments that include affordable housing and housing for the homeless – the most generous incentive in the state.

Ladies and gentlemen, obstructionists must never again be able to halt the housing that San Diego needs!

These changes represent a complete rethinking about how we deal with housing.

We must change from a city that shouts, “Not in My Backyard,” to one that proclaims: “Yes In My Backyard!”

From a city of NIMBYs to a city of YIMBYs!

Together, we’re going to transform San Diego into a YIMBY city!

The next topic I want to talk about tonight is the state of our neighborhoods.

Making sure our communities receive the attention they deserve is why I ran for office. I know it’s why many of my City Council colleagues ran as well.

I couldn’t stand by any longer and watch as City Hall kept making short-sighted decisions that led to long-term problems.

Our city favored McMansions over smart urban growth; lived with policies that prioritized neighborhoods north of the 8 over those south of it; and chose Cadillac pensions over paving our roads.

The past deliberate underfunding of our pension system continues to cost taxpayers to this day – $100 million each and every year that should go to neighborhood services.

We still feel this pain in the annual budget. $100 million could run San Diego’s regional parks and library system for an entire year.

Righting wrongs like that is what energizes me to keep fighting for our communities and for our families.

That’s why five years ago I put my One San Diego platform into action.

And we’ve followed it up with record neighborhood investments.

We’re building parks, fire stations, rec centers and libraries at a pace San Diego has never seen.

In the spring, I will join seniors in Southeastern San Diego to break ground on the long-awaited Bay Terraces Community Center.

Next week I will help open the doors of the new Mission Hills/Hillcrest Library.

And this summer we’ll unveil the new San Ysidro Library.

Marking the first time San Diego has ever opened two libraries in a single year.

I never forget, though, that everything begins and ends with ensuring San Diego is a safe city.

We received some great news in September when San Diego was named the safest big city in America.

It’s an achievement earned with the hard work and sacrifice of every San Diego police officer.

And San Diego thanks you.

SDPD has long struggled to stem the tide of officers and recruits leaving for other agencies – something that threatened our ability to protect the public.

That’s why I fought for, and the City Council approved, the most competitive police contract in city history.

Now I’m happy to say that officers are returning, and our police academies are some of the largest in a decade.

Yet as dedicated as our officers are, they can’t do the job alone.

Building trust between the community and police department is crucial.

It makes the department stronger and our neighborhoods safer.

When residents feel like they can talk to the police, officers can stop crime before it starts.

I recently hired two community leaders as advisors to help make the relationship even stronger: One to lead the City’s Gang Commission, and the second in a brand-new position completely dedicated to improving police-community relations.

And this year I look forward to working with the new City Council to make sure our police department is working with our neighborhoods and for everyone in our city.

One San Diego means every part of our city is a place residents are proud to call home.

That can be hard if there is trash piling up on streets, in alleyways and at local parks.

For years, the city ignored this growing problem. So I did something about it.

The “Clean SD” initiative is an aggressive campaign to remove public eyesores and clean up our communities.

Now, streets and sidewalks are regularly washed and sanitized.

City crews have removed more than twenty-seven hundred tons of trash citywide. That’s enough to fill up your curbside trash bin 40,000 times.

And, in conjunction with our homeless service providers and the San Diego River Park Foundation, encampments along the San Diego River have been reduced by 70 percent.

It’s a great start. And I’ve heard from San Diegans that want to see even more.

So, in my upcoming budget, I’ll renew my commitment to clean up our city and protect our natural environment.

You will see more crews removing garbage and graffiti. More community cleanups. And even faster responses when you use the Get It Done app.

This is our city.

So we’re saying “yes!” to clean parks.

“Yes!” to clean sidewalks.

And “yes!” to a Clean SD!

Nothing affects the quality of life in our neighborhoods more than the condition of our infrastructure and roads.

And let me tell you, people aren’t shy about telling me what needs to be fixed.

I remember those conversations when I develop the budget each spring.

This year we passed the largest capital budget in San Diego history – over half a billion dollars for our neighborhoods.

In fact, we have more than tripled infrastructure funding since I took office.

Four years ago, I stood before you and made a pledge to make road repair the City’s highest infrastructure priority.

And fix 1,000 miles of streets within five years – something never accomplished before.

I am pleased to say that our hardworking crews rose to the challenge: Last October – nearly two years ahead of schedule – we passed our 1,000-mile goal!

And we’re just getting started.

At our current pace, by the time I leave office, we will have repaired nearly half of San Diego’s entire street network!

For the past two decades, one of the biggest civic debates has been about how best to redevelop the Mission Valley stadium site.

Two months ago, voters gave us a final answer.

Before us is a golden opportunity to turn the city’s most underutilized piece of real estate into something special that will benefit the entire San Diego region.

A chance to expand educational opportunities in our region, teach the students who will fuel our economic growth, build housing for those in need, and create San Diego’s next great public space with a world-class river park.

All this is possible with the expansion to Mission Valley of one of our most cherished institutions – San Diego State University.

We are negotiating an agreement with SDSU that respects taxpayers, fulfills the will of the voters and transform a dilapidated parking lot into San Diego’s next crown jewel!

I believe our city is at its best when we all have a chance to achieve the American Dream. It’s what One San Diego is all about.

So we’ve taken steps to bolster access to quality education and employment opportunities.

At our libraries, we’re providing after-school tutoring, lab space, and programs to earn college-level credits and online degrees.

We’ve also advanced efforts to hire employees and contractors that reflect the diversity of our community.

This year I want to challenge ourselves to do even more.

I will commission a citywide review to determine if the companies that do business with the city reflect the people we serve.

Women-owned businesses. Minority-owned businesses. Every qualified business should have equal opportunity to bid and win a City contract.

This disparity study will show us where to focus our efforts.

So when we’re done the businesses serving our city will be as diverse as the people in our communities!

The final issue I want to discuss tonight is our environment.

Climate change is real. We see it in the wildfires that ravage our state with new frightening intensity.

While San Diego was spared last year, San Diego firefighters still answered the call of duty, responding to the Camp Fire that devastated communities like Paradise in Northern California.

Please join me in thanking our Urban Search and Rescue team and all of our San Diego firefighters.

San Diegans are committed to combating climate change locally.

And the most effective way to slash harmful greenhouse gas emissions is by reducing the number of tailpipes on the road.

That’s why I’ve pushed for projects that make it easier and safer to get around without a car like bringing the Downtown Mobility Plan to life.

And as we speak, crews are installing dedicated lanes so bicyclists can safely navigate city streets without fear!

You shouldn’t have to take your life into your own hands when you cross the street.

Seniors, students and pedestrians should be able to use a crosswalk without having to dodge oncoming traffic.

So tonight, I’m pleased to say that improvements to the last of the city’s fifteen most accident-prone intersections will be completed later this week.

And we have a lot more to do. So this year we’ll begin work on nearly 300 more safe intersection projects throughout the city!

Something that affects all of us is our water supply. The City of San Diego and County Water Authority agree – we must use more local resources.

This spring we will break ground on the largest water recycling program in California.

The Pure Water initiative will deliver a safe, reliable and sustainable source of water for all San Diegans for generations to come making it the single biggest sustainability project in city history.

California leads the country on environmental protection – and San Diego leads California.

San Diego is now on the path to achieve 100 percent renewable energy by 2035 – 10 years before the state.

And I’ve decided that the best way to make us the greenest city in the nation is to give San Diegans a new choice on where they get their power – community choice energy!

For decades San Diegans have only had one option on where they get their electricity.

Community choice will change that by injecting healthy competition into the marketplace, allowing customers to benefit from lower energy costs, and pick greener energy sources to power their home or business.

And we’re bringing the region along with us.

Next month I will ask the City Council to say “yes” to community choice with a resolution to create a joint-powers entity, separate from the City, to supply renewable power.

Then we will invite the County and other cities to join us – so we can provide the same choice to customers throughout the entire region!

People said this couldn’t be done in San Diego.

But when we say “yes,” we open new doors to what is possible.

So before we conclude there is one more thing.

San Diego International Airport connects our region to the world. But our region, in a major way, is disconnected from our airport.

The trolley stops frustratingly short of Lindbergh Field.

You can wave at the airport as you pass by on the trolley – and that’s about it.

Ladies and gentlemen, we can do better. And with the redevelopment of Terminal 1 on the horizon, now is the time to fix it.

I’ve assembled our region’s top leaders to do more than talk about it and – for the first time – draw up concrete plans to make it happen by designing and securing funding for this transformational economic development opportunity that will connect commerce, transportation networks and our entire region.

We will build what the world’s major cities already have, and what America’s Finest City deserves – a state-of-the-art transportation hub that will finally connect the trolley to the airport!

Working as one city, we can accomplish anything.

In our 250th year, we will build on the foundation that made San Diego what it is today.

We have a thriving tourism economy that welcomes millions of people each year. Now we must welcome even more housing and homeless solutions.

We take great pride in being a melting pot of diversity. Now we must take new steps to ensure every neighborhood gets its fair share!

We treasure our beaches, bays and healthy environment. Now we must lead the climate action revolution to protect them!

As one city, we can get these things done!

All it takes is for all of us, in one clear voice, to stand up and say: “YES!”

Thank you and good night.

Lisa Halverstadt

Lisa is a senior investigative reporter who digs into some of San Diego's biggest challenges including homelessness, city real estate debacles, the region's... More by Lisa Halverstadt

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How to address the Mayor

Advice on how best to address the Mayor

Mayor and Mayoress

From the 13 May 2022, the Mayor is Councillor Margaret Wilkinson.

The full description on letters and envelopes is:

‘The Worshipful the Mayor of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, Councillor Margaret Wilkinson’

The more simple descriptions are:

• The Mayor of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk

If writing a letter to the Mayor you should start it with ‘Dear Ms Mayor’.

When greeting the Mayor it is correct to say something along the lines of ‘Good Evening Ms Mayor’.

In speeches, you would say something like: ‘We are pleased to have with us (The Worshipful) the Mayor of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, Councillor Margaret Wilkinson.’

In the opening of a speech being made you would say ‘Ms Mayor’.

If it is the host who is making the speech they would refer to the Mayor first in the introduction unless a member of the Royal Family is present. In this case they would say: ‘Your Royal Highness, Ms Mayor, My Lords etc.’

If it is not the host speaking then they should be referred to by their title eg. President, Ms Chairman, immediately before ‘Ms Mayor’.

Unless in the chair, the Mayor should be seated on the right of the chairman or host at any event in the borough.

It is not necessary to address the Mayoress before a speech, however if she is mentioned during the speech you would address her as ‘Mayoress’.

Deputy Mayor and Mayoress

From 13 May 2022, the Deputy Mayor is Councillor Paul Bland.

The correct description on letters and envelopes is:

‘The Deputy Mayor of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, Councillor Paul Bland' or more simply ‘The Deputy Mayor’.

If the Deputy Mayor is present without the Mayor and is representing him/her, then he/she will have the same rank as the Mayor would have if he/she were present.

In speeches you would say something along the lines of ‘We are pleased to have with us The Deputy Mayor of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, Councillor Paul Bland’.

If both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor are present, the Deputy ranks immediately after the Mayor.

The Mayoral party will, when attending events, wear the chains and badges of office.

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How to write a speech that your audience remembers

Whether in a work meeting or at an investor panel, you might give a speech at some point. And no matter how excited you are about the opportunity, the experience can be nerve-wracking . 

But feeling butterflies doesn’t mean you can’t give a great speech. With the proper preparation and a clear outline, apprehensive public speakers and natural wordsmiths alike can write and present a compelling message. Here’s how to write a good speech you’ll be proud to deliver.

What is good speech writing?

Good speech writing is the art of crafting words and ideas into a compelling, coherent, and memorable message that resonates with the audience. Here are some key elements of great speech writing:

• It begins with clearly understanding the speech's purpose and the audience it seeks to engage. 
• A well-written speech clearly conveys its central message, ensuring that the audience understands and retains the key points. 
• It is structured thoughtfully, with a captivating opening, a well-organized body, and a conclusion that reinforces the main message. 
• Good speech writing embraces the power of engaging content, weaving in stories, examples, and relatable anecdotes to connect with the audience on both intellectual and emotional levels. 

Ultimately, it is the combination of these elements, along with the authenticity and delivery of the speaker , that transforms words on a page into a powerful and impactful spoken narrative.

What makes a good speech?

A great speech includes several key qualities, but three fundamental elements make a speech truly effective:

Clarity and purpose

Remembering the audience, cohesive structure.

While other important factors make a speech a home run, these three elements are essential for writing an effective speech.

The main elements of a good speech

The main elements of a speech typically include:

• Introduction: The introduction sets the stage for your speech and grabs the audience's attention. It should include a hook or attention-grabbing opening, introduce the topic, and provide an overview of what will be covered.
• Opening/captivating statement: This is a strong statement that immediately engages the audience and creates curiosity about the speech topics.
• Thesis statement/central idea: The thesis statement or central idea is a concise statement that summarizes the main point or argument of your speech. It serves as a roadmap for the audience to understand what your speech is about.
• Body: The body of the speech is where you elaborate on your main points or arguments. Each point is typically supported by evidence, examples, statistics, or anecdotes. The body should be organized logically and coherently, with smooth transitions between the main points.
• Supporting evidence: This includes facts, data, research findings, expert opinions, or personal stories that support and strengthen your main points. Well-chosen and credible evidence enhances the persuasive power of your speech.
• Transitions: Transitions are phrases or statements that connect different parts of your speech, guiding the audience from one idea to the next. Effective transitions signal the shifts in topics or ideas and help maintain a smooth flow throughout the speech.
• Counterarguments and rebuttals (if applicable): If your speech involves addressing opposing viewpoints or counterarguments, you should acknowledge and address them. Presenting counterarguments makes your speech more persuasive and demonstrates critical thinking.
• Conclusion: The conclusion is the final part of your speech and should bring your message to a satisfying close. Summarize your main points, restate your thesis statement, and leave the audience with a memorable closing thought or call to action.
• Closing statement: This is the final statement that leaves a lasting impression and reinforces the main message of your speech. It can be a call to action, a thought-provoking question, a powerful quote, or a memorable anecdote.
• Delivery and presentation: How you deliver your speech is also an essential element to consider. Pay attention to your tone, body language, eye contact , voice modulation, and timing. Practice and rehearse your speech, and try using the 7-38-55 rule to ensure confident and effective delivery.

While the order and emphasis of these elements may vary depending on the type of speech and audience, these elements provide a framework for organizing and delivering a successful speech.

How to structure a good speech

You know what message you want to transmit, who you’re delivering it to, and even how you want to say it. But you need to know how to start, develop, and close a speech before writing it. 

Think of a speech like an essay. It should have an introduction, conclusion, and body sections in between. This places ideas in a logical order that the audience can better understand and follow them. Learning how to make a speech with an outline gives your storytelling the scaffolding it needs to get its point across.

Here’s a general speech structure to guide your writing process:

• Explanation 1
• Explanation 2
• Explanation 3

How to write a compelling speech opener

Some research shows that engaged audiences pay attention for only 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Other estimates are even lower, citing that people stop listening intently in fewer than 10 minutes . If you make a good first impression at the beginning of your speech, you have a better chance of interesting your audience through the middle when attention spans fade. 

Implementing the INTRO model can help grab and keep your audience’s attention as soon as you start speaking. This acronym stands for interest, need, timing, roadmap, and objectives, and it represents the key points you should hit in an opening. 

Here’s what to include for each of these points: 

• Interest : Introduce yourself or your topic concisely and speak with confidence . Write a compelling opening statement using relevant data or an anecdote that the audience can relate to.
• Needs : The audience is listening to you because they have something to learn. If you’re pitching a new app idea to a panel of investors, those potential partners want to discover more about your product and what they can earn from it. Read the room and gently remind them of the purpose of your speech. 
• Timing : When appropriate, let your audience know how long you’ll speak. This lets listeners set expectations and keep tabs on their own attention span. If a weary audience member knows you’ll talk for 40 minutes, they can better manage their energy as that time goes on. 
• Routemap : Give a brief overview of the three main points you’ll cover in your speech. If an audience member’s attention starts to drop off and they miss a few sentences, they can more easily get their bearings if they know the general outline of the presentation.
• Objectives : Tell the audience what you hope to achieve, encouraging them to listen to the end for the payout. 

Writing the middle of a speech

The body of your speech is the most information-dense section. Facts, visual aids, PowerPoints — all this information meets an audience with a waning attention span. Sticking to the speech structure gives your message focus and keeps you from going off track, making everything you say as useful as possible.

Limit the middle of your speech to three points, and support them with no more than three explanations. Following this model organizes your thoughts and prevents you from offering more information than the audience can retain. 

Using this section of the speech to make your presentation interactive can add interest and engage your audience. Try including a video or demonstration to break the monotony. A quick poll or survey also keeps the audience on their toes. 

Wrapping the speech up

To you, restating your points at the end can feel repetitive and dull. You’ve practiced countless times and heard it all before. But repetition aids memory and learning , helping your audience retain what you’ve told them. Use your speech’s conclusion to summarize the main points with a few short sentences.

Try to end on a memorable note, like posing a motivational quote or a thoughtful question the audience can contemplate once they leave. In proposal or pitch-style speeches, consider landing on a call to action (CTA) that invites your audience to take the next step.

How to write a good speech

If public speaking gives you the jitters, you’re not alone. Roughly 80% of the population feels nervous before giving a speech, and another 10% percent experiences intense anxiety and sometimes even panic. 

The fear of failure can cause procrastination and can cause you to put off your speechwriting process until the last minute. Finding the right words takes time and preparation, and if you’re already feeling nervous, starting from a blank page might seem even harder.

But putting in the effort despite your stress is worth it. Presenting a speech you worked hard on fosters authenticity and connects you to the subject matter, which can help your audience understand your points better. Human connection is all about honesty and vulnerability, and if you want to connect to the people you’re speaking to, they should see that in you.

1. Identify your objectives and target audience

Before diving into the writing process, find healthy coping strategies to help you stop worrying . Then you can define your speech’s purpose, think about your target audience, and start identifying your objectives. Here are some questions to ask yourself and ground your thinking : 

• What purpose do I want my speech to achieve? 
• What would it mean to me if I achieved the speech’s purpose?
• What audience am I writing for? 
• What do I know about my audience? 
• What values do I want to transmit? 
• If the audience remembers one take-home message, what should it be? 
• What do I want my audience to feel, think, or do after I finish speaking? 
• What parts of my message could be confusing and require further explanation?

2. Know your audience

Understanding your audience is crucial for tailoring your speech effectively. Consider the demographics of your audience, their interests, and their expectations. For instance, if you're addressing a group of healthcare professionals, you'll want to use medical terminology and data that resonate with them. Conversely, if your audience is a group of young students, you'd adjust your content to be more relatable to their experiences and interests. 

3. Choose a clear message

Your message should be the central idea that you want your audience to take away from your speech. Let's say you're giving a speech on climate change. Your clear message might be something like, "Individual actions can make a significant impact on mitigating climate change." Throughout your speech, all your points and examples should support this central message, reinforcing it for your audience.

4. Structure your speech

Organizing your speech properly keeps your audience engaged and helps them follow your ideas. The introduction should grab your audience's attention and introduce the topic. For example, if you're discussing space exploration, you could start with a fascinating fact about a recent space mission. In the body, you'd present your main points logically, such as the history of space exploration, its scientific significance, and future prospects. Finally, in the conclusion, you'd summarize your key points and reiterate the importance of space exploration in advancing human knowledge.

5. Use engaging content for clarity

Engaging content includes stories, anecdotes, statistics, and examples that illustrate your main points. For instance, if you're giving a speech about the importance of reading, you might share a personal story about how a particular book changed your perspective. You could also include statistics on the benefits of reading, such as improved cognitive abilities and empathy.

6. Maintain clarity and simplicity

It's essential to communicate your ideas clearly. Avoid using overly technical jargon or complex language that might confuse your audience. For example, if you're discussing a medical breakthrough with a non-medical audience, explain complex terms in simple, understandable language.

7. Practice and rehearse

Practice is key to delivering a great speech. Rehearse multiple times to refine your delivery, timing, and tone. Consider using a mirror or recording yourself to observe your body language and gestures. For instance, if you're giving a motivational speech, practice your gestures and expressions to convey enthusiasm and confidence.

8. Consider nonverbal communication

Your body language, tone of voice, and gestures should align with your message . If you're delivering a speech on leadership, maintain strong eye contact to convey authority and connection with your audience. A steady pace and varied tone can also enhance your speech's impact.

9. Engage your audience

Engaging your audience keeps them interested and attentive. Encourage interaction by asking thought-provoking questions or sharing relatable anecdotes. If you're giving a speech on teamwork, ask the audience to recall a time when teamwork led to a successful outcome, fostering engagement and connection.

10. Prepare for Q&A

Anticipate potential questions or objections your audience might have and prepare concise, well-informed responses. If you're delivering a speech on a controversial topic, such as healthcare reform, be ready to address common concerns, like the impact on healthcare costs or access to services, during the Q&A session.

By following these steps and incorporating examples that align with your specific speech topic and purpose, you can craft and deliver a compelling and impactful speech that resonates with your audience.

Tools for writing a great speech

There are several helpful tools available for speechwriting, both technological and communication-related. Here are a few examples:

• Word processing software: Tools like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or other word processors provide a user-friendly environment for writing and editing speeches. They offer features like spell-checking, grammar correction, formatting options, and easy revision tracking.
• Presentation software: Software such as Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides is useful when creating visual aids to accompany your speech. These tools allow you to create engaging slideshows with text, images, charts, and videos to enhance your presentation.
• Speechwriting Templates: Online platforms or software offer pre-designed templates specifically for speechwriting. These templates provide guidance on structuring your speech and may include prompts for different sections like introductions, main points, and conclusions.
• Rhetorical devices and figures of speech: Rhetorical tools such as metaphors, similes, alliteration, and parallelism can add impact and persuasion to your speech. Resources like books, websites, or academic papers detailing various rhetorical devices can help you incorporate them effectively.
• Speechwriting apps: Mobile apps designed specifically for speechwriting can be helpful in organizing your thoughts, creating outlines, and composing a speech. These apps often provide features like voice recording, note-taking, and virtual prompts to keep you on track.
• Grammar and style checkers: Online tools or plugins like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor help improve the clarity and readability of your speech by checking for grammar, spelling, and style errors. They provide suggestions for sentence structure, word choice, and overall tone.
• Thesaurus and dictionary: Online or offline resources such as thesauruses and dictionaries help expand your vocabulary and find alternative words or phrases to express your ideas more effectively. They can also clarify meanings or provide context for unfamiliar terms.
• Online speechwriting communities: Joining online forums or communities focused on speechwriting can be beneficial for getting feedback, sharing ideas, and learning from experienced speechwriters. It's an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and improve your public speaking skills through collaboration.

Remember, while these tools can assist in the speechwriting process, it's essential to use them thoughtfully and adapt them to your specific needs and style. The most important aspect of speechwriting remains the creativity, authenticity, and connection with your audience that you bring to your speech.

5 tips for writing a speech

Behind every great speech is an excellent idea and a speaker who refined it. But a successful speech is about more than the initial words on the page, and there are a few more things you can do to help it land.

Here are five more tips for writing and practicing your speech:

1. Structure first, write second

If you start the writing process before organizing your thoughts, you may have to re-order, cut, and scrap the sentences you worked hard on. Save yourself some time by using a speech structure, like the one above, to order your talking points first. This can also help you identify unclear points or moments that disrupt your flow.

2. Do your homework

Data strengthens your argument with a scientific edge. Research your topic with an eye for attention-grabbing statistics, or look for findings you can use to support each point. If you’re pitching a product or service, pull information from company metrics that demonstrate past or potential successes. 

Audience members will likely have questions, so learn all talking points inside and out. If you tell investors that your product will provide 12% returns, for example, come prepared with projections that support that statement.

3. Sound like yourself

Memorable speakers have distinct voices. Think of Martin Luther King Jr’s urgent, inspiring timbre or Oprah’s empathetic, personal tone . Establish your voice — one that aligns with your personality and values — and stick with it. If you’re a motivational speaker, keep your tone upbeat to inspire your audience . If you’re the CEO of a startup, try sounding assured but approachable. 

4. Practice

As you practice a speech, you become more confident , gain a better handle on the material, and learn the outline so well that unexpected questions are less likely to trip you up. Practice in front of a colleague or friend for honest feedback about what you could change, and speak in front of the mirror to tweak your nonverbal communication and body language .

5. Remember to breathe

When you’re stressed, you breathe more rapidly . It can be challenging to talk normally when you can’t regulate your breath. Before your presentation, try some mindful breathing exercises so that when the day comes, you already have strategies that will calm you down and remain present . This can also help you control your voice and avoid speaking too quickly.

How to ghostwrite a great speech for someone else

Ghostwriting a speech requires a unique set of skills, as you're essentially writing a piece that will be delivered by someone else. Here are some tips on how to effectively ghostwrite a speech:

• Understand the speaker's voice and style : Begin by thoroughly understanding the speaker's personality, speaking style, and preferences. This includes their tone, humor, and any personal anecdotes they may want to include.
• Interview the speaker : Have a detailed conversation with the speaker to gather information about their speech's purpose, target audience, key messages, and any specific points they want to emphasize. Ask for personal stories or examples they may want to include.
• Research thoroughly : Research the topic to ensure you have a strong foundation of knowledge. This helps you craft a well-informed and credible speech.
• Create an outline : Develop a clear outline that includes the introduction, main points, supporting evidence, and a conclusion. Share this outline with the speaker for their input and approval.
• Write in the speaker's voice : While crafting the speech, maintain the speaker's voice and style. Use language and phrasing that feel natural to them. If they have a particular way of expressing ideas, incorporate that into the speech.
• Craft a captivating opening : Begin the speech with a compelling opening that grabs the audience's attention. This could be a relevant quote, an interesting fact, a personal anecdote, or a thought-provoking question.
• Organize content logically : Ensure the speech flows logically, with each point building on the previous one. Use transitions to guide the audience from one idea to the next smoothly.
• Incorporate engaging stories and examples : Include anecdotes, stories, and real-life examples that illustrate key points and make the speech relatable and memorable.
• Edit and revise : Edit the speech carefully for clarity, grammar, and coherence. Ensure the speech is the right length and aligns with the speaker's time constraints.
• Seek feedback : Share drafts of the speech with the speaker for their feedback and revisions. They may have specific changes or additions they'd like to make.
• Practice delivery : If possible, work with the speaker on their delivery. Practice the speech together, allowing the speaker to become familiar with the content and your writing style.
• Maintain confidentiality : As a ghostwriter, it's essential to respect the confidentiality and anonymity of the work. Do not disclose that you wrote the speech unless you have the speaker's permission to do so.
• Be flexible : Be open to making changes and revisions as per the speaker's preferences. Your goal is to make them look good and effectively convey their message.
• Meet deadlines : Stick to agreed-upon deadlines for drafts and revisions. Punctuality and reliability are essential in ghostwriting.
• Provide support : Support the speaker during their preparation and rehearsal process. This can include helping with cue cards, speech notes, or any other materials they need.

Remember that successful ghostwriting is about capturing the essence of the speaker while delivering a well-structured and engaging speech. Collaboration, communication, and adaptability are key to achieving this.

Give your best speech yet

Learn how to make a speech that’ll hold an audience’s attention by structuring your thoughts and practicing frequently. Put the effort into writing and preparing your content, and aim to improve your breathing, eye contact , and body language as you practice. The more you work on your speech, the more confident you’ll become.

The energy you invest in writing an effective speech will help your audience remember and connect to every concept. Remember: some life-changing philosophies have come from good speeches, so give your words a chance to resonate with others. You might even change their thinking.

Elevate your communication skills

Unlock the power of clear and persuasive communication. Our coaches can guide you to build strong relationships and succeed in both personal and professional life.

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

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How to Write a Campaign Speech for Kids

How to give an annual day speech in school.

Writing a campaign speech for kids isn't all child's play. Children are smart and informed voters, and can tell when you are lying about giving out free chocolate every Friday after you are elected. Your speech has to stand out and catch their attention, usually in under two minutes. Writing a good and appropriate children's campaign speech increases your chances for winning the election.

Start off with a good, clean, short joke. The children hear speech after speech and are going to start to tune out what is said. You need to say something to catch their attention. Getting them to laugh will give them a little break.

Introduce yourself and declare the office that you are running for. Not making yourself known could be a big mistake later when the children are voting and remember who you are.

Talk about what you will do if elected. Everyone has ideas about how the school could be run better — maybe more vending machines in the cafeteria, maybe off-campus lunches, maybe getting to wear shorts on Friday. Tell your peers how you will work hard to change things for the better.

Thank the students for their time. Remember to be gracious and to treat the audience and the other candidates alike.

Keep the speech short. Usually, you will be given a time limit of up to two minutes. Make sure that you do not run over or you could be disqualified.

• Coin a slogan that you can use on your posters and in your speech.
• Do not make any promises that you are not willing to keep. Nobody likes a liar.

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• Write Out Loud: How to Write a Speech for Kids

Chance E. Gartneer began writing professionally in 2008 working in conjunction with FEMA. He has the unofficial record for the most undergraduate hours at the University of Texas at Austin. When not working on his children's book masterpiece, he writes educational pieces focusing on early mathematics and ESL topics.

How To Write A Political Speech

Crafting a compelling political speech holds immense importance for any aspiring politician and successful political campaign. It is a powerful tool for connecting with the audience, influencing opinions, and igniting action. To make speeches truly impactful, harnessing the power of voter engagement and direct sourcing is key. Politicians can gather valuable insights directly from the people they aim to represent by actively engaging with voters and listening to their concerns.

This approach adds significant value to speeches and establishes an authentic connection with voters. This blog post will explore the significance of delivering compelling political speeches and highlight the benefits of incorporating voter engagement and direct sourcing techniques. By the end, you'll gain practical insights into creating lessons that resonate with your audience and make a lasting impact. Revise your political speechwriting skills with valuable tips and actionable strategies!

Writing a compelling political speech that resonates with your audience is vital for any politician. Two key factors are crucial to achieving this: defining your objectives and knowing your target audience.

• Defining the objectives: Your speech should have a clear purpose, whether it is to persuade, inspire, or educate your listeners. You can shape your address by defining your goals to achieve those desired outcomes effectively. ‍
• Knowing your target audience: Understanding your audience's demographics, concerns, and aspirations is fundamental. This knowledge allows you to tailor your message in a way that connects with them on a personal level. You can create a speech that resonates deeply and captures their attention by addressing their needs and desires.

Research and Preparation

Research and preparation are vital steps in writing an impactful political speech. By gathering comprehensive data from various sources, conducting surveys, and analyzing voter demographics, you can enhance the effectiveness of your address. Here are key actions to take:

• Collecting data from various sources: Traditional media such as newspapers, TV, and radio provide insights into current political events and public sentiment. Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube offer information on trending topics and public discourse. Online forums and communities like Reddit, Quora, and specialized political forums allow you to tap into discussions and understand different perspectives. ‍
• Conducting surveys and opinion polls: ‍ Engaging in surveys and opinion polls helps you gauge your target audience's opinions, preferences, and concerns. This data provides valuable insights to shape your speech accordingly. ‍
• Analyzing voter demographics and specific concerns: ‍ Understanding your audience's demographics, including age, gender, and location, enables you to tailor your speech to resonate with their unique backgrounds and experiences. Additionally, identifying specific concerns and issues that matter to voters allows you to address them directly in your speech, making it more relevant and impactful.

By undertaking thorough research and preparation, you will have a solid foundation for crafting a compelling political speech that speaks directly to your audience's needs and aspirations. In the upcoming sections, we will explore these topics in more detail, providing you with practical strategies to integrate the collected data effectively into your speechwriting process. Get ready to take your political speechwriting skills to the next level!

Crafting a Compelling Political Speech

Crafting a powerful political speech requires careful consideration of the message you want to convey. Here are key steps to help you create a compelling address:

• Identifying key issues and topics: Start by identifying crucial issues such as the economy and jobs, healthcare and social welfare, education and student debt, climate change and environmental policies, and national security and foreign affairs. These topics are often at the forefront of public discourse and resonate with voters. ‍
• Prioritizing topics based on voter feedback and relevance: ‍ Listen to the feedback and concerns of voters through surveys, town hall meetings, and direct engagement. Prioritize the topics that resonate most with your audience, ensuring your speech addresses their pressing issues. ‍
• Developing a compelling narrative: ‍ Structure your speech with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion to provide a cohesive flow. Utilize storytelling techniques to make your message engaging and relatable, capturing your audience's attention. Connect your experiences to policy proposals, humanizing your speech and showing your understanding of real-life impacts. Emphasize empathy and relatability to establish a genuine connection with your audience, showcasing that you understand and share their concerns.

Following these steps, you can craft a persuasive political speech highlighting key issues, resonating with voters, and inspiring action. In the following sections, we will delve deeper into each aspect, providing you with practical tips and techniques to enhance the impact of your speech. Prepare to deliver a memorable and influential address that leaves a lasting impression!

Rehearsing your political speech is a critical step that significantly aids your confidence and overall delivery. Here are some valuable tips to consider when it comes to rehearsing:

• Practice makes perfect: Dedicate ample time to rehearsing your speech before presenting it to an audience. Aim to rehearse your address at least five times to familiarize yourself with the content, structure, and flow. ‍
• Seek feedback from your team: Once you've practiced independently, deliver your speech to your team and invite their constructive criticism. Their feedback can provide valuable insights and help you refine your points, delivery, and overall performance. ‍
• Conduct a full dress rehearsal: Organize a complete dress rehearsal with your team, where they play the roles of a moderator and your competition. This simulation allows you to identify potential weaknesses in your arguments, anticipate challenging questions, and fine-tune your delivery. ‍
• Capture and review your performance: Consider filming yourself giving the speech during rehearsal. Watching the recording afterwards lets you objectively evaluate your performance, body language, and speaking style. Take note of areas where improvements can be made and make adjustments accordingly. ‍
• Ensure accessibility through simplicity: While rehearsing, approach your speech from the perspective of someone unfamiliar with the topics you're addressing. Use simple language and many analogies to make your political speech accessible to many listeners. This approach enhances understanding and enables your message to resonate with the entire electorate.

By incorporating rehearsal into your speechwriting process, you can boost your confidence, identify areas for improvement, and deliver a polished and impactful speech. Remember, rehearsing allows you to refine your points, connect with your audience effectively, and ensure your message is conveyed clearly, concisely, and relatable. ‍

Use Common Language

Using common language in political speech writing is essential to effectively connect with your audience and ensure your message resonates with a wide range of listeners. Here are key considerations when it comes to using common language:

• ‍ Speak in an accessible manner:   Communicate in a way that is easily understandable to all. Avoid excessive jargon, complex terminology, or convoluted sentences that may confuse or alienate your audience. Use clear and concise language that allows anyone to grasp your message. ‍ ‍
• Avoid offensive terms:   Maintaining a respectful and inclusive tone during your speech is important. Steer clear of profane or derogatory language that could offend or marginalize certain groups. Treat your audience with respect, emphasizing unity and understanding. ‍ ‍
• Harness the power of stories and personal accounts:   Stories and first-person narratives profoundly impact your audience. Utilize relatable anecdotes and real-life experiences to illustrate your points, making your arguments more engaging, relatable, and emotionally compelling. ‍ ‍
• Balance simplicity with depth:   While most of your content should be easily understandable by anyone, it is acceptable to incorporate academic research, quotations, or statistics that may require additional explanation. Find a balance between simplicity and depth, ensuring that even complex ideas can be grasped by your listeners with the appropriate context and explanation.

Using common language can effectively bridge the gap between complex ideas and the understanding of your audience. Remember, the goal is to connect with as many people as possible, making your message accessible, relatable, and impactful. So, craft your speech with clarity and simplicity while utilizing stories and personal accounts to create an emotional connection that resonates with your listeners.

How to Construct An Argument

Constructing a compelling argument is crucial to writing a persuasive political speech. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you build a strong and impactful argument:

• Clearly state your thesis: Begin by articulating your main point or thesis statement. This sets the foundation for your argument and provides a clear focus for your speech. ‍
• Gather supporting evidence: Collect relevant facts, statistics, expert opinions, and real-life examples that support your thesis. Strong evidence adds credibility and strengthens your argument. ‍
• Organize your points logically: Structure your argument logically and coherently. Present your facts in a sequence that builds upon each other, leading your audience towards your main thesis. ‍
• Anticipate counterarguments: Consider potential counterarguments to your position and address them proactively. This demonstrates thoroughness and strengthens your overall argument. ‍
• Use persuasive language: Choose words and phrases that are persuasive and compelling. Craft your message to resonate with your audience emotionally and intellectually. ‍
• Appeal to logic and emotions: Blend logical reasoning with emotional appeals to make your argument more persuasive. Use rational evidence to support your claims and evoke emotions to connect with your audience more deeply. ‍
• Use rhetorical devices: Employ rhetorical devices such as repetition, analogy, and rhetorical questions to enhance the impact of your argument and make it more memorable. ‍
• Summarize and restate your main points: Conclude your argument by summarizing your main points and restating your thesis. Leave your audience clearly understanding your position and a compelling call to action.

These steps can construct a strong and persuasive argument in your political speech. Remember to support your claims with evidence, organize your points effectively, and appeal to logic and emotions. With a well-constructed argument, your address will be poised to influence opinions and inspire action.

Voter Engagement for your Speech

Engaging with voters through various tactics is essential to crafting a compelling political speech. Here's why it matters and how you can make the most of it:

importance of voter contact tactics:

• Door-to-door canvassing allows you to connect with voters on a personal level, fostering trust and building rapport.
• Town hall meetings provide a platform for open dialogue, enabling you to directly understand local issues and concerns of the community.
• Phone calls and text messages offer an opportunity to engage voters individually, creating a sense of importance and personal connection.

Benefits of engaging voters directly:

• Building trust and rapport strengthens your relationship with voters, making your message more impactful and memorable.
• Understanding local issues and concerns firsthand helps you address them effectively in your speech, showing your commitment to representing the community's needs.
• Obtaining firsthand stories and anecdotes allows you to humanize your speech, adding authenticity and relatability to your message.

Techniques for effective voter engagement:

• Active listening and showing empathy demonstrate your genuine interest in understanding voters' perspectives and concerns.
• Asking open-ended questions encourages voters to share their thoughts and experiences, providing valuable insights for shaping your speech.
• Encouraging voter participation in the speechwriting process empowers them. It ensures their voices are heard, enhancing the authenticity of your speech.
• Utilizing social media platforms to solicit input and feedback broadens your reach. It allows you to engage with a wider audience, gathering diverse perspectives and ideas.

By actively engaging voters through canvassing and other community outreach , you gain invaluable insights, stories, and anecdotes that can greatly enrich your political speech. In the upcoming sections, we will delve deeper into these techniques, providing you with practical strategies to maximize voter engagement and create lessons that truly resonate with your audience. Get ready to harness the power of direct sourcing and make a meaningful impact with your speech!

Incorporating voter input into your speechwriting process is a powerful way to create speeches that truly resonate with your audience. Here's how you can leverage voter input, with a special emphasis on the significance of canvassing:

• ‍ Analyzing and categorizing voter stories and concerns: By carefully listening to voters' stories and concerns gathered through canvassing, town hall meetings, and other engagement tactics, you can analyze and categorize them to identify common threads and key issues. ‍ ‍
• Identifying common themes and patterns: By recognizing recurring themes and patterns in voter input, you gain insights into your constituency's collective concerns and aspirations. This knowledge allows you to address them effectively in your speech. ‍ ‍
• Integrating voter anecdotes into the speech: Personalizing the message by incorporating specific anecdotes and stories voters share, you personalize your speech, making it relatable and impactful. Highlighting real-life impacts: Sharing how specific policies or decisions affect real people helps create a deeper understanding and empathy among your audience. ‍ ‍
• Acknowledging and addressing dissenting viewpoints: While incorporating voter input, it's important to acknowledge and address dissenting views. By respectfully engaging with opposing perspectives, you demonstrate inclusivity and a willingness to consider all voices.

By actively involving voters in the speechwriting process, you ensure their concerns and experiences are reflected in your message. This adds authenticity and relatability and strengthens your connection with your audience. In the subsequent sections, we will delve deeper into these strategies, providing you with practical tips to seamlessly integrate voter input into your political speeches. Get ready to create addresses that truly resonate and engage your audience profoundly!

The Ten Minutes Beforehand

The ten minutes beforehand hold significant value in maximizing the impact of your political speech. Here's how you can make the most of this crucial time, offering practical strategies to enhance your performance and connect with your audience:

Center yourself through mindfulness techniques:

• Take deep breaths to calm your nerves and center your mind.
• Practice mindfulness or meditation to focus your thoughts and promote a sense of presence.

Review your key talking points:

• Take a moment to mentally review the main points and messages you want to convey.
• Ensure that your speech aligns with your objectives and resonates with your audience.

Visualize success:

• Visualize yourself delivering a powerful and impactful speech with confidence and clarity.
• Envision a positive response from your audience, creating a sense of belief and determination.

Positive self-talk:

• Engage in positive self-talk to boost your confidence and banish self-doubt.
• Remind yourself of your strengths, expertise, and message value.

Establish a connection with your audience:

• Scan the room and make eye contact with individuals in the audience.
• This brief interaction establishes an initial connection and helps you establish rapport.

Review technical aspects:

• Double-check any specialized equipment or visual aids to ensure they are functioning properly.
• Familiarize yourself with the stage setup and microphone placement for seamless delivery.

Warm up your voice and body:

• Perform vocal warm-up exercises to ensure clarity and projection in your speech.
• Engage in gentle stretches or movements to release tension and promote a relaxed body language.

By utilizing these strategies ten minutes beforehand, you can optimize your mindset, refine your delivery, and establish an immediate connection with your audience. Remember that these moments set the stage for a memorable speech, allowing you to effectively convey your message, inspire your audience, and leave a lasting impact.

Engaging voters through direct sourcing, especially through canvassing, holds immense power in creating impactful political speeches. By incorporating voter input, speeches can exude authenticity and relatability, connecting with the concerns and aspirations of the electorate. This approach inspires trust and establishes a strong connection between politicians and the people they aim to represent. Crafting well-articulated speeches that resonate with voters is a transformative way to influence opinions and ignite action. As you refine your speech writing skills, remember the significance of actively engaging voters, listening to their stories, and addressing their concerns. By doing so, you will deliver speeches that make a lasting impact, inspire change, and foster a deeper connection with your audience.

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The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500

Remarks by President   Biden at the U.S. Conference of Mayors 90th Annual Winter   Meeting

Capital Hilton Washington, D.C.

1:54 P.M. EST  THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, hello, hello.  (Applause.)  It’s good to have you all back in person.  (Applause.) Mr. Mayor, thank you for your leadership.  I appreciate it.  I know one thing: We both did marry up.  (Laughter.) Mayor Bowser, thanks for hosting us.  You’re the best.  You really are.  Thank you for everything you do. I’ve had the honor of addressing this body many, many times.  And I’ve always had enormous respect for the job you do. Some of you have heard me say it before, but it’s the truth: I ran for the United States Senate in 1972 as a 29-year-old kid because I was a local official and it was too hard.  (Laughter.)  They know where you live.  (Laughter.) And so — you think I’m kidding.  It’s not a joke.  Mayors carry the quality of the people’s lives on your shoulders. Everything you do every day affects their lives more than almost anything anybody else does.  And you can make or break a person’s day.  “Will the bus get me home on time?”  It sounds silly but, “Will the garbage get be picked up?”  “Will I be safe walking in the park?” These are the bigger questions: “Can I afford — can I afford to give my family a good life?”  “Will my kids have a chance to get a good job someday?”  “How will I rebuild from the fire or the storm?” You know, all of these questions, they’re not partisan, but they’re practical.  People you [they] look to are you.  They’re the people you look — that they look to — are you.  For real. You know there’s no way to walk into the corner drugstore without being accosted immediately as to what’s going on.  Right?  (Laughter.) Well, so you know what it means to solve real problems, to be held accountable for the people you serve. That’s why, when I put together my Cabinet, I called on former mayors — and I mean this sincerely.  (Applause).  Take a look.  Tom Vilsack was a governor; he was also a mayor.  Marcia Fudge, governor — I mean, excuse me, a mayor.  Marty Walsh a mayor in Boston.  Pete Buttigieg was a mayor.  And I picked Mitch Landrieu to oversee the implementation of the infrastructure law, which is over   a billion 200 million dollars  [$1.2 trillion], because he knows how mayors get things done.  (Applause.)  No, I mean it.  Not a joke.  Because mayors know the measure of success isn’t scoring partisan points, it’s did you fix the problem.  Did you fix — seriously, think about it: Did you fix the problem? The infrastructure law is a perfect example of what we can achieve when we tackle problems the way mayors do.  Everybody in America — everybody in America knows we’ve fallen behind on infrastructure.  So we came together — Democrats and Republicans — and did something about it. The number of really brave — and I’m not being facetious when I say that brave Republicans stood up and joined us in a bipartisan effort to get it done. And, by the way, I want to thank you all.  More than 360 of you signed a letter that was sent to me when we were trying to get this legislation passed.  Three hundred and sixty of you.  You lobbied Congress to get it done, and it’s the reason it got done.  Not a joke.  It’s the reason it got done — because of you.  (Applause.) There were a lot of people who wanted to vote for it, but they had a lot of pressure not to vote for it for political reasons.  But because of you, they voted for it, we got it done.    Because they know — they know how it goes in your cities to determine how their states go. And now, after years of dead-ends and broken promises, not only has “Infrastructure Week” finally arrived — (applause) — but we can literally, because of you, look forward to an “Infrastructure Decade.”  That’s not hyperbole. Back in 2009, when President Obama asked me to lead the recovery effort, which was an $800 billion effort — and the first thing I did, I went to the mayors.  Not a joke.  Now, most of you are too young to have been around in 2008.  (Laughter.)  But — but, look, I spoke to over 200 mayors putting that together.  Because of them, because of you, we came through that moment together.  That’s the same approach that Mitch has taken, having been a former mayor, with all of you. I know Mitch has spoken to many of you already.  And in just two months, we’ve already seen this law start to make a real difference, creating better jobs, transforming our communities in tangible ways.   We’ve announced billions of dollars for highways, ports, airports, water and sewage systems, high-speed Internet; funding to clean up the rivers in Ohio, chemical plants and sites in Florida, polluted lakes in Michigan and dozens of other sites; a new program to cap and plug orphaned oil and gas wells spewing methane into the air, cleaning up the communities that, in fact, they’re affecting, while [creating] good-paying jobs.

The folks who dug those wells when we needed them, they got paid well.  Well, they’re getting paid the same amount to plug those wells.  It matters.  It matters. A new initiative to bolster our energy grid with stronger transmission lines and towers to keep the power flowing more reliably and, consequentially, more secure energy supply. You know, I’ve flown all over the wor- — all over the country these last — this last year, visiting sites that have been damaged by — as a consequence of environmental changes. You know, more forest, homes, buildings, and businesses have been burned to the ground than make up — if you’re taking the square miles — than the entire state of New Jersey, from New York all the way down to Cape Henlopen.  That’s how much has burned to the ground.  A lot of it because of the lack of resilience in those towers that get blown over and the wires snap. We’ve got a lot — so much we can do with this legislation now. Last week, we rolled out a historic investments in our nation’s bridges, like the one I visited in New Hampshire, where restrictions forced school buses and fire trucks to go 10 miles out of their way just to get across a small river.  Or the I-10 bridge I visited in Louisiana — it’s 20 years past its planned life.  It doesn’t have modern safety fishures [sic] — features.  And it’s last inspected — the bridge — the bridge is deemed to be in poor condition.  And now it has two lanes on the bridge — okay? — that a four-lane interstate feeds into, creating and causing major backups. We’re going to upgrade thousands of bridges, creating good-paying jobs, cutting commute times, ensuring that as we build back, no community gets left behind. Folks, that mayor’s view of problem-solving is exactly what we brought to the American Rescue Plan.  It’s designed so that you’d be able to have the resources and the flexibility to take both the short-term and long-term challenges created by this pandemic. Ten months  ago [later], that law is still carrying the nation forward on vaccines, on boosters, on keeping schools open.  And it’s still making a difference for communities across the country. And, I might add, a lot of money in that to keep those schools open.  Some states have spent the money well.  I’ve gotten it to you all so you can, in fact, keep those schools open and change the ventilation system and change the busing and all — the whole works.  Some states haven’t distributed the money. Everything I’ve done in my career, when it comes to federal funding, I’ve tried to make sure that you don’t have to go past “Go” to get it.  It goes directly to the mayors.  Directly to them.  (Applause.)  I mean it.  It’s not a joke. A major part of the Rescue Plan was the $350 billion we allocated to state and local budgets.  And again, because of you, over a mil- — $100 billion of that went directly to cities and counties, not through anybody.  (Applause.)  A hundred billion. It was not easy to get done, but it was important to get done because you know it’s needed.  You didn’t have to go through your state legislature — they’re not bad folks; I don’t mean that — (laughter) — or your governor; good folks — to get the money. Today, communities are still putting those funds to work — keeping people on the job, connecting people to better jobs. In Seattle, the money is being used to give premium pay to local childcare workers so they can keep childcare centers open and available for folks who need it.  I’m not sure that would’ve happened if not gone directly to the states — I mean, from — gone directly to the states. You know, in Phoenix, partnering with community colleges, these funds are going to help workers find careers in the region’s — in the region’s — in the semi-conductor industry, which is a big, big deal. In Milwaukee, you all are training workers to get help to get rid of lead pipelines.  You have 450,000 school — I mean, the idea that we have our kids drinking out of fountains that have lead pipes feeding the fountains.  Because everybody deserves clean water — everybody — no matter where you are: city, suburban, urban, or rural areas. Here in Washington, D.C., it’s funding the expansion of an Infrastructure Academy, preparing local workers to take the good-paying jobs in manufacturing, construction, and utilities that are going to be created as a consequence of the infrastructure law. Look, I urge every American to take a look at what you all are doing.  I urge every mayor in America to follow suit, to use the resources — the Rescue Plan — and the resources that were intended not just to stave off disaster but to build for a future around the people who make communities run.

Use your funds to cover childcare costs or temporary paid leave to help certain workers dealing with Omicron; to build pathways to better jobs through union-based apprenticeships and on-the-job training; to give people in every ZIP code a chance to deal for themselves and deal them into this booming economy. That also means building more affordable housing so people can have safe places closer to their jobs. Funding proven programs to help fight violent crime.  We shouldn’t be cutting funding for police departments.  I proposed increasing funding.  Look, you know, we ask cops to do everything, including be psychologists and social workers.  Guess what?  They need psychologists and soc- — social workers.  (Applause.)  No, I mean it.  Not a joke.  So they can hire more social workers — folks trained in mental health — so they can partner with trusted community leaders, like the programs the Rescue Plan is funding in Atlanta and Louisville and other cities across the country. The truth is, we have an incredible opportunity ahead of us this year.  We still have a lot of work to do to defeat COVID, to bring down costs for families. But just look at what we’ve accomplished together so far, even in the face of those headwinds. In 2021, more jobs are created in America than ever in a single year in American history.  More jobs — over 6 million.  The unemployment rate dropped more than any year in American history.  (Applause.)    Income — incomes for folks working frontline jobs in service industries rose more than any year in history — the folks at the bottom of the economic rung. We lowered child poverty in this country by nearly 40 percent — more than any time in U.S. history.  (Applause.)  You all know this: Business applications grew by nearly 30 percent last year — more than any year in history.  If they’re saying everything is so bad, why are people fighting to open businesses? More Americans gained health insurance than any year in history. These are facts.  To confront the climate crisis, we deployed more solar wind, batteries, and electric vehicles than ever, ever before. And we’re teaming up with mayors, labor, and industry to save families and businesses money by improving energy efficiency in our buildings. And in the battle against the deadly virus, we’ve gone from putting 2 million shots — vaccinations in people’s arms to 210 million Americans fully vaccinated.  (Applause.) And you mayors have been critical partners — I’m not trying to be nice to you; it’s just a fact — (laughter) — you’ve been critical partners in that fight from day one, from masking to testing to vaccinations.  (Applause.) 

We partnered with you.  (Applause.)  We partnered with you on the Mayors Challenge last summer — 115 cities working together to get Americans vaccinated. In Richmond, Mayor Stoney, you created vaccination clinics that doubled the job fa- — doubled as job fairs.  Get your shot and it’s also a job fair, encouraging people to come in. In Detroit, Mayor Duggan — are you here, Mr. Mayor? — I tell you what: I worked with him for a long time; there’s a man who knows what he’s doing.  Mayor Duggan partnered with solar —  saloons [salons] and barber shops to get shots in peoples’ arms. In St. Louis, Mayor Jones worked with churches and local food programs to reach neighborhoods with low vaccination rates. All of these efforts — you’ve saved lives.  Not a joke.  You’ve saved lives. Now, to keep up that fight against Omicron, we’ve launched dozens of federal testing sites in New York; Philadelphia; Henderson, Nevada; and elsewhere throughout — sites that we’re launching every week. We’ve devoted federal medical teams made up of military first responders, National Guard to bring relief to the hardest-hit hospitals who need additional personnel just to keep it moving because they’re so overrun. We’re purchasing and distributing free 1 billion at-home tests so people can test themselves in their communities. And we still face tremendous challenges, though.  But together, we’ve proven that we can get big things done in this country. Last year, with your help, we laid the groundwork.  This year, we have to build it.  The biggest weapon in our arsenal is the Build Back Better Act.  Nothing is going to do more to ease pressure on families. As a — as my friend Jim Clyburn says, it’s all about making everything more affordable and more accessible to people. Every mayor knows if people can’t find and afford childcare, they can’t work.  (Applause.)  Some of your cities, it’s 14-, 15,000 bucks a year for childcare.  That’s why we have nearly 1.2 million extremely qualified women who haven’t been able to return to the workforce. We can cut the cost of childcare in half and fix that problem. Health insurance: We can reduce the cost for families — and we’ve done for $600 per year. On climate: Extreme weather disasters cost communities $145 billion last year.  That’s how much we spent because of weather-related crises.  $145 billion.  By investing in resilience and clean energy technology, we can do something about that. To give relief to families, in the American Rescue Plan we had the Childcare Tax Credit.  That did reduce child poverty by 40 percent.  There’s no reason it shouldn’t continue.  (Applause.) And on education — on education: Today, about half of the three- and four-year-olds are enrolled in early childhood education. In Germany, France, UK, Latvia, the number is more than 90 percent.  Where the hell are — heck are we?  (Laughter.)  No, I’m serious.  We’re falling further and further behind the curve.  But we can fix that problem. We can do this and more on healthcare, nutrition, and a host of other issues. And, folks, here’s the point: We can do it without increasing inflation or the deficit. Seventeen Nobel laureates in economics wrote a letter to me recently, affirming that this bill would reduce inflationary pressures on the economy, not increase — reduce it.  (Applause.) And by the way — by the way, it’s entirely paid for.  (Applause.)  Every single penny.  (Applause.)  And not a single person making less than $400,000 a year will pay a single additional penny in federal taxes.  Not a single penny.  (Applause.) And, by the way, I’m a capitalist.  I’m not a socialist.  If you can make $1 billion or $10 million, good for you.  Just begin to pay your fair share.  Pay a little bit.  (Applause.) We can pay for all this by just making sure that the wealthy — making sure that the wealthy and the biggest corporations pay their fair share. Case in point: The last two years, 55 of the Fortune 500 companies — and I come from the corporate capital of the world:  Delaware.  Not a joke.  More corporations incorporated in my state than every other state in the union.  Okay?  I get it.  And I represented it for 36 years.  But guess what?  You got 55 corporations last year that made $40 billion in profits and didn’t pay a single penny in taxes.  That’s not right.  That’s not right.  Look, we can tackle all these challenges just like we did with the Rescue Plan, the infrastructure law, and the fight against COVID, but we can’t do it without you.  I’m not trying to be nice to you; we can’t do it without you.  (Laughter.)  No, no, really, that’s the God’s truth.  You understand the challenges people are facing and you understand the solutions.  You know that this isn’t — when it gets down to whether the garbage gets collected or someone is safe in the street — this isn’t partisan, it’s practical.  You understand the cost if we fail to act.  We need the voice of mayors telling the stories of what your communities need, and the impact we’re making on people’s lives or not making.  If we can get this done — I believe this with every fiber of my being: If we can get this done, there’s no limit what Americans can achieve.  So, let’s continue to give working families a fighting chance.  I wasn’t kidding when I said — when I announced for president — that I am so tired of the working class and middle class carrying the burden.  It’s about time we grow the economy from the bottom up and the middle out.  And, by the way, when the middle class does well, the wealthy do very, very, very well.  I’m not joking.  This isn’t about punishing anybody.  It’s about getting everybody in the game.  Raise your hand if you think the present tax structure is fair.  And we’ll take a picture of you and send it home.  (Laughter and applause.) Seriously, guys.  (Laughter.)  You know, the thing I like about mayors is you’re straight.  You know what I mean?  You just — you shoot from the shoulder.  (Laughter.)   So, let’s keep investing in the future of every city and town in America.  Let’s face these challenges head on and keep building.  We can build back better.  Folks, I really believe it: There’s not a damn thing we can’t do if we set our minds to it.  And every single time — (applause) — think about this now — this is not hyperbole: No other country than America has come through every crisis we’ve faced and ended up stronger than we were before we got into the crisis.  Think about that.  (Applause.)  Think about that. So, don’t give up on the American people.  You know, I’ve said many, many times to world leaders, particularly when they ask me about America: It’s never been a good bet to bet against the American people.  Never, never, never been a good bet to bet against the American people.  And when we stand together, there’s not a damn thing we can’t do — Democrat and Republican.  (Applause.) Thank you all.  May God bless you.  And may God protect our troops.  Keep it going, folks.  We need you badly.  We need you badly. 2:16 P.M. EST 

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How do you write the best speech for mayor of JA biztown?

The BEST way to write a speech is to:

First you should start off telling them a little bit about yourself

(optional) start off with a quote from someone that influenced you

Have some humor in your speech so that you know that they are not just bored

and last but not least

• List all of the qualities that you have good with money, patient, kind, and can keep promises.

Levi Fryman ∙

1. First you should start off telling them a little bit about yourself

2. (optional) start off with a quote from someone that influenced you

3. Have some humor in your speech so that you know that they are not just bored

4. List all of the qualities that you have good with money, patient, kind, and can keep promises.

Aarionna Boyd ∙

I need something to add to my speech

Add your answer:

What are the best closing remarks speech for a program?

The best closing remarks are like an essay where you can restate the thesis/topic sentence/or the main point to restate your argument. This is the best way to keep everyone interested.

How do you write a letter of explanation?

To do the best explantion you need to work with you'r teaacher. Easy ;)

What to write in boss's new baby card?

"Many congratulations to you both and best wishes for baby______"

How do you write a letter of request of install internet connection service?

When you write a letter of request for installing internet connection you should mention your name and address. Choose the internet package that best suits your needs.

When should you not write a business letter?

Reasons to write a business letter:To make a inquiry or requestTo respond to an inquiry or requestTo send informationTo notifyTo document a fact or transactionIf you have none of these reasons, then you should not write a business letter. Whenever it is possible its best not to write a business letter because they require time and personnel, which is an expense.

What is the job description of mayor of JA Biztown?

BIZTOWN! Oh, how I loved that place as a child! Well, I was the mayor of my 6th grade class and how proud I was! The mayor is the main "head-guy/head-man" of JA Biztown. You are running for mayor? Best of luck to you! Cast my vote!

How do you write that best speech for Mayor of JA biztown?

The true key to writing the BEST speech for JA biz-town is to 1: start off with some humor in your speech so that they know that they can depend on you to be funny or cheer them up and not just as a business man/girl That and just talk about all of the qualities that you have like if you are a multitalker, great with people, and so on.

Where can you print ja biztown checks?

I looked it up on Google, and choose the best one to get me where I wanted to be.

Is it possible for me to hire someone to "write my speech" for me?

A speech editing service is your best choice if you're wondering whether you can hire someone to 'write my speech.' A speech writing service is a business that specializes in personal speeches. The majority of speech writing firms that specialize in speeches are available online. A qualified speaker is the best person to deliver the best results. For more info:- writingmyessay. com

How do the best public speakers prepare before a speech?

The best public speakers prepare for a speech by not waiting until the last minute to write the speech and they practice it over and over again until they are confident with it.

What are good speech topics for grade six?

My best friend did her speech on her big sister and she got in the finals.She did another speech obout how to write a speech. She is really funny and got into the finals with both speeches.

How do you write a year 5 school captain speech?

speak from your heart it works best!! good luck:)

Who is John Mayor?

John mayor is one of the worlds best guitarist

What are the release dates for He's the Mayor - 1986 The Mayor's Best Friend 1-3?

He's the Mayor - 1986 The Mayor's Best Friend 1-3 was released on: USA: 24 January 1986

How do you write a running for mayor speech?

Before you start writing your speech, think about what you want to accomplish during your term as mayor and what you can accomplish for the people of your city. Also, think logically about your strengths and weaknesses and the strengths and weaknesses of your oponent.To write your speech:Start by thanking the people for attending and say why you are running for mayor. Be upbeat and enthusiatic, but not fakey.Tell the people what you want to accomplish for them. If there are specific issues of concern to the people, state what the issues are and what you will realistically do to solve those issues. Most of all, be honest and don't make empty promises that you may not be able to, or even may not plan to, keep. Being honest and not making empty promises might just be what results in your election.If there is something you believe your opponent is wrong about, state it and why you believe your opponent is wrong or will be unable to accomplish what he or she is promising, but don't overdo it or start "bashing" your opponent.Bring the focus back to positives about yourself and why you are the best candidate and end the speech in a positive way.Of course, presentation of your speech will vary depending on the nature of the group you are speaking to, so you meed to keep that in mind.

How do you address a mayor in an email?

The best way to address the mayor is to call him mayor with his last name. This will demonstrate that you are professional and you know what to call him or her.

What job is the best in enterprise village?

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Mayoral etiquette guidance

If you’re organising an event that the Mayor is attending, this guide outlines the etiquette to be observed.

It provides you with basic details that allow you, your guests and the Mayor to relax and enjoy the occasion with minimum fuss and formality.

Precedence – including where to seat the Mayor

The Local Government Act 1972 states that the Mayor has precedence in the county borough – except when a member of the Royal family or the Lord Lieutenant, as the Queen’s representative, are here.

The Mayor should be seated on the immediate right of the chairman or other person presiding over the event. The Mayoress should be seated on the immediate right of the Mayor or on the left of the chairman. This precedence should not only be observed in seating, but also when welcoming guests and making introductions.

The Deputy Mayor, when deputising for the Mayor, should be accorded the same precedence.

The Mayor, within the county borough, takes precedence over Government Ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs) and Assembly Members (AMs).

Inviting the Mayoress to events

The Mayoress, unless specifically requested otherwise, should be invited to all functions with the Mayor.

Addressing the Mayor correctly

When you write to the Mayor, you should address the letter to ‘The Worshipful, the Mayor of Wrexham, Councillor (insert name).’

The letter should start with ‘Dear Mr Mayor’ and end with ‘Yours sincerely’.

In person, the Mayor should be addressed as ‘Mr Mayor’ and the Mayoress as ‘Madam Mayoress.’

Attendance at functions

The Mayor will arrive five minutes before the time requested. Please make sure the Mayor is met by a senior representative of your organisation, and escorted to their proper position.

If the Mayor is required to make a speech, background details should be provided. If the Mayor is to respond to a toast or refer to any specific matter in his/her speech, you should highlight this before the event.

If there is a programme or itinerary, please provide this at least two days before the event.

The Mayor and Mayoress should be advised of any dress codes they need to adhere to for an engagement.  

The Mayor will be accompanied by an attendant. Where possible, the Mayor will arrive at the main entrance to the venue, so it would be helpful if a car parking space could be reserved as close as possible.

The Mayor’s attendant may leave the Mayor and return towards the end of the function, or remain at the venue.

Mayoral appointment booking

If you would like to invite the Mayor to an event you’re organising, please email [email protected] .

Mastering CEO Town Hall Speeches: Strategies for Engaging Communication

• August 13, 2023

CEO town hall speeches are crucial events that require careful planning and execution to ensure effective communication. The success of these speeches hinges on the ability of CEOs to engage and captivate their audience. In this article, we explore strategies for mastering CEO town hall speeches and achieving engaging communication. Drawing from research and best practices, we discuss techniques such as utilizing visuals, incorporating storytelling, and employing humor. Additionally, we delve into effective communication techniques, emphasizing the importance of clearly defining objectives, using concise language, and encouraging two-way communication. By implementing these strategies, CEOs can enhance their communication skills and foster a stronger connection with their audience.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Preparation is crucial for a successful CEO town hall speech
• Strategies for capturing audience attention include using engaging visuals, storytelling, humor, and strong opening statements
• Effective communication techniques for CEO speeches include defining purpose, using concise language, practicing active listening, encouraging two-way communication, and tailoring the speech to the audience
• Building trust and credibility as a CEO involves transparency, empathy, follow-through, appreciation, and fostering an inclusive work environment

The Importance of Preparation for CEO Town Hall Speeches

The success of CEO town hall speeches heavily relies on thorough preparation, as lack thereof can result in ineffective communication. Preparation techniques play a crucial role in engaging the audience during these speeches. Effective audience engagement is achieved through various strategies, including the use of engaging visuals and multimedia elements. Incorporating storytelling techniques helps make the speech more relatable to the audience. Humor creates a positive and engaging atmosphere, capturing the attention of the listeners. A strong and attention-grabbing opening statement sets the tone for the speech. Maintaining a confident and energetic delivery throughout the speech keeps the audience engaged. By employing these preparation techniques, CEOs can effectively communicate with their audience during town hall speeches.

Strategies for Capturing Audience Attention

Engaging visuals and multimedia elements can be used to capture the attention of the audience during a CEO town hall speech. These strategies are effective in creating an interactive and engaging atmosphere, encouraging audience participation. Some strategies to capture the audience’s attention include:

• Incorporating interactive activities: Including activities such as live polling, quizzes, or interactive Q&A sessions can actively involve the audience and make the speech more engaging.
• Encouraging audience participation: Allowing the audience to provide input, ask questions, or share their experiences during the speech can create a sense of involvement and make the speech more interactive.
• Utilizing multimedia elements: Incorporating videos, graphics, or slideshows can visually enhance the speech, making it more visually appealing and memorable for the audience.

Utilizing Engaging Visuals and Multimedia Elements

Utilizing visually stimulating graphics and multimedia elements enhances the effectiveness of a CEO town hall speech. Engaging visual aids and multimedia elements capture the attention of the audience and make the speech more compelling. By incorporating visually appealing graphics, such as charts, graphs, and infographics, the CEO can effectively convey complex information in a concise and easily understandable manner. Multimedia elements, such as videos and animations, add dynamism and excitement to the speech, making it more engaging and memorable. These elements not only enhance the delivery of key messages but also create a visually appealing and interactive experience for the audience. The use of engaging visual aids and multimedia elements in a CEO town hall speech is essential for maximizing audience engagement and ensuring effective communication.

Incorporating Storytelling Techniques for Relatability

Incorporating storytelling techniques in a CEO town hall speech allows for a more relatable and engaging experience for the audience. Crafting compelling narratives in a speech can captivate the emotions of the listeners and create a connection with the speaker. This technique involves using anecdotes, personal experiences, or case studies to illustrate key points and make them more memorable. By framing information within a narrative structure, the CEO can effectively convey their message and engage the emotions of the audience. This can help the audience to connect with the speaker on a deeper level and make the speech more impactful. Additionally, storytelling can also help to simplify complex ideas and make them easier to understand and digest. Overall, incorporating storytelling techniques in a CEO town hall speech enhances the communication experience and fosters a stronger connection between the speaker and the audience.

Using Humor to Create a Positive and Engaging Atmosphere

Humor can be an effective tool in fostering a positive and engaging atmosphere during a CEO town hall speech. By incorporating humor techniques, such as clever anecdotes, playful language, and well-timed jokes, the speaker can create a relaxed and enjoyable environment. This can increase audience engagement and make the speech more memorable. Humor can also help to build rapport between the CEO and the audience, as it creates a sense of shared understanding and camaraderie. However, it is important to use humor judiciously and appropriately, as what may be funny to one person may not be to another. Additionally, the speaker should consider the cultural context and sensitivities of the audience to ensure that the humor does not offend or alienate anyone. Overall, using humor can be an effective strategy for creating a positive and engaging atmosphere during a CEO town hall speech and increasing audience engagement.

Crafting a Strong and Attention-Grabbing Opening Statement

Crafting a strong and attention-grabbing opening statement is essential for capturing the audience’s interest and setting the tone for a CEO town hall speech. An impactful introduction can set the stage for a successful speech by immediately engaging the audience and piquing their curiosity. To achieve this, CEOs can employ several strategies:

• Start with a provocative question or statement that challenges the audience’s thinking.
• Use a compelling anecdote or story that relates to the topic of the speech.
• Incorporate surprising or thought-provoking statistics or facts that grab attention.

Mastering a Confident and Energetic Delivery

A confident and energetic delivery is crucial for capturing the attention and maintaining the engagement of the audience during a CEO town hall speech. Non-verbal communication plays a significant role in conveying confidence and energy. Body language, facial expressions, and gestures should be used effectively to enhance the delivery. Maintaining good eye contact with the audience indicates attentiveness and connection. Additionally, utilizing vocal variety, such as tone, pitch, and pace, can help convey enthusiasm and maintain audience interest. A CEO should project their voice clearly and use appropriate pauses for emphasis. It is also important to be aware of posture and movement on stage, as they can contribute to the overall impression. By mastering a confident and energetic delivery, a CEO can effectively engage the audience and make a lasting impact.

Effective Communication Techniques for CEO Speeches

Effective communication techniques for CEO speeches involve clearly defining the purpose and objectives of the speech, utilizing concise and impactful language, practicing active listening, encouraging two-way communication, and tailoring the speech to the specific audience and their interests.

Active Listening Techniques:

Maintain eye contact and nonverbal cues to show attentiveness

Paraphrase and summarize key points to demonstrate understanding

Ask clarifying questions to gather more information

Post-Speech Evaluation:

Collect feedback from employees to assess the effectiveness of the speech

Analyze the impact of the speech on employee morale and engagement

Address any unanswered questions or concerns raised during the speech

Follow-up Actions:

Implement necessary changes based on the feedback received

Communicate follow-up actions and progress to employees in a timely manner

Continuously evaluate and improve future CEO speeches based on previous evaluations and feedback.

Clearly Defining the Purpose and Objectives

In order to effectively communicate during CEO town hall speeches, it is essential to clearly define the purpose and objectives of the speech. This involves setting clear goals and outlining what the speech aims to achieve. By doing so, the messaging becomes more focused and impactful. Clear objectives provide a roadmap for the speech, ensuring that the CEO stays on track and delivers a coherent message to the audience. Additionally, defining the purpose and objectives helps in crafting effective messaging that aligns with the desired outcomes. This includes using concise and impactful language to convey key messages and ensure that the audience understands the intended meaning. By clearly defining the purpose and objectives, the CEO can enhance the overall effectiveness of the speech and successfully engage with the audience.

Using Concise and Impactful Language

Utilizing concise and impactful language is crucial for conveying key messages effectively and engaging the audience during CEO town hall speeches. To achieve this, CEOs can employ several strategies:

• Craft clear and succinct messages that capture the essence of their ideas.
• Use strong and persuasive language to create a lasting impact on the audience.
• Employ rhetorical devices such as repetition and parallelism to enhance the delivery of key points.

Encouraging Two-Way Communication and Tailoring the Speech

In addition to using concise and impactful language, effective CEO town hall speeches require encouraging two-way communication and tailoring the speech to the specific audience. Active listening plays a crucial role in fostering dialogue and understanding the needs and concerns of employees. By actively engaging with their audience, CEOs can create an inclusive atmosphere where employees feel valued and heard. Furthermore, tailoring the speech to the specific audience ensures that the content is relevant and resonates with their interests. CEOs can achieve this by conducting thorough research and understanding the demographics, preferences, and expectations of the audience. By incorporating active listening and specific audience targeting, CEOs can enhance the effectiveness of their town hall speeches and establish stronger connections with their employees.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can a ceo ensure that their town hall speech is well-prepared.

To ensure a well-prepared CEO town hall speech, executives should prioritize planning and invest sufficient time and resources. Adequate preparation is crucial for effective communication, capturing audience attention, and delivering key messages concisely and impactfully.

What Are Some Examples of Engaging Visuals and Multimedia Elements That Can Be Incorporated Into a CEO Town Hall Speech?

Engaging visuals and multimedia elements, such as compelling images, videos, and interactive slides, can enhance a CEO town hall speech. These elements capture attention, convey information effectively, and create a visually stimulating experience for the audience.

How Can Storytelling Techniques Be Used to Make a CEO Town Hall Speech More Relatable to the Audience?

Storytelling techniques create an emotional connection in CEO town hall speeches, enhancing relatability. By incorporating authentic narratives, CEOs can engage the audience, evoke empathy, and convey meaningful messages, fostering a deeper understanding and connection.

What Are Some Tips for Using Humor Effectively in a CEO Town Hall Speech to Create a Positive and Engaging Atmosphere?

Using humor effectively in a CEO town hall speech can create a positive and engaging atmosphere. Strategies include incorporating appropriate and relatable jokes, maintaining a professional tone, and ensuring the humor aligns with the overall message and objectives of the speech.

Why Is It Important for a CEO to Begin Their Town Hall Speech With a Strong and Attention-Grabbing Opening Statement?

The importance of a CEO’s opening statement lies in its ability to capture and maintain the attention of the audience. Attention-grabbing openers have a significant impact on the effectiveness of the town hall speech.

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In This Section

• Elected Councillors
• What is the role of the Mayor?
• What is the role of the Deputy Mayor?
• Role of a Councillor

Inviting the Mayor/Councillors to an event

• Council Meetings
• Council Facilities
• Corporate Planning
• News & Media
• Tendering & Supply

Inviting the Mayor or a Councillor to an event

The Mayor and Council thank you for your invitation. They know how important your event is to your group and our community.

Council is committed to ensuring that members of the community are informed about the correct protocol when inviting and addressing the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors.

These guidelines do not apply to meetings or functions open to members of the public where a Councillor attends in a private rather than in an official capacity.

Protocol for invitations

As the elected Chair of Council, the role of the Mayor is to assist you in celebrating and recognising achievements and milestones. Given the numerous and varied events in the Federation local government area each year we appreciate that every function is unique. You may request the Mayor to formally open an event, welcome guests or present an award.

All invitations for a Council representative to attend a function or event must be in writing and should be forwarded to the General Manager’s Office with as much advance notice as possible.

Please email all invitations for the Mayor/Councillors to [email protected]

Please advise if the Councillor’s partner is invited to the function.

Please note that all invitations for the opening of official Council related business will be handled by Council Officers in consultation with the relevant community stakeholders. If you are unsure as to who should be coordinating an event, please contact the Event’s office for clarification.

When you are preparing any documentation, marketing collateral or signage for an event, please ensure it meets the terms and conditions associated with any grant funding provided for the event or project. Please contact the Event’s area if you are unsure about any aspect of this.

Representatives

The Mayor is the principal representative of Council and all Councillors support the Mayor.

The Deputy Mayor will substitute for the Mayor at a function or event where the Mayor is unable to attend. Where the Deputy Mayor cannot attend, the Mayor will nominate another Councillor taking into consideration whether the function is associated with a group or committee to which a Councillor has been appointed as Council’s representative.

In the event of the Mayor delegating attendance of a function to a Councillor, the General Manager’s office will communicate with the nominated Councillor to ensure that the Councillor is aware of the relevant issues and is prepared for the function.

Forms of address

Mayor – The Mayor takes precedence in local affairs over any other person. This precedence also applies to the Deputy Mayor who has been deputised by the Mayor to represent him/her during any absence.

This precedence does not apply to functions coordinated by a State or Federal Government department and in these cases the local State or Federal Member would take precedence.

When introducing the Mayor/Councillors:

“The Mayor /Deputy Mayor of Federation Council, Cr Joe Bloggs” or “Councillor Joe Bloggs”

  After the initial introduction the Mayor may be referred to and directly addressed as Mayor Bloggs or Mr/Madam Mayor.

 Acknowledge the Mayor/Deputy Mayor as above. Councillors can be acknowledged as Councillors Smith, Brown, Jones etc.

“I would like to introduce Councillor Jane Smith who is deputising for the Mayor in his/her absence.”

• After formal introductions have taken place, forms of address are at the discretion of the incumbent Mayor or Councillor. The Councillor will confirm with you their current preference.

If you have invited the Premier, the Minister or any Members of Parliament to your function, there are several protocols that you need to observed during the event. 

Find out more information on how to address members of the Parliament of Australia

Find out more information on acknowledgement protocol (order )

If you would like the Mayor/Councillor to deliver a speech, please advise the following information:

• Length of speech.
• Subject of speech.
• Where in the proceedings it will be made.
• Background of organisation or purpose of the function.

This information should be provided at least two weeks prior to the event.

Timing of functions

To help us plan the Mayor/Councillor diary, we ask that you give some consideration to the most suitable arrival and departure times. It may be important for the Mayor or Councillor to arrive just before a formal opening to allow time to get everyone into position, or for the Mayor or Councillor to arrive at a specific time during a function. Please also advise the estimated duration of the function.

Arriving at a function

The Mayor/Councillor should be met by someone from your organisation and escorted to the event, seat or hall as appropriate. We ask that you arrange for the Mayor/Councillor to be introduced to other dignitaries and leaders of your organisation and briefed about the order of the proceedings.

To allow the Mayor/Councillor to arrive on time we ask you to consider the most suitable parking area. If parking is restricted, please let us know or suggest a possible alternative.

Please advise if a particular dress code is required.

Questions or Concerns?

Please feel free to contact the Executive Assistant to the General Manager and Mayor on (02) 6033 8955 or [email protected] if you need to discuss the arrangements.

Mayor Bass Delivers 2024 State of the City Address

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass tonight delivered the 2024 State of the City address. During her address, Mayor Bass said that while there is still much work to be done, the state of our city is stronger because of work done to disrupt the status quo and work to lock arms with all levels of government. Watch the speech here . Photos here.  

“Let me say right here at the beginning – the state of our city is stronger today because we have made change and disrupted the status quo,” said Mayor Bass. “Over the last year, we have done big things together. Thousands more unhoused angelenos came inside and homicides and violent crime came down last year. We weathered tropical storm Hilary — and we rebuilt the 10 freeway in 10 days. And most importantly, we are turning away from the status quo – we are looking forward and making change – we have changed how Los Angeles works so the City works better for you, the people of Los Angeles and we are just getting started.”

Mayor Bass highlighted how her new approach has impacted how the city addresses homelessness ( thousands more unhoused Angelenos came inside in 2023 compared to 2022 ), how the city approaches public safety ( homicides and violent crime were down in 2023 compared to 2022 ), and how the city operates ( 100,000 more service requests were completed in 2023 compared to 2022 ). 

On homelessness, the Mayor recommitted to unprecedented urgency to address this crisis, describing the transition from the rescue phase to the recovery phase of an emergency. The Mayor also highlighted her efforts to address LAPD hiring and retention.

“We will not hide people – instead, we will house people. This means committing to the goal of preventing and ending homelessness — not hiding —  not managing — but ending homelessness — with a new strategy and a new system that urgently lifts people from the street, and that surrounds them with the support and housing they need to never go back… Inside Safe is our proactive rejection of a status quo that left unhoused Angelenos to wait – and die – outside, in encampments until permanent housing was built.”

Mayor Bass also highlighted how her budget proposal for the next year will preserve core services and will serve as a “reset” to improve future budgets. 

“Vacant positions do not fill potholes, sweep streets or staff parks,” said Mayor Bass. “And too many of these vacant positions have been there for years and years because of flawed budgeting that does not reflect how departments should actually operate. So this year, we will eliminate these ghost positions, while we preserve core services – now we will continue to hire, but we will continue to strategically hire based on real life” 

Mayor Bass also discussed how she hopes City Hall will continue to work together to set a budget that works for all Angelenos. 

“Locking arms doesn’t mean we’ll always agree. But how we handle those differences and conflicts is key. Are we focused on outcomes? Are we focused on the people’s business? Are we addressing our differences in person or are we resorting to Twitter Wars? I know we are better than that.”

Mayor Bass said to boost Downtown and our economy citywide, she supports exploring the modernization of the Los Angeles Convention Center and called on the private sector and philanthropy to join a new capital campaign to house the homeless called LA4LA. She also announced new climate action on the way to 100% clean energy city by 2035.

More information about the speech is below:

Mayor Bass highlighted work to bring business back to Los Angeles, including the Banc of California relocating to L.A, and her support to boost Downtown and our economy citywide by exploring the modernization of the Los Angeles Convention Center.

“And we’re continuing to see the benefits of my Executive Directive to make businesses boom – doubling permit help for business owners, accelerating our restaurant and small business express program, a new walk-in counter in Van Nuys for street vendors; and same-day sanitation inspection times,” said Mayor Bass. “Council has been a key partner in this progress and we will continue to act for businesses, especially in Downtown, on exciting new initiatives like the potential modernization of the Convention Center – to attract tourists and business travelers; to fill our restaurants, arenas and museums; and to support jobs in Downtown and beyond for decades to come.”

LA4LA CAPITAL CAMPAIGN: 

“We are asking the most fortunate Angelenos to participate in this effort, with personal, private sector and philanthropic funds – to help us acquire more properties, lower the cost of capital and speed up housing. This is the mission of our new capital campaign: LA4LA. We have brought the public sector together – and now we must prevail on the humanity and generosity of the private sector. LA4LA can be a Sea Change for Los Angeles – an unprecedented partnership to confront this emergency… an example of disrupting the status quo to build a new system to save lives.”

“I am proud to continue Los Angeles’ global leadership on climate change . And to advance our work, I am announcing the creation of a new climate cabinet, new climate plans at key city departments, stakeholder engagement, and action on climate justice to make sure our city continues to lead — and that includes making Los Angeles a 100% clean energy city by 2035.  

LAFD TRAGEDY: 

Mayor Bass recognized this morning’s tragic passing of LAFD Fire Recruit Jacob Fuerte.

“Just this morning we were tragically reminded of the sacred debt we owe to our first responders. Earlier, I met with the family of Jacob Fuerte -- the fire recruit who passed away… His father is an active-duty firefighter. My heart goes out to the family during this difficult time, and I've ordered City flags to be flown at half-staff in Jacob's honor and I thank all first responders, especially today.

LAPD HIRING AND RETENTION:

Mayor Bass highlighted progress to address LAPD hiring and retention efforts.

“Amidst a national and local police hiring and retention crisis, together with the Council, we forged a new contract specifically designed to reduce the downward trend in officers. As a result, we’re attracting record numbers of applicants to the police academy – and my budget for next year maintains our LAPD staffing goals. We are sending a signal to our current officers and our community partners that we support them – that public safety is a priority for this administration.”

CHIEF OF POLICE SEARCH: 

Mayor Bass discussed the ongoing search for Chief of LAPD.

“We have focused on change and strategic investments – and as a result, violent crime and homicides were down in 2023. But these cycles can reverse – so the search for the next LAPD chief is critical. And this isn’t a closed-door conversation… I’ve been meeting with rank and file officers, business organizations, community leaders and community members to ask them directly what they want to see in the next chief. My number one job is to keep Angelenos safe – and that’s what we will do, and we will do it together.”

COMPREHENSIVE EFFORT TO KEEP ANGELENOS SAFE: 

Mayor Bass highlighted her comprehensive approach to keep Angelenos safe. 

“To accomplish this, we have strengthened our community violence intervention programs and Summer Night Lights. And we’ve expanded the CIRCLE mental health response program to more neighborhoods throughout the city. And we must recognize the many factors that go into community safety.  

COST: 

Mayor Bass highlighted the urgent effort to bring Angelenos inside and the cost associated. 

“The rescue phase of an emergency is always expensive – there is no way around it – motel rooms rented by the night are expensive. But it is far, far more expensive to leave people unhoused on our streets. Beyond the human toll, we all pay the cost of the thousands and thousands of fire, paramedic and police calls. The cost of each overdose, of each emergency room visit, of each night in county jail – each of which is a human tragedy. The cost to shops and restaurants whose customers stay away out of fear. The cost when tourists don’t come to visit. The cost when offices and their employees leave downtown. I just will not accept this – and our city cannot afford to accept this. That is why we are disrupting, challenging and rebuilding the system. Inside Safe and our overall approach is evolving and will continue to evolve.”

ANIMAL SERVICES:

Mayor Bass highlighted work done to protect the City’s animals and improve the Department of Animal Services.

“And we cannot forget our animals – We’ve brought in a new leader of the department, we’ve nearly doubled the number of volunteers, we’re extending hours into the evening, and earlier today, I was proud to sign Councilmember Hernandez’s moratorium on dog breeding permits in Los Angeles. Thank you Councilwoman for your leadership”

FUTURE GENERATIONS:

“Three weeks ago, I welcomed my third grandchild – his name is Oliver… And while I’ve spoken tonight about the 4 million Angelenos I work for every day, a huge part of my heart is with him and my other grandchildren right now. And I know City Hall can do big, bold things for L.A… For today, and for the future that my grandchildren will inherit. Thousands more people moved inside… We’ve lowered crime. Think about it – we weathered a tropical storm and an earthquake on the same day! I will never accept that we have to settle for the way things have always been… And if we keep challenging the status quo – through the budget and across the board – we will make sure Los Angeles is a City that puts the people’s business first…. that puts results first and that builds a new Los Angeles we can all be proud of.” 

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How to Make a Public Comment at a City Council Meeting

Last Updated: March 11, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising . Hunter Rising is a wikiHow Staff Writer based in Los Angeles. He has more than three years of experience writing for and working with wikiHow. Hunter holds a BFA in Entertainment Design from the University of Wisconsin - Stout and a Minor in English Writing. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 81,954 times. Learn more...

Council meetings are public forums where local officials discuss issues or bills in regards to the city. If you have any concerns about an issue in your city, you can express them during the public comment portion of the meeting. During this time, you can talk to the council members directly to let them know how you feel on a subject. After checking the guidelines for public comment, present your thoughts to the council and community. Once you present your viewpoint and the council hears it, it may make an impact on your local government!

Researching the Guidelines

• If you cannot find meeting times online, you may need to call your city’s government center to find out when meetings take place.

• Some cities only let you speak about the topics and issues covered during that meeting while others let you speak about any city-related issue.

• For example, you may bring up issues about speeding vehicles on your street or improvements that could be made to a public space.
• Public comments have a time limit so the council can hear multiple people during the meeting. Only choose 1 topic to cover per meeting so you have time to talk about it.

Tip: Check your city council’s guidelines to see if your comment needs to be related to what’s being discussed at the meeting.

• City councils may not accept sign-ups after the cut-off time.
• You must sign yourself up. You cannot have another person sign up for you.
• Usually, you must be a city resident or a state taxpayer to participate in a city council meeting.

Attending the Meeting

• If there wasn’t a sign-up and the line is long, the council may cut off the public comment section even if you didn’t get a chance to speak.
• Wear a business casual outfit so you can look professional so people take you seriously.

• Check your city government’s regulations to see what information you need to provide while you’re presenting.

• For example, you may say something like, “I believe the city should put a 4-way stop at the intersection of 1st and Park Street because there are many families with small children living the neighborhood.”
• Don’t be disorderly or verbally attack any of the council members since they can cut you off and prevent you from speaking.
• Don’t use your time to promote any products, services, or other candidates for public positions.

Tip: If someone already said what you were planning to say, you can tell the council members that you agree with that person’s statement before giving personal opinions or evidence.

• Many city councils will give you a 30-second warning so you have time to wrap up your comment.
• Council members might not answer or talk back to you while you’re presenting.

Community Q&A

• If you’re unable to attend a city council meeting but you still want to make a comment, see if your city has paper forms you can fill out. Otherwise, you may be able to directly email council members with your concerns. [9] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Rules for speaking at a city council meeting may vary depending on where you live. Check with your city council’s website to see when and how you can sign up to speak. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Don’t be disrespectful to the council members since they will cut you off and prevent you from participating in the rest of the meeting. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 2

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.austintexas.gov/department/city-council/council/council_meeting_info_center.htm
• ↑ https://www.cob.org/gov/council/Pages/guide.aspx
• ↑ https://www.seattle.gov/cityclerk/agendas-and-legislative-resources/city-council-agendas/public-comment-guide
• ↑ https://raleighnc.gov/petition-address-city-council
• ↑ http://phlcouncil.com/offering-public-comment-at-council-sessions/
• ↑ https://www.cob.org/Documents/council/Guidelines-Public-Comments-Council.pdf

About This Article

Making a public comment at your city council meeting can make a big impact on issues in your community. If you haven’t attended a city council meeting before, take a look at the city website to see the meeting agendas. Typically, each meeting will cover different topics, so you’ll need to wait for 1 about your issue before you make a comment. Get to the meeting at least 15 minutes early so you have time to sign up to speak. If your city council doesn’t have a sign-up, then you can just stand up to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting. Once the main issues of the meeting have been addressed, they will call up community members to speak. When you’re called, go up to the microphone and tell everyone your name and the part of the city you live in. Then let them know your concerns. Some city councils have comment time limits of 2-3 minutes, so try to keep yours brief. For more advice, like how to make your time at the microphone count, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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