Hearing and Town Hall Quick Tips

 

Get to the meeting early, so that you can sign up to speak. Sometimes, testimony is given in a first-come-first-serve basis. Getting to the venue early can also give you a sense of the event.
Wait your turn to speak and listen politely to others speaking before or after you.
When you reach the podium or microphone in front of the deciding committee, wait until the room is quiet and all committee members have their eyes on you. They will tell you when to start.
Make quick eye contact with each member of the committee before you begin. This is one way to 'connect' with the policy makers to whom you're speaking, making your speech more personal, more one-on-one.
State your name.
Describe how this affects your everyday life (or how it affected your life).
Make a statement about yourself. For example, tell the panel what you do for a living, in which neighborhood you live, share your experience and connection with ODS.
Every now and again, pause in your narration to give emphasis to what you're saying.
Make sure you direct your comments to the committee chairperson or president of the hearing, meeting, or town hall. This person usually sits in the middle of the panel.
Describe your circumstances. Illustrate to the committee members the situation surrounding the personal information you just mentioned.
Explain how the proposed changes will affect you personally.
Thank the committee for providing you with the opportunity to speak.
Tell how this situation happened or about the events leading up to it.
Tell how the new policy will affect people you know. Being able to provide several examples helps emphasize how important this regulation or policy decision will be to many instead of just one; it spreads out the impact of any changes.