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Labor Slam: Public Speaking Course
Round #5
First Wednesday of every month through December unless otherwise noted. Due to the 4th of July holiday we will not be meeting on Wednesday, July 3rd.
July 17th, 2024
6:30pm-9:00pm
(We will begin promptly at 6:30pm.)
Located in the large conference room at the AFL-CIO offices
Who's Welcome?
This is a safe and supportive environment for all levels of experience. All members in good standing are welcome.
July 17th, 2024
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
What to prepare:
Bring a Prepared Speech: 90sec to 2min in length:
You'll have the opportunity to present your speech, be coached and do it again.
Extemporaneous: If you don't have a prepared speech you are welcome to practice extemporaneous speeches, or off the cuff. You'll have 90 seconds.
**ALLERGY INFO (health notice)
Sheila and perhaps others in the room suffer from environmental and food allergies.
If you would please refrain from wearing cologne, perfume, and scented body products on the day that we meet, that would be incredibly helpful.
Scented laundry detergents and dryer sheets are also very problematic. If you use these items it would be helpful that what you wear to class is not newly washed so that the scents would have faded.
Also, if anyone was recently ill, please don't attend unless you are no longer contagious. Out of an abundance of caution, if you still have the sniffles or are coughing, please be prepared to wear a mask. If you don't have one, we will provide you with one. Thank you for your kind attention to these matters.
AND, if any of you have allergies that we should be aware of... peanut etc. Please reach out to Josh and let him know so that we can get the word out and make this a safe space for all of us!
Thanks for the opportunity to serve this community! I'm excited for all that we will explore and learn together! See you on Wednesday, July 17th!
In solidarity and with gratitude,
Sheila Labor Slam Workshop Series Instructor
ABOUT THE SERIES ~ Labor Slam: Public Speaking
Public Speaking is an Art form. Done well it's engaging and transformative. This ongoing series will provide information on the effective construction and delivery of various lengths and types of speeches necessary for those within the labor movement, skills that are transferable to all areas of your life.
You'll learn to construct and deliver a dynamic speech whether you have time to prepare or must deliver impromptu on the spot. You'll be able to speak with confidence and authority, while still being relatable to your audience. Most importantly, you'll learn to be comfortable in your own skin, maintaining your individuality while speaking on behalf of the common good.
ABOUT THE FACILITATOR ~ Sheila Ivy Traister
Sheila has been a leader in the labor movement since 1994 with a long record of success for her ability to advocate, organize, inform and inspire. She is an award winning actor, writer, and director in the entertainment industry and has a successful private coaching practice. She helps not only creatives but corporate executives, lawyers, teachers, story slam artists, public speakers and laborers on the art of public speaking and effective communication.
Read what other participants have to say about their experiences!
Labor Slam was such a great experience and it’s helped me immediately and immensely. I’m a Denver City worker and we’re currently trying to change the Denver City Charter so my union can get the bargaining rights we currently lack. I’ve testified and given speeches before on this and other issues. Even though my speeches are written well and in my voice, I have the habit of delivering it as fast as possible with my face buried in my speech. Today I made the case for bargaining to City Council. I kept my words simple and worked hard to only glance at my speech as needed. Not only did I finish with time to spare, but I got tons of compliments afterwards on my comments. I credit this success to Labor Slam and will definitely go back to keep improving.
Lauren Seegmiller
Denver Public Library Workers Union
Sheila's Public Speaking workshop was incredibly helpful. In my role, I do not address crowds often, but I do have meetings with teams of staff and officers. Sheila's feedback helped me increase my ability to make sure my messages are properly conveyed during those meetings and to help ensure that what I say is heard, understood and acknowledged. Whether it's addressing elected officials on the steps of the capitol or just speaking to a small circle of co-workers, this workshop will help you find more effective ways to communicate. Everyone should attend at least one session, you'll learn something new!
Josh Obie
Financial & Operations Administrator, Colorado AFL-CIO