Well I definitely had a crash course in public speaking in 2016 during running in local body elections.
The good:
The good part was putting across ideas that maybe didn't sit comfortably with some audiences but things I saw as a reality and something to be addressed in my region.
Meeting and standing against a varied group of candidates, young, old, Maori, European with varied backgrounds and life experiences.
Gaining confidence in my public speaking in front of diverse audiences.
The bad:
Nerves, of course.
The ugly:
Having a momentary lapse of thought in the middle of a candidate speech.
One older candidate apologizing for mixing up his speech notes for a banana cake recipe (true story).
Running for council gave me an extraordinary amount of practice in public speaking of which I hadn't done very much of before, it threw me in the deep end and made me look inwards at myself and what I value in my region, what strengths and weaknesses i see and where improvements can be made.
It was a great exercise in self-growth, forcing me out of my comfort zone and really learning a lot about my region and the challenges that will be faced in the future. From water security issues, economic development initiatives, rail, iwi collaboration, homelessness, beggars, wetlands trials, swimming pool developments. The list goes on and on. Constant email queries and questions of my opinion on many issues with a short time span to research and answer.
Building all of the knowledge gained into my public speaking and speaking the truth were key features of my speech making. Not a typical politician, i saw myself more as a community servant to help push for better systems and practices.
Will I do it again in the next round? probably not as I will be on a different track after finishing my studies. It will be remembered as a time of learning and a great experience as the youngest regional candidate.
4 comments:
Wow Jess! I can't believe you put yourself out there in that capacity. It's definitely not something I would ever feel capable of doing. In saying that though, my friend and I had organised a rally to demonstrate against the deaths of women through domestic violence one year, so I would have had to get up and speak; had a bigger community organisation not want to take it over. But the thought of what you did, scares the bejeebers out of me.
I can't wait to see you rise in the New Zealand ranks, commanding attention on serious issues. I can turn and say to my family and friends, I know that lady. I went to uni with her...lol ;)
Hi Jess,
That sounds like it would have been a fantastic learning experience and such a wonderful thing to be able to look back on later, knowing that you put yourself out there and stood up for what you believed in.
It sounds like you approached it with intergrity and the best of intentions - something to be commended.
Cheers,
Michelle
Hi Jess,
Doing something like running for council is such a brave thing to do. I know when I look at local elections it's people like you that catch my attention the most. I think people putting different ideas out there that make people question things is really important.
I suppose the best way to gain skill at something like public speaking is just by doing it but I doubt it will ever not be nerve raking.
Hey Jess,
Very cool layout for your blog this week. It's one of my favourite movies!
To be honest, I'm not that surprised you've done something like running for council haha. It's such a "Jess Jacobs" thing to do. Our world needs people like you though. I'm quite honoured to have worked with someone that will change the world as much as you will!
I've just finished commenting on Alicia's blog about moving out of your comfort zone and how much it can do for your growth. It sounds like this was a really good move for you and left you feeling like you could take on anything now.
Thanks again for your patience and guidance throughout the semester. I'm going to miss ya heaps. I hope to see your name popping up in the hippy section of stuff articles sometime soon!
Floyd
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