SC Canvassing (2 Feb 2006)
From http://-icebubble.blogspot.com, 2 Feb 2006. Article is preserved in its original flavour, save for comments, which are rendered in italics.
By the way, this is a very apt entry from the perspective of a concerned voter that I was last year; it is especially so since I will be running for SC this year.
Now, I will proceed on to the canvassing for Students’ Council. I had this question that just popped up, and I thought I could have asked this to the councillors. I could have asked: “What do you think an SC should be like?” Another variation could be: “How would you describe the true essence of SC?” Many possible answers could pop up: “To cater to the welfare of the students”, “To organise fun events for the school” just to name a few examples.
Do we imagine an SC (council or councillor) to be strict, rule-abiding, fun-loving, enthusiastic, passionate, organised, serious, admirable or responsible? (The list of adjectives is non-exhaustible.)
Honestly, I felt today’s speeches by the SC nominees were disappointing on a whole. There were only a few things that they assumed (or as a matter-of-fact) that the SC should/could do. “I love organising events”, “I think that I have the ability to lead”, “I am able to hone my leadership skills”, “I want to know everyone” just to state a few quotes. Yijin’s idea of the IP SC “being the bridge between the IP and the college” sounded interesting, and Qianyu’s idea of having a prom was 50% decent – at the least, it sounded attractive for a while. Jastine’s speech was creative, but unnecessary, because it did not emphasise on why people should vote for him and, like many nominees, tend to focus on grabbing attention, which should not have been the emphasis.
I think a good speech for an SC canvassing should consist of:
a) An introduction to who you are
b) Qualities that you have that makes you the best candidate for SC
c) Things that you can do for the IP (primary) and college (secondary & optional) when you are in the SC
d) Things that you hope to see after your tenure in SC (in yourself as well as in the IP)
e) As a matter of fact, “Please vote for me for SC because (insert stuff that you have mentioned in (b) and/or (c) to reiterate)!” or any other variations like “I am the choice, (insert slogan)!”
This template should be adequate for a speech 2 to 3 minutes long. Attention catchers should be:
a) Slogans, not long stories. People remember phrases better than stories, unless it is part of a joke that was (vaguely) heard before.
b) Forceful delivery, with emphasis, of key words (not an exaggerated one of course)
c) Reiteration, to remind people of what you have been talking about
And here’s a not-to-do list:
a) Monotone
b) Start off your story with a joke (might help to plug one, but in the middle)
c) Distracting hand gesticulation
d) Start off with “I know, after x speeches you might be bored” or “I know I am the xth person to speak” as x tends to infinity (ok, ignore the last 5 words if you want to, but we’ll be meeting those in differentiation). Do not directly grab their attention, spring up a surprise.
e) As I told my fellow VIPer sitting beside me, “Do you know the type of mechanical pencil that, when you shake, will allow the pencil lead to come out? ___ should not shake their microphone as if the wire will grow longer.” In short, speak into the microphone – ask for a stand if necessary.
Some things that can make the whole canvassing better:
a) Draw lots to decide who would go first, second, third and so on.
b) Question & answer session: a slip of paper should be given to people who want to ask questions. This prevents unnecessary machine-gunning of questions (as we might say, “@#$%!!! _______ ask like free liddat”) and consequently less waste of time.
c) More voting boxes, thanks.
d) A tea party for VIP students to interact with SC nominees (possible but might not be feasible)
e) My GSE report thank you very much. Just joking. (=
And with that, I end my ultra-long blog entry. I shall redo my Trigonometry 5 assignment.
I shall take into account these points while formulating my speech. Thanks to myself from a year ago!
Filed under: Storm in the Mind
