WHAT IS IT?
The Presenter Practice Program is an opportunity for K&C trainers, presenters, and facilitators to rehearse, receive peer review and a digital video of their rehearsal, and develop a plan for improving their skills.  (This program is only budgeted for existing conferences.)

PURPOSE
To help LTC and other K&C presenters develop their speaking and facilitation skills, and thus increase the quality of ASME training events and technical presentations.

HOW IT WORKS

• Rooms will be available at existing conferences (IMECE, LTC, the Annual Meeting, and some Division Conferences) equipped with a screen, projector, flip charts and markers, along with a computer for reviewing DVDs.
• K&C volunteers and staff already funded to attend the existing conferences and scheduled to present at an ASME training conference (e.g. LTC, SLC, SDOB Leadership Conference) will be asked to attend a presenter practice session a commitment of 30-45 minutes.
• Volunteers and staff will also be asked to serve as peer reviewers for presenters, a commitment of about 30 minutes.
• Each person conducts a 10-15 minute dry run of a presentation they are scheduled or planning to facilitate.  The presentations will be digitally recorded.
• The presenters will receive peer feedback for 10-15 minutes, may review the digital recording of their dry run and develop an action plan for addressing areas where improvement is needed. 
• Peer reviewers will also be asked to rate presenters quantitatively, using the Peer Review Form, to provide a means of measuring program success (increases in ratings over time).
• Volunteers not funded to attend an existing conference may participate in the Presenter Practice Program; however, they will not be eligible for a travel reimbursement contribution from ASME.
• Schedule permitting, volunteers and staff interested in being considered as presenters for training conferences will be able to schedule time for an “audition.”  People will be asked to give a 10-15 minute presentation, which will be digitally recorded and made available for their review.
• Observers are permitted (watching others present and receive peer feedback is itself a valuable experience), but are asked to refrain from comment unless they are a peer reviewer.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

• K&C volunteers and staff scheduled to present at an ASME training conference are given highest priority.
• Volunteers and staff interested in being considered as presenters for ASME training conferences are also welcome, schedule permitting.
• Those interested in being Speakers Bureau Candidates are also welcome, schedule permitting.

PREPARING FOR A PRACTICE SESSION
To get the most out of our practice session, we highly recommend that you take some actions before you arrive:

• Review the Professional Practice Curriculum module Effective Technical Presentations, online at http://www.professionalpractice.asme.org/members/technical_pres/index.htm
  TIP:  Chapter 5 of this PPC module focuses on improving your skills.  Definitely read this before you arrive!
• Read the Facilitator Guidelines available on the Trainer Resources page of the VOLT Academy web site:  http://volunteer.asme.org/VOLT/Trainer_Resources.cfm
  TIP:  Bookmark this page – it contains a wealth of information to help you prepare and delivery effective presentations and facilitate successful learning events.
• Bring any PowerPoint slides or electronic files you plan to use on a thumb drive.  The room will be equipped with a projector and screen, flip chart, and markers. 
• You may decide to focus on particular skills – starting off presentation, including a discussion of learning objectives; facilitating an exercise, practicing timing of a given amount of material, etc.  Let us know what you are focusing on when you sign up for a session.

PEER REVIEW PROCESS

• Peer reviewers are requested to read the PPC module on Effective Presentations and the Facilitator Guidelines on the VOLT Academy website, to familiarize themselves with effective presentation skills.  The Peer Review Form has a checklist for you to use in reviewing the presenters.
• Start off rating the person in the middle of the rating scale, unless they are clearly outstanding or sorely lacking in certain skills.  This will provide a benchmark against which to compare future practice sessions.
• In providing verbal feedback immediately following a presentation, it is important to be candid and balanced – speaking and letting oneself be peer reviewed can be a daunting prospect!  Start off with a positive comment about a strength you observed, then provide constructive criticism.
• Phrase your constructive criticism in terms of observable behaviors, rather than extrapolating to a judgment about the speaker, and be as specific and detailed in your comments as possible.  For example:  say “You did not vary the volume or pitch of your speaking voice; you spoke in a monotone” rather than “You sounded boring.”

Download the Peer Review Form (.doc)

SCHEDULING A PRACTICE SESSION
Please complete the scheduling form and email it to Abe Hassan at HassanA@asme.org.  Include 3 times at which you can be available (allow 30-45 minutes) to conduct your session or serve as peer reviewer.  Have the following information ready.

• Name, email address
• Any ASME conference(s) or event(s) at which you are scheduled to present or conduct a training session.
• Whether you are a candidate for the Speakers Bureau, or wish to be.
• ASME Unit – GC, AC, TC, P&A, K&C Board, section, division, Other Sector, staff?
• Are there any particular skills on which you wish to focus?  If so, what?

Download the Scheduling Form (.doc)

CONTACTS

• Marian Heller will provide overall staff support to the program.  HellerM@asme.org
• Abe Hassan will be coordinating the registration process and serve as on-site contact person at existing conferences where presenter practice sessions will be held.  HassanA@asme.org